Ce travail de thèse est consacré à l’étude d’équations d’évolution et d’équations différentielles à argument constant par morceaux. L’étude des équations différentielles à argument constant par morceaux est un domaine important car ces équations ont la structure de système dynanmique de longueur constante. La continuité des solutions conduit à une relation de récurrence entre les valeurs de cette dernière entre les points n et n+1, où n est un entier relatif quelconque. Par conséquent les équations différentielles à argument constant par morceaux combinent à la fois les propriétés des équations différentielles et des équations aux différences. Nous étudierons l’existence de solutions presque automorphes et S-asymptotiquement omega-périodiques d’équations d’évolutions et d’équations à argument constant par morceaux. L’étude de solutions presque automorphes et S’asymptotiquement omega periodiques est motivé par le fait que ces fonctions généralisent celle des fonctions périodiques. Nous obtiendrons donc des résultats concernant l’existence et l’unicité de solutions presque automorphes et S asymptotiquement omega périodiques de plusieurs équations d’évolutions. Cette problématique sera notamment étudiée dans le cadre des équations d’évolutions appartenant à la classe des équations différentielles à argument constant par morceaux. / This thesis deals with the study of evolution equations and differential equations with piecewise constant argument. Studies of such equations were motivated by the fact that they represent a hybrid of discrete and continuous dynamical systems and combine the properties of both differential and differential-difference equations. We study the existence of almost automorphic solutions and S asymptotically omega periodic solution of evolution equations and differential equations with piecewise constant argument. The study of almost automorphic and S asymptotically omega periodic functions is motivated by the fact that these functions generalize the concept of periodic functions. Therefore, we obtain results about existence and unicity of almost automorphic and S asymptotic omega periodic solution of evolution equations. We will study this problem considering evolution equations who belong to a class of differential equation with piecewise constant argument.

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The climatic effects of Solar Radiation Management (SRM) geoengineering have been often modeled by simply reducing the solar constant. This is most likely valid only for space sunshades and not for atmosphere and surface based SRM methods. In this thesis, a global climate model is used to test if the climate response to SRM by stratospheric aerosols and uniform solar constant reduction are similar. Our analysis shows that when global mean warming from a doubling of CO2 is nearly cancelled by both these methods, they are similar when important surface and tropospheric climate variables are considered. However, a difference of 1K in the global mean stratospheric (61-9.8 hPa) temperature is simulated between the two SRM methods. Further, while the global mean surface diffuse radiation increases by about 15- 20% and direct radiation decreases by about 8% in the case of sulphate aerosol SRM method, both direct and diffuse radiation decrease by similar fractional amounts (~ -1.5%) when solar constant is reduced. When CO2 fertilization effects from elevated CO2 concentration levels are removed, the contribution from shaded leaves to gross primary productivity (GPP) increases by 6 % in aerosol SRM because of increased diffuse light. However, this increase is almost offset by a 7% decline in sunlit contribution due to reduced direct light. Overall both the SRM simulations show similar decrease in GPP (~ 1%) and NPP (~ 0.7%). Based on our results we conclude that the climate states produced by a reduction in solar constant and addition of aerosols into the stratosphere can be considered almost similar except for two important aspects: stratospheric temperature change and the consequent implications for the dynamics and the chemistry of the stratosphere and the partitioning of direct versus diffuse radiation reaching the surface. Further, the likely dependence of global hydrological cycle response on aerosol particle size and the latitudinal and height distribution of aerosols is discussed.

Des techniques statistiques de détection d'objet ponctuel dans le ciel ou résolu dans la mer dans des images infrarouges de veille panoramique sont développées. Ces techniques sont adaptées aux inhomogénéités présentes dans ce type d'image. Elles ne sont fondées que sur l'analyse de l'information spatiale et ont pour objectif de maîtriser le taux de fausse alarme sur chaque image. Pour les zones de ciel, une technique conjointe de segmentation et détection adaptée aux variations spatiales de la luminosité moyenne est mise en œuvre et l'amélioration des performances auxquelles elle conduit est analysée. Pour les zones de mer, un détecteur de bord à taux de fausse alarme constant en présence d'inhomogénéités et de corrélations spatiales des niveaux de gris est développé et caractérisé. Dans chaque cas, la prise en compte des inhomogénéités dans les algorithmes statistiques s'avère essentielle pour maîtriser le taux de fausse alarme et améliorer les performances de détection. / Statistical detection techniques of point target in the sky or resolved target in the sea in infrared surveillance system images are developed. These techniques are adapted to inhomogeneities present in this kind of images. They are based on the spatial information analysis and allow the control of the false alarm rate in each image.For sky areas, a joint segmentation detection technique adapted to spatial variations of the mean luminosity is developed and its performance improvement is analyzed. For sea areas, an edge detector with constant false alarm rate when inhomogeneities and grey level spatial correlations are present is developed and characterized. In each case, taking into account the inhomogeneities in these statistical algorithms is essential to control the false alarm rate and to improve the detection performance.

[pt] Há dois séculos, o Brasil se tornava independente pela via do constitucionalismo, um período controverso em que diversas propostas em forma normativa, além do projeto da Constituinte e do Conselho de Estado, foram apresentadas para a constituição do Império brasileiro. O objetivo desta dissertação é analisar esses projetos e bases constitucionais datados entre 1822 e 1824 e comparar suas estruturas de governo e as liberdades individuais sob uma ótica teórica contemporânea aos fatos, especificamente as ideias do publicista franco-suíço Benjamin Constant. Para isso, foram empregados os métodos dedutivos e da Nova História, considerando a perspectiva de António Manuel Hespanha, e preceitos e técnicas do Direito Comparado. A pesquisa se justifica pela ausência de estudos exploratórios das demais formulações normativas publicizadas e a necessária adição de outros elementos e novas leituras para a melhor compreensão do debate público em torno da história constitucional brasileira. / [en] Two centuries ago, Brazil became independent through constitutionalism, a controversial period where several proposals in normative form, in addition to the project of the Constituent Assembly and the Council of State, were presented for the constitution of the Brazilian Empire. The objective of this dissertation is to analyze these projects and constitutional basis dated between 1822 and 1824, comparing their government structures and individual liberties from a theoretical perspective contemporary to the facts, specifically the ideas of the French-Swiss publicist Benjamin Constant. For this, deductive and New History methods were used, considering the perspective of António Manuel Hespanha, and precepts and techniques of Comparative Law. The research is justified by the absence of exploratory studies of other published normative formulations and the necessary addition of other elements and new readings for a better understanding of the public debate around Brazilian constitutional history.

The passive components such as inductors and capacitors are bulky parts on circuit boards. Researchers in academia, government, and industry have been searching for ways to improve the magnetic energy density and reduce the package size of magnetic parts. The "constant-flux" concept discussed herein is leveraged to achieve high magnetic-energy density by distributing the magnetic flux uniformly, leading to inductor geometries with a volume significantly lower than that of conventional products. A relatively constant flux distribution is advantageous not only from the density standpoint, but also from the thermal standpoint via the reduction of hot spots, and from the reliability standpoint via the suppression of flux crowding. For toroidal inductors, adding concentric toroidal cells of magnetic material and distributing the windings properly can successfully make the flux density distribution uniform and thus significantly improve the power density. Compared with a conventional toroidal inductor, the constant-flux inductor introduced herein has an enclosed-winding geometry. The winding layout inside the core is configured to distribute the magnetic flux relatively uniformly throughout the magnetic volume to obtain a higher energy density and smaller package volume than those of a conventional toroidal inductor. Techniques to shape the core and to distribute the winding turns to form a desirable field profile is described for one class of magnetic geometries with the winding enclosed by the core. For a given set of input parameters such as the inductor's footprint and thickness, permeability of the magnetic material, maximum permissible magnetic flux density for the allowed core loss, and current rating, the winding geometry can be designed and optimized to achieve the highest time constant, which is the inductance divided by resistance (L/Rdc). The design procedure is delineated for the constant-flux inductor design together with an example with three winding windows, an inductance of 1.6 µH, and a resistance of 7 mΩ. The constant-flux inductor designed has the same inductance, dc resistance, and footprint area as a commercial counterpart, but half the height. The uniformity factor α is defined to reflect the uniformity level inside the core volume. For each given magnetic material and given volume, an optimal uniformity factor exists, which has the highest time constant. The time constant varies with the footprint area, inductor thickness, relative permeability of the magnetic material, and uniformity factor. Therefore, the objective for the constant-flux inductor design is to seek the highest possible time constant, so that the constant-flux inductor gives a higher inductance or lower resistance than commercial products of the same volume. The calculated time-constant-density of the constant-flux inductor designed is 4008 s/m3, which is more than two times larger than the 1463 s/m3 of a commercial product. To validate the concept of constant-flux inductor, various ways of fabrication for the core and the winding were explored in the lab, including the routing process, lasing process on the core, etching technique on copper, and screen printing with silver paste. The most successful results were obtained from the routing process on both the core and the winding. The core from Micrometals has a relative permeability of around 22, and the winding is made of copper sheets 0.5 mm thick. The fabricated inductor prototype shows a significant improvement in energy density: at the same inductance and resistance, the volume of the constant-flux inductor is two times smaller than that of the commercial counterpart. The constant-flux inductor shows great improvement in energy density and the shrinking of the total size of the inductor below that of the commercial products. Reducing the volume of the magnetic component is beneficial to most power. The study of the constant-flux inductor is currently focused on the dc analysis, and the ac analysis is the next step in the research. / Master of Science

Master of Arts / Department of Communication Studies, Theatre, and Dance / Timothy R. Steffensmeier / Previous language policy research and lawsuit rulings have shown that employers will implement language policies as a means to unify the workplace in hopes of creating a less hostile and more productive environment, which in turn, they believe will increase profits (Bergman, Watrous-Rodriquez, & Chalkely 2007; Crowe 2005; Pakiela 2002; Scott 2007). This study examined the values of an organization in order to determine how they are implemented and perceived by their employees in relationship to language policies. The reason this study looks to values is because they provide a foundation for culture and, subsequently, identity. A three part qualitative analysis utilizing Glaser and Strauss’s (1967) constant comparative method (CCM) was conducted to identify the values within the culture of one organization. It was uncovered that the current climate of the organization was not the result of the implementation of language policies. Instead, the language barriers and complications within the organization were the result of merging companies and the lack of one cohesive culture.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the use of a constant time delay procedure to teach core content words in braille to a student with a visual impairment. A multiple probe (conditions) across behaviors design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the training and follow-up sessions. The results showed the procedure was effective in teaching core content braille words within a resource setting and the student was able to generalize the information to an inclusive setting.

Increasing urbanization is often accompanied by problematic changes in watershed hydrology. Decreasing surface permeability can lead to increased overland flow volumes, which may spread surficial contaminants and increase the strain on municipal stormwater infrastructure. This study examines a mixed-use property in the Proctor Creek watershed in Atlanta, Georgia, to better understand how land-management practices influence soil overland flow potential. Field saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) measurements were collected from soils 1) subjected to compaction, 2) in urban agricultural use, and 3) under common lawn maintenance. Mean values were 9.1E-7 cm/s, 2.2E-4 cm/s, and 9.0E-6 cm/s respectively. Measurements were collected in-situ with the use of the Aardvark constant-head permeameter. Statistical analyses indicated a substantial difference in Kfs based on land-management practices and that urban farming can increase soil Kfs and limit overland flow. Additional analysis revealed no significant difference in grain-size distributions suggesting land-management practices controlled Kfs, not soil texture.

Thesis (PhD (Physics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis is threefold. Firstly, I give an overview of non-commutative quan- tum mechanics and build up a description of non-commutative piecewise constant poten- tial wells in this context. Secondly, I look at some of the stationary properties of a finite non-commutative well using the mathematical tools laid out in the first part. Lastly, I in- vestigate how non-commutativity affects the tunneling rate through a barrier. Throughout this work I give the normal commutative descriptions and results for comparsion. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis is drievoudig. Eerstens gee ek ’n oorsig van niekommutatiewe kwantummeganika en bou daarmee ’n beskrywing van niekommutatiewe deelswyskon- stante potensiaal putte op. Tweedens kyk ek na ’n paar van die stasionˆere eienskappe van ’n eindige niekommutatiewe potensiaal put deur die wiskunde te gebruik wat in die eerste deel uiteengesit is. Laastens ondersoek ek hoe niekommutatiwiteit die spoed van tonneling deur ’n potensiaal wal be¨ınvloed. Dwarsdeur die hierdie hele tesis gee ek die normale kommutatiewe beskrywings en resultate vir maklike vergelyking.