Šiame baigiamajame bakalauro darbe atlikta geležinkelių transporto vystymosi raidos literatūrinė apžvalga, kuri parodo, kad Lietuvos geležinkelių transportas buvo ir yra svarbi visuomenės gyvenimo dalis, be kurios nebūtų plėtojama ekonomika ir kitos veiklos sritys. Tačiau išanalizavus aplinkosauginius aspektus, paaiškėja, kad geležinkelio transportas - triukšmo šaltinis. Šis traukinių keliamas triukšmas yra ypač svarbus gyvenimo kokybės rodiklis. Išanalizuota geležinkelių transporto eksploatacijos metu pasireiškiantys kenksmingi veiksniai, bei jų poveikis žmonių sveikatai ir gyvenimo kokybei. Atlikta Mažeikių miesto gyventojų apklausa. Įvertinta dabartinė situacija. Išanalizavus apklausos rezultatus, padarytos išvados ir pateikti geriausi triukšmo mažinimo būdai, kaip apsaugoti gyventojus, išvengiant triukšmo padarinių. Atlikti akustinių ekranų efektyvumo matavimai, šalia Šniūraičių gyvenvietės, kurie parodė, kad siekiant komforto žmonių kasdieniniame gyvenime būtina imtis priemonių kovojant su aplinkos fizikine tarša. Pateikti pasiūlymai ir rekomendacijos šiai problemai spręsti. / Literary review of railway transport development is carried out in this bachelor’s paper, which shows that Lithuanian railway transport has always been an important part of public life, helping to develop economics and other areas of activities. However, analysis of environmental issues shows that the railway transport is the noise source. The train-caused noise is an especially important index of life quality. Harmful factors arising during railroad transport exploitation are analysed as well as their impact upon human health and life quality. Mažeikiai town residents were interviewed. Current situation was assessed. Survey results were analysed, conclusions made, the best ways to reduce noise in order to protect the residents from noise consequences were suggested. Carry out performance measurements of acoustic screens, Šniūraičiai near the village. Noise measurement findings showed that in order to reach comfort in everyday life measures have to be taken to reduce physical pollution of the environment. Suggestions and recommendations to solve the problem are given.

Magistro darbe nagrinėjamas mokomasis aerodinaminis vamzdis, su kuriuo bus galima atlikti laboratorinius darbus ir nesudėtingus mokslinius tyrimus. Aptariama aerodinaminio vamzdžio reikšmė studentams, Lietuvos ūkiui ir aplinkosaugai. Taip pat pateikiama, kokius bandymus su aerodinaminiu vamzdžiu bus galima atlikti Pastatų energetikos katedroje. Apžvelgti laboratorijos įrangos gamintojų – Aerolab, G.u.n.t, Armfield, Stirolab, GDJ Inc mokomieji aerodinaminiai vamzdžiai, projektavimo rekomendacijos. Pastatų energetikos katedrai suprojektuotas aerodinaminis vamzdis, papildomai pridėti triukšmo slopintuvai prieš ir už ventiliatoriaus. Taip pat atlikta kompiuterinių programų, kuriomis naudojantis galima atlikti oro srautų moduliaciją, analizė, ir pasirinkus tinkamiausią programą atlikta Pastatų energetikos katedros aerodinaminio vamzdžio darbinės kameros moduliacija. Šio baigiamojo darbo rezultatas – pagamintas ir surinktas mokomasis aerodinaminis vamzdis, kuris bus naudojamas laboratoriniams darbams ir tyrimams atlikti. Darbą sudaro 11 dalys: įvadas, 11 skyrių dėstomoji dalis, išvados, literatūros sąrašas. Darbo apimtis – 65 p. teksto be priedų, 39 iliustr., 9 lent., 30 bibliografiniai šaltiniai. Atskirai pridedami darbo grafikai ir priedai. / Masters‘ thesis deals with an educational wind tunnel which is to be used to carry out laboratory works and simple research. It disscuses the importance of wind tunnel for students, Lithuanian economy and environment protection. It also presented tests those can be made with wind tunnel in the department of buildings’ energetics. The educational wind tunnels, design recommendations of the laboratory equipment manufacturer – Aerolab, G.u.n.t, Armfield, Stirolab, GDJ Inc were overviewed. Wind tunnel for department of buildings’ energetics was designed, in addition silencers before and behind the fan were added. There are also made an analysis of computer programs, which enable air flow modulation, and selecting the best program the wind tunnel working chamber modulation of the department of buildings’ energetics was performed. The result of the thesis – produced and assembled educational wind tunnel, which will be used for laboratory work and research. The work consists of eleven parts: introduction, describtion, conclusions, references. Work size – 65 pages without appendixes, 39 figures, 9 tables, 30 references. Appendixes.

This project explores the areas of human perception and story narrative in moving images. Engaged by the research question, “Can spectators become co-authors in the process of a story narrative?”, the research focuses on exploring the co-existence and contradiction between the values of spectators and an author in a process of a narrative by developing a new potential narrative approach with multiple perspectives. I hypothesise that spectators could participate with the story narrative process as co-authors. My key method is to engage with spectators’ participation within a narration (story) by displaying story fragments across multiple screens simultaneously. The potential of having a story spread across multiple screens might bring further interest to authors to re-think the notion of a spectator and tell a story with multiple perspectives in a narrative process with spectators. In order to develop this project, I will use different approaches, such as Grounded Theory (Strauss & Corbin, 1998), Data Visualisation (Tufte, 1983), Action Research (Kemmis & McTaggart, 1988) and Heuristics (Moustakas, 1990), which I will explain in further details in each chapter of my exegesis.

The expanding potential for the dissemination and archiving of aphorisms is explored in this practice-based research thesis. An aphorism is a short statement that communicates an insight about the world (and can sometimes function as a guide to action). Eric McLuhan, interviewed in Signs of the Times: The History of Writing (Goëss Video, 1996), suggests that the future of the book is the aphoristic statement. Aphoristic knowledge has traditionally been transmitted through texts and through libraries, but this project brings into play various modes of recirculating aphoristic texts using contemporary distribution networks and digital media such as moving image, projection on to urban screens, artists’ books, archival digital photography and glazed ceramics. Texts ‘virally inhabit’ a number of sites and languages in a series of works situated in the interdisciplinary context of contemporary text art and artists’ books. The sayings rejoin the cultural river of ideas in local and international incarnations. Practice-based work (80%) and exegesis (20%)

This project explores the areas of human perception and story narrative in moving images. Engaged by the research question, “Can spectators become co-authors in the process of a story narrative?”, the research focuses on exploring the co-existence and contradiction between the values of spectators and an author in a process of a narrative by developing a new potential narrative approach with multiple perspectives. I hypothesise that spectators could participate with the story narrative process as co-authors. My key method is to engage with spectators’ participation within a narration (story) by displaying story fragments across multiple screens simultaneously. The potential of having a story spread across multiple screens might bring further interest to authors to re-think the notion of a spectator and tell a story with multiple perspectives in a narrative process with spectators. In order to develop this project, I will use different approaches, such as Grounded Theory (Strauss & Corbin, 1998), Data Visualisation (Tufte, 1983), Action Research (Kemmis & McTaggart, 1988) and Heuristics (Moustakas, 1990), which I will explain in further details in each chapter of my exegesis.

Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 1980. / Thesis Advisor(s): Neil, Douglas. Second Reader: Moroney, William. "March 1980." Description based on title screen as viewed on May 25, 2010. DTIC Descriptor(s): Data Displays, Man Machine Systems, Cockpits, Performance (Human), Reaction Time, Pilots, Analysis Of Variance, Theses, Coding, Colors, Errors, Symbols, Cathode Ray Tube Screens, Color Vision, Alphanumeric Displays DTIC Identifier(s): Color Coding. Author(s) subject terms: Coding Techniques, Symbols,Colors, Reaction Time, Performance, Errors, Alphanumerics. Includes bibliographical references (p. 65-66). Also available in print.

Indirect detection digital imaging systems used in medical imaging, compromises powder phosphor scintillators as X-ray to light converters. Powder phosphors should combine image quality and light output parameters in order to produce high quality diagnostic images, with the parallel dose reduction to the patient. Additionally, they must be characterized by short decay times in order to be used in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and dual energy imaging (DE). The aim of the present PhD thesis is the investigation of the optimum powder phosphor scintillator for use in a CMOS based digital imaging system and the investigation of the combination of the digital imaging system with the optimum scintillator for low energy medical applications, like DBT. Scintillating screens, were prepared using the method of sedimentation, by Lu2SiO5:Ce, Gd2O2S:Eu and Gd2O2S:Tb powder phosphors. Their properties were evaluated by experimentally determining parameters related to optical signal intensity and distribution at the scintillator exit surface, characterizing medical image quality and the patient’s dose. By comparing the luminescence efficiency and image quality properties of Lu2SiO5:Ce, Gd2O2S:Eu and Gd2O2S:Tb, the scintillating screen with the optimum characteristics was defined and placed, in close contact with the CMOS photodiode. MTF and DQE of our CMOS sensor were found better at the whole spatial frequency range with previously published data for a passive CMOS sensor, while NNPS was comparable. The evaluated CMOS sensor is characterized by high spatial resolution and detection efficiency properties that make it suitable for DBT. Additionally, image quality is acceptable at low exposure levels, which is crucial in DBT and DE applications where high patient’s dose is a drawback for the establishment of these methods. / Τα ψηφιακά συστήματα ιατρικής απεικόνισης, έμμεσης ανίχνευσης, χρησιμοποιούν φωσφόρους σπινθηριστές ως μετατροπείς της ακτινοβολίας-Χ σε ορατό φως. Οι φώσφοροι σπινθηριστές πρέπει να συνδυάζουν χαρακτηριστικά ποιότητας εικόνας και απόδοσης σε φωταύγεια προκειμένου να παράγουν εικόνες υψηλής διαγνωστικής αξίας με τη παράλληλη ελάττωση της δόσης στον εξεταζόμενο. Επιπλέον πρέπει να έχουν μικρούς χρόνους απόσβεσης για χρήση σε συστήματα ψηφιακής τομοσύνθεσης (DBT) και απεικόνισης διπλής ενέργειας (DE). Σκοπός της παρούσας Διδακτορικής Διατριβής ήταν η διερεύνηση των βέλτιστων υλικών φωσφόρων σπινθηριστών για χρήση σε ολοκληρωμένο ψηφιακό απεικονιστικό σύστημα τύπου CMOS καθώς και η διερεύνηση των χαρακτηριστικών του συστήματος ψηφιακού ανιχνευτή/ βέλτιστου σπινθηριστή για ιατρικές εφαρμογές χαμηλών ενεργειών, όπως η DBT. Παρασκευάστηκαν, με τη μέθοδο της καθίζησης, φθορίζουσες οθόνες από υλικά σπινθηριστών όπως τα Lu2SiO5:Ce, Gd2O2S:Eu και Gd2O2S:Tb. Οι ιδιότητες τους μελετήθηκαν αξιολογώντας πειραματικά παραμέτρους οι οποίες εκφράζουν την ένταση και την κατανομή του παραγόμενου σήματος στην έξοδο του ανιχνευτή και σχετίζονται άμεσα με την ποιότητα της ιατρικής εικόνας αλλά και με τη δόση στον εξεταζόμενο. Στον ανιχνευτή τοποθετήθηκε, σε άμεση επαφή με τις φωτοδιόδους CMOS, φθορίζουσα οθόνη Gd2O2S:Tb, η οποία προσδιορίστηκε μέσω της σύγκρισης των ανωτέρω υλικών σε απόδοση φωταύγειας και ποιότητα εικόνας. Η απόδοση του CMOS ήταν καλύτερη εν συγκρίσει με δημοσιευμένα αποτελέσματα για αισθητήρα PPS CMOS, σε όλο το εύρος των χωρικών συχνοτήτων. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτά δείχνουν ότι ο υπό εξέταση ανιχνευτής τύπου CMOS έχει υψηλή διακριτική ικανότητα και ανιχνευτική αποδοτικότητα, κρατώντας παράλληλα χαμηλά επίπεδα θορύβου καθιστώντας τoν κατάλληλο για χρήση σε πρότυπο σύστημα (DBT). Επιπλέον βρέθηκε ότι η ποιότητα εικόνας δεν υποβαθμίζεται σε χαμηλά επίπεδα έκθεσης, στοιχείο που είναι σημαντικό για εφαρμογές (DBT) και (DE), όπου η αυξημένη δόση στον εξεταζόμενο είναι ανασταλτικός παράγοντας για τη καθιέρωση και ευρεία αποδοχή των συγκεκριμένων μεθόδων.

Η παρούσα ειδική ερευνητική εργασία εκπονήθηκε στα πλαίσια του Διατμηματικού Προγράμματος Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών στην “Ηλεκτρονική και Επεξεργασία της Πληροφορίας” στο τμήμα Φυσικής του Πανεπιστήμιου Πατρών. Ο στόχος της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η δημιουργία ενός αναπτυξιακού συστήματος για την υλοποίηση εφαρμογών που απαιτούν τη χρήση του δικτύου κινητής τηλεφωνίας. Το σύστημα αυτό θα πρέπει να μπορεί να λειτουργήσει αυτόνομα χωρίς υποστήριξη υπολογιστή. Το σύστημα έχει τη δυνατότητα χρήσης του δικτύου κινητής τηλεφωνίας (φωνή και δεδομένα) μέσω της χρήσης GSM Modem. Η αλληλεπίδραση με τον χρήστη γίνεται μέσω έγχρωμης οθόνης αφής με ενσωματωμένο resistive touch controller, που συμβάλει στην αυτόνομη λειτουργία του συστήματος. Το DSK 6713, που ενσωματώνει το TMS320C6713 DSP χρονίζεται στα 225 MHz, χρησιμοποιείται σαν κεντρική μονάδα για τη διασύνδεση αυτών αλλά και για την ανάπτυξη της όποιας εφαρμογής. Στο DSP υπάρχει διασυνδεδεμένος Audio Codec, μνήμη RAM και DMA Controller. To DSK C6713 δίνει τη δυνατότητα μέσω θυρών που έχει διαθέσιμες για την διασύνδεση και άλλων εξωτερικών συσκευών όπως κάμερα και SD card. Μαζί με το σύστημα αναπτύχθηκε και κώδικας για την επικοινωνία των υποσυστημάτων, καθώς και μία εφαρμογή γραφικού ισοσταθμιστή που κάνει χρήση δυνατοτήτων του συστήματος για την επίδειξη ορθής λειτουργίας αυτού. Το πρώτο κεφάλαιο αναφέρεται στην διασύνδεση των υποσυστημάτων και στους περιορισμούς που υπήρχαν από την κάθε πλευρά. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο περιγράφονται τα υποσυστήματα που αποτελούν το αναπτυξιακό. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο αναλύεται η εφαρμογή που αναπτύχθηκε στην κεντρική μονάδα, ενώ στο τέταρτο κεφάλαιο το τμήμα της εφαρμογής που αναπτύχθηκε στην οθόνη αφής. Τέλος στο τελευταίο κεφάλαιο παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα της εφαρμογής που υλοποιήθηκε . / This special research work was performed in the frame of the requirements of the M.Sc. "Electronics & Computers" in the Department of Physics at the University of Patras. The purpose of this study is to create a development system for developing applications that require the use of the mobile network. This system should be able to work independently without computer support. The system has the ability to use the mobile network (voice and data) by using GSM Modem. The user interaction is via color touch screen with an integrated resistive touch controller, which contributes to the autonomous system operation. The DSK C6713, which incorporates the TMS320C6713 DSP, that is clocked at 225 MHz, is used as a central unit for interconnecting these and for the development of any application. The DSP is interconnected with an Audio Codec, a RAM Memory and a DMA Controller. The DSK C6713 enables interconnection with other external devices such as camera and SD card. In addition, a code was developed for the communication of the subsystems. An application of a graphic equalizer was developed too, in order to make use of the system capabilities to demonstrate proper operation of this. The first chapter deals with the interconnection of the subsystems and the restrictions that existed on each side. The second chapter describes the subsystems that constitute the development. In the third chapter is described the application developed in the central unit while the fourth chapter presents the section of the application that was developed on the touch screen. Finally the last chapter presents the results of the application that were implemented.

O uso de sistemas de faceamento flexíveis com malhas metálicas é uma alternativa viável ao uso do concreto projetado como faceamento em sistemas de solo grampeado. Vários modelos de malhas são empregados hoje para este uso, sendo classificados pela resistência à tração no sentido longitudinal. Mesmo que relevante, segundo Cala et al., (2012), somente este dado é insuficiente para o correto dimensionamento destas soluções. A presente pesquisa busca identificar quais os parâmetros de resistência são necessários para o dimensionamento de um faceamento em malha metálica. Para tanto foram avaliadas duas metodologias desenvolvidas especificamente para as malhas aplicadas junto com a solução de solo grampeado, os métodos Ruvolum e Macro1. Foram então desenvolvidos equipamentos, similares aos utilizados por Roduner (2011) e Cala et al. (2012), para caracterizar 4 diferentes modelos de malhas, avaliando a resistência das mesmas frente aos esforços considerados nos modelos de cálculo investigados, tração e o cisalhamento no contato malha/grampo. Deste modo, foram utilizados resultados de ensaios em escala real com a simulação de um talude em solo tratado com as 4 malhas, para a validação dos métodos de dimensionamento, e para investigar quais os parâmetros de resistência da malha são mais importantes. Como resultado foram determinadas as resistências das malhas avaliadas, sendo a de tração no sentido longitudinal entre 50 e 140 kN, e a resistência no contato malha/grampo, que variou entre 10 e 30 kN. Por fim foi realizada uma análise paramétrica com o método Ruvolum a fim de verificar a influência na variação da coesão, espessura instável e ângulo de atrito, dados nem sempre bem definidos em projeto. Os resultados mostram, como era esperado, a grande sensibilidade da variação nos resultados frente aos efeitos da coesão, sendo então recomendado, como em qualquer análise de estabilidade cautela no uso deste parâmetro. A análise destes resultados permite concluir que o método mais adequado para modelar um talude em solo grampeado com face em tela foi o Ruvolum, com previsões que se aproximaram das medições reais dos ensaios de campo. / The use of flexible facing systems with steel meshes is a viable alternative to the use of shotcrete as facing in soil nailing systems. Currently several different models meshes are being used today for this purpose, being classified only by the tensile strength in the longitudinal direction of the mesh. Even though this parameter is quite relevant, alone it cannot be used to design the flexible facing systems. So this research aims to identify which steel mesh strength parameters are really needed for the correct dimensioning of such solutions. In order to do so two calculation methodologies, specially developed for steel meshes design, were investigated. The design models are called Ruvolum and Macro1 Equipments were developed, similar to those presented in Cala et al. (2012), to investigate four different models of mesh, in order to find the strength parameters presented on the studied calculation models, being than tensile and shear. Thus, to validate the investigated design methodologies, field tests results were compared to the models predictions. As product of the research it was possible to determine the tensile strength of the 4 meshes models, being then ranging from 50 and 140 kN. Also it was possible to define the shear resistance in the nail head/mesh contact, which ranges from 10 to 30 kN. The last step of the research was a parametric analysis, performed with the Ruvolum method to evaluate the influence on the variation of cohesion, unstable thickness and friction angle in the predictions, since this data aren’t always available in ordinary projects. These analysis have showed that the most influent parameter is cohesion, one that is very hard to determine. Also it was found by the results analysis that the appropriate calculation model to simulate a slope stabilized with soil nail and steel meshes facing is the Ruvolum, due the closeness of the predictions to the real field data.

Common practice in acoustic design does not consider air gaps. Thereare different opinions about air gaps and their affect on noise reduction.The report analyzes the credibility of the requirements used in a theoretical calculation model that addresses noise reduction in acoustic screens. Several measurement results from empirical attempts in a realistic environment for different screen models are compared.The result shows that a horizontal 50-millimeter gap has no noticeable impact on noise reduction. The result for horizontal air gaps against ground is of particular interest as it allows a simplified foundation to be used.Vertical air gaps have a greater negative influence on noise reduction but the results presented in the report can be used when lower demands are set on screens.An economic analysis shows that the result from the experiment when using a simplified foundation results in a cost reduction ofapproximately 300 SEK per meter acoustic screen.