Esta dissertação parte da premissa de que o desalinhamento dos arcos plantares estão associados ao mal funcionamento do pé e a subseqüentes desequilíbrios mecânicos gerados por compensações na cadeia cinética e articulações adjacentes. A bandagem plantar é uma das técnicas comumente utilizadas no tratamento e prevenção de lesões decorrentes destes desalinhamentos; no entanto, sua eficácia no controle postural ainda é incerta. Nossas hipóteses são: (i) que sujeitos com arco rebaixado apresentariam déficits do controle postural que se acentuariam em condições de perturbação sensorial, e (ii) que a bandagem aplicada no médio-­pé para melhorar a acuidade sensorial traria benefícios para o controle postural destes sujeitos, principalmente nas condições de perturbação. Assim, apresentaremos nesta dissertação dois estudos, um para investigar as alterações no controle postural de indivíduos com rebaixamento do arco plantar (estudo 1), e outro para investigar as consequências da utilização bandagem plantar nestes indivíduos (estudo 2). Para ambos os estudos, avaliamos a velocidade média e o root mean square da trajetória do centro de pressão durante a manutenção da postura quasi-­-estática em quatro condições de perturbação sensorial: (1) plataforma fixa, olhos abertos; (2) plataforma fixa, olhos fechados; (3) plataforma móvel, olhos abertos; e (4) plataforma móvel, olhos fechados. No estudo 1, 24 mulheres com arcos normais foram comparadas a 13 mulheres com arco rebaixado. No estudo 2, a comparação foi feita entre as condições sem e com a bandagem plantar para as 13 mulheres com arco rebaixado. Os resultados indicam que mulheres com rebaixamento do arco oscilam menos e mais lentamente que mulheres com arco normal, em particular na condição de maior perturbação sensorial, o que pode representar uma resposta pior, ou mais lenta de um sistema com desequilíbrios mecânicos decorrentes de um pé pouco funcional. Já a utilização da bandagem plantar resultou em aumento da oscilação do centro de pressão para a maioria das condições de perturbação sensorial, principalmente na direção médio-­-lateral, o que pode ser explicado por uma dificuldade dos sujeitos em se ajustar a uma nova postura, ou indicar um ganho de confiança e um melhor funcionamento do pé, traduzido pelo aumento da utilização dos ajustes posturais. / This dissertation is based on the premise that misalignment of plantar arches are associated to poor foot function and to subsequent mechanical compensations in the kinetic chain and adjacent joints. Foot taping is a commonly used technique in the treatment and prevention of injuries caused by these misalignments; however, its efficacy on postural control is still uncertain. Our hypotheses are: (i) subjects with low plantar arch would present postural control deficits, detectable by center of pressure sway measurement, that would be worsened in conditions of sensory perturbation, and (ii) foot taping, applied on midfoot with the intention to improve the cutaneous sensorial acuity, would bring benefits to the postural control of these subjects, especially under conditions of sensory perturbation. Thus, two studies will be presented: the first meant to investigate postural control alterations in individuals with low plantar arch (study 1), and the second, to investigate the effects of foot taping use in these subjects (study 2). For both studies, the mean velocity and root mean square of center of pressure trajectory were assessed during the maintenance of quasi-static stance in four conditions of sensory perturbations: (1) fixed support, eyes opened; (2) fixed support, eyes closed; (3) moving support, eyes opened, and (4) moving support, eyes closed. In study 1, 24 women with normal plantar arch were compared to 13 with low plantar arch. For study 2, the same 13 low arched subjects were assessed with and without foot taping. Results indicate that women with low plantar arch have less and slower center of pressure sway, particularly in the condition of highest sensory perturbation level, which may indicate a worsened, or slower, response of a mechanically altered system. When foot taping was applied to the low arched individuals, a higher and faster center of pressure sway was observed in most of the sensory perturbation conditions, especially in the medio-lateral direction. This could be explained either by a difficulty for the subjects to adapt to a new imposed postural condition, or by a gain in confidence while using the taping, reflected by the increase in postural adjustments.

Most reinforced concrete (RC) structures are continuous in some way, and many of these structures are strengthened using fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials as a routine basis. The problem of how to exploit moment redistribution in FRP-strengthened continuous RC structures is still unresolved. Reduction in ductility has been recognised in such structures. However, FRP-strengthening is introduced as an effective method to enhance the strength and load bearing capacity of RC structures. As a result, design guidelines worldwide employ conservative guidance for design, such that they limit the potential exploitation of moment redistribution in FRP-strengthened members. To date, limited research has been conducted into the redistribution of bending moment in such structures. Previous theoretical studies have not yet led to a reliable and rigorous solution for quantifying moment redistribution throughout the loading cycle. In addition, a wide scatter of moment redistribution percentage findings, from zero to 56%, has been reported in previous experimental studies. This demonstrates the need for further research to effectively characterise the circumstances under which moment redistribution can be relied on, both into and out of FRP-strengthened zones in continuous RC flexural members. This research aims to encourage the use of FRP for strengthening existing RC structures in a more efficient manner. The findings help to better understand restrictions on moment redistribution into and out of FRP-strengthened zones, effect of mechanical anchorage of the FRP on the degree of moment redistribution, and the extent to which moment redistribution can be relied on. A new analytical model, only based on structural mechanics, is developed in this research. A comprehensive set of large-scale structural testing is undertaken to validate the analytical model under various strengthening circumstances. The analytical and experimental results show that moment redistribution can occur into FRP-strengthened zones to full capacity without any limitation, even if the FRP is unanchored. Further, bending moment can also be redistributed out of strengthened zones to a considerable extent (up to 20%), depending on the quantity and stiffness of the FRP, and provided that the FRP is fully anchored. A set of parametric studies is conducted to investigate the effectiveness of different parameters on the level of moment redistribution. The major parameters include compressive strength of concrete, steel reinforcement proportion, steel yield strength, FRP quantity and stiffness, ultimate strain of the FRP, strengthening configuration, load position, beam shape, and curvature ductility. The outcomes demonstrate that it is not only the curvature ductility of FRP-strengthened sections that is important to the capacity for moment redistribution (out of such zones), but also the mode of failure, strength of the other critical zones, the ratio of stiffness between the critical zones, and the loading arrangement. It is concluded that moment redistribution in continuous FRP-strengthened concrete structures should be permitted both into and out of strengthened zones, provided that the criteria for such redistribution are met.

Orientador: Aristides Augusto Palhares Neto / Resumo: Introdução: A cicatriz desempenha um importante papel no resultado final de uma cirurgia. Muitos fatores são implicados no processo de cicatrização patológica, e diversos produtos e curativos foram desenvolvidos para prevenção de cicatriz hipertrófica e quelóide, porém poucos tem evidências que o suportem. Objetivos: Comparar o resultado da cicatriz cirúrgica após utilização da fita de silicone e da fita microporosa. Métodos: Realizamos um ensaio clínico controlado, cego e randomizado, onde um lado da incisão foi randomizado para receber a fita de silicone e o outro lado recebeu o tratamento controle (fita adesiva microporosa). Foram selecionadas pacientes submetidas a abdominoplastia ou mastoplastia de aumento com implantes de silicone no período de maio a outubro de 2016. A Escala de Cicatrização de Vancouver foi utilizada para avaliar as cicatrizes. Resultados: Foram selecionadas para o estudo 17 pacientes. A idade média das pacientes foi de 31,4 ± 6,7, sendo a mínima de 20 e a máxima de 45 anos. Vemos na comparação dos tipos de curativo que os valores de p foram próximos a 5%, sugerindo uma associação do uso da fita de silicone com melhores resultados estéticos e funcionais da cicatriz em relação à fita microporosa. Notamos também que os dois tipos de curativo tiveram uma redução significativa em seus escores do primeiro para o terceiro mês (traduzindo uma melhora no aspecto da cicatriz), porém a fita de silicone teve uma redução superior à fita microporosa (45,6% e 39,2%... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

In this thesis, experiments and simulations are performed to study the deployment dynamics of space webs and space booms, focusing on the deployment and stabilization phases of the space web and the behavior of the bi-stable tape spring booms after long-term stowage. The space web, Suaineadh, was launched onboard the sounding rocket REXUS-12 from the Swedish launch base Esrange in Kiruna on 19 March 2012. It served as a technology demonstrator for a space web. A reaction wheel was used to actively control the deployment and stabilization states of the 2×2 m2 space web. After ejection from the rocket, the web was deployed but entanglements occurred since the web did not start to deploy at the specified angular velocity. The deployment dynamics was reconstructed by simulations from the information recorded by inertial measurement units and cameras. Simulations show that if the web would have started to deploy at the specified angular velocity, the web would most likely have been deployed and stabilized in space by the motor, reaction wheel and controller used in the experiment. A modified control method was developed to stabilize the out-of-plane motions before or during deployment. New web arms with tape springs were proposed to avoid entanglements. A deployable booms assembly composed of four 1-m long bi-stable glass fiber tape springs was designed for the electromagnetically clean 3U CubeSat Small Explorer for Advanced Missions (SEAM). The deployment dynamics and reliability of the SEAM boom design after long-term stowage were tested by on-ground experiments. A simple analytical model was developed to predict the deployment dynamics and to assess the effects of the GOLS and the combined effects of friction, viscoelastic strain energy relaxation, and other factors that act to decrease the deployment force. In order to mitigate the viscoelastic effects and thus ensure self-deployment, different tape springs were designed, manufactured and tested. A numerical model was used to assess the long-term stowage effects on the deployment capability of bi-stable tape springs including the friction, nonlinear-elastic and viscoelastic effects. A finite element method was used to model a meter-class fully coiled bi-stable tape spring boom and verified by analytical models. / <p>QC 20170508</p> / SEAM

No description available.

Regional development in Canada is uneven. However, it is less clear whether native development in Canada is similarly patterned as non-native development. As well, it is not evident whether variations exist in the differences between the level of development of native and non-native people in different regions of Canada.<p> Development is a multi-dimensional process involving economic and social change. The primary purpose of this thesis is to examine the use of the indicator approach to create a measure of development which encompasses both the economic and social dimensions of development. The secondary purposes of the thesis are: (1) to use the indicator approach to compute a measure of development to identify spatial variations in the level of development of native people in Canada in 1981, and (2) to use development indicators to examine the spatial variations in the concept of dualism as it applies to native and non-native residents of Canada.<p> The data source for this analysis is the 1981 Native Summary Tape, a special tape produced by Census Canada containing a multitude of socio-economic data for natives and non-natives at the national, provincial, census division and census subdivision level. The primary statistical technique used in the computation of the development measures is principal components analysis. The development measures are computed at the census division level and mapping aids in the identification of the spatial patterns.<p> The results from this analysis suggest that the indicator approach to measuring development presented in this thesis is a valuable tool in the identification of spatial variations in development. This is an important procedure for researchers who wish to examine development in its socio-economic totality. Native development and dualism between native and non-native Canadians do vary spatially. The general pattern is higher native development and lower dualism between natives and non-natives in the larger urban centers and in central Canada.

Regional development in Canada is uneven. However, it is less clear whether native development in Canada is similarly patterned as non-native development. As well, it is not evident whether variations exist in the differences between the level of development of native and non-native people in different regions of Canada.<p> Development is a multi-dimensional process involving economic and social change. The primary purpose of this thesis is to examine the use of the indicator approach to create a measure of development which encompasses both the economic and social dimensions of development. The secondary purposes of the thesis are: (1) to use the indicator approach to compute a measure of development to identify spatial variations in the level of development of native people in Canada in 1981, and (2) to use development indicators to examine the spatial variations in the concept of dualism as it applies to native and non-native residents of Canada.<p> The data source for this analysis is the 1981 Native Summary Tape, a special tape produced by Census Canada containing a multitude of socio-economic data for natives and non-natives at the national, provincial, census division and census subdivision level. The primary statistical technique used in the computation of the development measures is principal components analysis. The development measures are computed at the census division level and mapping aids in the identification of the spatial patterns.<p> The results from this analysis suggest that the indicator approach to measuring development presented in this thesis is a valuable tool in the identification of spatial variations in development. This is an important procedure for researchers who wish to examine development in its socio-economic totality. Native development and dualism between native and non-native Canadians do vary spatially. The general pattern is higher native development and lower dualism between natives and non-natives in the larger urban centers and in central Canada.

Ba(Zr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2)O3-£_ (BZCY) shows high proton conductivity as well as high chemical stability over a wide range of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) operating conditions. Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3-£_ (SSC) cathode deposited by electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) on SOFC half cell obtained via tape-casting shows porous and reticular microstructure, and the SOFC single cell consists of substrate/ BZCY+NiO/ BZCY/ SSC. The electrolyte thickness decrease from 22 £gm, 20 £gm, 17.6 £gm to 15.1 £gm after sintering as the content of carbon pore former in the corresponding anode functional layer increased from 0.0 wt.%, 5.0 wt.%, 10.0 wt.% to 15.0 wt.%, and the maximum power density of corresponding cells at 700¢J varies from 476.89 mW/cm2, 713.34 mW/cm2, 862.50 mW/cm2 to 706.89 mW/cm2, respectively.

The present study describes the flow characteristics of swirling flows induced by twisted tape inserts in circular pipes. The study is focused on the secondary flow which is investigated experimentally and with numerical models. The results are expected to improve the paper manufacturing process by identifying and removing the detrimental secondary flow. Experimental tests show for the first time the existence of two co-rotating helical vortices superimposed over the main swirling flow, downstream of twisted tapes. The close proximity of the two co-rotating vortices creates a local counter-rotating flow at the pipe centerline. The flow is analyzed using LDV measurements and high speed camera visualization with fine air bubbles seeding which confirm that the helical vortices are stable. After extracting the characteristic tangential velocity profiles of the main vortex and of the two secondary vortices, it was observed that the maximum tangential velocity of all three vortices is the same, approximately half of the bulk velocity. The winding of the helical vortices is in the swirl direction and the pitch of the helical vortices is found to be independent of the inlet velocity. The experimental findings are confirmed by numerical simulations. The numerical results show that the helical vortices originate inside the swirler and evolve from single co-rotating vortices on each side of the tape. The flow characteristics are analyzed in detail. Swirlers with multiple twists and multiple chambers are shown to have less stable secondary motion and could be employed in applications were the secondary motion is detrimental.

Tyrimo objektas: minkštojo įtvaro ir elektrostimuliacijos poveikis girnelės padėčiai. Tyrimo tikslas: nustatyti minkštojo įtvaro ir elektrostimuliacijos poveikį girnelės padėčiai ir skausmui, esant girnelės chondromaliacijai. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Įvertinti girnelės padėtį ir skausmą prieš ir po minkštojo įtvaro taikymo. 2. Įvertinti girnelės padėtį ir skausmą prieš ir po raumenų elektrostimuliacijos taikymo. 3. Palyginti gautus duomenis prieš ir po minkštojo įtvaro ir raumenų elektrostimuliacijos taikymo. Tyrimo hipotezė: Minkštasis įtvaras turi didesnį poveikį girnelės padėčiai ir skausmo mažinimui nei raumenų elektrostimuliacija, esant girnelės chondromaliacijai. Tyrimo išvados: 1. Minkštasis įtvaras sumažino girnelės poslinkį ir skausmą; 2. Elektrostimuliacija sumažino girnelės poslinkį ir skausmą; 3. Minkštasis įtvaras yra efektyvesnis nei elektrostimuliacija mažinant girnelės panirimą ir skausmą. / Object of the research: effect of kinesio taping and electrostimulation for position of patella. The aim of the research: determine the effect of the kinesio taping and electrostimulation to reduce patellar subluxation and pain for patients with patellar chondromaliacia. The task of the research: 1. Evaluate patellar position and pain before and after application of kinesio taping; 2. Evaluate patellar position and pain before and after application of electrostimulation; 3. Compare results of patellar position and pain before and after application of both methods: kinesio taping and electrostimulation. Hypothesis: kinesio taping will have a greater effect on reduction of patellar subluxation and pain than electrical muscle stimulation for patients with patellar chondromaliacia. Conclusions: 1. Kinesio tape method significantly reduced patellar subluxation and pain; 2. Electrostimulation method significantly reduced patellar subluxation and pain; 3. Kinesio tape method is more effective than electrostimulation reducing patellar subluxation and pain.