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Finding the exact spanning ratio of a Delaunay graph has been one of the longstanding open problems in Computational Geometry. Currently there are only four convex shapes for which the exact spanning ratio of their Delaunay graph is known: the equilateral triangle, the square, the regular hexagon and the rectangle. In this paper, we show the exact spanning ratio of the parallelogram Delaunay graph, making the parallelogram the fifth convex shape for which an exact bound is known. The worst-case spanning ratio is exactly $$\frac{\sqrt{2}\sqrt{1+A^2+2A\cos(\theta_0)+(A+\cos(\theta_0))\sqrt{1+A^2+2A\cos(\theta_0)}}}{\sin(\theta_0)},$$ where A is the aspect ratio and θ_0 is the non-obtuse angle of the parallelogram. Moreover, we show how to construct a parallelogram Delaunay graph whose spanning ratio matches the above mentioned spanning ratio.

This dissertation discusses topics related to the performance and long-term durability of glass-reinforced composites. The first portion of this dissertation describes work to assess the effect that post-curing has on widely used E-glass/vinyl-ester composites (E-glass/Derakane 510-A and E-glass/Derakane 8084). It is shown that post-curing can have significant positive effects on the initial material properties of glass-reinforced vinyl ester composites. Furthermore, the post-cure of 82ºC for four hours stabilizes the matrix, and as such reduces matrix-related material property evolution. By stopping or nearly stopping material property evolution due to matrix curing over time, the post-cure regime isolates and allows the study of other time-dependent effects, such as fatigue or hygrothermal degradation, and aids designers by establishing an unchanging base set of initial (undamaged) material design properties. The second portion of this dissertation discusses the effects that mean stress and R-ratio have on the fatigue performance of the same material. Qualitative and quantitative differences are seen in the performance as a function of the loading ratio. A residual strength based life prediction model developed at Virginia Tech is applied to the fatigue data, characterizing the material under constant-amplitude loading. Three curve-fitting parameters are then used along with the model to predict variable-amplitude fatigue lives, with remarkably good results. The final portion of the dissertation concerns the effect of hygrothermal and accelerated aging on glass-reinforced composites. A meta-study is performed on data from the literature, and a glass-degradation-based life-prediction model is applied to the data. It is seen that a static fatigue-based activation energy approach to residual strength can predict activation energies associated with glass-reinforced composite strength degradation in the case of glass-reinforced concrete quite well, predicting values of 80-100 kJ/mol, which are similar to those expected for glass dissolution via silica ring opening. The model may also hold some promise for doing the same for glass-reinforced polymer composites. / Ph. D.

The response of light-frame timber shear walls to lateral forces is the focus of the dissertation. The objective of this study was to obtain performance characteristics of shear walls with various aspect ratios and overturning restraint via experimental testing and analytical modeling. Presented are the test data of monotonic and cyclic tests on fifty-six light-frame timber shear walls with aspect ratios of 4:1, 2:1, 1:1, and 2:3. Overturning restraint conditions represent engineered construction and conventional construction practices. The walls representative of the engineered construction were attached to the base by means of tie-down anchors and shear bolts. As opposed to engineered construction, conventionally built walls were secured to the base by nails or shear bolts only. The specimens were tested in a horizontal position with oriented strandboard (OSB) sheathing on one side. To obtain conservative estimates, no dead load was applied in the wall plane during the tests. The nail-edge distance across the top and bottom plates varied from 10 mm (3/8 in.) to 19 mm (3/4 in.). Twelve walls were repaired after the initial tests and re-tested. A mechanics-based model was advanced to predict the racking resistance of conventional multi-panel shear walls using simple formulae. The deflections of engineered and conventional shear walls were predicted using the energy method combined with empirical formulae to account for load-deformation characteristics of sheathing-to-framing connections and overturning restraint. The proposed formulae were validated through comparison with test results obtained during this study. The results of the study serve to further development of a mechanics-based methodology for design of shear walls accounting for various wall configurations and boundary conditions. / Ph. D.

Hyperthyroidism is the most common feline endocrinopathy. 131I is the treatment of choice, and over 50,000 cats have been treated using an empirical fixed dose. Better treatment responses could be achieved by tailoring the dose based on the severity of disease. Scintigraphy is the best method to quantify the severity of the disease. Previously established scintigraphic quantitative methods, thyroid to salivary ratio (T:S ratio) and % dose uptake, are the most widely recognized measurements. Recently, the thyroid to background ratio (T:B ratio) has been proposed as an alternate method to assess function and predict 131I treatment response. The purpose of this study was to determine the best location of a background ROI, which should be reflective of blood pool activity. We also hypothesized that the T:B ratio using the determined background ROI would provide improved correlation to T4 when compared to T:S ratio and % dose uptake in hyperthyroid cats. Fifty-six hyperthyroid cats were enrolled. T4 was used as the standard measure of thyroid function and was obtained prior to thyroid scintigraphy and 131I therapy. Blood samples were collected at the time of scintigraphy and radioactivity within the sample was measured. The plasma radioactivity was compared to the background ROI count densities in 8 anatomic regions using linear regression analysis for 55 cats. One cat was excluded from the study because of an injection error during scintigraphy. T:B and T:S ratios, and % dose uptake on scintigraphy were then compared to serum T4 by linear regression analysis for 39 cats. Sixteen cats were excluded because of recent methimazole or Y/D diet use, or incomplete data. The heart ROI correlated best to plasma pertechnetate activity (r = 0.70). % dose uptake correlated best to serum T4 (r = 0.74), followed by T:S ratio (r = 0.66), followed by the T:B ratio using the heart ROI (r = 0.59). Placing an ROI over the heart is the best method of quantifying plasma radioactivity. T:B ratio using the heart ROI as the background is a good predictor T4 but percent dose uptake and T:S ratio proved to be better predictors of T4 than any of the T:B ratios. Therefore, our hypothesis was not supported. The T:B ratio may not provide the best scintigraphic measurement of thyroid function. Hence it is unlikely to accurately predict treatment response to 131I therapy. / Master of Science

Three strains of cyanobacteria (Anabaena PCC7120, A. variabilis and Nostoc commune), all belonging to the family Nostocaceae, were found to be capable of modulating the production and chemical composition of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) in response to carbon and nitrogen availability as well as pH. While the carbohydrate compositions of the glycans produced by the different organisms were indicative of their recent evolutionary divergence, there were measurable differences that were dependent upon growth conditions. The EPS resulting from biofilm growth conditions was reduced in glucuronic acid levels in both Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413 and Anabaena PCC 7120. Under planktonic conditions, the glycan from A. variabilis contained glucuronic acid when grown in nitrate-free BG-11₀ medium whereas A. PCC 7120 produced similar levels in standard BG-11 medium. This suggests that phylogeneticallyrelated cyanobacteria respond very differently to changes in their local environment. The pH of BG-11 cultures increased to 9-10 for all three strains of cyanobacteria. The increase resulted in an increase in the amount of dissolved inorganic carbon available in the medium, creating an imbalance in the carbon-nitrogen ratio, with the complete consumption of 17.65 mmol L⁻¹ nitrates raising the pH to near 10 in BG-11 medium. While increased carbon availability has been shown to induce capsulated morphologies in strains of cyanobacteria, only Nostoc commune DRH-1 exhibited this behavior, and only when grown in BG-11 medium. Carbon and nitrogen availability as well as pH modulate the monosaccharide composition of the glycan generated by cyanobacteria investigated. The different characteristics of the glycans produced can affect the survivability of the organisms and the community structure of cyanobacterial biofilms and microbial mats found in nature. As cyanobacteria are ubiquitous organism both now and in the past, they play a pivotal role in the biological and geological processes of the Earth, controlling the availability and cycling of carbon and nitrogen both actively and passively. / Master of Science in Life Sciences

Convective heat transfer during hot pressing in wood-based composite panel manufacturing is widely accepted as the most important means of heat transport for resin curing. The rate of convective heat transfer to the panel core is controlled by its permeability. Permeability in the plane of the panel also controls the flow of vapor to the panel edges, thereby influencing the potential for panel "blowing". This research considers how flake thickness, flake alignment and changing mat density during hot-pressing influences OSB mat permeability, through its thickness and in the plane of the panel. Some previous research exists but it fails to address the affects of horizontal and vertical density gradients as well as flake alignment. An apparatus was designed to allow cold pressing of aligned flakes to desired densities while enabling permeability measurements through the mat thickness. An additional apparatus was designed to allow the measuring of permeability in the plane of the mat. These designs permitted permeability measurements in mats that had no vertical density gradient, allowing for the direct study of permeability versus density (compaction ratio). Superficial permeability was determined using Darcy's law and for each sample, multiple readings were made at five different pressure differentials. Permeability through the mat thickness was highly dependent on compaction ratio and to a lesser extent flake thickness. As the compaction ratio is increased, the initial reduction in permeability is severe, once higher compaction ratios are achieved the reduction in permeability is less pronounced. Permeability decreased with decreasing flake thickness. Permeability in the plane of the mat decreases with increasing compaction ratio but in a less severe manner than through the mat thickness. In this case, the permeability-compaction ratio relationship appears linear in nature. Again, permeability decreases with decreasing flake thickness. / Master of Science

[EN] Power and flow oscillations in a BWR are very undesirable. One of the major concerns is to ensure, during power oscillations, compliance with GDC 10 and 12. GDC 10 requires that the reactor core be designed with appropriate margin to assure that specified acceptable fuel design limits will not be exceeded during any condition of normal operation, including the effects of anticipated operational occurrences. GDC 12 requires assurance that power oscillations which can result in conditions exceeding specified acceptable fuel design limits are either not possible or can be reliably and readily detected and suppressed. If the oscillation amplitude is large, before the scram occurs the fuel rods may experience periodic dry-out and rewetting, or if the oscillation is larger enough, extended dry-out. The Decay Ratio (DR) is the typical linear stability figure of merit. For analytical estimation of DR frequency domain codes are very useful. These types of codes are very fast and their results are very robust in comparison with time domain codes, whose results may be dependent on numeric scheme and nodalization. The only drawback of frequency domain is that you are limited to the linear domain; however, because of regulatory requirements imposed by GDC-12, reactors must remain stable and, thus, reactors always operate in the linear domain. LAPUR is a frequency domain stability code that contains a mathematical description of the core of a boiling water reactor. It solves the steady state governing equations for the coolant and fuel, and the dynamic equations for the coolant, fuel and the neutron field in the frequency domain. Several improvements have been performed to the current version of the code, LAPUR5, in order to upgrade it for use with new fuel design types. The channel geometry has been changed from constant area to variable area. The local losses due to the spacers and contractions along the flow path have been upgraded to use industry standard correlations. This new version is LAPUR 6. In this work, in order to check the correct implementation of these changes, a two-fold LAPUR 6 validation has been performed: First, an exhaustive validation of the models implemented has been performed, comparing single channels LAPUR 6 outputs against SIMULATE-3 results. Cofrentes NPP SIMULATE-3 thermal-hydraulic models have been independently validated against experimental data. Second, a Methodology for calculating Decay Ratios with LAPUR 6 has been developed, defining a validation matrix against analytical and plant measured decay ratios. Analysis of measured data from the Cofrentes NPP has shown that decay ratios have values lower than 0.3 confirming the large stability margin of Cofrentes NPP when proper operating procedures are followed, and the comparison with LAPUR shows deviations less than +/- 0.1. Past experience suggests that the uncertainty in low decay ratio ranges is usually larger than with higher decay ratio values. Finally a BWR noise generator has been used for estimating the uncertainty of the signal analyses methods used in this work for experimental estimation of decay ratio from the autocorrelation function of the APRM or LPRM power signals. / [ES] Las oscilaciones de potencia y caudal en un BWR no son deseables. Una de las principales preocupaciones es asegurar, durante oscilaciones de potencia, el cumplimiento de la GDC 10 y 12. GDC 10 requiere que el núcleo del reactor se haya diseñado con un margen adecuado para asegurar que los límites admisibles establecidos en el diseño del combustible no se excederán en cualquier condición de operación normal, incluyendo los efectos de los sucesos operacionales anticipados. GDC 12 requiere garantías de que las oscilaciones de potencia que pueden resultar en condiciones que excedan los límites admisibles establecidos de diseño del combustible, o bien no son posibles o puedan ser detectadas y suprimidas de forma pronta y segura. Si la amplitud de la oscilación es grande, antes de que se produzca el scram las varillas de combustible pueden experimentar secados y remojados periódicos, o si las oscilaciones son suficientemente grandes, un secado extendido. La tasa de amortiguamiento (DR) es la típica figura de mérito de la estabilidad lineal. Para la estimación analítica de la DR los códigos en el dominio de la frecuencia son muy usados. Este tipo de códigos son muy rápidos y sus resultados son muy robustos en comparación con los códigos en el domino temporal, cuyos resultados pueden depender del esquema numérico y la nodalización. El único inconveniente de los códigos en el dominio de la frecuencia es que está limitado al dominio lineal; sin embargo, como los requerimientos regulatorios impuestos por el GDC-12, los reactores deben permanecer estables y, por lo tanto, los reactores deben operar siempre en el dominio lineal. LAPUR es un código de estabilidad en el dominio de la frecuencia que contiene una descripción matemática del núcleo de un reactor de agua en ebullición. Resuelve las ecuaciones de conservación en estado estacionario para el refrigerante y el combustible, las ecuaciones dinámicas para el refrigerante, el combustible y el campo neutrónico en el dominio de la frecuencia. Se han realizado varias mejoras a la versión actual del código, LAPUR 5, con el fin de actualizarlo para su uso con los nuevos tipos de diseño de combustible. La geometría del canal se ha cambiado, el área ha pasado de ser constante a poder considerar área variable. El cálculo de las pérdidas locales debido a los espaciadores y contracciones a lo largo del camino que sigue el flujo se han actualizado, pasando a utilizar correlaciones estándar de la industria. Esta nueva versión del código se ha denominado LAPUR 6. En este trabajo, con el fin de verificar la correcta implementación de estos cambios, se ha realizado una doble validación del código LAPUR 6: En primer lugar se ha realizado una validación exhaustiva de los modelos implementados, comparando los valores de salida de LAPUR 6 para un canal con los resultados de SIMULATE-3. Los modelos termohidráulicos de la CN Cofrentes de SIMULATE-3 han sido validados de forma independiente con los datos experimentales. En segundo lugar se ha desarrollado una metodología para el cálculo de la tasa de amortiguamiento con LAPUR 6, definiendo una matriz de validación de los valores de tasa de amortiguamiento analíticos con valores medidos en la planta. Las tasas de amortiguamiento medidos en la Central Nuclear de Cofrentes tienen valores inferiores al 0.3, confirmando el gran margen de estabilidad de la Central Nuclear de Cofrentes cuando se siguen los procedimiento de operación adecuados, y la comparación con los resultados de LAPUR muestra desviaciones de menos de +/- 0.1. La experiencia acumulada sugiere que la incertidumbre para los rangos bajos de tasas de amortiguamiento es generalmente más grande que para los valores altos. Por último se ha utilizado un generador de señales BWR para la estimación de la incertidumbre de los métodos de análisis de señales utilizados en este trabajo para la estimación experimental de la DR, a partir de la funci / [CA] Les oscil·lacions de potència i flux en un BWR són molt poc desitjades. Una de les majors preocupacions és assegurar-se, durant les oscil·lacions de potència, del compliment de GDC 10 i 12. GDC 10 requerix que el nucli del reactor estiga dissenyat amb un marge apropiat per a assegurar que els limits admissibles establerts en el disseny del combustible no siguen superats davall cap condició d'operació normal, incloent els incidents esperats d'operació. GDC 12 requerix assegurar que les oscil·lacions de potència que poden resultar en condicions on es superen els limits admissibles establerts en el disseny del combustible no siguen possibles o puguen ser detectades de manera segura e immediata i suprimides. Si l'amplitud de les oscil·lacions és gran, abans que el scram ocórrega les barres experimenten un assecat i remullat periòdic, o si l'oscil·lació és prou gran, un assecat estés. La taxa d'amortiment (DR) és la típica figura de mèrit de l'estabilitat lineal. Per a l'estimació analítica de la DR són molt usats els codis en el domini de la freqüència. Este tipus de codis són molt ràpids i els seus resultats són molt robustos en comparació amb els codis en el domini temporal, els resultats del qual són molt dependents de l'esquema numèric i la nodalizació. L'únic inconvenient del domini de la freqüència és que està limitat al domini lineal, no obstant això, com els requeriments reguladors imposats pel GDC-12, els reactors han de mantener-se estables i, per tant, els reactors han d'operar sempre en el domini lineal. LAPUR és un codi d'estabilitat en el domini de la freqüència que conté una descripció matemàtica del nucli d'un reactor d'aigua en ebullició. Resol les equacions de govern estacionàries del refrigerant i el combustible, les equacions dinàmiques del refrigerant, el combustible i el camp neutrònic en el domini de la freqüència. S'han realitzat diverses millores a la versió anterior del codi, LAPUR 5, amb l'objectiu d'actualitzar-ho per al seu ús amb nous tipus de disseny de combustibles. La geometria del canal s'ha canviat d'àrea constant a variable. Les pèrdues locals degudes als espaciadors i contraccions al llarg del camí del flux s'han actualitzat per a utilitzar correlacions estàndard de la indústria. Esta nova versió és LAPUR 6. En este treball, amb l'objectiu de comprovar la correcta implementació d'estos canvis, s'ha realitzat una doble validació del LAPUR 6: Primer, s'ha realitzat una validació exhaustiva dels models implementats, comparant els valors d'eixida per a un canal de LAPUR 6 amb els resultats de SIMULATE-3. Els models termohidraúlics per a SIMULATE-3 de la Central Nuclear de Cofrentes s'han validat independentment amb dades experimentals. Segon, s'ha desenrotllat una Metodologia per al càlcul de la Taxa d'Amortiment amb LAPUR 6, definint una matriu de validació amb valors de taxes d'amortiment analítics i mesurats en la planta. Anàlisis de les dades mesurades en la Central Nuclear de Cofrentes mostren valors de les taxes d'amortiment inferiors al 0.3, confirmant el gran marge d'estabilitat de la Central Nuclear de Cofrentes quan se seguix un adequat procediment d'operació, i la comparació amb LAPUR mostra desviacions inferiors al +/- 0.1. L'experiència acumulada mostra que la incertesa en el rang de taxes d'amortiment baixes és normalment major que per a valors alts de les taxes d'amortiment. Finalment s'ha utilitzat un generador de senyals per a estimar la incertesa dels mètodes d'anàlisi del senyal utilitzats en este treball per a l'estimació experimental de la taxa d'amortiment emprant la funció d'autocorrelació dels senyals de potència APRM o LPRM. / Melara San Román, J. (2016). PREDICTIVE METHODS FOR STABILITY MARGIN IN BWR [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/61307