Neste trabalho foram determinadas as condições para a soldagem de chapas grossas de aço carbono ASTM A36 com aço baixo-liga temperado e revenido ASTM A514 Grau Q empregando-se o processo arame tubular. Para tanto foram soldadas diversas peças de testes com o intuito de se avaliar as condições mais adequadas de preparação e soldagem de juntas dissimilares destes materiais. A preparação foi realizada por meio de corte térmico. A temperatura de preaquecimento foi determinada através de modelos matemáticos, pelas recomendações das normas AWS D1.1 e DIN EN 1011-2 sendo posteriormente avaliada por intermédio do teste de soldabilidade tipo CTS Controlled Thermal Severity. Os parâmetros de soldagem foram determinados a partir da qualificação de um procedimento de soldagem, conforme a norma AWS D1.1. Foram avaliadas as consequências do emprego do tratamento térmico de alívio de tensões após soldagem (TTAT), pelos testes de dureza Vickers e impacto Charpy. A caracterização microestrutural foi realizada por meio de microscopia óptica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. A caracterização das superfícies oxicortadas evidenciou os efeitos da descarbonetação e também da carbonetação. A temperatura de pré-aquecimento de 160°C determinada por meio da metodologia recomendada pelas normas AWS D1.1 e DIN EN 1011-2 mostrou-se satisfatória nos testes de soldabilidade. Foi possível a qualificação do procedimento de soldagem (EPS) com requisitos de impacto na condição \"como soldado\", porém na condição \"após TTAT\", os baixos valores de tenacidade obtidos no metal de solda, inferiores a 27J, não permitiram a qualificação de uma EPS com requisitos de impacto. Foi observada a ausência de trincas intergranulares tanto na zona afetada pelo calor quanto no metal de base ASTM A514, porém foi revelada a presença de microfases frágeis no metal de solda na condição \"como soldado\", especificamente na região da raiz, intensificadas pelo efeito da diluição. O aumento do teor de carbono na raiz, a presença de microfases frágeis, a grande fração de grãos colunares e de ferrita proeutetóide combinados com a baixa fração de ferrita acicular no metal de solda contribuíram para os baixos valores de tenacidade encontrados na condição \"como soldado\". Após o TTAT observou-se uma queda acentuada da tenacidade, inferior a 27J, do metal de solda devido à fragilização provocada pela precipitação e coalescimento de carbonetos de ferro. / In this work it was determined the conditions for welding thick plate of ASTM A36 carbon steel with quenched and tempered low-alloy steel ASTM A514 Grade Q employing the Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) process. For that several coupons of tests were welded in order to evaluate the most appropriate conditions for preparation and welding of these dissimilar materials. The preparation was carried out by means of thermal cutting. The preheat temperature was determined by mathematical models, the recommendations of standards AWS D1.1 and DIN EN 1011-2 being further evaluated using the CTS type weldability test - Controlled Thermal Severity. The welding parameters were determined by qualifying a welding procedure (WPS), according to AWS D1.1. The effects of post weld heat treatment (PWHT) were evaluated by Vickers hardness tests and Charpy. Microstructural characterization was performed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The characterization of oxi-fuel cut surfaces showed the effects of decarburization and also carburization. The preheating temperature of 160 °C determined by calculation and the methodology recommended by the standards was satisfactory in weldability tests. It was possible qualification of welding procedure (WPS) with impact requirements in the condition \"as welded\" but the condition \"after PWHT\" low toughness values obtained in the weld metal, less than 27J, did not allow to qualify a WPS with toughness requirements. The absence of intergranular cracking was observed in both the heat affected zone as the base metal ASTM A514, but the presence of fragile microphase in the weld metal was revealed in the weld metal in the condition \"as welded\" specifically in the root region, intensified by the effect of dilution. The carbon increase at root, the presence of fragile microphase, the large fraction of columnar grains and proeutectoid ferrite combined with the low fraction of acicular ferrite in the weld metal contributed to the low toughness values found in the condition \"as welded \". After PWHT there was a sharp drop in toughness, less than 27J, in the weld metal due to embrittlement caused by precipitation and coarsening of iron carbides.

No acervo que compõem o patrimônio cultural, há muitos utensílios, obras de arte, monumentos, etc., que são feitos de metais. Mas dentre os diversos metais existentes, o cobre possui uma posição de destaque na história, pois este foi o primeiro utilizado pela humanidade. Os metais quando expostos à atmosfera podem sofrer processos de corrosão, o que pode comprometer um artefato histórico. No cobre e suas ligas, o produto dos processos de corrosão é denominado pátina. O estudo das pátinas e das ligas que compõe a matriz, no qual a pátina se forma, é de fundamental importância para a compreensão dos processos de corrosão. Com esta informação, puderam-se determinar as melhores técnicas de conservação e restauração que devem ser aplicadas. No presente estudo utilizou-se pátinas artificiais, que já são amplamente conhecidas, e possibilitam a simulação de pátinas naturais, além de ser possível utilizá-las na recolocação de pátinas que fora removidas e/ou perdidas de peças metálicas. Em um estudo anterior foram produzidas pátinas artificiais a partir de três soluções utilizando dois procedimentos de preparação e a análise foi realizada através das técnicas: EIS (Espectroscopia por Impedância Eletroquímica), MEV (Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura), e XRD (Difração de Raio X), que são consideradas técnicas micro-destrutivas. No presente estudo, destas mesmas pátinas, utilizou-se para análise as técnicas de PIXE (Emissão de Raio X Induzido por Partícula) e ED-XRF (Fluorescência de Raio X por Dispersão de Energia), ambas não destrutivas e, no caso de ED-XRF, mais frequentemente, possível ser utilizada in situ. Estas técnicas permitem a analise de obras de arte em atmosfera, em um arranjo externo, o que contribui para a análise de peças de diferentes formas e tamanhos. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o PIXE possui uma melhor caracterização de elementos leve, enquanto que o ED-XRF é melhor para elemento pesados. Na comparação entre PIXE interno e externo, observou-se que a montagem externa é suficiente na análise desse tipo de material. As medidas de padrões de aço validaram a técnica PIXE para análise de alvos grossos e permitiram quantificar os elementos presentes nas amostras. Tanto PIXE, quanto ED-XRF, mostraram nas análises das amostras os elementos que estão presentes nas soluções aplicadas. Além disso, houve um aumento do enxofre em algumas amostras e pátinas, e isto pode indicar que este elemento foi agregado com o tempo nas amostras, devido à exposição à atmosfera. Em comparação ao estudo anterior, que caracterizou a composição das camadas de pátinas em amostras semelhantes, foi possível mostrar que se pode determinar e quantificar com PIXE eED-XRF os elementos presentes sem que seja necessária a retirada do material a ser analisado, principalmente se aplicadas para a análise de peças com valor histórico e cultural. O estudo utilizando as técnicas PIXE e/ou ED-XRF, juntamente com técnicas EIS, SEM e XRD, torna as respostas mais completas, mas nem sempre isso é possível em se tratando de bens do patrimônio histórico, cultural e artístico. / The collection that composes the cultural patrimony has many utensils (vessels, pottery, adornment), works of art, monuments, etc., that are made of metals. However amongst the diverse existing metals, copper possesses a position of historical prominence, since this metal was the first one to be used by humanity. Metals when displayed in the atmosphere, can suffer processes corrosion which can destroy partially or completely the historical object. In copper and its alloys, the product of the corrosion processes is called patina. Analyses of the patina and the matrix alloy material are necessary to understand the corrosion processes and its development. The analyses are also needed to study the alterations imposed on an artifact in order to develop an adequate conservation and restoration treatment techniques. In the present work well known artificial patinas were used and can simulate the natural ones besides permitting to use them in the replacement of lost patinas that have been removed and/or lost in metalic parts. A previous study was realized with artificial patinas produced from three solutions and two different procedures of application. These patinas were analyzed by different techniques such as: EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and XRD (X-ray Diffraction), which are micro-destructive methods. In the present study, the same samples were analyzed by PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) and ED-XRF (Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence) techniques, both not destructive, and in the case of ED-XRF, more frequently, it can be used in situ. These methods allow the analyses of works of art of different forms and sizes in the atmosphere, in an external arrangement. The results have shown that PIXE has a better characterization of light elements, whereas the ED-XRF is better for heavy elements. The comparison of internal and external PIXE measurements showed that the PIXE external setup is enough for the analysis of this type of material. The PIXE results of steel standards had validated the technique PIXE for analysis of thick targets and had allowed the quantification of the elements presents in the samples. PIXE and ED-XRF analyses had shown the principal elements present in the samples and in the solutions. Moreover, it was possible detect an increase of sulphur in some samples and patinas, indicating that this element is being absorbed by the samples due to the exposition to the atmosphere. This work also shows that it is possible to determine and quantify with PIXE and ED-XRF the elements present in the samples, without any extraction of material and it is important mainly if applied to the analysis of historical and cultural objects. A study using suitable combination of techniques, as used in the previous study (EIS, SEM e XRD) coupled to PIXE and/or ED-XRF techniques can give a complete characterization of the corrosion compounds, but sometimes the complete combination of techniques is impossible if dealing with artistic and cultural historic objects.

A busca por membranas com propriedades adequadas a separação de gases em escala industrial tem levado a modificação e sIntese de polImeros de engenharia, com objetivo de obter membranas com propriedades adequadas. Uma das modificaçoes que tem se apresentado promissora é a inserção de grupos sulfônicos em polImeros comerciais. Espera-se que o polImero sulfonado apresente um aumento na permeação de gases polares, em relação a gases apolares, devido a sua estrutura mais polar e flexIvel. Neste contexto, o objetivo do presente trabalho é a sIntese e caracterização de membranas de poli(éter imida) sulfonada para a permeação de gases. Um planejamento experimental foi desenvolvido, em diferentes condiçoes reacionais de temperatura, tempo e excesso de um dos reagentes (ácido acético), para a sIntese de poli(éter imida) sulfonada (SPEI). Através deste planejamento, constatou-se que as variáveis que mais influenciam o grau de sulfonação são a temperatura e o tempo. O polImero com o maior grau de sulfonação, determinado por capacidade de troca iônica (IEC= 92 mEq H+/g), foi utilizado para o preparo da membrana de SPEI, obtida pela técnica de inversão de fase por evaporação do solvente, utilizando-se clorofórmio como solvente. Este filme foi caracterizado a partir das seguintes análises: espectroscopia de infravermelho (FTIR), calorimetria diferencial de varredura (DSC), análise termogravimétrica (TGA) e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), a fim de avaliar a influência da inserção do grupo sulfônico na matriz polimérica. O espectro de infravermelho de SPEI apresentou bandas relacionadas as vibraçoes assimétricas em 1240 cm-1 (ligação O=S=O), ligação simétrica em 1171 cm-1 (O=S=O) e ligação S-O entre 1010-1024 cm-1. Isto indica a presença de grupos sulfônicos. A análise de DSC foi realizada entre 150-250C. Nesta faixa, não foram observadas alteraçoes na temperatura de transição vItrea (Tg) do polImero modificado (217C). Acredita-se que a decomposição do grupo sulfona aconteça antes da temperatura atingir o Tg do polImero. Esta suposição é confirmada na análise de TGA. As imagens de MEV mostraram que foram obtidos filmes livres de poros e defeitos. A membrana da SPEI foi utilizada no ensaio de permeaçao dos gases 02, N2 e C02, a fim de determinar a permeabilidade e seletividade da membrana. As permeabilidades encontradas para o gas oxigênio foram de 0,76 barrer para a PEI e 0,46 barrer para a SPEI. A seletividade do dióxido de carbono em relaçao ao oxigênio aumentou de 3,5, na membrana de PEI, para 4,83, na membrana de SPEI. Em relaçao ao nitrogênio, as permeabilidades medidas foram 0,064 barrer e 0,043 barrer, para a PEI e para a SPEI, respectivamente, enquanto a seletividade em relaçao ao C02 aumentou de 41,1 para 55,5. Estes resultados indicam que o efeito de sorçao predominou devido ao aumento das interaçöes moleculares, reduzindo assim o volume livre, o que tornou a membrana sulfonada mais compacta, com permeabilidade menor e maior seletividade. Estes resultados corroboram com a premissa de que a sulfonaçao é um processo promissor para o desenvolvimento de membranas mais eficientes. / The search for membranes with suitable properties for gas separation in industrial scale has led to the modification and synthesis of engineering polymers with the purpose of obtaining membranes with superior properties. 0ne of the modifications that have been considered promising is the insertion of sulfonic groups in commercial polymers. Due to its structure more polar and flexible, it is expected that the sulfonated polymer present an increase in polar gas permeation in relation to nonpolar gases. In this context, the objective of this work is the synthesis and characterization of membranes of poly (ether imide) sulfonated for the permeation of gases. An experimental design was developed in different reaction conditions of temperature, time and an excess of one of the reagents (acetic acid), for the synthesis of poly (ether imide) sulfonated, SPEI. Through this planning, it was found that the variables that most influenced the degree of sulfonation are temperature and time. The polymer with the highest degree of sulfonation, by ion exchange capacity (IEC = 92 mEq H+ I g), was used to prepare SPEI membrane obtained by the technique of solvent evaporation, using chloroform. This film was characterized from the following analysis: infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the influence of insertion of the sulfonic group in the polymer matrix. The infrared spectrum showed bands of SPEI related to asymmetric vibrations at 1240cm- 1 (S = 0 = 0), in symmetric stretch at 1171 cm-1 (0 = S = 0) and S0 stretch between 1010-1024cm-1. This indicates the presence of sulfonic groups. The DSC analysis was carried out between 150-250C. In this range, there are no significant changes in glass transition temperature of the modified polymer (217C). It is believed that the decomposition of the sulfone group occurs before the temperature reaches the Tg of the polymer. This assumption is confirmed in the TGA analysis. The images of SEM showed that films were obtained free of pores and defects. The membrane SPEI obtained by the technique of solvent evaporation, was used for testing permeation of gases 02, N2 and C02 in order to determine the permeability and selectivity of the membrane. The permeabilities found for oxygen were 0.76 barrer for PEI and 0.46 barrer for SPEI. The selectivity of carbon dioxide relative to oxygen increased from 3.5 to 4.83. Regarding nitrogen, the permeability measurements were 0.064 barrer and 0.043 barrer for the PEI and the SPEI, respectively, while the selectivity relative to C02 increased from 41.1 to 55.5. These results indicate that the predominant effect of sorption due to increased molecular interactions, thus reducing the free volume, made the membrane sulfonated more compact with lower permeability and higher selectivity. These results agree with the premise that the sulfonation is a promising process for the development of more efficient membranes.

Les matériaux ferroélectriques présentant une permittivité diélectrique élevée et de faibles pertes diélectriques présentent un grand intérêt pour la réalisation de condensateurs et le stockage de l'énergie électrique. Les propriétés structurales et diélectriques influencent les paramètres ferroélectriques tels que la polarisation maximale du matériau Pm et la polarisation rémanente Pr sous l'effet d'un champ électrique appliqué Em. Ce mémoire propose d'étudier les propriétés structurales, diélectriques et ferroélectriques des céramiques dérivées de BaTiO₃ (BT) et SrTiO₃ (ST) ainsi que des films épais PVDF pur et composites tels que PVDF/BT et PVDF/BZT. Les céramiques ont été synthétisées par la méthode de la réaction solide et le procédé sol-gel. La substitution dans les sites-A ou les sites-B du matériau BaTiO₃ avec des cations tels que Ca ²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ réduit la densité d'énergie électrique stockée Wd et augmente l'efficacité de stockage énergétique η. La céramique BaZr₀.₅Ti₀.₅O₃ (BZT0.5) présente l'efficacité de stockage énergétique la plus élevée (η=75%). La substitution dans les sites-A du matériau SrTiO₃ avec 40% de cations Ca²⁺ diminue la permittivité diélectrique (ε'∽200), mais cette permittivité est cependant plus stable sur une large gamme de fréquence [100 Hz-1 GHz]. La céramique Sr₀.₆Ca₀.₄TiO₃ préparée par voie sol-gel présente la densité d'énergie électrique stockée la plus élevée (Wd=0.149 J/cm³) sous l'action d'un champ électrique maximal élevé (Em=105 kV/cm). Les films épais à base de polymère PVDF ont été synthétisés par Spin-Coating. La permittivité diélectrique des films épais PVDF pur augmente avec l'apaisseur du film. L'incorporation de particules BT et BZT0.15 dans la matrice polymère PVDF augmente la permittivité diélectrique des films composites PVDF/BT (ε'=32 pour 30% de particules BT) et PVDF/BZT0.15 (ε'=32 pour15% de particules BZT). / Ferroelectric materials with a high dielectric permittivity and low dielectric losses are very attractive for the realization of capacitors and for electrical energy storage. To improve the electrical energy density Wd, the structural and dielectric properties influence the ferroelectric parameters such as the maximum polarization Pm and the remanent polarization Pr under an applied electric field Em. This manuscript proposes to study the structural, dielectric and ferroelectric properties of ceramics derived from BaTiO₃ (BT) and SrTiO₃ (ST) as well as pure PVDF thick films and composites such as PVDF/BT and PVDF/BZT. The ceramics were synthesized by the solid state reaction reaction route and the sol-gel process. The subsitution in the A-sites or B-sites of the BaTiO₃ material with cations such Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ reduces the electrical energy density Wd and increases the energy storage efficiency η. The ceramic BaZr₀.₅Ti₀.₅O₃ (BZT0.5) has the highest energy storage efficiency (η=75%). The substitution in the A-sites of SrTiO₃ material with 40% of Ca²⁺ cations reduces the dielectric permittivity (ε'∽200), but is more stable over a wide frequency range [100 Hz -1 GHZ]. The Sr₀.₆Ca₀.₄TiO₃ ceramic prepared by sol-gel process has the highest electrical energy density (Wd = 0.149 J/cm³) under an electrical field Em = 105 kV/cm. The PVDF thick films were synthesized by Spin-Coating. The dielectric permittivity of pure PVDF thick films increases when increasing the thickness. The addition of BT and BTZ0.15 particles in the PVDF polymer matrix increases the dielectric permittivity of the composite PVDF/BT thick films (ε'=32 for 30% of BT particles) and PVDF/BZT0.15 ones (ε'=32 for 15% of BZT particles).

Over the past decade vehicle judder caused by Disc Thickness Variation (DTV) has become of major concern to automobile manufacturers worldwide. Judder is usually perceived by the driver as minor to severe vibrations transferred through the chassis during braking [1-9]. In this research, DTV is investigated via the use of a Smart Brake Pad (SBP). The SBP is a tool that will enable engineers to better understand the processes which occur in the harsh and confined environment that exists between the brake pad and disc whilst braking. It is also a tool that will enable engineers to better understand the causes of DTV and stick-slip the initiators of low and high frequency vibration in motor vehicle brakes. Furthermore, the technology can equally be used to solve many other still remaining mysteries in automotive, aerospace, rail or anywhere where two surfaces may come in contact. The SBP consists of sensors embedded into an automotive brake pad enabling it to measure pressure between the brake pad and disc whilst braking. The two sensor technologies investigated were Thick Film (TF) and Fibre Optic (FO) technologies. Each type was tested individually using a Material Testing System (MTS) at room and elevated temperatures. The chosen SBP was then successfully tested in simulated driving conditions. A preliminary mathematical model was developed and tested for the TF sensor and a novel Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model for the FO sensor. A new method called the Total Expected Error (TEE) method was also developed to simplify the sensor specification process to ensure consistent comparisons are made between sensors. Most importantly, our achievement will lead to improved comfort levels for the motorist.

The application of static shape control was investigated in this thesis particularly for a composite plate configuration using piezoelectric actuators. A new electro-mechanically coupled mathematical model was developed for the analysis and is based on a third order displacement field coupled with a layerwise electric potential concept. This formulation, TODL, is then implemented into a finite element program. The mathematical model represents an improvement over existing formulations used to model intelligent structures using piezoelectric materials as actuators and sensors. The reason is TODL does not only account for the electro-mechanical coupling within the adaptive material, it also accounts for the full structural coupling in the entire structure due to the piezoelectric material being attached to the host structure. The other significant improvement of TODL is that it is applicable to structures which are relatively thick whereas existing models are based on thin beam / plate theories. Consequently, transverse shearing effects are automatically accounted for in TODL and unlike first order shear deformation theories, shear correction factors are not required. The second major section of this thesis uses the TODL formulation in static shape control. Shape control is defined here as the determination of shape control parameters, including actuation voltage and actuator orientation configuration, such that the structure that is activated using these parameters will conform as close as possible to the desired shape. Several shape control strategies and consequently algorithms were developed here. Initial investigations in shape control has revealed many interesting issues which have been used in later investigations to improve shape controllability and also led to the development of improved algorithms. For instance, the use of discrete actuator patches has led to greater shape controllability and the use of slopes and curvatures as additional control criteria have resulted in significant reduction in internal stresses. The significance of optimizing actuator orientation and its relation to piezoelectric anisotropy in improving shape controllability has also been presented. Thus the major facets of shape control has been brought together and the algorithms developed here represent a comprehensive strategy to perform static shape control.

Questa tesi è composta da 3 differenti lavori che ci confermano la prevedibilità degli extra rendimenti rispetto al mercato usando semplici strategie di portafoglio azionario utilizzabili sia dal semplice risparmiatore sia dall'investitore istituzionale. Nel primo capitolo è stata analizzata la profittabilità della contrarian strategy nel mercato azionario Italiano. In letteratura é stato già abbondantemente dimostrato che i rendimenti azionari sono caratterizzati da un’autocorrelazione negativa nel breve periodo e da un effetto di ritorno alla media nel lungo periodo. La contrarian strategy é utilizzata per trarre profitto dalla correlazione seriale negativa dei rendimenti azionari, infatti, vendendo i titoli che si sono rivelati vincenti nel passato (in termini di rendimento) e acquistando quelli "perdenti" si ottengono profitti inaspettati. Nel secondo paper, l'analisi si focalizza sulla strategia di portafoglio definita Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA). La Dollar Cost Averaging si riferisce a una semplice metodologia di portafoglio che prevede di investire una somma fissa di denaro in un'attività rischiosa a uguali intervalli di tempo, per tutto l'orizzonte temporale prefissato. Il lavoro si propone di confrontare i vantaggi, in termini di riduzione sostanziale del rischio, di questa strategia dal punto di vista di un semplice risparmiatore. Nell'ultimo capitolo, ipotizzando di essere un investitore istituzionale che possiede ogni giorno numerose informazioni e previsioni, ho cercato di capire come egli può usare tutte le informazioni in suo possesso per decidere prontamente come allocare al meglio il patrimonio del fondo. L’investitore normalmente cerca di identificare la migliore previsione possibile, ma quasi sempre non riesce ad identificare l’esatto processo dei prezzi sottostanti. Quest’osservazione ha condotto molti ricercatori ad utilizzare numerosi fattori esplicativi per ottenere un buona previsione. Il paper supporta l’esistente letteratura che utilizza un nuovo approccio per trasformare previsioni di rendimenti in scelte di gestione di portafoglio che possano offrire una maggiore performance del portafoglio.Partendo dal modello d’incertezza di Pesaran e Timmerman(1996), considero un cospicuo numero di fattori macroeconomici per identificare un modello predittivo che mi permetta di prevedere i movimenti del mercato tenendo presente i maggiori indicatori economici e finanziari e considerato che il loro rispettivo potere predittivo cambia nel tempo. / This thesis is composed by three different papers that confirm us the predictability of expected returns using different simple portfolio strategy and under different point of view (i.e. a generic saver and institutional investor). In the first chapter, I investigate the profitability of contrarian strategy in the Italian Stock Market. However empirical research has shown that asset returns tend to exhibit some form of negative autocorrelation in the short term and mean-reversion over long horizons. Contrarian strategy is used to take advantage of serial correlation in stock price returns, such that selling winners and buying losers generates abnormal profits. On the second chapter, the analyse is focused in another classic portfolio strategy called Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA). Dollar Cost Averaging refers to an investment methodology in which a set dollar amount is invested in a risky asset at equal intervals over a holding period. The paper compares the advantages and risk of this strategy from the point of view of a saver. Lastly, supposing to be an institutional investor who has a large number of information and forecasts, I tried to understand how using all them he decide with dispatch how to allocate the portfolio fund. When a wide set of forecasts of some future economic events are available, decision makers usually attempt to discover which is the best forecast, but in almost all cases a decision maker cannot identify ex ante the true process. This observation has led researchers to introduce several sources of uncertainty in forecasting exercises. The paper supporting the existent literature employs a novel approaches to transform predicted returns into portfolio asset allocations, and their relative performances. First of all dealing with model uncertainty, as Pesaran and Timmerman (1996), I consider a richer parameterization for the forecasting model to find that the predictive power of various economic and financial factors over excess returns change through time.

Within the field of Disability Studies, research on cognitive and developmental disabilities is relatively rare in comparison to other types of disabilities. Using Clifford Geertz's anthropological approach, "thick description," autism can be better understood by placing both fiction and non-fiction accounts of the disorder into a larger theoretical context. Applying concepts from existing works in Disability Studies to the major writings of Jacques Derrida, Julia Kristeva, Jacques Lacan, and Donna Haraway also proves to be mutually enlightening. This ethnographic approach within the context of analysis of literary texts provides a model by which representations of individuals who are cognitively or developmentally disabled can be included in the academy.

Enhancement methods applied on various satellite images (ASTER, ETM and RADAR SAT-1) facilitated the identification and mapping of tectonic fractures in the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt in southwest Iran. The results of the fracture analysis on these enhanced images reveal four principal fracture sets within each fold structure: (i) an axial set defined by normal faults oriented parallel to the fold axial trace, (ii) a cross-axial, extensional fracture set oriented perpendicular to the fold axial trace, (iii) and two sets of intersecting shear fractures, oriented at an acute angle to the cross-axial set. Study of the enhanced images also revealed five fracture sets along the Kazerun fault zone: (i) Riedel R- and R'-shear fracture sets, (ii) extensional T fracture set oriented at a high angle to the trace of the main Kazerun fault, (iii) oblique, synthetic P-shear fracture set, at a low angle to the trace of the main Kazerun fault, and (iv) synthetic Y-shear displacement fracture set, oriented sub-parallel to the main trace of the fault. The estimated mean azimuths of the shortening that developed the fold- and fault-related fracture systems are remarkably close, and are oriented perpendicular to the general NW-SE trend of the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt. The sampling and analysis of the fold- and fault-related fracture systems were done in a GIS environment. This study shows that an analysis of enhanced satellite images can reveal significant information on the deformation style, timing, and kinematics of the Zagros fold-and-thrust belt. This study suggests that the Zagros orogenic belt, which has mainly been forming since Miocene, due to the convergence of the Iranian and Arabian subplates, has evolved both by thin- and thick-skinned tectonics. Reconfiguration of the Precambrian basement blocks, and the ensuing slip and rotation along the Precambrian faults during the Zagros orogeny, have deformed the folds, and redistributed the fold-related fractures through rigid-body rotation.

This dissertation presents thermal and thermoelectric measurements of nanostructures. Because the characteristic size of these nanostructures is comparable to and even smaller than the mean free paths or wavelengths of electrons and phonons, the classical constitutive laws such as the Fourier’s law cannot be applied. Three types of nanostructures have been investigated, including nanoscale constrictions patterned in a sub-100 nm thick silicon film, monatomic thick graphene ribbons supported on a silicon dioxide (SiO₂) beam, and indium antimonide (InSb) nanowires. A suspended measurement device has been developed to measure the thermal resistance of 48-174 nm wide constrictions etched in 35-65 nm thick suspended silicon membranes. The measured thermal resistance is more than ten times larger than the diffusive thermal resistance calculated from the Fourier’s law. The discrepancy is attributed to the ballistic thermal resistance component as a result of the smaller constriction width than the phonon-phonon scattering mean free path. Because of diffuse phonon scattering by the side walls of the constriction with a finite length, the phonon transmission coefficient is 0.015 and 0.2 for two constrictions of 35 nm x 174 nm x220 nm and 65 nm x 48 nm x 50 nm size. Another suspended device has been developed for measuring the thermal conductivity of single-layer graphene ribbons supported on a suspended SiO₂ beam. The obtained room-temperature thermal conductivity of the supported graphene is about 600 W/m-K, which is about three times smaller than the basal plane values of high-quality pyrolytic graphite because of phonon-substrate scattering, but still considerably higher than for common thin film electronic materials. The measured thermal conductivity is in agreement with a theoretical result based on quantum mechanical calculation of the threephonon scattering processes in graphene, which finds a large contribution to the thermal conductivity from the flexural vibration modes. A device has been developed to measure the Seebeck coefficients (S) and electrical conductivities ([sigma]) of InSb nanowires grown by a vapor-liquid-solid process. The obtained Seebeck coefficient is considerably lower than the literature values for bulk InSb crystals. It was further found that decreasing the base pressure during the VLS growth results in an increase in the Seebeck coefficient and a decrease in the electrical conductivity, except for a nanowire with the smallest diameter of 15 nm. This trend is attributed to preferential oxidation of indium by residual oxygen in the growth environment, which could cause increased n-type Sb doping of the nanowires with increasing base pressure. The deviation in the smallest diameter nanowire from this trend indicates a large contribution from the surface charge states in the nanowire. The results suggest that better control of the chemical composition and surface states is required for improving the power factor of InSb nanowires. On approach is to use Indium-rich source materials for the growth to compensate for the loss of indium due to oxidation by residual oxygen. / text