The paper presents the development methodology of a hydrostatic pump/motor for use in Parker Hannifin’s advanced series hydraulic hybrid transmissions for medium and heavy duty commercial vehicles. With Parker’s established bent-axis pump/motor technology for heavy duty mobile applications as a basis, it describes the main stages of further development and qualification for demanding automotive main drive transmissions. Parker’s APQP based, customer focused product development model was employed for this development which resulted in the variable bent-axis pump/motor C24 for open circuit hydrostatic transmissions. Positive customer results from a large fleet of in-service refuse collection trucks and parcel delivery vans with Parker advanced hydraulic hybrid drive systems using C24 pumps/motors serve as evidence of Parker’s product development model effectiveness. High reliability, good fuel economy, increased productivity and long brake life of the vehicles can directly be traced back to the streamlined, front-loaded and iterative development model.

The topic of the diploma thesis is a comparison of the old and new left in the Czech Republic. The diploma thesis focuses on a comparison of the selected relevant left-wing political groups operating in the Czech Republic. The thesis examines differences and similarities between the KSČM, the socialist wing of ČSSD on one side and the Green Party and the left-liberal tendencies and offshoots of the ČSSD (such Idealists) on the other hand. The work is divided into three main parts. The first part of the thesis is theoretical. The theoretical part defines main terms such as a political party, political movement, left-right axis of the political spectrum, the old left, the new left etc. The explanation of the terms is very important for understanding the thesis. In the second part of this thesis, I analyze single significant and relevant political parties. I focus on the origin and development of political parties and their electoral program, their attitude to selected issues, electorate, potential cooperation between themselves and so on. The third part is comparative. The goal of this thesis is to find out whether the analyzed political parties fulfill leftist characteristic. Next goal of this thesis is to find out whether the classification on left-right axis of the political spectrum is still...

Parental divorce has not only been associated with negative long-term effects for children of divorce (CD), but also for adult children of divorce (ACD). ACD more often have poorer mental well-being than adult children of marriage (ACM). Neurological research further suggests that ACD have lower baseline levels of the “stress hormone” cortisol. However, research of Swedish ACD is extremely sparsely. Therefore, the study’s aim is to examine the possible long-term effects of Swedish ACD. Do ACD have lower well-being and experience more stress than ACM? A sample of 227 Swedish participants (81 ACD and 146 ACM) were included. The majority (75.7%) were between 18-30 years old, 157 females and 70 males. An online survey including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale (TSWLS), and questions about the parental divorce was distributed via social media. Independent t-tests and one-way ANOVA analysis were performed to compare ACD’s and ACM’s results. The study found that ACD rated their well-being (satisfaction with the past) (p ≤ .001), and stress (p ≤ .019), significantly lower than ACM. Moreover, female ACD perceived more stress than female ACM (p ≤ .010), and male ACD (p ≤ .015). The group between 10-14-year-old at the time of the divorce rated significantly lower well-being (past) (p ≤ .035). In conclusion, the study suggests that Swedish ACD also suffer from long-term effects of divorce. Future research ought to investigate the matter further. / Skilsmässa har inte bara visat negativa långsiktiga effekter för skilsmässobarn (CD), utan också för vuxna skilsmässobarn (ACD). ACD har oftare ett sämre mentalt välbefinnande än vuxna med gifta föräldrar (ACM). Neurologisk forskning vidare påvisar att ACD också har lägre grundnivåer av ”stresshormonet” kortisol. Forskning kring svenska ACD är extremt sällsynt. Därför är det studiens mål att undersöka de möjliga långsiktiga effekterna av svenska ACD. Har ACD ett längre välbefinnande och upplever mer stress än ACM? Ett urval av 227 svenska deltagare (81 ACD och 146 ACM) var inkluderade. Majoriteten (75.7%) var mellan åldrarna 18-30 år gamla, 157 kvinnor och 70 män. En online enkät innehållandes Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale (TSWLS), och frågor kring skilsmässan distribuerades via sociala medier. Independent t-tests och one-way ANOVA analyser tillämpades för att jämföra ACD:s och ACM:s resultat. Studien fann att ACD uppskattade att deras välbefinnande (tillfredställelse med det förflutna) (p ≤ .001), och stress (p ≤ .019) signifikant längre än ACM. Fortsättningsvis, en signifikant skillnad upptäcktes där kvinnliga ACD upplevde mer stress än kvinnliga ACM (p ≤ .010), och manliga ACD (p ≤ .015). Gruppen mellan åldrarna 10–14 år gamla vid skilsmässan uppgav ett signifikant längre välbefinnande (förflutet) (p ≤ .035). Sammanfattningsvis, studien påvisar att svenska skilsmässobarn också lider av långsiktiga effekter från skilsmässa. Framtida forskning bör undersöka området vidare.

A major limitation of acousto-optic (AO) leaky-mode modulator based holographic displays is their inability to present full-parallax. We propose that full-parallax capabilities can be bestowed on these displays by integrating an electro-optic (EO) phased array into the architecture. We validated this concept by rendering computational models and by fabricating and testing a basic two-axis AO/EO deflector prototype in lithium niobate. This was, to our knowledge, the first instantiation of an integrated, hybrid AO/EO deflector. The prototype had a 6° deflection range along the AO-axis, and a 3° deflection range along the EO-axis. A series of models provide us with a clear path forward for optimizing this deflector. They suggest that an AO/EO modulator with an EO deflection range of 24.5° and that requires less than 7.5 V can be fabricated within the limitations of standard photolithography.

As part of Nigeria’s drive to increase electricity production capacity and shift to renewable sources, a new 50 MW photovoltaic (PV) plant is proposed for a town in north-west Nigeria. Rather than using conventional monofacial modules and fixed mounting, it is of interest to consider a selection of new technologies which are attracting growing attention in the global utility PV market. These can increase energy output, and could be used to advantage in this 50 MW plant. However, the technologies, namely bifacial modules and solar tracking, are more expensive than their conventional counterparts, while their relative performance depends on the latitude and climate of the plant location. Thus their economic benefit cannot be taken for granted. The aim of this study is to propose multiple designs for the 50 MW plant using different combinations of module and mounting technologies, finding their economic order of merit by estimating their respective levelised costs of electricity (LCOEs).Using the simulation software PVsyst, the electricity production of different plant layouts and component configurations was estimated. Key parameters such as tilt angle and pitch distance were varied in order to optimise each configuration of technologies. Having sourced economic data from the industry and literature, lifetime plant costs were calculated, which in combination with lifetime electricity production, were used to estimate the LCOE.As expected, results indicated that the optimum configuration was bifacial modules mounted on horizontal single-axis tracking (SAT), followed by monofacial modules on horizontal SAT. Fixed installations had greater LCOEs by a reasonable margin, while the LCOE difference between monofacial and bifacial modules on fixed mounting was within the error of the calculation, meaning this choice relies on more accurate input data. A sensitivity analysis allowed uncertainty in the results to be gauged, and highlighted the factors which most influence LCOE, so that efforts to increase profitability can be focussed in the right places. Finally, suggestions are offered to help optimise bifacial and tracking installations by comparison with conventional plants.The conclusions drawn herein will be specifically relevant to the Swedish developer and EPC contractor Svenska Solenergigruppen which, in due course, will submit a plant design proposal to the project developer of the 50 MW plant. However, it is hoped that this work will act as a guide for any EPC contractor or developer working on a utility PV plant in sub-Saharan Africa, allowing efficient design of an optimal system.

[pt] Os transtornos de ansiedade afetam milhares de pessoas em todo o mundo, sendo representados como um dos principais distúrbios mentais. A ansiedade é acompanhada por uma série de respostas comportamentais e fisiológicas, quando na presença de estímulos aversivos. Essas respostas provocam ações neuroendócrinas envolvendo o sistema nervoso simpático (SNS), o eixo hipotálamo-pituitária-adrenal (HPA) e o sistema renina-angiotensina (SRA). Pesquisas feitas em modelos animais possibilitam uma melhor compreensão dos mecanismos neurofisiológicos e comportamentais associados à patologias observadas em humanos. Os animais Cariocas com Alto Congelamento (CAC) e Cariocas com Baixo Congelamento (CBC) são duas linhagens condicionadas de ratos que apresentam, respectivamente, níveis altos ou baixos de respostas semelhantes à ansiedade. O presente estudo investigou os efeitos da Losartana e Valsartana, sendo ambas da classe antagonistas do receptor de angiotensina II, na modulação da ansiedade nos ratos CAC, CBC e ratos controle. O tratamento crônico com Losartana e o tratamento agudo com Valsartana não produziram efeitos significativos nas respostas comportamentais associadas à ansiedade no condicionamento de medo contextual, campo aberto e labirinto em cruz elevado. Nossos dados sugerem que nas doses e duração dos tratamentos, a administração destes medicamentos anti-hipertensivos não é capaz de modular a ansiedade nos animais CAC e CBC. / [en] Anxiety disorders affect thousands of people all around the world, being represented as the most common of mental disorders. Anxiety is associated with a number of behavioral and physiological responses when faced with aversive stimuli. These responses provoke neuroendocrine actions involving the activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Studies on animal models allow for a better understanding of the neurophysiological and behavioral mechanisms associated with pathologies observed in humans. The Carioca High Freezing (CHF) and Carioca Low Freezing (CLF) are two conditioned strains of rats that present, respectively, high or low levels of anxiety-like responses. The present study investigated the effects of Losartan and Valsartan, both angiotensin II receptor blockers, on the modulation of anxiety-like behaviors of CHF, CLF and control rats. Neither chronic treatment of Losartan nor acute treatment of Valsartan yielded significant effects on anxiety measurements in the contextual fear conditioning, open field and elevated plus maze tests. Thus, our findings suggest that at the doses and durations of treatment tested, administration of these antihypertensive drugs did not play a modulating role of anxiety-like behaviors in CHF and CLF animals.

The aim of this study is to act as a pre-study for AirSon Engineering AB regarding a small scale wind turbine they want to install. This by means of collecting data about the windspeeds present at said location, taking into consideration local regulations and doing calculations on the turbulence in the wind, which is affected by nearby obstacles and by the house which the wind turbine is planned to be installed next to. The study puts specific focus on three main questions, namely: What kind of production is to be expected? What is the economy like for the installation of the wind turbine? What are the possibilities/limitations from a construction perspective? An analysis of the location of the installation and a comparison of the selected wind turbines and their respective dimensions, potential for production and economics is presented in this study. The emphasis of the analysis is on examining the respective wind turbines and determining which of them that best fits AirSon with regard to all three aspects. Different graphs have been used to compile wind data and the program used for this study is Matlab. In addition to that the program Excel has been used to compile and present the results for the various wind turbines.  A total of nine small scale vertical axis wind turbines with rated output powers between 1 kW and 10 kW have been examined and are presented as potential suggestions for installation. The manufacturers whose wind turbines are presented are Aeolos, Toyoda and Ropatec. By the end of this study a recommendation from the authors, to AirSon is presented for which windturbine the authors think might fit best. The plan for this study is furthermore to act as a guidance so that AirSon can, following up on the study, directly work toward acquiring and installing said wind turbine. / Syftet med detta arbete är att genomföra en förstudie åt AirSon Engineering AB rörande ett småskaligt vindkraftverk som de vill installera. Arbetet innefattar insamling av data om vindhastigheter från den befintliga platsen samt hänsynstagande till de lokala omständigheterna, till exempel vad gäller turbulensen i vinden, som påverkas av närliggande hinder och av huset vilket vindkraftverket planeras att installeras intill. Examensarbetet har sitt fokus specifikt på tre huvudfrågor, nämligen: Vad för produktion förväntas från platsen? Hur ser ekonomin ut för installationen av vindkraftverket? Vad finns det för möjligheter/hinder ur ett kontruktionsperspektiv? I arbetet presenteras en analys av platsen som vindkraftverket ska installeras på samt en analys av utvalda vindkraftverk med hänsyn till storlek, produktion och ekonomi. Analysens tyngdpunkt ligger i att undersöka det vindkraftverk som passar in bäst för AirSon med hänsyn till alla tre aspekterna. Till analysen har olika grafer använts för att sammanställa vinddata och programmet som användes till detta är Matlab. För att sammanställa och presentera de olika vindkraftverken har Excel använts.  Totalt sett har nio småskaliga vertikalaxlade vindkraftverk med märkeffekter mellan 1 kW och 10 kW undersökts och tagits fram som potentiella förslag för installation. De tillverkare vars vindkraftverk presenteras är Aeolos, Toyoda och Ropatec. I slutet av detta arbete presenteras en rekommendation för vilket vindkraftverk som författarna anser vara lämpligast för AirSon. Avsikten med arbetet är att vägleda AirSon tillräckligt mycket för att de ska kunna använda analysen för att installera verket.

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This research project explores the contribution of prenatal stress to the pathogenesis of autism as a neurobiological developmental disorder. The neurobiological impact of stress prior to the 28th week of gestation might produce structural neural changes, specifically regarding the cerebellum, the brain stem and limbic pathways, including the hippocampal area, which concept relates closely to the pathogenesis of autism. In this research project a significant focus is placed on prenatal hipothalamic-pituary-adrenal (HPA) activity due to the HPA axis’ interactivity with cortisol, digoxin and serotonin, as these biochemicals are significantly implicated in programmed foetal development, postnatal cortical behaviour, postnatal learning, as well as in functional impairment of socialization, communication and imagery associated with autism. Based upon the rationale of this research project and the conceptualisation of the topic of interest, the research problem was formulated as follows: In what unique ways does prenatal stress contribute to the pathogenesis of autism as a neurobiological developmental disorder? Sub questions included: Did the mother of the dizygotic twins experience significant stress during the period of gestation? What structural brain differences can be observed among the dizygotic twins at hand of MR-imaging? To which periods of prenatal development can these structural differences be related? How do these differences account for sensory, motor, cognitive, and affective behavioural differences among the dizygotic twins? What plasma differences can be observed among the dizygotic twins at hand of blood sampling? How does elevation of pre- and postnatal glucocorticoids relate to plasma difference among the dizygotic twins? How do these plasma differences account for sensory, motor, cognitive, and affective behavioural differences among the dizygotic twins? This research project represents quantitative research. The mode of inquiry is non-experimental at hand of a single dizygotic twin study. The following data generating strategies were employed: clinical intake interviews, administration of a diagnostic stress inventory and the 16-PF Questionnaire, MR-imaging, and the collection of blood plasma pathology results. / Dissertation (M.Ed)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

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