Microscopic traffic simulation is useful tool in analysing traffic and estimating the capacity and level of service of road networks. In this thesis, the four legged Idrottsparken roundabout in the city of Norrkoping in Sweden is analysed by using the microscopic traffic simulation package AIMSUN. For this purpose, data regarding traffic flow counts, travel times and queue lengths were collected for three consecutive weekdays during both the morning and afternoon peak periods. The data were then used in model building for simulation of traffic of the roundabout. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) method is used to get the optimal parameter value between queue length and travel time data and validation of travel time data are carried out to obtain the basic model which represents the existing condition of the system. Afterward, the results of the new models were evaluated and compared to the results of a SUMO model for the same scenario model. Based on calibrated and validated model, three alternative scenarios were simulated and analysed to improve efficiency of traffic network in the roundabout. The three scenarios includes: (1) add one free right turn in the north and east sections; (2) add one free right turn in the east and south sections; and (3) addition of one lane in roundabout. The analysis of these scenarios shows that the first and second scenario are only able to reduce the queue length and travel time in two or three legs, while the third scenario is not able to improve the performance of the roundabout. In this research, it can be concluded that the first scenario is considered as the best scenario compared to the second scenario and the third scenario. The comparison between AIMSUN and SUMO for the same scenario shows that the results have no significance differences. In calibration process, to get the optimal parameter values between the model measurements and the field measurements, both of AIMSUN and SUMO uses two significantly influencing parametersfor queue and travel time. AIMSUN package uses parameter of driver reaction time and the maximum acceleration, while SUMO package uses parameter of driver imperfection and also the driver rection time.

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Ao contrário da recomendação tradicional do treinamento de força, a proposta do método de pré-exaustão é iniciar a sessão de treino com exercícios monoarticulares e terminar com exercícios multiarticulares. O objetivo deste estudo foi, por meio da EMG, investigar parâmetros temporais e de intensidade da ativação dos músculos peitoral maior (PM), deltóide (DA) e tríceps braquial (TB) que possam fundamentar a aplicação do método de pré-exaustão em 10RM dos exercícios supino e crucifixo. Foram comparados dois protocolos experimentais: P1) método da préexaustão; P2) recomendações tradicionais. A intensidade de ativação baseada no valor RMS, bem como a relação desta com a duração da contração muscular, estabelecida em faixas de intensidade, não obteve diferenças estatisticamente significativas para PM. Para DA, não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os protocolos na intensidade de ativação quando as repetições foram analisadas em conjunto. Entretanto, quando analisado cada repetição, este músculo apresentou aumento estatisticamente significativo de intensidade de ativação em P1, assim como maior solicitação da faixa de intensidade 80 a 100% CIVM. Para TB, a intensidade de ativação foi significativamente maior em P1 que em P2 para todas as formas de análise. Os resultados mostraram que o aparelho locomotor aumentou a dependência de TB como estratégia alternativa para tentar atingir 10RM do supino em P1. Assim, é possível afirmar que o método de pré-exaustão pode ser eficiente para impor maior estímulo neural sobre pequenos grupos acessórios na execução de um movimento e não sobre o grupo principal o qual se deseja. Entretanto, estes achados suportam que os efeitos do método de pré-exaustão ainda não podem ser afirmados categoricamente. Pois, ao longo da série em P1 não houve aumento significativo na intensidade de ativação de um mesmo músculo, bem como das faixas de intensidade, como houve em P2. Desse modo, é possível afirmar que os músculos, em P1, iniciaram a série em um nível de intensidade mais alto que em P2, pois foram estimulados previamente / Contrariwise the strength training traditional recommendation, the preexhaustion method purposes to begin a training session with monoarticular exercises and to finish it with multiarticular exercises. The aim of this study was, through EMG, to inquire into temporal and activation intensity parameters of pectoralis major (PM), deltoid (DA) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles, which can be used as a basis to bench press and flying 10RM pre-exhaustion method application. It was compared two experimental protocols: P1) pre-exhaustion method; P2) traditional recommendation. The activation intensity, as well its relationship with the muscular contraction duration, established on intensity levels, did not attain significant differences to PM. To DA, there were not differences between the protocols respecting the activation intensity when whole the repetitions were analyzed. However, when each repetition was analyzed, this muscle exhibited significant increasing in activation intensity in P1; as well it showed a more intense solicitation of 80 to 100% MVIC level. To TB, the activation intensity was significant greater in P1 than P2 respecting whole manners to data analysis. The results exhibited that the locomotor apparatus increased the TB dependence as an alternative strategy to try to attain bench press 10RM in P1. Therefore, it is possible to assert that pre-exhaustion method may be efficient to impose largest neural stimuli on small synergists muscular groups during movement execution, but not on the main target muscular group. However, these findings sustain that the pre-exhaustion method effects cannot receive a categorical affirmation, yet. Because, contrariwise the P2, during the P1 bench press set there was not significant increasing in the same muscle activation intensity, as well in the intensity levels. This way, it is possible to assert that, in P1 the muscles began the set in a highest intensity levels than in P2, because they were stimulated previously

Ao contrário da recomendação tradicional do treinamento de força, a proposta do método de pré-exaustão é iniciar a sessão de treino com exercícios monoarticulares e terminar com exercícios multiarticulares. O objetivo deste estudo foi, por meio da EMG, investigar parâmetros temporais e de intensidade da ativação dos músculos peitoral maior (PM), deltóide (DA) e tríceps braquial (TB) que possam fundamentar a aplicação do método de pré-exaustão em 10RM dos exercícios supino e crucifixo. Foram comparados dois protocolos experimentais: P1) método da préexaustão; P2) recomendações tradicionais. A intensidade de ativação baseada no valor RMS, bem como a relação desta com a duração da contração muscular, estabelecida em faixas de intensidade, não obteve diferenças estatisticamente significativas para PM. Para DA, não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os protocolos na intensidade de ativação quando as repetições foram analisadas em conjunto. Entretanto, quando analisado cada repetição, este músculo apresentou aumento estatisticamente significativo de intensidade de ativação em P1, assim como maior solicitação da faixa de intensidade 80 a 100% CIVM. Para TB, a intensidade de ativação foi significativamente maior em P1 que em P2 para todas as formas de análise. Os resultados mostraram que o aparelho locomotor aumentou a dependência de TB como estratégia alternativa para tentar atingir 10RM do supino em P1. Assim, é possível afirmar que o método de pré-exaustão pode ser eficiente para impor maior estímulo neural sobre pequenos grupos acessórios na execução de um movimento e não sobre o grupo principal o qual se deseja. Entretanto, estes achados suportam que os efeitos do método de pré-exaustão ainda não podem ser afirmados categoricamente. Pois, ao longo da série em P1 não houve aumento significativo na intensidade de ativação de um mesmo músculo, bem como das faixas de intensidade, como houve em P2. Desse modo, é possível afirmar que os músculos, em P1, iniciaram a série em um nível de intensidade mais alto que em P2, pois foram estimulados previamente / Contrariwise the strength training traditional recommendation, the preexhaustion method purposes to begin a training session with monoarticular exercises and to finish it with multiarticular exercises. The aim of this study was, through EMG, to inquire into temporal and activation intensity parameters of pectoralis major (PM), deltoid (DA) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles, which can be used as a basis to bench press and flying 10RM pre-exhaustion method application. It was compared two experimental protocols: P1) pre-exhaustion method; P2) traditional recommendation. The activation intensity, as well its relationship with the muscular contraction duration, established on intensity levels, did not attain significant differences to PM. To DA, there were not differences between the protocols respecting the activation intensity when whole the repetitions were analyzed. However, when each repetition was analyzed, this muscle exhibited significant increasing in activation intensity in P1; as well it showed a more intense solicitation of 80 to 100% MVIC level. To TB, the activation intensity was significant greater in P1 than P2 respecting whole manners to data analysis. The results exhibited that the locomotor apparatus increased the TB dependence as an alternative strategy to try to attain bench press 10RM in P1. Therefore, it is possible to assert that pre-exhaustion method may be efficient to impose largest neural stimuli on small synergists muscular groups during movement execution, but not on the main target muscular group. However, these findings sustain that the pre-exhaustion method effects cannot receive a categorical affirmation, yet. Because, contrariwise the P2, during the P1 bench press set there was not significant increasing in the same muscle activation intensity, as well in the intensity levels. This way, it is possible to assert that, in P1 the muscles began the set in a highest intensity levels than in P2, because they were stimulated previously

Idrottsparken roundabout in Norrkoping is located in the more dense part of the city.Congestion occurs in peak hours causing queue and extended travel time. This thesis aims to provide alternative model to reduce queue and travel time. Types ofobservation data are flow, length of queue, and travel time that are observed during peakhours in the morning and afternoon. Calibration process is done by minimising root meansquare error of queue, travel time, and combination both of them between observation andcalibrated model. SUMO version 0.14.0 is used to perform the microsimulation. There are two proposed alternatives, namely Scenario 1: the additional lane for right turnfrom East leg to North and from North leg to West and Scenario 2: restriction of heavy goodsvehicles passing Kungsgatan which is located in Northern leg of Idrottsparken roundaboutduring peak hours. For Scenario 1, the results from SUMO will be compared with AIMSUNin terms of queue and travel time. The result of microsimulation shows that parameters that have big influence in the calibrationprocess for SUMO are driver imperfection and driver’s reaction time, while for AIMSUN isdriver’s reaction time and maximum acceleration. From analysis found that the model of thecurrent situation at Idrottsparken can be represented by model simulation which usingcombination between root mean square error of queue and travel time in calibration andvalidation process. Moreover, scenario 2 is the best alternative for SUMO because itproduces the decrease of queue and travel time almost in all legs at morning and afternoonpeak hour without accompanied by increase significant value of them in the other legs. Thecomparison between SUMO and AIMSUN shows that, in general, the AIMSUN has higherchanges value in terms of queue and travel time due to the limited precision in SUMO forroundabout modelling.

In recent year, tidal gauge has progressed in temporal resolution or measurement accuracy, so that the quality of observational data tends to stable and reliable. However, setting up tidal gauge in the offshore areas restricts may apply due to many factors such as seabed topography, weather, sea state and leveling survey from land to gauge. Good tidal correction is one of key factors to the accuracy of bathymetric survey and to the area where tidal range is large. This study tried to use tide prediction data derived from the Yu(1993)¡¦s tide numerical model and verified with actual observed tide data, and further establishing a tidal zone of Taiwan Strait by tidal characteristic. Using Taichung and Mailiao tide stations as a reference tidal station, the direct tide station correction, tidal zone correction, nearest model grid correction, and virtual station correction methods were applied to evaluate the accuracy of tide calculating value by amplitude ratio and tidal phase difference. The tidal zone correction is not totally depending on the spatial distance from reference tidal station, and it is found that correction result of this approach is one of the best. However, further improvement in tide correction may need to explore due to different spatial resolution applied in different numerical models. In addition, the boundary condition of a harbor for tidal model is very complicated. This is why it is hard to make a numerical model for a harbor. In this study, two additional high accuracy radar tidal gauge were installed in Kaohsiung harbor and first-class leveling survey was performed in order to maintain tidal measurement accuracy, also to avoid the effect of errors propagation. According to the results from experiment, average tidal phase of second entrance of the Kaohsiung harbor is earlier than that of first entrance about 6 minutes, and average difference of tidal height is approximately 2-3cm. For this reason, we should pay attention to decide a proper reference tide station for tidal correction for dredging hydrographic surveying. And any possible tidal observation errors, such as meteorological tide. If two additional tidal gauges of this study are removed in the future, we still can predict tide height from fixed tidal gauge.

Decaying fossil fuel resources, international relation complexities, and the risks associated with nuclear power have led to an increased demand for alternative energy sources. Renewable energy sources offer adequate solutions to these challenges. Forecasting of solar energy has also increased over the past decade due to its use in photovoltaic (PV) system design, load balance in hybrid systems, and projected potential future PV system feasibility. Artificial neural networks (ANN) have been used successfully for solar energy forecasting. In this work, several meteorological variables from Saudi Arabia as a case study will be used to determine the most effective variables on Global Solar Radiation (GSR) prediction. Those variables will be used as inputs for a proposed GSR prediction model. This model will be applicable in different locations and conditions. This model has a simple structure and offers better results in terms of error between actual and predicted solar radiation values.

Background: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) are prone to sedentary life with limited recreational- and physical activity. RaceRunning (RR) is a sport for individuals with disabilities such as motor impairment that allow them to move independently and enjoy physical activity. The aim of the study was to investigate muscle fatigue of RR athletes with different classiffcation of CP during six minuteRaceRunning test (6MRRT). The Cerebral Palsy International Sports and RecreationAssociation has the goal to make RR a Paralympic sport. For a sport to be included in the Paralympics a classiffcation system has to be made. Information about muscle function during RR could give vital physical information about athletes with CP and contribute to the development of such classiffcation system. Method: Median frequency of the power spectrum from surface electromyography(sEMG) of four muscles (vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, gluteus medius, gastrocnemius lateralis) was computed along with amplitude changes (root mean square) in order to assess muscle fatigue. Results: Indications of muscle fatigue were observed from one out of five athletes for athlete's less affected side. Further sEMG studies with more subjects have to be conducted on CP RR athletes to give more conclusive results of muscle fatigue.

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) provides an option for librarians to administer a combination of LibQUAL+® and LibQUAL+® Lite to measure users' perceptions of library service quality. LibQUAL+® Lite is a shorter version of LibQUAL+® that uses planned missing data in its design. The present study investigates the loss of information in commonly administered proportions of LibQUAL+® and LibQUAL+® Lite when compared to administering LibQUAL+® alone. Data from previous administrations of LibQUAL+® protocol (2005, N = 525; 2007, N = 3,261; and 2009, N = 2,103) were used to create simulated datasets representing various proportions of LibQUAL+® versus LibQUAL+® Lite administration (0.2:0.8, 0.4:0.6. 0.5:0.5, 0.6:0.4, and 0.8:0.2). Statistics (i.e., means, adequacy and superiority gaps, standard deviations, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients, and polychoric correlation coefficients) from simulated and real data were compared. Confidence intervals captured the original values. Root mean square errors and absolute and relative biases of correlations showed that accuracy in the estimates decreased with increase in percentage of planned missing data. The recommendation is to avoid using combinations with more than 20% planned missing data.

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