This study revises a dominant narrative of the eighteenth-century, in which a secular modernity emerges in opposition to religious belief. It argues that a major challenge for writers such as Jonathan Swift and Daniel Defoe, and for English subjects generally, was to grasp the object world--including the modern technological object--in terms of its spiritual potential. I identify disputes around the liturgy and common prayer as a source of a folk psychology concerning mental habits conditioned by everyday interactions with devotional and cultural objects. Swift and Defoe therefore confront even paradigmatically modern forms (from trade items to scientific techniques) as a spiritual ecology, a network of new possibilities for practical piety and familiar forms of mental-spiritual illness. Texts like A Tale of a tub (1704) and Robinson Crusoe (1719) renew Reformation ideals for the laity by evaluating technologies for governing a nation of souls. Swift and Defoe's Protestantism thus appears as an active guide to understanding emotions and new experience rather than a static body of doctrine. Current historiography neglects the early modern sense that sectarian objects and rituals not only discipline religious subjects, but also provoke ambivalence and anxiety: Swift's Tale diagnoses Catholic knavery and Puritan hypocrisy as neurotic attempts to extract pleasure from immiserating styles of material praxis. Crusoe, addressed to more radical believers in spaces of trade, sees competent spiritual, scientific and commercial practice on the same plane, as techniques for overcoming fetishistic desires. Swift's orthodoxy of enforced moderation and Defoe's oddly worldly piety represent likeminded formulae for psychic reform, and not--as often alleged--conflicts between sincere belief and political or commercial interests. Gulliver's travels (1726) and A Journal of the plague year (1722) also link mind and governance through different visions of Protestant polity. Swift sees alienation from the national church--figured by a Crusoe or Gulliver--as refusal of common sense and problem solving. Defoe points to religious schism, exemplified by dissenters' exclusion from state church statistics, as a moral and medical failure: the city risks creating selfish citizens who also may overlook data needed to combat the plague. / text

A class of lifetime distributions which has received considerable attention in modelling and analysis of lifetime data is the class of lifetime distributions with bath-tub shaped failure rate functions because of their extensive applications. The purpose of this thesis was to introduce a new class of bivariate lifetime distributions with bath-tub shaped failure rates (BTFRFs). In this research, first we reviewed univariate lifetime distributions with bath-tub shaped failure rates, and several multivariate extensions of a univariate failure rate function. Then we introduced a new class of bivariate distributions with bath-tub shaped failure rates (hazard gradients). Specifically, the new class of bivariate lifetime distributions were developed using the method of Morgenstern’s method of defining bivariate class of distributions with given marginals. The computer simulations and numerical computations were used to investigate the properties of these distributions.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that results from infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is regarded the most common infecting organism. TB has killed countless numbers of people particularly in underdeveloped countries. TB bacteria can remain inactive or in dormant state for years without causing symptoms or spreading to other subjects, but as soon as the immune system of the host becomes weakened, the bacteria become active and infect mainly the lungs along with other parts of body. TB cases are further aggravated by other illnesses that affect the immune system, such as human immune virus (HIV), which is very prevalent in resource-poor countries. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a TB biomarker that has found to have all the qualities that are needed to help and cure Tuberculosis disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential measures for effectively controlling the disease. Traditional microbial culture-based tests are the most common methodologies currently used. Usually, these methods involve cell culture, cell counts, and cell enrichment, but this process is time-consuming and laborious, especially for the slow-growing bacteria like M. tuberculosis. Sputum smear is one of the methods currently used to detect acid fast bacilli (AFB) in clinical specimens or fluorescent staining. It is a cost-effective tool for diagnosing patients with TB and to monitor the progress of treatment especially in developing countries. The traditional method of inoculating solid medium such as Lowerstein-Jensen (L-J) or 7H10/7H11 media is also used currently it is slow and takes 6-8 weeks of incubation to diagnose the infection and further more time to determine the susceptibility patterns. The microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) assay they are also used currently they rely on light microscopy to visualize the characteristic cording morphology of M. tuberculosis in liquid culture. MODS has shorter time to culture positivity (average 8 days) compared with LJ medium (average ~26 days), they are very expensive. The Gen-Probe assay specific for M. tuberculosis complex is a rapid detection that is also used, nucleic acid amplification (NAA) test results can be obtained as fast as in two hours (provided if a positive culture is present); it also has a high sensitivity of 99% and specificity of 99.2%. It holds the disadvantage of needing of positive culture that can take several days. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), is a test that uses antibodies and colour change to identify a substance. ELISA is an assay that uses a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to detect the presence of a substance, usually an antigen, in a liquid sample or wet sample. It can be used to detection of Mycobacterium antibodies in tuberculosis. The Amplified Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct Test (AMTDT) is used for the detection of M. tuberculosis it enables the amplification and detection of M. tuberculosis rRNA directly from respiratory specimens. The diagnostic methods employing genetechnology based on the amplification of DNA or RNA are expected to improve the speed, sensitivity, and specificity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection. TB rapid cultivation detection technique, such as MB/BacT system, BactecMGIT 960 system and flow cytometry. The BACTEC MGIT960 system (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, MD) performs incubation and reading of the tubes continuously inside the machine using a predefined algorithm to interpret the fluorescent signal and giving the results as positive or negative. When performing DST, the BACTEC MGIT960 interprets the results as susceptible or resistant to the antibiotic under study. Results are available within 8 days. A recent meta-analysis of the published studies found high accuracy and high predictive values associated with the use of BACTEC MGIT960. These methods are more sensitive and rapid than the traditional microbial culture-based methods. However, they cannot provide the detection results in real-time and most of these methods are centralized in large stationary laboratories because complex instrumentation and highly qualified technical staff are required. Recently, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two new assays that were introduced. These two assays detect in vitro a specific immune response to M. tuberculosis. These tests are the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (Cellestis/Qiagen, Carnegie, Australia) and the T-SPOT.TB assay (Oxford Immunotec, Abingdon, United Kingdom). Both assays use whole blood from the patient and measure the production of interferon gamma after the whole blood is exposed to specific antigens from M. tuberculosis. These tests are based on the knowledge that IFN-γ is a product of an active cell-mediated immune response induced by M. tuberculosis. However, TB detection remains a major obstacle due to several drawbacks of these methods. To date, the number of diagnosis approaches for TB has increased as the disease continues to be a major public health problem worldwide and most conventional detection technologies present difficulties in recognizing the presence of M. tuberculosis, since they are time consuming, do not provide clinically reliable results and significantly lack of sensitivity. This thesis focusedon developing two binary and one ternary-electrochemically quantum dots, all synthesised at room temperature in aqueous media for detecting (IFN-γ). Copper telluride (CuTe) and Zinc telluride (ZnTe) was prepared to check how does the two quantum dot behave individual and also to check on how they behave when they are combined and formed ternary quantum dots (CuZnTe). The electrochemical studies of the binary CuTe quantum dots, ZnTe quantum dots and the ternary CuZnTe core-shell quantum dots reveal that ternary quantum dots were stable and showed a significant enhancement in the conductivity of CuZnTe core-shell solution compared to that of CuTe and ZnTe, all studied in solution. The three different quantum dots were capped with three different capping reagents which are tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), thioglycolic acid (TGA), (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPS). In the study, a label-free electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) was prepared for the first time using ternary quantum dots. The biosensor consists of water-soluble silica coated Copper Zinc telluride (CuZnTe core-shell) quantum dots conjugated to a gold electrode. The antibody-antigen were then conjugated on the CuZnTe core-shell QD modified gold electrode. Results from synthesis of two different binary quantum dots are also presented in the study and compared to the results of the CuZnTe core-shell QDs. The CuTe quantum dots had a small average size which was confirmed through HRTEM, SAXS and XRD analysis

This diploma thesis develops methodology of arsenic speciation analysis by selective hydride generation with cryotrapping and atomic absorption spectrometry. Using this technique it is possible to determine toxicologically important forms of arsenic, i.e arsenites, arsenates and their mono-, di-, and trimethylated forms at concentration levels below 0,1 ng.ml-1 . The first part of the thesis is focused on testing tubular membrane gas dryers with nafion membrane for drying gaseous phase containing generated hydrides. The suitability for arsenic speciation analysis was investigated and transport losses of individual arsenic species were found. The second part describes mild digestion procedures suitable for arsenic speciation analysis in tissues. Two procedures were compared, acid digestion in phosphoric acid and more recent alkalic digestion by tetramethylammonium hydroxide. Digestion procedures were tested on certified reference material DOLT - 4 (Dogfish Liver) and chicken liver matrix. Key words: Tubular nafion membrane dryers, Arsenic speciation analysis, Digestion, Phosphoric acid, Tetramethylammonium hydroxide, Chicken liver, CRM DOLT - 4, Hydride generation, Atomic absorption spectrometry

An experimental program was conducted at the Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory of The University of Texas at Austin, under the auspices of Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Research Project 5831, to investigate the tensile stresses that develop in the end regions of pretensioned concrete U-beams at transfer of prestress. Understanding the effect of these “bursting” and “spalling” stresses is essential in order to design standard details that might lead to reliably-serviceable end regions. Two full-scale beam specimens, designed to be worst-case scenarios for bursting and spalling, were fabricated. Each beam had one square and one highly skewed end. Extensive instrumentation, including strain gages on transverse and lateral reinforcing bars, was employed in the end regions of these U-beams. Experimentally determined bursting and spalling stresses in these bars were compared to results of past projects (from the literature) investigating I-beams and inverted T-beams. Preliminary recommendations are made for changes in the standard reinforcing details for U-beam end regions. Such recommended details will be tested in the upcoming phase of Research Project 5831. / text

I detta kandidatexamensarbete har syftet varit att undersöka metoder för att forma ett wellpappark, skapat av Arcwise (SCA), till en cylindrisk-, tubformad kartong. Arbete mynnade ut till ett koncept för en resningsmaskin som monterar ihop Arcwisetuben. Resningsmaskinen ska vara en instegsmodell från manuellt arbete till en automatisk produktion. För utveckling av maskinkonceptet tillämpades metoden produktutveckling inom industrin, kapitel 4, enligt boken ”Produktutveckling effektiva metoder för konstruktion och design”.  Ifrån produktutveckling inom industrin tillämpas endast fem av sju faser i detta projekt; förstudie, produktspecificering, konceptutveckling-konceptgenerering, konceptutvärdering och konceptval samt prototyp. Förstudien ledde fram till att sugkoppar och tryckluft var bra metoder för tillämpning vid lyft och förflyttning av arket mellan de olika stationerna. Ett wellpappark deformeras inte plastiskt vid formgivning som exempelvis metall och behöver därför formges från två håll. Maskinkoncepten som tas fram görs med hjälp av en kravspecifikation, mind map och en aktivitetsanalys. Konceptskisserna bedöms med hjälp av Pughs matris. Det vinnande konceptet var en länkarmslösning som slutligen visualiseras i CAD som en prototyp. Projektets syfte uppfylldes genom att Arcwise wellpappark går att forma till en cylindrisk kartong och ett koncept som är redo för tillverkningsanpassning har tagits fram. / The purpose of this project has been to investigate methods for shaping a corrugated sheet, created by Arcwise (SCA), into a cylindrical tube. The work led to a concept of a Corrugated cardboard machine that produces Arcwise tubes. The machine is an entry-level model from manual work to automatic production. The development of the machine concept used is the method of Product development of industry. In the method were five of seven phases used: Feasibility study, product specification, concept development and concept generation, concept evaluation and concept selection and prototype. The feasibility study led to the fact that a suction cup and compressed air were good methods for lifting and moving the sheet between different stations. A corrugated sheet does not deform plastically during forming and therefore needs to be shaped from two directions. The machine concept that is developed are made with help of a requirements specification, mind map and an activity analysis. Pughs matrix were used to evaluate and decide which concept to develop further. The winning concept was a link arm solution that is visualized in CAD as a prototype. The purpose of the project where fulfilled, the Arcwise corrugated board can be shaped into a cylindrical tube and a production concept ready for manufacturing adaptation has been developed.

In these diploma thesis we deal with the design of a new library with a cafe. The bilding is located on a flat land in the city of Trencin, near Trencin castle, which is the main landmark of Trencin. There is also a bus and railway station nearby. It is a two-storey building with a partial basement. In the basement of the building will be located archive library and technical equipment. On the first floor there is the main part of the library with a cafe. On the second floor there will be a library with an administrative department. The construction is based on the White tub system. The construction system is skeleton with reinforced concrete ceilings. The roof is designed as flat and vegetation. A ventilated brick facade is designed for the library.

The objective of the diploma thesis is to design project for the realisation of new a multifunctional building in city of Brno, Zábrdovice on the corner of Příkop and Bratislavská streets in the wider city center. The object with cellar contains a collective garage. On the ground floor there is a café, from the second to the fourth floor offers rentable office space, on the top floors, the fifth and receding sixth floors are situated apartments varying in size from studio to penthouse. The building is based on a white tub and piles of plain concrete. The supporting system consists of a plate skeleton with concealed heads with reinforcing reinforced concrete monolithic core and two gable reinforcing walls. The skeleton is filled with brickwork. Covered by a combined roof. The main entrance to the building is located on the eastern side along Příkop Street. The architectural expression of the building consists of ceramic cladding strips and rhythm of the hole fill pattern, which decrease with the rising floor.

The aim of diploma thesis is to design monolithic reinforced concrete underground structure, which is partly under existing building and partly will form the basis of a new outbuilding. Structure is designed as white tub, whitout any additional isolations against water a ground humidity. All structure elements (slabs, walls, beams) was designed according to standard ČSN EN 1992-1-1 for ultimate and serviceability limit state. Structural analysis was performed using Scia Engineer 2013 – Student version. The results were validated by simplyfied manual method.

The subject of this thesis is to design a building with apartments in a high standard of living. The building will be located on sloping land currently accessible from the street Hybnerová in cadastral area of Silesian Ostrava. Construction, surrounding land and fence form a unified aesthetic and functional whole, reflecting the sloping nature of the site. White matter of structure grows continuously from the lowest point and produces fencing which spirals around the property and rise harmoniously into the building itself. Adjusted terrain of land creates platforms for individual gardens for each apartments and produces space for underground garage. The house is designed as a three-storey building with underground garage. The building will accommodate 5 residential units with terraces and technical and storage spaces within the basement. The building is oriented southwest and its location allows splitting the land to the eastern and western gardens. Southwest orientation uses the only unblocked view from the property. Continuously rising fence separates the building from surrounding buildings and offers plenty of privacy for the residents. Concrete fence has also security function.