For intermediate analysis and technological characterization tests conducted on samples of resinated and non-resinated rocks with distinct structural and geological characteristics, we sought to verify the effectiveness of the resin with respect to physical and mechanical resistance of these rocks, as well as evaluating the reduction of agents that produce the same changes and pathology. The investigation of this research has focused on three types of rocks: the first refers to a commercially called White granite Blizzard, which is an isotropic rock with some degree of fracture, equigranular texture and average grain size of the fine and the second was represented petrographically for a garnet-biotite-musvovita roughly gnaissificado, commercially known as Casa Blanca, having a coarse-grained, with lineations and foliations with a high presence of micaceous minerals, and the third is a volcanic rock, trade name Wood Stone, material considered exotic because of their textural heterogeneity, with a high degree of fissuring, having very fine grain. After the results of tests and analysis, they were correlated and evaluated the effectiveness of the resin, being featured in that it produces significant improvements in physical and mechanical resistance of these rocks, especially regarding the levels of porosity and water absorption, which are the gateway of the causative agents of change and generations of pathologies in ornamental and coating. Research has shown that materials with restricted use, or even inappropriate to certain environments, due to its physical and mechanical resistance, using the resin, the same could be used without restrictions. The importance of testing materials whose marketing is made using resin was evident due to changes often significant parameters of the results of characterization of technology, which serve as reference in the specification suitable for use as coating materials or ornamental, the construction works.The apparent porosity and water absorption were reduced by 9, 7% and 91.46% respectively after the material is resin. / Por intermÃdio de anÃlises e ensaios de caracterizaÃÃo tecnolÃgica realizados em amostras resinadas e nÃo resinadas de rochas ornamentais, com caracterÃsticas geolÃgicas e estruturais distintas, buscou-se verificar a eficÃcia da resina no tocante a resistÃncia fÃsica e mecÃnica dessas rochas, bem como avaliar a reduÃÃo dos efeitos dos agentes que produzem alteraÃÃes e patologias nas mesmas, e na exalaÃÃo do gÃs radÃnio. A investigaÃÃo desta pesquisa foi focada em trÃs tipos de rochas: a primeira representada por um granito comercialmente denominado Branco Nevasca, que constitui uma rocha isotrÃpica com pouco grau de fraturamento, textura equigranular e granulaÃÃo de mÃdia a fina; a segunda um granada-biotita-musvovita grosseiramente gnaissificado, granulaÃÃo grosseira,apresentando lineaÃÃes e foliaÃÃes com elevada presenÃa de minerais micÃceos, denominado Casa Blanca; e, a terceira uma rocha vulcÃnica, com nome comercial Wood Stone, material considerado exÃtico em funÃÃo de sua heterogeneidade textural, com alto grau de fissuramento, possuindo granulaÃÃo muito fina. ApÃs os resultados dos ensaios e anÃlise, os mesmos foram correlacionados e avaliada a eficÃcia da resina, sendo constatado que a mesma produz melhoras significativas na resistÃncia fÃsica e mecÃnica dessas rochas, especialmente no tocante aos Ãndices de porosidade e de absorÃÃo dâÃgua, que sÃo a porta de entrada dos agentes causadores de alteraÃÃes e geraÃÃes de patologias, nas rochas ornamentais e de revestimento. TambÃm demonstrou eficiÃncia na reduÃÃo da exalaÃÃo do gÃs radÃnio A pesquisa mostrou que materiais com uso restrito, ou mesmo inadequado a certos ambientes, em funÃÃo de sua resistÃncia fÃsica e mecÃnica, com o uso da resina os mesmos poderiam ser utilizados sem restriÃÃes. A importÃncia de se realizar ensaios nos materiais cuja comercializaÃÃo à feita com uso de resina, ficou evidenciada devido Ãs alteraÃÃes, muitas vezes significativas, nos parÃmetros dos resultados de caracterizaÃÃo tecnolÃgica, os quais servem de referÃncia na especificaÃÃo adequada de uso dos materiais utilizados como revestimento ou ornamental nas obras de construÃÃo civil. A porosidade aparente e a absorÃÃo dâÃgua foram reduzidas em 90,7% e 91,46%, respectivamente, apÃs os materiais serem resinados.

O mundo globalizado e o estado-da-arte dos desenvolvimentos nos remetem a um ambiente tecnologicamente complexo. Nos dias de hoje a convergência tecnológica é indiscutivelmente realidade. O usuário tem a necessidade de movimentar-se fisicamente dentro do meio em que vive e interagir com o aplicativo ou serviço que lhe é prestado. As novas gerações de sistemas de comunicação, que não mais utilizam fios em suas conexões, prevêem a integração de vários sistemas heterogêneos já existentes, unidos em uma infraestrutura capaz de, transparentemente, entregar a usuários móveis uma ampla gama de serviços com a finalidade de permitir sua comunicabilidade e acesso à informação. Com base nessas premissas, este trabalho apresenta um método para descrever um modelo de negócio para um usuário em movimento dentro de um ambiente convergente heterogêneo. O trânsito do usuário dentro das várias tecnologias de acesso para que esteja conectado a um determinado serviço é mostrado através de um framework de mobilidade e interatividade e, fundamentado nesse framework, é construído um modelo de negócio para a consecução da entrega desse serviço ao usuário. Este trabalho conceitua um modelo para um framework de mobilidade e interatividade aplicáveis a sistemas abertos; e um modelo de negócio voltado aos serviços num cenário com soluções tecnológicas interoperáveis. / The global world today and the state of the art of the technology send us to a very complex environment. Nowadays, the technological convergence a reality, where the users have the necessity of moving and where they need to interact with services and applications while moving on a wireless base. The new generations of wireless networks can integrate some existing heterogeneous systems providing a new infrastructure capable of delivering several services to moving users with transparency, allowing the communicability and the access to the users’ information. This work presents a method for the description of a generic business model for a moving user inside of a convergent heterogeneous environment. The user’s movement in this environment is modelled on a mobility and interactivity framework, where there has been built a business model to deliver services to the moving user. This thesis also presents the basic concepts of a business model for mobility and interactivity applicable to open systems.

The field of media assistance has grown ever more complex with the inclusion of ‘new media’ networks, channels, tools and practices (such as the Internet, satellite television, mobile devices, social media and citizen journalism) to the media development mix. Adding to the ferment is the increasing convergence between the formerly discrete terrains of ICT for development, media for development and (mass) media development. Much of the discussion regarding the utility and objectives of media development in general and ‘new media’ in particular has been viewed through a modernist and techno-determinist prism which offers a limited ideological view of media development and its objects and consequently, a limited set of communication approaches and strategies. This study contextualises the assumptions of media development historically and critically, with particular focus on new media’s roles and relationships with the media environment, and its objectives democratisation and development. Through the application of literature, theory and various research studies, this thesis establishes a broader view of new media’s role and diverse consequences for media development, democracy and development. The study recommends greater collaboration, contextual research and theorisation of media development and new media as part of mixed media systems and cognisant of the multi-dimensional natures of its objects of democracy and development. One implication is the need for professionalisation of the media development and media assistance sector. In relation to the influences of new media on media use and the media as an institution, it motivates the need to address digital divides and emphasise the sustainability of the practice of journalism.

Xiao, Yao. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 32-33). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.Page 5 / Chapter 2. --- Literature Review --- p.Page 8 / Chapter 3. --- Model --- p.Page 12 / Chapter 4. --- Data --- p.Page 15 / Chapter 5. --- Regression results and comparisons --- p.Page 19 / Chapter 6. --- Sub-group tests --- p.Page 26 / Chapter 7. --- Conclusion --- p.Page 30 / Chapter 8. --- References --- p.Page 32 / Chapter 9. --- Appendix --- p.Page 34

Wong, Tsz Nga. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-77). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.5 / Chapter 3 --- Model --- p.8 / Chapter 3.1 --- Discussion --- p.17 / Chapter 3.2 --- Static Market Equilibrium --- p.18 / Chapter 3.3 --- Comparative Static Studies --- p.29 / Chapter 4 --- Dynamics --- p.37 / Chapter 4.1 --- Steady States --- p.38 / Chapter 4.2 --- Open or Not? --- p.52 / Chapter 4.3 --- Optimal Timing to Foreign Production Function --- p.54 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.57 / Chapter 5 --- World Economy of Production Globalization --- p.61 / Chapter 5.1 --- Technological Progresses in Globalization Environment --- p.66 / Chapter 5.2 --- Discussion --- p.67 / Chapter 6 --- Conclusion --- p.69 / Chapter 7 --- Appendix --- p.70 / Chapter 7.1 --- Al. Derivation of CES Technology from Cobb-Douglas Production Function --- p.70 / Chapter 7.2 --- A2. Proof of Lemma 2 --- p.73

Lei, Man Cheong. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-80). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgement --- p.iii / Table of Contents --- p.iv / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- Introduction to Ureteroscope --- p.3 / Chapter 2.1. --- Ureteroscope --- p.3 / Chapter 2.2. --- Configuration of flexible ureteroscope --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- The optical system --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Deflection mechanism --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2.3. --- Control wires (Guidewires) --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.4. --- Working channel --- p.10 / Chapter 2.3. --- Problems of the existing products --- p.10 / Chapter 2.4. --- Designs of the bending section --- p.11 / Chapter 2.4.1. --- Pin-joint bending section --- p.12 / Chapter 2.4.2. --- Wire-connected bending section --- p.15 / Chapter 2.5. --- CAD Modeling of the bending section --- p.16 / Chapter 2.5.1. --- Different designs of components --- p.16 / Chapter 2.5.2. --- Configuration of the bending section --- p.17 / Chapter 3. --- Wire-Driven Deflection Mechanism --- p.19 / Chapter 3.1. --- Literature review --- p.19 / Chapter 3.2. --- Geometry modeling of the bending section --- p.21 / Chapter 3.2.1. --- Description of formulation --- p.21 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- Assumption --- p.21 / Chapter 3.2.3. --- Notation --- p.22 / Chapter 3.2.4. --- Geometric analysis --- p.22 / Chapter 3.3. --- Simulations of the motion of the deflection mechanism --- p.26 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- Construction of the simulation --- p.26 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Controlled by a pair of wires --- p.28 / Chapter 3.3.2.1. --- For bending section composed by identical parts --- p.28 / Chapter 3.3.2.2. --- For bending section composed by two sub-sections --- p.29 / Chapter 3.3.3. --- Controlled by two pairs of wires --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3.3.1. --- Deflecting in the same direction --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3.3.2. --- Deflecting in opposite direction --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4. --- Trajectory of the distal end --- p.32 / Chapter 3.4.1. --- Bending section composing by identical parts --- p.32 / Chapter 3.4.2. --- Bending section composing by two sub-sections --- p.40 / Chapter 3.4.2.1. --- Controlled by a single pair of wires --- p.43 / Chapter 3.4.2.2. --- Controlled by two pairs of wires --- p.46 / Chapter 3.5. --- Static analysis of the deflection mechanism --- p.57 / Chapter 4. --- Application: Design of Ureteroscope --- p.64 / Chapter 4.1. --- Design of the bending section --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2. --- Design of the control body --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2.1. --- Parts introduction and major assembling --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.2. --- Control mechanism --- p.72 / Chapter 5. --- Conclusion and Future Work --- p.75 / Chapter 6. --- Bibliography --- p.79 / Chapter Appendix A: --- List of Publication --- p.81 / Chapter Appendix B: --- MATLAB Programs V --- p.83

Novos equipamentos e tecnologias disponíveis no mercado vêm desempenhando papel crucial para o desenvolvimento e modernização do setor agrícola. A eletrônica e a automação têm-se mostrado cada vez mais importante e necessária neste processo de evolução, agilizando atividades, bem como reduzindo custos, principalmente aqueles associados à mão-de-obra demandada para execução de tarefas rotineiras. No contexto de irrigação verifica-se um objetivo comum referente à adoção de técnicas que propiciem a otimização da utilização de água pelas culturas, maximizando a eficiência dos processos de distribuição e aplicação de água e minimizando as perdas. Acerca disto, o conhecimento ou estimativa da vazão em um sistema de irrigação torna-se imprescindível ao se pensar em um plano de irrigação ou manejo de água eficiente. Existem diversos instrumentos e métodos de estimativa de vazão, cada qual com suas vantagens e limitações. Portanto, considerando um ideal de inovação tecnológica, foi proposto o desenvolvimento de um instrumento de medição de vazão utilizando dispositivos eletrônicos, de fácil utilização e baixo custo. Deste modo, este trabalho teve como objetivos: a) Desenvolver um medidor eletrônico de vazão utilizando célula de carga; b) Realizar testes hidráulicos e gerar uma equação matemática que represente a vazão instantânea em um conduto forçado, no qual o medidor estará instalado; e c) Determinar parâmetros de desempenho para o medidor desenvolvido. O experimento foi realizado no Laboratório de Hidráulica do Departamento de Engenharia Rural da ESALQ/ USP em Piracicaba SP. Desenvolveu-se um medidor de vazão que se enquadra na categoria de medidores do tipo força, no qual estão disponíveis opções de acesso a rotinas de medição, calibração e configurações. Na rotina de medição a leitura de vazão é atualizada aproximadamente a cada 7 segundos, sendo possível selecionar e alterar a unidade de exibição da vazão instantânea. O equipamento consta de uma rotina de calibração, na qual foi implementado o Método dos Mínimos Quadrados para definição de coeficientes de ajuste de uma equação de regressão ao conjunto de dados coletados nesta rotina. O procedimento de calibração do medidor foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de dispensar a necessidade de mão-de-obra especializada, bem como equipamento, computadores e métodos mais complexos e de difícil acesso. A tela de configurações permite observar e ajustar a equação de regressão utilizada, bem como ativar ou desativar a transmissão de dados via serial (RS-232) para computadores. O medidor proposto é capaz de operar na faixa de 7 a 28 m³.h-1 com erro máximo de ±1,4 m³.h-1 (±2,7%), sendo o coeficiente K de perda de carga localizada aproximadamente 0,55. Para as condições de estudo, a força de arraste máxima esperada sobre o conjunto anteparo-alavanca é próxima de 1,87 N, acarretando um esforço na célula de carga de até 3 N. / New available equipments and technologies in the market are each time more important for the agricultural section development and modernization. The electronics and automation area have great value on this evolution, speeding up activities as well as decreasing costs, mainly those costs regarding with necessary labor to execute routine tasks. On irrigation there is a common objective of choosing techniques that optimize crops water use, increasing efficiency and reducing losses of water distribution and application processes. The flow metering in an irrigation system is indispensable stuff when an efficient water management is desired. There are many tools, devices and methods of flow metering each one with its respective features. Considering a technology innovation principle this work had the purpose to develop an electronic flow meter easy to use and low cost, using electronic devices. Nevertheless this research had the following objectives: a) An electronic flow meter development by using load cell; b) Hydraulics tests in order to determine a math equation that matches the instantly flow inside a pipeline; and c) Flow meter assess determining performance parameters. The research was done at Hydraulics Laboratory, Rural Engineering Department (Laboratório de Hidráulica - Departamento de Engenharia Rural), ESALQ/USP on Piracicaba-SP-Brazil. The developed equipment is based on drag force that a body experiences when immersed in a fluid stream. The flow meter developed has some screen options allowing user tasks definition like: metering, calibration, and make some internal configurations. In the metering task the flow value is updated on intervals close to 7 seconds being possible to select or change units showing flow results. The calibration task was developed to avoid or release the specialized labor need, equipments, computers or any sophisticated and complex method. In this task, it was implemented Least Square Method in order to calculate coefficients of a fitting equation. This equation was used to estimate flow from digital signals acquired from the electronic circuit. The configuration interface allows the visualization and change the fitting equation used by the system. It also allows the data transmission for computers by serial port (RS-232 protocol). The proposed flow meter is able to work from 7 to 28 m³.h-1 with uncertainty of ±1.4 m³.h-1 (± 2.7%). The coefficient of local head loss (K) was close to 0.55 for Reynolds number values higher than 105. In this work, the greatest drag force expected acting on the flat circular body and cylindrical object is about 1.87 N, resulting in a force on load cell up to 3 N.

Education in South Africa is experiencing challenges of interest in its learners towards science and mathematics within the primary and secondary phases of learning. The result of this failed interest is represented by the amount of scarce skills present in the technology, ICT and engineering sectors, resulting in a lack of research and development of current and future technologies. The solution to this problem is to create a lateral approach through learners’ interests by using performance media as a medium of instruction. This intervention is established as part of the University of the Witwatersrand where it will serve as a crucible of research, exploration and education of science and technology through cross-faculty co-operation. Using the University’s vast academic and educational resources, this intervention will become a staging ground for new scientific and technological development conveyed through a variety of performance mediums which will be presented to learners, students and the general public. Situated adjacent to the Parktown Education Campus, this facility is the beginning of planned expansion by the University linking its various campuses through Braamfontein civic district. The site has an important historical and heritage association with Johannesburg - through its heritage landmarks - and by its use through the National Children’s Theatre. Whilst this has been a site for performance art over the last two decades, the expansion and integration of this building will continue this legacy into the future through the exploration of new and dynamic performance mediums. / 2014 Thesis - M.Arch(Prof.)

As the importance of R&D has been growing in economic growth, the accountability and effectiveness of R&D programs are highly emphasized. Especially, in times of economic downturn, the evaluation of performance in a firm is needed to justify R&D investment. In response, various attempts have been made to improve success rates of R&D projects, gain competitive advantage, and achieve a firm's growth in profitability. In particular, in industries where technological innovation is significant, strategic technology planning and R&D capabilities may be the lead ones in defining the dynamic capabilities of a firm. In addition, technology forecasting (TF) in technology planning is a crucial step to follow before developing technologies/products/processes in need. In this regard, researchers have an abiding interest in enhancing methods to forecast emerging technology, while practitioners have a considerable interest in selecting appropriate tools to apply in their field for better forecasting results. Nevertheless, so far it is not well documented how appropriately the current research responds to this need. Thus, a thorough review on TF techniques is conducted to help researchers and practitioners capture methodologies in a tangible way and identify the current trends in the TF arena. Moreover, there is still a lack of clear guidance as to where and how particular TF methods are useful in strategic planning based on technology characteristics as well as the nature of industry. The purpose of this study is to enrich the stream of research on TF activities in a firm for practitioners and researchers, a unique context where TF could lead to technological innovation. This research offers a classification of the approaches, and presents technological, industrial, methodological, and organizational aspects of TF methods that are inherent in TF activities. Furthermore, this study provides empirical evidences to support organizational and managerial implications regarding TF activities associated with technology planning in a firm. Research findings in regimes of technological change suggest insights on technological, organizational, and managerial processes within the firm. On the other hand, research on the effects on business performance of "best practices" of strategic planning, which enable firms to articulate their plans to develop, acquire, and deploy resources for accomplishing firms' financial growth, has so far ignored the roles of strategic technology planning associated with TF. In this regard, this study explores a set of indicators, discusses, and presents the findings from the literature in such a way that they become useful for researchers or managers who are in charge of measuring the R&D performance and business performance from innovation activity. Next, this research tested the hypothetical framework proposed not only to provide a current snapshot of how firms across industries implement best practices in strategic technology planning, but also to improve the effectiveness of strategic planning. The results present the positive linkages between TF, technology planning, and superior business performance. The findings in this research help policy makers, universities, research institutes/national labs, and companies to enhance their decision making process on technology development.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have recently o ered signi cant technological achievements. The advancement in related applications predicts an extended need for automated data muling by UAVs, to explore high risk places, ensure e ciency and reduce the cost of various products and services. Due to advances in technology, the actual UAVs are not as expensive as they once were. On the other hand, they are limited in their ight time especially if they have to use fuel. As a result, it has recently been proposed that they could be assisted by the ground static sensors which provide information of their surroundings. Then, the UAVs need only to provide actions depending on information received from the ground sensors. In addition, UAVs need to cooperate among themselves and work together with organised ground sensors to achieve an optimal coverage. The system to handle the cooperation of UAVs, together with the ground sensors, is still an interesting research topic which would bene t both rural and urban areas. In this thesis, an e cient ground sensor network for optimal UAVs coverage is rst proposed. This is done using a clustering scheme wherein, each cluster member transmits its sensor readings to its cluster head. A more e cient routing scheme for delivering readings to cluster head(s) for collection by UAVs is also proposed. Furthermore, airborne sensor deployment models are provided for e cient data collection from a unique sensor/target. The model proposed for this consists of a scheduling technique which manages the visitation of UAVs to target. Lastly, issues relating to the interplay between both types of sensor (airborne and ground/underground) networks are addressed by proposing the optimal UAVs task allocation models; which take caters for both the ground networking and aerial deployment. Existing network and tra c engineering techniques were adopted in order to handle the internetworking of the ground sensors. UAVs deployment is addressed by adopting Operational Research techniques including dynamic assignment and scheduling models. The proposed models were validated by simulations, experiments and in some cases, formal methods used to formalise and prove the correctness of key properties.