The thesis deals with the changes of a cable robot to a manipulator. The mechanical changes are mostly about adding an active part to a moving platform with the ability to transfer objects and the effort to exchange the silicon cables for metal ones. The main part of the thesis is the proposed design and implementation of the algorithm for detection of a possible collision of the cable robot with an object in its working space.

Carbonization of biomass is a type of pyrolysis that allows for the formation of byproducts that have applications in many other industries [1]. In the field of materials science concerned with environmental impact intersecting with desirable material properties and performance, the process of carbonization in particular with commonplace biomass such as food waste is of great interest. In this thesis, pistachio shell was used as the organic biomass of choice for carbonization, and reinforcement was provided by titanium powder. These two materials were milled together at two different compositions and milling times. Experimental conditions consisted of replicates of three bulk samples made from uniaxially pressed powder mixtures heat treated from 800 °C up to 1200 °C in increments of 100 °C. Heat treatment occurred in a tube furnace with a heating rate of 5 °C/min up to the heat treatment temperature, holding the temperature for 1 hour, then ramping back down to room temperature, all in an inert atmosphere. XRD was performed on heat treated samples before polishing, while optical microscopy and SEM were performed after mounting and polishing. TGA was performed on the milled powders, while hardness was performed on the heat treated bulk samples after mounting and polishing. Results obtained suggested that increasing heat treatment temperature and milling time decreased carbon matrix porosity. In addition, greater amounts of titanium seemed to result in increased porosity. However, at increased temperature, more surface cracking was observed, leading to the conclusion that an excessively high temperature is detrimental to mechanical properties. Finally, rutile TiO2 was formed as a result of the heat treatment process. In considering environmental impact, cost, and mechanical properties, a balance must be maintained between higher temperature processing, duration, milling time, and porosity present due to these factors. Future work includes further investigations into processing parameters and characterization such as XPS and abrasion testing. / Master of Science / Carbonization of organic materials such as wood or nut shells can be explained in short as a decomposition that occurs when those materials are heated up without allowing them access to oxygen as in a normal combustion like a fire. Because of that, carbonization can produce useful products and materials of interest to many. Adding titanium to pistachio shell powder, performing compaction and carbonization, then further heating up those samples, resulted in composite materials consisting of mostly carbon char and particles inside that improve the properties. After testing multiple experimental conditions and analyzing them using equipment such as X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), optical microscopes, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and a hardness tester, some trends in properties and structure were observed. Generally, increasing heat treatment temperature and milling time will reduce porosity in the matrix. On the other hand, decreasing amount of Ti powder added seems to reduce porosity. However, too high of a heat treatment temperature seems to have a detrimental effect on the part manufactured (i.e. surface cracking). In addition, considering processing costs and time costs could discourage one from using a very high temperature to heat treat these samples. Therefore, it is important to balance amount of energy used to heat treat, time spent, and resulting porosity of the final product for its applications. Future work should be done to further determine the effects of processing parameters by making more samples to test the properties of. Other characterization techniques like X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and abrasion testing could be good to determine the exact makeup of the particles in the composite as well as see the sample's performance in its intended application (i.e. brake pads).

I set out to make a lighthearted comedy punctuated with some scary moments. I wanted this story to come from a seven-year-old girl's point of view and match fantastic visuals with equally fantastic sounds. I will discuss the entire creative process in this book such as preproduction, writing, direction, cinematography, editing, and the sound design process, as well as many of my own personal experiences on this set and in my life. I have included the influence of unbiased audience members to determine whether or not I was successful in making a competent movie. This entire process, including all of the work done, rests entirely on my audience. I have done my best to include both people who are affluent in film production, as well as those who are not.

Oito blocos transportáveis para calibração foram construídos para serem utilizados como padrões de concentração na calibração de espectrômetros gama portáteis e aerotransportados. Todo o procedimento de construção é descrito em detalhe. Os blocos, com dimensões de 1 m x 1 m x 0,30 m e massas variando entre 593 kg e 673 kg, devem a sua radioatividade à adição de diferentes quantidades de feldspato potássico (ortoclásio), caldasito e areia monazítica à massa de concreto. As concentrações de potássio, urânio e tório variam significativamente de um bloco para outro atingindo valores máximos de 5,7% de K, 45,6 ppm eU e 137 ppm eTh. A distribuição do fluxo de radiação gama proveniente da superfície dos blocos de concreto e a magnitude das heterogeneidades na concentração dos elementos radioativos foi determinada experimentalmente. Como exemplo de aplicação apresenta-se o resultado da calibração de um espectrômetro gama portátil. / Eight transportable calibration pads were built in to be used as concentration standards for portable and airborne gamma spectrometers calibrations. The pads construction procedure is described in full detail. The pads, with dimensions of 1 m x 1 m x 0,30 m and masses between 593 kg and 673 kg were made radioactive by the addition of different amounts of k-feldspar, caldasite and monazitic sand to the concrete masses. The potassium, uranium and thorium concentration vary significantly in the pads, reaching maximum values of 5,7% of K, 45,6 ppm eU and 137 ppm eTh. The distribution of the gamma radiation flux from the pads surfaces and the heterogeneity magnitudes of the radioactive elements concentration were experimentally established. An example of gamma spectrometer calibration is presented.

Despite the criminal nature of intimate partner violence, scholars infrequently apply general theories of crime to understanding its causes (Dixon, Archer, & Graham-Kevan, 2012). Indeed, some scholars reject the notion that the causes of intimate partner violence align with the causes of general crime and violence (Dobash, Dobash, Wilson, & Daly, 1992). A second area of contention is whether male and female violence can be explained within the same theoretical framework (Dutton & Nicholls, 2005). In this thesis I argue that as a type of criminal behaviour, understanding the causes of intimate partner violence from a criminological perspective is a valid and necessary research endeavour. Further, guided by the principles of the theoretical framework of this thesis, I submit that both male and female intimate partner violence can be explained within the same general theory of crime. This thesis applies situational action theory, a general theory of crime that places morality at the centre of its explanatory framework, to the understanding and explanation of intimate partner violence. This thesis concentrates on the roles of personal morality and provocation in intimate partner violence perpetration. Partner conflict is defined as the experience of provocation, while friction sensitivity and low partner cohesion are included as key factors leading to partner conflict. Specifically, this thesis examines whether the strength of personal morality influences whether individuals respond to provocation with violence against a partner. To address the aims of the research, this thesis uses data from the Peterborough Adolescent and Young Adult Development Study, a study designed to test situational action theory. Participants are a representative sample of males and females between 24 and 25 years of age. Path analyses using a multiple-group method revealed that high friction sensitivity and low partner cohesion contributed to increased partner violence perpetration by influencing the level of partner conflict. Morality had a significant moderating effect on the path between partner conflict and partner violence perpetration. Namely, individuals with weak morality, and who frequently engaged in partner conflict, were significantly more likely to perpetrate acts of partner violence than individuals with strong morality who engaged in frequent conflict with a partner. These findings were replicated across males and females. The findings of this research illustrate the importance of morality in the explanation of partner violence, and provide evidence that both male and female partner violence can be explained within the framework of situational action theory.

The purpose of this study was to explore the evolution of collaborative practices of PLCs as they emerge when using technology based formative assessment via iFAIT or innovative Formative Assessment with Instruction and Technology developed by the researcher using audience response systems and the online data compiler, Eduphoria!. This study used sequential explanatory mixed methods to address the problems that schools face when implementing technology based formative assessments to improve instruction and student achievement. A survey administered in September 2012 and again in December 2012 provided a measure of teacher use of formative assessments, technology use in formative assessments, and perceptions of teachers using the PLC as a mechanism of support for technology based formative assessment. Training was facilitated by the researcher as PLCs worked together to develop, administer, and interpret formative assessments. Teacher interviews were conducted, and the study ended with the administration of the December 2012 survey and open-response questions for further qualitative analysis. Quantitative data analysis was completed using ANOVAs to determine if there were significant differences of teacher groups (subject taught, grade level taught, and years of teaching experience) use of iFAIT. This data analysis also included measures of frequency and paired sample t tests between the September and December 2012 responses. Qualitative data was analyzed using hand coding, word clouds, and WordSmith Tools. The triangulation of qualitative data in the quantitative data provided a narrative to document what collaborative factors affected the use of iFAIT. For school improvement and implementation of iFAIT, the study revealed that (1) with the right technology infrastructure, on-going professional development must be offered by administrators or sought after by teachers; (2) teachers must have strong beliefs in formative assessment and the technology that supports it; (3) open lines of communication must be supported through the PLC and administration; (4) teachers must see purpose in using revealing student data to drive instruction; and (5) PLCs must have common beliefs and believe that student achievement is connected to school improvement. PLCs should discuss data, share successes, and plan instruction through extended involvement in face-to-face and online venues as communities of practice.

Oito blocos transportáveis para calibração foram construídos para serem utilizados como padrões de concentração na calibração de espectrômetros gama portáteis e aerotransportados. Todo o procedimento de construção é descrito em detalhe. Os blocos, com dimensões de 1 m x 1 m x 0,30 m e massas variando entre 593 kg e 673 kg, devem a sua radioatividade à adição de diferentes quantidades de feldspato potássico (ortoclásio), caldasito e areia monazítica à massa de concreto. As concentrações de potássio, urânio e tório variam significativamente de um bloco para outro atingindo valores máximos de 5,7% de K, 45,6 ppm eU e 137 ppm eTh. A distribuição do fluxo de radiação gama proveniente da superfície dos blocos de concreto e a magnitude das heterogeneidades na concentração dos elementos radioativos foi determinada experimentalmente. Como exemplo de aplicação apresenta-se o resultado da calibração de um espectrômetro gama portátil. / Eight transportable calibration pads were built in to be used as concentration standards for portable and airborne gamma spectrometers calibrations. The pads construction procedure is described in full detail. The pads, with dimensions of 1 m x 1 m x 0,30 m and masses between 593 kg and 673 kg were made radioactive by the addition of different amounts of k-feldspar, caldasite and monazitic sand to the concrete masses. The potassium, uranium and thorium concentration vary significantly in the pads, reaching maximum values of 5,7% of K, 45,6 ppm eU and 137 ppm eTh. The distribution of the gamma radiation flux from the pads surfaces and the heterogeneity magnitudes of the radioactive elements concentration were experimentally established. An example of gamma spectrometer calibration is presented.

Orientadores: Paulo César Giraldo, Cristina Laguna Benetti Pinto / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T01:16:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bardin_MarcelaGrigol_M.pdf: 2975032 bytes, checksum: c14d12c0209845a33b97ae0599d148d9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: INTRODUÇÃO: A vaginose bacteriana (VB) e a candidíase vaginal (CV) são as vulvovaginites (VV) mais frequentemente encontradas em mulheres durante o ciclo reprodutivo. Embora os tratamentos dessas VV estejam esclarecidos, a prevenção ainda é pouco estudada. Os hábitos de higiene e cuidados diários com a genitália feminina são fatores que podem influenciar o ecossistema vulvovaginal, facilitando a instalação dessas VV. OBJETIVO: Verificar os hábitos de lavagem, uso de absorventes higiênicos, práticas depilatórias, uso de piercings e tatuagens, tipo indumentária e atividades sexuais em mulheres com VV. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal utilizou questionário contendo 60 perguntas, divididas nos seguintes domínios: I ¿ Limpeza genital; II ¿ Uso de absorventes higiênicos; III ¿ Práticas depilatórias; IV ¿ Uso de piercings e tatuagens genitais; V ¿ Tipo indumentária e VI ¿ Atividades sexuais. Foram analisadas 307 mulheres de 18 a 45 anos, atendidas nos ambulatórios de um hospital universitário (Universidade Estadual de campinas, Brasil). Realizou-se exame ginecológico para diagnóstico de VB e CV por bacterioscopia e cultura de fungo, além de medir pH e realizar teste de Whiff. Os critérios de exclusão foram: uso de antibiótico até 15 dias antes da inclusão, antecedente de câncer, sorologia positiva para HIV e/ou sífilis e presença doença imunossupressora. Este estudo teve a aprovação do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Unicamp sob número de protocolo 1836/2013 e todas as voluntárias assinaram o termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido previamente à participação neste estudo. A coleta de dados foi realizada no período de março a novembro de 2013. Para a análise estatística, consideraram-se dois grupos principais: mulheres sem e com vulvovaginites (presença de VB, CV e ambas) que foram comparados entre si. Também se realizou uma segunda análise de cada tipo de VV isoladamente (VB, CV e ambas associadas) versus mulheres sem vulvovaginites. Foram empregados os testes de Fischer e Qui-quadrado através do EPI INFO 0.5. Considerou-se nível de significância quando p<,05. RESULTADOS: Entre as 307 participantes, 46% foram diagnosticadas com VV presentes e 54% sem VV. Quando comparados estes grupos, não se encontraram diferenças significativas quanto à idade, IMC, escolaridade, número de gestações, número de partos, estado marital, raça, religião, uso de métodos contraceptivos, tabagismo, tempo fora de casa e queixas de dispareunia. A média de idade foi de 33,6 (±6,8) anos e de escolaridade 10,4 (±3,3) anos de estudo. A presença de VV esteve significativamente associada ao menor uso de produtos para higiene genital tais como sabonete líquido íntimo para higiene diária (p=,04) e lenço úmido para higiene pós-miccional (p=,04) e maior uso de sabonete bactericida para realização da lavagem genital durante o banho (<,0001). As mulheres com VV utilizaram mais calcinhas de tecido sintético (p<,05), apresentaram mais ciclos menstruais (p<,0001) que aquelas sem VV e apresentaram hábitos de uso de absorventes semelhantes. As mulheres com VB praticaram mais o sexo anal nos últimos 30 dias (p<,0001) e usavam mais substâncias erógenas (p<,02) que aquelas sem VV. Não houve diferenças significativas de frequência de relações sexuais, dispareunia, sexo oral e uso de lubrificantes entre os grupos estudados. A análise da depilação genital também não evidenciou diferenças significativas quanto ao método utilizado, motivação, frequência, área de depilação, irritabilidade vulvar, produtos pós-depilatórios e opinião sobre a influência da depilação genital sobre a saúde feminina. Apesar de ser um número baixo, mulheres com CV apresentaram mais tatuagens genitais que os demais grupos (p=,04) e apenas uma mulher apresentou piercing genital. CONCLUSÕES: Alguns hábitos de lavagem da genitália, a presença de ciclos menstruais, o uso de calcinhas de tecido sintético, relações sexuais anais e uso de substâncias erógenas na genitália se associaram à frequência de vulvovaginites. Especialmente estas últimas relacionadas aos hábitos sexuais estiveram associadas à presença de vaginose bacteriana. Os hábitos de uso de absorventes higiênicos e depilatórios não se associaram à presença de VV. Os adornos genitais foram raros, porém encontraram-se mais tatuagens genitais em mulheres com CV / Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vaginal candidiasis (VC) are the most frequently vulvovaginitis (VV) encountered during in women at reproductive cycle. Although the treatments of VV are clear, prevention is still little studied. Hygiene habits and daily care with the female genitalia are factors that can influence the vulvovaginal ecosystem, and might facilitate the installation of these VV. MAIN: To investigate the genital washing habits, use of sanitary pads, genital hair removal, use of piercings and tattoos, clothing type and sexual activity in women with VV. METHODS: Cross-sectional study used a questionnaire containing 60 questions, divided into the following areas: I ¿ Genital Cleaning; II ¿ Use of sanitary pads; III ¿ depilatory practices; IV ¿ Use of genital piercings and tattoos; V ¿ clothing type and VI ¿ Sexual Activities. Were analyzed 307 women from 18 to 45 years, attended at two outpatient clinics of a university hospital (University of Campinas, Brazil). Gynecological exam was performed for collecting vaginal material for BV and VC diagnosis by Gram stain and culture of fungus, as well as measured pH and performed Whiff test. Exclusion criteria were: use of antibiotics within 15 days before enrollment, history of cancer, HIV positive and/or other immunosuppressive disease. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of UNICAMP Research under protocol number 1836/2013 and all volunteers signed an informed consent form prior to their participation in this study. Data collection was conducted from March to November 2013. For statistical analysis, we considered two main groups: women with and without vulvovaginitis (presence of BV, VC and both) were compared to each other. It was also conducted a second analysis of each group of VV alone (BV, VC and both combined) versus women without vulvovaginitis. Statistical analysis used exact Fischer and chi-square tests by the EPI INFO 0.5. It was considered a significance level of p<.05. RESULTS: Among the 307 participants, 46% were diagnosed with VV and 54% without VV. When comparing these groups, there were no significant differences in age, BMI, duration of study, number of pregnancies, number of births, marital status, race, religion, use of contraceptives, smoking, time away from home and complaints of dyspareunia. The mean age was 33.6 (± 6.8) years of education and 10.4 (± 3.3) years of education. The presence of VV was significantly associated with lower use of genital hygiene products such as liquid soap for daily intimate hygiene (p=.04) and moist napkin as hygiene post urination (p=.04) and, on the other hand, increased use of antibacterial soap for daily genital wash (<.0001). Women with VV used more panties of synthetic fabric (p<.05), had more menstrual cycles (p<.0001) than those without VV and similar use of sanitary pads. Women with BV practiced more anal sex in the last 30 days (p<.0001) and used more erogenous substances (p<.02) than those without VV. There were no significant differences in frequency of sexual intercourse, dyspareunia, oral sex and using lubricants between groups. The analysis of genital hair removal also showed no significant differences in the method used, motivation, frequency, area of hair removal, vulvar irritability, post-depilatory used products, and opinion about the influence of genital waxing on women's health. Despite being a low number, women with genital VC had more tattoos than the other groups (p=.04) and only one woman had genital piercing. CONCLUSIONS: Some habits related to genitalia washing, the presence of menstrual cycles, the use of synthetic fabric underwear, anal intercourse and use of erogenous substances during sexual intercourse were associated with frequency of vulvovaginitis. Especially anal sex on the last 30 days previous to diagnosis and use of erogenous substances during sexual intercourse were specifically associated with the presence of bacterial vaginosis. Use of sanitary pads and hair removal habits were not associated with the presence of VV. The genital adornments were rare but genital tattoos were most common among women with VC / Mestrado / Fisiopatologia Ginecológica / Mestra em Ciências da Saúde

The diploma thesis applies to under sleeper pads. It researches thein using and benefits in foreign railvway authorities. Further it assesses track geometrical parameters in the trial track section with under sleeper pads in track Havlíčkův Brod - Okrouhlice and in the railway station Planá nad Lužnicí. There were evaluated measurements of vertical alingnment rails by precise leveling and deviations of track geometrical parameters measured by track meusuring car in the diploma thesis.There is expressed an conclusion about the impact of under sleeper pads on track geometric data in the thesis.

In this dissertation, we describe the portable, open-source distributed simulation framework (WINDS) targeting simulations of wireless network infrastructures that we have developed. We present the simulation framework which uses modular architecture and apply the framework to studies of mobility pattern effects, routing and intrusion detection mechanisms in simulations of large-scale wireless ad hoc, infrastructure, and totally mobile networks. The distributed simulations within the framework execute seamlessly and transparently to the user on a symmetric multiprocessor cluster computer or a network of computers with no modifications to the code or user objects. A visual graphical interface precisely depicts simulation object states and interactions throughout the simulation execution, giving the user full control over the simulation in real time. The network configuration is detected by the framework, and communication latency is taken into consideration when dynamically adjusting the simulation clock, allowing the simulation to run on a heterogeneous computing system. The simulation framework is easily extensible to multi-cluster systems and computing grids. An entire simulation system can be constructed in a short time, utilizing user-created and supplied simulation components, including mobile nodes, base stations, routing algorithms, traffic patterns and other objects. These objects are automatically compiled and loaded by the simulation system, and are available for dynamic simulation injection at runtime. Using our distributed simulation framework, we have studied modern intrusion detection systems (IDS) and assessed applicability of existing intrusion detection techniques to wireless networks. We have developed a mobile agent-based IDS targeting mobile wireless networks, and introduced load-balancing optimizations aimed at limited-resource systems to improve intrusion detection performance. Packet-based monitoring agents of our IDS employ a CASE-based reasoner engine that performs fast lookups of network packets in the existing SNORT-based intrusion rule-set. Experiments were performed using the intrusion data from MIT Lincoln Laboratories studies, and executed on a cluster computer utilizing our distributed simulation system.