Research has shown that widespread misperceptions prevail regarding the use and sustainability of America's forest resources. Elementary school students receive only a general foundation in the area of wood science and many elementary school resources have shown to be inadequate. Virginia Tech and a few other universities have adopted Wood Magic (originated at Mississippi State University) which presents active, hands-on, and engaging science-based education to third, fourth, and fifth graders, allowing them the opportunity to obtain both a theoretical and practical knowledge in these areas of study. A distance education version of the Wood Magic Program, utilizing interactive videoconferencing, is the focus of this thesis. An instructional design model has been developed to meet the needs of designers or instructors looking to expand into the distance education environment. This model describes all steps necessary to develop and implement a distance course or program. A survey was conducted of all randomly selected third, fourth, and fifth grade elementary school science teachers in Virginia. The intentions of the survey were to discover the barriers to implementing the Wood Magic Distance Education Program into their current curriculum. The three largest barriers to implementation were cost of materials, time, and travel resources. / Master of Science

This dissertation proposal begins with a discussion about how the education of game programmers was not meeting the needs of the game industry. With this problem identified, this study proceeded to verify the existence of disparities of current game programming curricula. The findings from the literature review were able to: (a) justify the need to develop a career-oriented instructional design model for education of game programming; (b) identify the disparities that caused the mismatch of instructional content between academia and the game industry; (c) review research that contributed to the identification of three disparities: curriculum objectives and structure, instructional content, and curriculum orientation; (d) discuss theories and models of instructional design, student engagement, and related pedagogies; and (e) explore how these theories and models might be instrumental in improving education of game programming. The results obtained from the literature review were also used to formulate guidelines for investigating the status of currently available curricula in game programming. The research design and the research methods utilized by this study to examine the research questions are also described in detail. Four research questions were used to guide the study with the goal of identifying or forming a guiding principle for developing an instructional design model for a career-oriented education of game programming professionals. The results of this study indicated that all of the investigated game programming curricula had not yet produced graduates whom the game companies are interested in hiring as game programmers and that educational institutions had missed an opportunity to equip students with the proper programming skills for the game industry. Furthermore, this study identified that an accreditation standard as well as an industry-accepted instructional design model was not yet available to reflect the personnel hiring requirements of the game industry. The curriculum and coursework must be career-oriented and instructional content must center on game programming. Game programming pedagogy must lead to development of core competencies. In reviewing these findings, the guiding principles for developing an instructional design model became clear. The contribution of this study was to present an immediately applicable instructional design model that could be used as a basis by schools to create or fine tune their game programming curricula. The completed model is provided as an attachment to this dissertation. This proposed instructional design model is intended to provide an initial basis towards a solution to minimize the disparities between academia and the game industry in educational areas of curriculum orientation, curriculum objectives and structure, and instructional content. As with any problem solution, future study and analysis should be done in order to optimize and standardize a game programming curriculum that will be accepted by the game industry as well as accredited by a mutually accepted accreditation body.

No cenário da produção de edificações sustentáveis, a madeira laminada colada (MLC) ocupa lugar de destaque, sobretudo pela possibilidade de emprego de madeiras provenientes de florestas plantadas. Com o propósito de amenizar os problemas de durabilidade, quando exposta às intempéries, uma solução pressupõe a associação das vigas de MLC com um tabuleiro de concreto armado, sendo as partes ligadas por meio de conexões flexíveis. Essa técnica tem sido aplicada com sucesso, especialmente por conta do expressivo acréscimo de rigidez proporcionado pela composição. No entanto, em situações de elevados carregamentos ou de grandes vãos, a aplicação de reforços com fibras sintéticas, na face tracionada das vigas de MLC, aprimora ainda mais essa técnica, refletindo-se em significativos acréscimos nas forças de ruptura. Neste trabalho avaliou-se, de forma experimental e numérica, o comportamento estrutural de vigas mistas de MLC-concreto reforçadas com fibras de vidro. Numa primeira etapa foram estudados os elementos de ligação, optando-se pelos ganchos de aço com diâmetro de 8 mm pelo seu excepcional desempenho. Em seguida foram confeccionadas as vigas mistas, com e sem reforços com fibras de vidro, registrando-se acréscimo médio de 37% no módulo de ruptura (MOR) das vigas mistas em relação às vigas de MLC, ambas reforçadas com fibras. O emprego do reforço com fibras sintéticas se justifica pela diminuição na dispersão dos resultados. Por fim, um algoritmo foi proposto para o dimensionamento das vigas mistas de MLC-concreto reforçadas com fibras de vidro, o qual, associado às avaliações numéricas e experimentais, permite ampliar os horizontes de aplicação das estruturas de madeira. / Production of sustainable constructions forms a scenario where glulam beams occupy a prominence place, because of the possibility of utilization of wood that comes from planted forests. With the intention of diminution in the durability problems, when exposed to the weather effects, a solution presupposes the association of glulam beams with a reinforced concrete slab, in which the components are linked by means of flexible connections. This technique has been applied with results, especially due to the expressive increment in stiffness provided by the composition. However, in situations where high loads or great spans are found, the application of synthetic fibers reinforcements in the tension side of glulam beams improve this technique, being reflected in significant increments in the rupture forces. In this study it was evaluated, in experimental and numerical way, the structural behavior of glulam-concrete composite beams reinforced with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP). In a first stage the connection elements were studied, being opted for steel hooks with 8 mm in diameter because of their exceptional behavior. Soon after, the composite beams were made with and without GFRP reinforcements and their tests showed average increment of 37% in modulus of rupture (MOR), when the composite beams were compared to glulam beams, both reinforced with GFRP. The decrease in the variability of results justifies the use of synthetic fibers reinforcements. Finally, an algorithm was proposed for the design of glulam-concrete composite beams reinforced with GFRP. So, when associated with the experimental and numerical evaluations that were carried out, this method allows enlarging the horizons of timber structures applications.

No cenário da produção de edificações sustentáveis, a madeira laminada colada (MLC) ocupa lugar de destaque, sobretudo pela possibilidade de emprego de madeiras provenientes de florestas plantadas. Com o propósito de amenizar os problemas de durabilidade, quando exposta às intempéries, uma solução pressupõe a associação das vigas de MLC com um tabuleiro de concreto armado, sendo as partes ligadas por meio de conexões flexíveis. Essa técnica tem sido aplicada com sucesso, especialmente por conta do expressivo acréscimo de rigidez proporcionado pela composição. No entanto, em situações de elevados carregamentos ou de grandes vãos, a aplicação de reforços com fibras sintéticas, na face tracionada das vigas de MLC, aprimora ainda mais essa técnica, refletindo-se em significativos acréscimos nas forças de ruptura. Neste trabalho avaliou-se, de forma experimental e numérica, o comportamento estrutural de vigas mistas de MLC-concreto reforçadas com fibras de vidro. Numa primeira etapa foram estudados os elementos de ligação, optando-se pelos ganchos de aço com diâmetro de 8 mm pelo seu excepcional desempenho. Em seguida foram confeccionadas as vigas mistas, com e sem reforços com fibras de vidro, registrando-se acréscimo médio de 37% no módulo de ruptura (MOR) das vigas mistas em relação às vigas de MLC, ambas reforçadas com fibras. O emprego do reforço com fibras sintéticas se justifica pela diminuição na dispersão dos resultados. Por fim, um algoritmo foi proposto para o dimensionamento das vigas mistas de MLC-concreto reforçadas com fibras de vidro, o qual, associado às avaliações numéricas e experimentais, permite ampliar os horizontes de aplicação das estruturas de madeira. / Production of sustainable constructions forms a scenario where glulam beams occupy a prominence place, because of the possibility of utilization of wood that comes from planted forests. With the intention of diminution in the durability problems, when exposed to the weather effects, a solution presupposes the association of glulam beams with a reinforced concrete slab, in which the components are linked by means of flexible connections. This technique has been applied with results, especially due to the expressive increment in stiffness provided by the composition. However, in situations where high loads or great spans are found, the application of synthetic fibers reinforcements in the tension side of glulam beams improve this technique, being reflected in significant increments in the rupture forces. In this study it was evaluated, in experimental and numerical way, the structural behavior of glulam-concrete composite beams reinforced with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP). In a first stage the connection elements were studied, being opted for steel hooks with 8 mm in diameter because of their exceptional behavior. Soon after, the composite beams were made with and without GFRP reinforcements and their tests showed average increment of 37% in modulus of rupture (MOR), when the composite beams were compared to glulam beams, both reinforced with GFRP. The decrease in the variability of results justifies the use of synthetic fibers reinforcements. Finally, an algorithm was proposed for the design of glulam-concrete composite beams reinforced with GFRP. So, when associated with the experimental and numerical evaluations that were carried out, this method allows enlarging the horizons of timber structures applications.

Denna rapport beskriver skapandeprocessen av webbsidan aiducate.se, vars syfte är att stötta, motivera och vägleda gymnasieelever i sin utbildning. Projektet genomfördes självständigt utan någon uppdragsgivare och pågick under en tidsperiod om tio veckor. Till grund låg en förundersökning som visade på bristande motivation hos gymnasieelever. I en kompletterande enkätundersökning fastställdes det att eleverna önskade en modernisering av utbildningen med utrymme för nutida undervisningsmetoder. Som ett komplement till gymnasieutbildningen framställdes därför innovationen Aiducate som i framtiden ska omfatta olika verktyg för studierna. Allt från hur man skriver en rapport till hur man får inspiration. Inom ramen för detta examensarbete presenterades en enklare betaversion av webbsidan. Detta omfattade en fullständig grafisk profil, responsiv design och vissa funktioner såsom exempelvis forum och användarkonto. Rapporten följer även utvecklingen av webbsidan i det populära CMS-verktyget WordPress. Teoretisk bakgrund har förankrat alla slutgiltiga beslut för webbsidans design och funktion, vilket även återkopplats genom användartester. / This report describes the creative process of the website aiducate.se, which purpose is to support, motivate and guide high school students in their education. The project was conducted independently without any employers and lasted for a period of ten weeks. The basis of the project was a prior study that showed a lack of motivation among high school students. A supplementary survey showed that the students wanted to modernize the education with contemporary teaching methods. As a complement to high school education, the innovation Aiducate was made which in the future will include various tools for the studies. Everything from how to write a report to how to get inspiration. Within the framework of this thesis a simpler beta version of the website was presented. This included a complete graphic profile, responsive design and some features such as a forum and user account. The report also follows the development of the website in the popular CMS tool WordPress. Theoretical background has anchored all final decisions for the website’s design and function, which also reconnects through user testing.

The fast technical development enables new application areas within health care, and theimportance of eHealth increases. Meanwhile, conscious behavioral change throughpersuasive technology has shown to be a functional and effective method. This studyaimed at producing a design model, customized for persuasive design within eHealth. Themodel took the shape of a toolbox, containing tools which aim to respond to key aspectsassociated with the field, and was qualitatively evaluated through interviews with expertswho assessed the quality. The interview recordings were abductively analyzed, and themodel revised by the analysis’ results. The findings contributed to a widenedcomprehension of the area and resulted in a new version of the model, and other valuableinsights about the aspect of context within persuasive design and eHealth. / Den snabba tekniska utvecklingen möjliggör nya användningsområden inom hälsoområdet,och vikten av eHälsa ökar. Samtidigt har medveten beteendeförändring genom persuasivedesign visat sig vara en funktionell och effektiv metod. I den här studien var målet attproducera en modell, anpassad för design inom eHälsa. Modellen tog formen av enverktygslåda, innehållande verktyg avsedda att besvara nyckelfaktorer inom fältet, ochevaluerades kvalitativt genom intervjuer med experter för att öka dess kvalité.Intervjuinspelningarna analyserades abduktivt, och modellen reviderades efter analysensresultat. Resultaten bidrar till en utvidgad förståelse inom fältet, en ny version av modellenoch andra värdefulla insikter angående kontext som en aspekt inom persuasive design ocheHälsa.

Le mémoire présente le problème de la planification tactique des “blocks” pour le transport ferroviaire intermodal, qui a été peu étudié jusqu’à présent. Nous proposons un nouveau modèle de design de réseau en tenant compte de la spécificité du transport intermodal. La recherche se concentre sur le contexte nord-américain et fait suite à une étroite collaboration avec l’une des principales compagnies ferroviaires nord-américaines. Le “blocking” constitue une importante opération de transport ferroviaire de marchandises, par laquelle des wagons d’origines et de destinations potentiellement différentes sont regroupés pour être d´eplacés et manipulés comme une seule unité, ce qui permet des économies d’échelle. La littérature se limite aux travaux traitant le problème classique du blocage des trains, où la demande est exprimée en termes de wagons. A notre connaissance, aucun travail préalable n’a été consacrè à un contexte de transport intermodal, où la demande est exprimée en termes de conteneurs à dèplacer d’un terminal d’origine donné vers un terminal de destination donné, introduisant ainsi un processus de consolidation supplémentaire. Nous proposons un modèle de “blocking” qui prend en compte plusieurs types de conteneurs et wagons, intégrant l’affectation conteneur-wagon. Nous présentons un nouveau modèle de design de réseau à trois couches en temps continu formulé sous la forme d’un programme linéaire mixte en nombres entiers (MILP), dans le but de minimiser le coût total de transport composé par la sélection de blocs, les coûts d’exploitation et la gestion du coût de la demande. Le modèle peut être résolu en utilisant un solveur commercial pour des tailles réalistes. Nous illustrons les performances et l’intérêt de la méthode proposée à travers une étude de cas approfondie d’un important chemin de fer nord-américain. / The thesis presents the tactical block-planning problem for intermodal railroads, which has been little studied so far. We propose a new block service network design model considering the specificity of intermodal rail. The research focuses on the North American context and follows a close collaboration with one of the major North American railroad companies. Blocking constitutes an important rail freight transport operation, by which cars with potentially different origins and destinations are grouped to be moved and handled as a single unit, yielding economies of scale. The literature is limited to works addressing the classical train blocking problem, where demand is given in terms of cars to be blocked among specific OD pairs. To the best of our knowledge, no prior work has been dedicated to an intermodal transportation context, where demand is expressed in terms of containers to be moved from a given origin terminal to a given destination terminal, hence introducing an additional consolidation process. We propose a blocking model that considers several types of containers and railcars, integrating the container-to-car assignment. We present a new continuous-time, three-layer service network design model formulated as a Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP), with the objective of minimizing the total transportation cost composed by block selection, operation costs, and handling demand cost. The model can be solved using commercial solver for realistic sizes. We illustrate the performance and interest of the proposed method through an extensive case study of a major North American railroad.

Interaction designers for mobile phones mainly focus on displays but have only little knowledge about sensor characteristics. Beside multitouch input, mobile devices provide versatile possibilities to interact in a physical, device-based manner due to their built-in hardware. Even though such interactions may provide many advantages in everyday life, they have limited visibility in interaction design. Interaction designers are seldom experts in gesture and pattern recognition and even prototypical implementations of simple mobile-based interactions need advanced technical knowledge. Hence, the potential for designing mobile device-based interactions is often not fully exploited. To contribute to a common knowledge of mobile device-based interactions, this paper proposes Mobile Spaces. This model aims at supporting designers of mobile applications to broaden their view on interaction possibilities with one or more collocated devices which go beyond the screen. We discuss the applicability of Mobile Spaces by means of several examples from research.

Determination of rheological phenomenon is very difficult, because there are many unknown inputs parameters, e.g. concrete age, the size of elements, relative humidity of the surrounding environment, cement hydration rate, temperature influence, type of strain and treatment. This Ph.D. thesis deals with the effective cross-section thickness and its effect on the behaviour of concrete constructions that is how the rheological phenomena change in time as a result of the application or removal of insulation layer from the concrete surface. Long-term experimental measurements of specimens and real bridge constructions were performed. The data collected from these measurements were described, evaluated and mathematical modifications for the standards Model Code 2010 and Model B4 (B3) have been proposed. Using these new computational formulas is possible to take into consideration the changes in the effective cross-section thickness and therefore make the computational models for concrete structures more accurate.

By submitting my thesis I designed three variants of the steel construction of the motor show. The ground dimensions of the entire structure are 56 x 40 m. The building eaches a height of 21 m above the surrounding terrain. The object is the administrative part of the rectangular ground plan and the exhibition space of the perimeter ground plan. The circular part is a covered dome. Variants differ in design of the radial arc cross section in the dome cover. Part of the main structural elements. The winning variant includes a solution of selected details elaboration of detailed drawings of solved connections and creation of workshop documentation of the selected work.