Resultados da reanálise SODA v2.2.6 (Carton, Giese, 2008) e da Renálise do Século 20 v2 (Compo, et al., 2011) foram analisados para verificar alterações dos modos de variabilidade da TSM (o modo do Gradiente Meridional de Temperatura (GMT) e o Modo Zonal) no Atlântico Tropical (de 1929 a 2008) através de funções empíricas ortogonais (EOF) e funções empíricas ortogonais associadas (jEOF). A evolução do padrão espacial do modo do GMT se inicia com a configuração de dipolo de temperatura, com eixo central em ≈ 5ºN evoluindo para o GMT com variabilidade concentrada no Atlântico Tropical Norte. O Modo Zonal apresenta inicialmente variabilidade associada à região equatorial (entre 5ºS e 5ºN) e à costa sudoeste africana, que evolui para um gradiente meridional de TSM, centrado em ≈ 5ºN. Sua variabilidade concentra-se exclusivamente no Atlântico Tropical Sul. A variabilidade equatorial se degenera ao longo do período, devido ao aumento, gerado pelo vento, da profundidade das isopicnais na termoclina. No equador o acoplamento entre o oceano e a atmosfera ocorre nos períodos de T = 30 meses e T ≈ 34 meses, com o vento antecedendo a temperatura em 1 e 2 meses, respectivamente. O Modo Zonal apresenta acoplamento com o vento durante a segunda metade das análises. O período associado é de T ≈ 34 meses, com o vento antecedendo a temperatura em cerca de 1 mês. O modo do GMT está associado aos ventos no Atlântico Tropical Norte e Atlântico Tropical Sul. Os períodos de acoplamento são de T = 96 e T = 60 meses, com o vento antecedendo a TSM em 3 e ≈ 2 meses respectivamente. / The results of SODA v2.2.6 reanalysis (Carton, Giese, 2008) and 20th Century Reanalysis v2 Project (Compo, et al., 2011) were analyzed in order to verify changes of the SST modes (the Meridional Temperature Gradient mode (GMT) and the Zonal Mode) in the Tropical Atlantic (1929 to 2008) using Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) and joint Empirical Orthogonal Functions (jEOF). The spatial distribution of GMT starts initially as a temperature dipole centred at ≈ 5ºN. It evolves into a meridional gradient with variability concentrated at the Tropical North Atlantic. The zonal mode variability is initially associated with the equatorial region (between 5ºS and 5ºN) and with the northwestern african coast. It evolves into a merdional gradient with central axis located at 5ºN. Its variability is concentrated exclusively in the Tropical South Atlantic. The equatorial variability degenerates throughout the period, due to the inhibition of the isopicnal uplift by the wind. At the equator, the coupling occurs in periods of T = 30 months and T ≈ 34 months, with the wind preceding the TSM by 1 and 2 months, respectively. The zonal mode presents coupling with the wind only during the second half of the analysis. The periods are of T = 34 months, with wind preciding TSM by about 1 month. GMT mode is associated to the winds of both Tropical North Atlantic and Tropical South Atlantic. Coupling periods are of T = 96 and T = 60 months, with the wind preceding TSM in 3 and ≈ 2 months respectively.

A tuberculose ainda prevalece no cenário epidemiológico mundial e nacional e sua permanência relaciona-se a vários processos, dentre os quais, as desigualdades sociais. A adesão ao tratamento é um aspecto chave para o controle da doença, já que contribui para a diminuição da multirresistência aos fármacos e para o decréscimo da mortalidade. Em função desse panorama que evidencia ainda, a ineficácia dos programas de controle, a Organização Mundial da Saúde-OMS propôs um novo marco para controle da enfermidade, introduzindo a Estratégia do Tratamento Diretamente Observado-DOTS ou Tratamento Supervisionado (TS). Dada a carência de estudos qualitativos sobre o tema no Município de São Paulo, este estudo teve como objetivos: identificar os significados que trabalhadores da saúde manifestam em relação à tuberculose, à adesão ao tratamento e ao Tratamento Diretamente Supervisionado; identificar as potencialidades e os limites da estratégia DOTS numa região do Município de São Paulo; além de apontar alternativas que contribuam no aprimoramento do Programa de Controle da Tuberculose. Após aprovação do projeto por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, foram entrevistados 15 trabalhadores da saúde da Subprefeitura da Sé da Secretaria de Saúde do Município de São Paulo, de agosto a dezembro de 2004, por meio de roteiro semi-estruturado. O estudo foi conduzido sob o referencial da Hermenêutica-dialética, tendo sido aplicada técnica apropriada de análise de discurso. Os achados revelam persistência de preconceito, com impacto sobre a assistência e à adesão. Observou-se que esta ultima é influenciada por processos relacionados ao doente (que se referem à sua inserção social), aos serviços de saúde (principalmente quanto à acessibilidade e comunicação com os usuários). A DOTS é apreendida como estratégia que contribui na adesão ao tratamento, ainda que apresente algumas limitações, como a falta de flexibilidade em sua operacionalização em algumas unidades de saúde, assim como a irregularidade dos incentivos. Entretanto, aponta-se sua importante potencialidade, que se revela na perspectiva da formação de vínculo entre o doente e o trabalhador de saúde. Assim, propõe-se o DOTS como interface de encontro e conversa entre trabalhadores e usuários, no âmbito institucional e territorial, o que possibilita a identificação de necessidades de saúde, assim como o encaminhamento de intervenções apropriadas / Tuberculosis still remains in the national and world-wide epidemiological scene and its permanence becomes related to some processes, amongst others, the social inequities. The adhesion to the treatment is a key aspect for the control of the disease given the fact that it contributes to the reduction of the multi-resistance to the pharmacotherapy and to decrease the mortality. In function of this panorama that still evidences, the inefficacy of the control programs, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposes a new frame in order to control the disease, introducing the Strategy Observed Treatment (DOTS) or Strictly Supervised Treatment (SST). Given the lack of qualitative studies about this issue in the municipality of Sao Paulo, this study has as objectives: to identify the meaning that health workers express in relation to tuberculosis the adhesion to treatment, and Strictly Supervised Treatment; to identify the potential and limitations of the strategy in a region of the municipality of Sao Paulo; at the same time to point alternatives that contribute to the improvement of the Program of Control of Tuberculosis. After approval of the project by the Committee of Ethics in Research, 15 health workers of the Secretary of Health of the City of São Paulo were interviewed, from August to December 2004, by means of a half-structuralized survey. The study was lead under the referential of the hermeneutics dialectic applying an appropriate technique of speech analysis. The findings disclose the persistence of preconception, which shows an impact on the assistance and to the adhesion to the treatment. It was noticed that these findings are influenced by related processes to the ill person (which refers to their social insertion), and to the health services (mainly related to the accessibility and the communication with the users). The SST is understood as an strategy that contributes to the adhesion to the treatment, but still presents some limitations, as for example as the lack of flexibility in its operationalization in some health units, as well as the irregularity of the incentives. Meanwhile its important potential is pointed which reveals itself in the perspective. However, its important potentiality is pointed, that if disclosed in the perspective of the conformation of a bond between the ill person and the health worker. Thus, the SST is considered as an interface of meeting and colloquy between health workers and ill people at the institutional and territorial scope, which makes possible the identification of health necessities, as well as the guiding of appropriate interventions

<p>From having relied on its employees in the interaction with customers, the service industry now move towards an increased adoption of technology to enhance the value of the service</p><p>offering to the customer. This development has also reached the public transport sector which is traditionally seen as low-tech.</p><p>In this study we investigate how the customers experience the use of high-tech supporting services within a low-tech context. The case that is used is the city-bus transport provider Karlstadsbuss who provide a high-tech supporting service called Live, which delivers realtime information on bus departures through a website, a WAPsite, and electronic boards at certain bus stops.</p><p>Focused group interviews were used to get in-dept information from commuters of how they perceive Live. Results show that respondents do not use Live website or WAPsite because the information is not worth the effort of use. Commuters question the service because many</p><p>buses do not run according to the Live-schedule. Still the commuters say they benefit from Live because it contributes alternative ways of finding departure times, and it presents an overview of departure options. However, if the information is in real-time or not is of</p><p>secondary importance.</p>

From having relied on its employees in the interaction with customers, the service industry now move towards an increased adoption of technology to enhance the value of the service offering to the customer. This development has also reached the public transport sector which is traditionally seen as low-tech. In this study we investigate how the customers experience the use of high-tech supporting services within a low-tech context. The case that is used is the city-bus transport provider Karlstadsbuss who provide a high-tech supporting service called Live, which delivers realtime information on bus departures through a website, a WAPsite, and electronic boards at certain bus stops. Focused group interviews were used to get in-dept information from commuters of how they perceive Live. Results show that respondents do not use Live website or WAPsite because the information is not worth the effort of use. Commuters question the service because many buses do not run according to the Live-schedule. Still the commuters say they benefit from Live because it contributes alternative ways of finding departure times, and it presents an overview of departure options. However, if the information is in real-time or not is of secondary importance.

This thesis is based on a case study of an airline’s (Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)) customers’ views on self-service technologies for check-in; mobile check-in, internet check-in, and machine (kiosk) check-in. The first aim of the paper was to find sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction in the airline industry. A number of critical incidents leading to satisfactory and dissatisfactory experiences have been categorized by using the critical incident technique method based on customers’ recalls of past events. Main sources of satisfaction were the SSTs ability to provide a more efficient service by time savings, avoiding queues and by providing increased customer control. Main sources of dissatisfaction were related to technology failure such as malfunctioning machines, technical design problems and service design problems due to unclear role clarity among customers caused by lack of information and trust in own abilities. Second aim of the study was to identify a number of variables affecting SST channel selection. Qualitative interviews revealed following main variables affecting channel choice: accessibility, awareness, lack of trust, and perceived channel efficiency. Findings have been discussed from the perspective of models used in present research such as the consumer readiness model and trusting intentions model so that future researchers can identify and use valid models for understanding SST channel adoption and satisfaction drivers in the flight industry. Hands on managerial implications are provided in the closing part of the paper. Originality: The thesis show industry specific satisfaction and dissatisfaction causes that differ from previous research. Second contribution is the development and classification of factors in groups that influence the SST channel choice for check-in at airports. Finally the paper shows that none of the current models for use intention can independently be used to fully explain choice of channel.

This thesis is on the space--time variational multiscale (ST-VMS) computation of wind-turbine rotor and tower aerodynamics. The rotor geometry is that of the NREL 5MW offshore baseline wind turbine. We compute with a given wind speed and a specified rotor speed. The computation is challenging because of the large Reynolds numbers and rotating turbulent flows, and computing the correct torque requires an accurate and meticulous numerical approach. The presence of the tower increases the computational challenge because of the fast, rotational relative motion between the rotor and tower. The ST-VMS method is the residual-based VMS version of the Deforming-Spatial-Domain/Stabilized ST (DSD/SST) method, and is also called ``DSD/SST-VMST'' method (i.e., the version with the VMS turbulence model). In calculating the stabilization parameters embedded in the method, we are using a new element length definition for the diffusion-dominated limit. The DSD/SST method, which was introduced as a general-purpose moving-mesh method for computation of flows with moving interfaces, requires a mesh update method. Mesh update typically consists of moving the mesh for as long as possible and remeshing as needed. In the computations reported here, NURBS basis functions are used for the temporal representation of the rotor motion, enabling us to represent the circular paths associated with that motion exactly and specify a constant angular velocity corresponding to the invariant speeds along those paths. In addition, temporal NURBS basis functions are used in representation of the motion and deformation of the volume meshes computed and also in remeshing. We name this ``ST/NURBS Mesh Update Method (STNMUM).'' The STNMUM increases computational efficiency in terms of computer time and storage, and computational flexibility in terms of being able to change the time-step size of the computation. We use layers of thin elements near the blade surfaces, which undergo rigid-body motion with the rotor. We compare the results from computations with and without tower, and we also compare using NURBS and linear finite element basis functions in temporal representation of the mesh motion.

In developing countries, there is a great demand for university education. In order to select students to universities a standardized test score is used. In Turkey, the Student Selection Test (SST) have important role in admission to universities. However, there is very limited knowledge about what SST mathematics sections actually measures. The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the content of the mathematics subtest of the SST in line with mathematical cognitive skills and eventually provide construct related evidence for dimensionality of the test items. Within this framework, it is aimed to cross validate the mathematics subtest across gender groups, school types and two consecutive years. Also relations among mathematical abilities are investigated. This study is first in investigating what is measured by SST Mathematics sections and analyzing construct validity by testing several nested confirmatory factor models. Comparison of fit indices of five competitive models showed three-factor model has better fit indices in which Basic Computation Ability, Advanced Computation Ability and Geometry Ability is measured. It is concluded that problem solving items are not measuring a different process, but measures some sort of computation ability. There is a problem related to the content of the mathematics subtests of the SST in line with mathematical cognitive skills. Higher order cognitive skills are not measured properly. Three-factor model is tested about the invariance of the factors across gender, school types and years. It is concluded that invariant factor structure indicates that SST mathematics section is operating similarly for subgroups and years. The relations among mathematical abilities on three-factor model are investigated by item mapping and structural equation models. It is seen that Basic Computation Ability is a prerequisite to acquire Geometry Ability and Advanced Computation Ability.

In this thesis study, implementation, numerical stability and convergence rate issues of turbulence modeling are explored. For this purpose, a one equation turbulence model, Spalart-Allmaras, and a two-equation turbulence model, SST k-w, are adapted to an explicit, cell centered, finite volume method based, structured / hybrid multi grid flow solver, SENSE2D, developed at TUBITAK-SAGE. Governing equations for both the flow and the turbulence are solved in a loosely coupled manner, however, each set of equations are solved using a coupled, semi-implicit solution algorithm. In multigrid solutions, the semi-implicit solution algorithm and the turbulence model equations are employed only in the finest level grid. As a result, stable and convergent numerical solutions are obtained. In order to validate the turbulence models and the semi-implicit solution algorithm implemented, turbulent flow solutions over a flat plate, RAE2822 airfoil and NLR7301 multi element airfoil are performed. The results are compared with the experimental data and the numerical results of the commercial CFD package FLUENT. It is shown that the numerical results obtained by SENSE2D are in good agreement with the experimental data and the FLUENT results. In addition to the turbulence modeling studies, convergence rate studies are also performed by multigrid and semi-implicit solution methods. It is shown that, the convergence rates of the semi-implicit solutions are increased about 5 times for single grid and 35% for multigrid solutions in comparison to the explicit solutions.

I examined the hypothesis that high variability in Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and ocean color are associated with higher coral cover and slower rates of decline of coral cover within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). Synoptic SST time series maps, covering the period 1994-2005, were constructed for the FKNMS with data collected using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite sensors. The SST data were compared with coral cover time series assessments at 36 sites conducted by the Coral Reef and Evaluation Monitoring Program (CREMP; 1996-2005), sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida. Out of the 36 stations, Smith Shoals routinely experienced very different and extreme environmental conditions relative to the rest of the stations, including extreme salinity, suspended sediments, and "black water" events that led to the death of coral reef organisms such as in 2002. Among the other 35 stations, sites that experienced moderately higher SST variability (mean variance > 6) relative to other sites showed a trend toward higher percentage coral cover (r=0.62, p=6.33x10-5, N=35) and relatively slower rates of decline (r=0.41, p=0.02, N=35) over the 12-year study period. The results suggest that coral reefs sites that are continuously exposed to high but not extreme variability in temperature may develop resilience against episodes of extreme cold or elevated SST. Variability of suspended sediments and water clarity were estimated using satellite-derived, normalized water-leaving radiance products. Ocean color data were obtained from the Sea-viewing Wide-Field-of View Sensor (Sea WiFS) from 1998 to 2005. Normalized water-leaving radiance at 443 (Lwn443) was used as a proxy to examine variability in water clarity, and normalized water-leaving radiance at 670 (Lwn670) was used as a proxy to study variability in suspended sediments. A weak relationship was identified between variability of Lwn443 and Lwn670 and coral cover as estimated by CREMP assessments in 2005 (r=0.43, p = 0.01, N=35 and r = 0.47, p = 0.005, N=35, respectively). There was a weak relationship between coral cover change and Lwn670 from 1988 to 2005 (r = 0.46, p = 0.05, N=35), but there no relationship was observed between variability of Lwn443 and change in coral cover (r =0.27, p =0.11, N=35). Further research is required to understand the origin, concentration and composition of dissolved or suspended materials that change the turbidity of waters around reefs of the FKNMS, and whether these changes can be adequately interpreted by examining concurrent satellite imagery. Ultimately, such remote sensing and field research is required to understand how water quality affects the health of coral reefs, and how coral ecosystems adapt to environmental variability.

The aerospace industry has been concerned with propeller noise levels for years. This interest is two-fold: government regulation and comfort in cabin. This report attempts to create a simulation mechanism needed to evaluate the far-field noise generation levels. However, in order to do that, the tandem cylinder case was evaluated first as a validation step before the SR-7A propeller case was performed. Both cases use STAR-CCM+, a commercial software, to perform the simulations.