<p>Two state of the art finite element reduction techniquespreviously validated against the direct finite element method,one based on classical modal analysis and another based oncomponent mode synthesis, are applied for efficient mistunedfree vibration and forced response analysis of several bladeddisk geometries. The methods are first applied to two testcases in order to demonstrate the differences in computationalefficiency as well as to validate the methods againstexperimental data. As previous studies have indicated, nonoticeable differences in accuracy are detected for the currentapplications, while the method based on classical modalanalysis is significantly more efficient. Experimental data(mistuned frequencies and mode shapes) available for one of thetwo test cases are compared with numerical predictions, and agood match is obtained, which adds to the previous validationof the methods (against the direct finite element method).</p><p>The influence of blade-to-blade coupling and rotation speedon the sensitivity of bladed disks to mistuning is thenstudied. A transonic fan is considered with part span shroudsand without shrouds, respectively, constituting a high and alow blade-to-blade coupling case. For both cases, computationsare performed at rest as well as at various rotation speeds.Mistuning sensitivity is modelled as the dependence ofamplitude magnification on the standard deviation of bladestiffnesses. The finite element reduction technique based onclassical modal analysis is employed for the structuralanalysis. This reduced order model is solved for sets of randomblade stiffnesses with various standard deviations, i.e. MonteCarlo simulations. In order to reduce the sample size, thestatistical data is fitted to a Weibull (type III) parametermodel. Three different parameter estimation techniques areapplied and compared. The key role of blade-to-blade coupling,as well as the ratio of mistuning to coupling, is demonstratedfor the two cases. It is observed that mistuning sensitivityvaries significantly with rotation speed for both fans due toan associated variation in blade-to-blade coupling strength.Focusing on the effect of one specific engine order on themistuned response of the first bending modes, it is observedthat the mistuning sensitivity behaviour of the fan withoutshrouds is unaffected by rotation at its resonant condition,due to insignificant changes in coupling strength at thisspeed. The fan with shrouds, on the other hand, shows asignificantly different behaviour at rest and resonant speed,due to increased coupling under rotation. Comparing the twocases at resonant rotor speeds, the fan without shrouds is lessor equally sensitive to mistuning than the fan with shrouds inthe entire range of mistuning strengths considered.</p><p>This thesis’scientific contribution centres on themistuning sensitivity study, where the effects of shrouds androtation speed are quantified for realistic bladed diskgeometries. However, also the validation of two finite elementreduction techniques against experimental measurementsconstitutes an important contribution.</p>

The present dissertation aims to evaluate the phenomenon of visual masking as a tool for studying visual awareness focusing on two-alternative forced choice (2AFC) discrimination tasks. Two existing theories of masking - Bachmann's (1984) perceptual retouch theory and Marcel's (1983) recovery theory - are discussed along with the global neuronal workspace theory of awareness (Baars. 1989; Dehaene, Kerszberg, & Changeux, 1998). Performance accuracy on Semantic discrimination is compared to that on Orthographic discrimination as an indication of a potential difference between semantic and orthographic processing of masked word stimuli presented for 40 ms and 50 ms. This is further compared to an e-detection task previously used as an indicator of awareness in some masked priming experiments. Together, these tasks are further evaluated in terms of their relationship with participants' subjective reports collected in the form of confidence ratings. The implications and predictions drawn from the theories of masking and visual awareness as well as the notion of partial awareness (Kouider & Dupoux, 2001) are assessed taking into account the data obtained in the current experiments.The relevance of these data for masked priming is determined by performing a comparison between 2AFC discrimination and detection tasks, and the lexical decision task. An ERP study is also presented, in which Semantic and Orthographic discrimination as well as e-detection are paired with confidence ratings and electrophysiological recordings in search of an ERP component that can be correlated with both subjective (confidence) and objective (performance) measures of awareness. A binding account of visual awareness with special attention paid to visual masking is proposed and compared to the three existing theories.

L’éducation populaire en Amérique latine est sensée être une alternative éducative afin de favoriser l’émancipation et la libération des classes sociales populaires. Ainsi, elle se bat principalement pour l’insertion sociale, le refus de l’exclusion et de la marginalisation. En Colombie, l’expression la plus violente de l’exclusion est le déplacement forcé, qui a été reconnu par le Statut de Rome de la Cour Pénale Internationale comme un crime contre l’humanité. D’après la CODHES, un Colombien sur dix est en situation de déplacement forcé. Le conflit armé est évoqué comme la cause principale de cette situation. Seulement, la situation de guerre semble plus un moyen d’expulsion des paysans de la campagne pour les déposséder de leurs terres. Néanmoins et malgré la « crise humanitaire » qu’a produit le déplacement, les populations déplacées ou en risque de l’être ont développé des processus de résistance et de refondation dont l’éducation est un axe transversal et fondamental. Dans les deux processus, l’éducation répond à la même idée refondatrice de création de la vie libre et démocratique. Finalement, le soutien à l’éducation qui rassemble l’école et la communauté est un élément moteur pour créer une société de paix. / The popular education in Latin America is supposed to be an alternative education in order to encourage emancipation and liberation of popular social classes. Thereby its fight is mainly in favour of the social integration, the exclusion refusal and the marginalization. The most violent expression of exclusion in the Republic of Colombia is the forced displacement which has been recognized by the Statut de Rome of the International Criminal Court as a crime against humanity. According to CODHES, one Colombian out of ten is in forced displacement situation. But the war seems to be a way of evicting farmers in order to strip them of their lands. Nevertheless, in spite of the “humanity crisis” caused by the displacement, the displaced populations or those exposed to be forced to leave their home have developed a resistance and refunding movement transversally and fundamentally focused on education. In both processes education responds to the same idea to reestablish the creation of free and democratic life. In the end support given to education assembling school and community is a driving force to a peaceful society.

Tragédie humaine et crime que l'on préfère croire d'un autre temps, l'esclavage n'a jamais été aussi prospère que depuis la proclamation officielle de son abolition. Dès lors, son éradication se heurte à un manque flagrant de juridictionnalisation et à l'absence de mise en oeuvre de politiques publiques concrètes. Dans le même temps, l'intervention vigoureuse des forces de l'ordre est entravée, ce qui permet aux trafiquants de jouir d'une relative impunité. De prime abord, il peut paraître simple de définir ce qu'est l'esclavage tant la notion semble entendue et le sujet d'actualité. Mais au-delà de cette image d'Epinal véhiculée par la traite transatlantique négrière, l'esclavage perdure et ses avatars modernes se superposent à ses formes anciennes. La nature transnationale de ce crime, l'anonymat de ces auteurs facilité par l'évolution des technologies et la difficulté d'en identifier ses victimes amènent à se demander si la sphère internationale n'est finalement pas la plus à même de lutter contre les pratiques esclavagistes. De plus, faire respecter l'interdiction des pratiques esclavagistes passe aujourd'hui par une approche multidisciplinaire du phénomène qui doit être réalisée à l'échelle internationale de manière à saisir pleinement l'envergure de ce qu'est réellement l'esclavage, mais implique toutefois une coopération des Etats. En effet, bien plus qu'une simple problématique juridique, fut-elle d'envergure internationale, la lutte contre l'esclavage contemporain implique également une prise de conscience de la sphère politique et un engagement de la société civile sans lesquelles aucunes mesures ne pourraient être efficacement appliquées. / Human tragedy and crime that we prefer to think of another time, slavery has never been so prosperous since the official announcement of its abolition. Therefore, its eradication is facing a serious lack of jurisdictionalisation and a lack of enforcement of specific public policies. At the same time, the vigorous intervention of the authorities is obstructed that which allow a relative impunity to the traffickers.Prima facie it may seem easy to define slavery as the concept seems to heard and the current topic. But beyond this idyllic picture conveyed by the transatlantic slave trade, slavery persists and its modern avatars overlap with its ancient forms. The transnational nature of this crime, the anonymity of the authors facilitated by technological developments and the difficulty of identifying his victims, lead us to wonder if the international sphere is not actually the best able to fight against slavery. Furthermore, enforcing the prohibition of slavery going on today by a multidisciplinary approach to the phenomenon which must be done internationally in order to fully grasp the scale of what slavery really is, but involves, however, cooperation of States. Indeed more than a simple legal question, even with an international scope, the fight against contemporary slavery also involves an awareness of the political sphere and a commitment of the civil society without which no measures could be effectively applied.

This study examines Ferdinand Porsche’s activities during the Third Reich. Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951) was an engineer who became best known as the founder of Porsche AG, one of the most profitable car manufacturers in the world. Between 1933 and 1945, Porsche collaborated closely with the National Socialist regime in Germany. Prior to the start of the Second World War in September 1939, Porsche designed the Volkswagen Beetle on behalf of Adolf Hitler, and oversaw the factory dedicated to manufacturing the Volkswagen. During the Second World War, Porsche transformed the Volkswagen factory into an important site for armament production, and designed various military vehicles; with both undertakings, his company exploited involuntary workers. After the Second World War, Porsche was interrogated by American and British occupying forces and imprisoned by the French government. After his release from France in August 1947, he went on to design the first sports car displaying the Porsche marque and help build an automotive empire. This study emphasizes Ferdinand Porsche’s relationships to leaders of the National Socialist regime, namely Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler, and Hermann Göring. Porsche utilized such relationships to further his personal interests. This study also considers the limited response of Porsche AG to this challenging history.

Background: Asthma is a heterogeneous disease. Diagnosis relies on symptom evaluation and lung function tests using spirometry. Symptoms can be vague. Spirometry is effort-dependent and does not reliably evaluate small airways. Allergic asthma in preschool children is not easily separated from episodic wheeze. Exhaled NO (FeNO) is a marker of allergic Th2-cytokine-driven airway inflammation. However, FeNO is not feasible in preschoolers with current devices and algorithms. Alveolar NO is an estimate of small airway involvement. Forced oscillometry (FOT) is an effort-independent lung function test assessing both large and small airways. Aims: To study clinical and methodological aspects of FeNO, alveolar NO and lung function indices by FOT. Methods: Asthmatic children and young adults and healthy controls, were included in the studies. FeNO at 50 mL/s was performed in all studies (in study III with an adapted single-breath method with age-adjusted exhalation times). FeNO at multiple exhalation flow rates were performed in studies I, II and IV to calculate alveolar NO, as was spirometry. FOT indices were assessed in study IV. Results: The exhalation time needed to reach steady-state NO was &lt; 4 s in subjects aged 3-4 years, and was related to subject height. FeNO was higher in ICS-naïve asthmatic children than in controls. ICS-naïve asthmatic preschool children had FeNO &lt; 20 ppb. The oral contribution to FeNO was similar in asthmatic and healthy youths. Multiple flow rates and modelling of alveolar NO were feasible in children aged 10-18 years. Alveolar NO correlated to asthma characteristics, though not when axial diffusion correction was applied. FOT resistance measures were associated with asthma diagnosis, and small airway FOT measures were associated with asthma control, in adolescents. Conclusion: An adapted FeNO method is feasible from 4 years, and exhalation time is related to child height. Our findings emphasise the need to refine clinical cut-offs for FeNO in younger children. FOT variables discriminate between asthmatics and controls, much like spirometry. The information provided by FOT is additive to that from spirometry. Further studies of exhaled NO dynamics and FOT indices of small airways are warranted to evaluate new treatment options and possibly improve asthma control.

Background:  Children going through surgery are likely to develop hypothermia caused by anesthesia, which can have severer consequences both peri and postoperatively. With increased understanding and knowledge regarding the correct methods for prevention, hypothermia caused by anesthesia in children can be reduced. This in turn, will lead to better and safer care. Aim: To describe the presence of hypothermia in children undergoing anesthesia. Also, this study will look at how the nurse anesthetists’ different interventions to preserve heat affect the occurrence of hypothermia. Methods: A descriptive retrospective study was performed. Medical records were reviewed to collect data. Results: The result showed that despite interventions to preserve heat were implemented, hypothermia caused by anesthesia still occurred during surgery. Gender, age and type of operation were factors that did not correlate with the presence of hypothermia. The length of surgery was shown to have some negative correlation with presence of hypothermia. Nursing interventions to preserve heat had no significant association with hypothermia. Conclusions: Nurse anesthetist used different combinations of interventions to preserve heat and reduce the risk for hypothermia in children. The majority of children obtained three or more different interventions aimed to preserve heat. Despite this, several children developed hypothermia during surgery. By increasing the nurse anesthetists’ knowledge and awareness regarding hypothermia caused by anesthesia, it can lead to improvement in providing safe care and reduce the number of cases where hypothermia occurs. Continued similar studies could lead to more person-centered care with personalized policies and amend the methods used regarding hypothermia caused by anesthesia. / Bakgrund: Barn som opereras löper stor risk att drabbas av anestesiinducerad hypotermi. Anestesiinducerad hypotermi kan leda till allvarliga konsekvenser både peri- och postoperativt för barnet.  Med ökad förståelse, kunskap och rätt metoder kan anestesiinducerad hypotermi reduceras och öka förutsättningar till en säker vård. Syfte: Att beskriva förekomsten av hypotermi vid rutinbarnanestesi. Ett annat syfte är att studera hur anestesisjuksköterskans olika värmebevarande omvårdnadsåtgärder associeras med uppkomsten av hypotermi. Metodbeskrivning: En deskriptiv retrospektiv journalgranskningsstudie genomfördes och 147 journaler granskades. Resultat: Studiens resultat påvisade att anestesiinducerad hypotermi förekom under operationsperioden även om värmebevarande åtgärder användes. Kön, ålder och typ av operation var inte associerade med förekomst av hypotermi. Operationstiden visade sig ha en svag negativ korrelation med förekomsten av hypotermi. Värmebevarande omvårdnadsåtgärder hade ingen signifikant association med hypotermi. Slutsats: Anestesisjuksköterskan använde olika kombinationer av värmebevarande åtgärder för att minska risken för utveckling av hypotermi hos patienterna. Majoriteten av barnen erhöll tre eller fler värmebevarande åtgärder. Trots det hade flera barn hypotermi under operationen. Att försöka öka kunskapen och medvetenheten hos anestesisjuksköterskan om anestesiinducerad hypotermi, dess risker och konsekvenser samt förebyggande åtgärder kan om möjligt leda till ökade förutsättningar för en säker vård och minskat antal patientfall där oavsiktlig hypotermi förekommer. Fortsatta liknande studier inom forskningen skulle möjligt kunna leda till mer personcentrerad vård med individanpassade riktlinjer, metoder, handlingsplaner gällande anestesiinducerad hypotermi.

<p>This research investigates the forced response of mistuned rotor blades that can lead to excessive vibration, noise, and high cycle fatigue failure in a turbomachine. In particular, an embedded rotor in the Purdue Three-Stage Axial Compressor Research Facility is considered. The prediction of the rotor forced response contains three key elements: the prediction of forcing function, damping, and the effect of frequency mistuning. These computational results are compared with experimental aerodynamic and vibratory response measurements to understand the accuracy of each prediction.</p><p>A state-of-the-art time-marching computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code is used to predict the rotor forcing function. A highly-efficient nonlinear frequency-domain Harmonic Balance CFD code is employed for the prediction of aerodynamic damping. These allow the compressor aerodynamics to be depicted and the tuned rotor response amplitude to be predicted. Frequency mistuning is considered by using two reduced-order models of different levels of fidelity, namely the Fundamental Mistuning Model (FMM) and the Component Mode Mistuning (CMM) methods. This allows a cost-effective method to be identified for mistuning analysis, especially for probabilistic mistuning analysis.</p><p>The first topic of this work concerns the prediction of the forcing function of the embedded rotor due to the periodic passing of the neighboring stators that have the same vane counts. Superposition and decomposition methods are introduced under a linearity assumption, which states that the rotor forcing function comprises of two components that are induced by each neighboring stator, and that these components stay unchanged with only a phase shift with respect to a change in the stator-stator clocking position. It is found that this assumption captures the first-order linear relation, but neglects the secondary nonlinear effect which alters each stator-induced forcing functions with respect to a change in the clocking position.</p><p>The second part of this work presents a comprehensive mistuned forced response prediction of the embedded rotor at a high-frequency (higher-order) mode. Three steady loading conditions are considered. The predicted aerodynamics are in good agreement with experimental measurements in terms of the compressor performance, rotor tip leakage flow, and circumferential distributions of the stator wake and potential fields. Mistuning analyses using FMM and CMM models show that the extremely low-cost FMM model produces very similar predictions to those of CMM. The predicted response is in good agreement with the measured response, especially after taking the uncertainty in the experimentally-determined frequency mistuning into consideration. Experimentally, the characteristics of the mistuned response change considerably with respect to loading. This is not very well predicted, and is attributed to un-identified and un-modeled effects. A significant amplification factor over 1.5 is observed both experimentally and computationally for this higher-order mode.</p> / Dissertation

The forced Oscillation Technique (FOT) can be used to measure lung impedance continuously during breathing. However, spectral overlap between the breathing waveform and the applied flow oscillation can be problematic if the frequency content of spontaneous breathing is unknown. This problem motivated us to develop a modification to the FOT system called the Tracked Breathing Trainer. The modification uses biofeedback to constrain subjects to breathe at a single predetermined frequency. This thesis investigates the engineering and physiological aspects of the modification we made. We studied 8 adult non-asthmatic and 8 adult asthmatic subjects. Three 16 s perturbatory flow oscillation signals ranging from 1-40 Hz were used on the subjects. Each subject received three trials per perturbation for both spontaneous and tracked breathing. We then fitted a resistance-elastance-inertance model of the lung to each data set. For non-asthmatic subjects, the average resistance (R) and elastance (E) values for the first spontaneous breathing trial were 2.5±0.15 cmH2O.s.ml-1 and 18.1±3.55 cmH2O.ml-1, and for the third spontaneous breathing trial were 2.4±0.12 cmH2O.s.ml-1 and 21.8±4 cmH2O.ml-1. R and E for the first tracked breathing trial were 2.3±0.21 cmH2O.s.ml-1 and 33.6±7.4 cmH2O.ml-1, and for the third tracked breathing trial were 2.4±0.14 cmH2O.s.ml-1 and 25.75±4.3 cmH2O.ml-1, respectively. For asthmatic subjects, the average R and E values for the first spontaneous breathing trial were 3.32±0.68 cmH2O.s.ml-1 and 39.13±9.8 cmH2O.ml-1, and for the third spontaneous breathing trial were 3.12±0.15 cmH2O.s.ml-1 and 39.91±6.2 cmH2O.ml-1. R and E for the first tracked breathing trial were 2.86±0.15 cmH2O.s.ml-1 and 32.47±4.1 cmH2O.ml-1, and for the third tracked breathing trial were 2.86±0.21 cmH2O.s.ml-1 and 33.89±10 cmH2O.ml-1, respectively. These results show that R was consistently lower during tracked breathing than spontaneous breathing in both non-asthmatic and asthmatic subjects. However, an increase in E was observed during tracked breathing. We suspect this effect may have resulted from dynamic hyperinflation. These results also show that R and E are reproducible with both spontaneous and tracked breathing, and that R and E were not noticeably different between both breathing maneuvers. We conclude that using biofeedback to control the breathing pattern during application of the FOT in normal subjects does not significantly affect impedance measurements, and thus may be useful for avoiding spectral overlap between FOT perturbations and the breathing pattern.

This master thesis discusses employees appraisal in a selected organization. The theoretical part is devoted to expressions from the area of staff appraisal. Topics such as performance management, performance appraisal and work performance are clarified. Further the common process of employees appraisal is described, including its meaning and functionality. appraisal criteria are specified and selected appraisal metods are described. A specific chapter is devoted to forced distribution method. In the end of this part characteristics of high quality and effective employees appraisal are listed. In the empirical part a specific organization is presented, including description and analysis of used employees appraisal system. The goal of the research is through the analysis of the employees appraisal system and with the help of interviews with its employees determine the characteristics of a quality employees appraisal system. Based on the results of the conducted research recommendations leading to higher efectivity of employees appraisal are formed. Keywords: performance appraisal, performance management, appraisal metods, forced ranking