Size-dependent material responses observed at fine length scales are receiving growing attention due to the need in the modeling of very small sized mechanical structures. The conventional continuum theories do not suffice for accurate descriptions of the exact material behaviors in the fine-scale regime due to the lack of inherent material lengths. A number of new theories/models have been propounded so far to interpret such novel phenomena. In this dissertation a few enriched-continuum theories - the adhesive contact mechanics, surface elasticity and strain gradient elasticity - are employed to study the mechanical behaviors of a semi-infinite solid induced by the boundary forces. A unified treatment of axisymmetric adhesive contact problems is developed using the harmonic functions. The generalized solution applies to the adhesive contact problems involving an axisymmetric rigid punch of arbitrary shape and an adhesive interaction force distribution of any profile, and it links existing solutions/models for axisymmetric non-adhesive and adhesive contact problems like the Hertz solution, Sneddon's solution, the JKR model, the DMT model and the M-D model. The generalized Boussinesq and Flamant problems are examined in the context of the surface elasticity of Gurtin and Murdoch (1975, 1978), which treats the surface as a negligibly thin membrane with material properties differing from those of the bulk. Analytical solution is derived based on integral transforms and use of potential functions. The newly derived solution applies to the problems of an elastic half-space (half-plane as well) subjected to prescribed surface tractions with consideration of surface effects. The newly derived results exhibit substantial deviations from the classical predictions near the loading points and converge to the classical ones at a distance far away from those points. The size-dependency of material responses is clearly demonstrated and material hardening effects are predicted. The half-space contact problems are also studied using the simplified strain gradient elasticity theory which incorporates material microstructural effects. The solution is obtained by taking advantage of the displacement functions of Mindlin (1964) and integral transforms. Significant discrepancy between the current and the classical solutions is seen to exist in the immediate vicinity of the loading area. The discontinuity and singularity exist in classical solution are removed, and the stress and displacement components change smoothly through the solid body.

Desired base upper half mean length (UHML) of upland cotton (G. hirsutum) in the U.S. has been set a 27.0 mm and is shorter than the standard set by the international community. Upland cotton genotypes from China, South Africa, West Africa, and the U.S. were test crossed to an extra long staple upland (ELSU) and a short staple upland (SSU) and selected genotypes that included both ELSU and MSU phenotypes were crossed in a half-diallel mating scheme to estimate general combing ability (GCA) effects and specific combining ability (SCA) effects. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was established to determine the narrow sense heritability (h^2) of AFIS short fiber content by weight (SFCw) and lower half mean length (LHML) and to estimate SFCw using HVI fiber properties. Obsolete cultivars from China are not likely sources for UHML improvement, cultivars from Africa and the U.S. could harbor alleles not being used in current elite short staple cultivars or modern ELSU cultivars. Two ELSU lines used in this study derived through interspecific hybridization with G. barbadense could contain alleles for UHML improvement in modern ELSU cultivars developed without any apparent G. barbadense introgression. A third line D&PL 45-867, might contain alleles for UHML improvement in long staple upland cotton genotypes. Narrow sense heritability estimates indicated a much higher heritability of LHML than AFIS SFCw. Correlation between AFIS SFCw and LHML did not agree with previous studies when using an ELSU X MSU cross. Further study is needed to understand this complex relationship.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:35:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:56:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Orientador: Paulo César Razuk / Banca: Augusto Ronchi Junior / Banca: Waldemar Gastoni Venturini Filho / Resumo: A fermentação alcólica, processo central da indústria cervejeira é um processo que libera uma grande quantidade de calor. Sendo assim, os recipientes de fermentação devem estar equipados com instalações de refrigeração para o correto controle da temperatura. A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo a análise da troca de calor de fermentadores cilindrocônicos dotados de sistema de refrigeração direta através de serpentina meia-cana. Para a consecução desse objetivo foi necessária a elaboração de um roteiro de cálculo seguro baseado em equações e experiências encontradas em renomadas literaturas. A análise dos resultados encontrados foi realizada a partir dos valores obtidos através do programa de cálculo atualmente utilizado em uma das maiores empresas fornecedoras deste tipo de equipamento para o mercado cervejeiro, a Dedini Indústrias de Base. Constatou-se que os valores obtidos pelo roteiro apresentado na presente dissertação foram maiores do que os calculados no programa, concluindo-se que as diferenças e dificuldades de resfriamento encontradas em equipamentos semelhantes fornecidos a clientes distintos podem ter origem na quantidade de refrigerante. As estimativas para o coeficiente global de transferência de calor independem do roteiro de cálculo seguido, pois há uma variação máxima de 3,5 % nos resultados para o cálculo deste. O mesmo é verificado para as vazões mássicas de amônia requerida, onde esta variação é ainda menor (cerca de 3,0%) / Abstract: Alcoholic fermentation, brewery industry's central process that liberates a great amount of heat. Therefore, the fermentation containers should be equipped with cooling installations for correct temperature control. The present research aims to analyze the heat exchange in cylindroconical fermenters endowed with a halp-pipe coil direct cooling system. To achieve this objective, the elaboration of a sate calculation route based on equations and experiences found in renowned references was necessary. The validation of the results was accomplished from the values obtained through the calculation program now used in one the largest supplying companies of this kind of equipment for the brewer market, Dedini indústrias de Base. It was verified that the flow of ammonia for the cooling system obtained by the itinerary introduced in the present article was larger than the one calculated in the program, and it can be concluded that the differences and cooling difficulties found in similar equipments supplied to different customers can have origin in the amount of ammonia used in the cooling system. The values for the overal heat transfer coefficient do not depend on the calculation itinerary followed, because there is a maximum variation of 3.5% in the results for the calculation of the coeffiecient. The same is verified for the mass flows of requested ammonia, where this variation is still smaller (about 3.0%) / Mestre

The demand for mobile wireless network resources is constantly on the rise, pushing for new communication technologies that are able to support unprecedented rates. In this thesis we address the issue by considering advanced interference management techniques to exploit the available resources more efficiently under relaxed channel state information (CSI) assumptions. While the initial studies focus on current half-duplex (HD) technology, we then move on to full-duplex (FD) communication due to its inherent potential to improve spectral efficiency. Work in this thesis is divided into four main parts as follows. In the first part, we focus on the two-cell two-user-per-cell interference broadcast channel (IBC) and consider the use of topological interference management (TIM) to manage inter-cell interference in an alternating connectivity scenario. Within this context we derive novel outer bounds on the achievable degrees of freedom (DoF) for different system configurations, namely, single-input single-output (SISO), multiple-input single-output (MISO) and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. Additionally, we propose new transmission schemes based on joint coding across states that exploit global topological information at the transmitter to increase achievable DoF. Results show that when a single state has a probability of occurrence equal to one, the derived bounds are tight with up to a twofold increase in achievable DoF for the best case scenario. Additionally, when all alternating connectivity states are equiprobable: the SISO system gains 11/16 DoF, achieving 96:4% of the derived outer bound; while the MISO/MIMO scenario has a gain of 1/2 DoF, achieving the outer bound itself. In the second part, we consider a general G-cell K-user-per-cell MIMO IBC and analyse the performance of linear interference alignment (IA) under imperfect CSI. Having imperfect channel knowledge impacts the effectiveness of the IA beamformers, and leads to a significant amount of residual leakage interference. Understanding the extent of this impact is a fundamental step towards obtaining a performance characterisation that is more relevant to practical scenarios. The CSI error model used is highly versatile, allowing the error to be treated either as a function of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or as independent of it. Based on this error model, we derive a novel upper bound on the asymptotic mean sum rate loss and quantify the DoF loss due to imperfect CSI. Furthermore, we propose a new version of the maximum signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (Max-SINR) algorithm which takes into account statistical knowledge of the CSI error in order to improve performance over the naive counterpart in the presence of CSI mismatch. In the third part, we shift our attention to FD systems and consider weighted sum rate (WSR) maximisation for multi-user multi-cell networks where FD base-stations (BSs) communicate with HD downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) users. Since WSR problems are non-convex we transform them into weighted minimum mean squared error (WMMSE) ones that are proven to converge. Our analysis is first carried out for perfect CSI and then expanded to cater for imperfect CSI under two types of error models, namely, a norm-bounded error model and a stochastic error model. Additionally, we propose an algorithm that maximises the total DL rate subject to each UL user achieving a desired target rate. Results show that the use of FD BSs provides significant gains in achievable rate over the use of HD BSs, with a gain of 1:92 for the best case scenario under perfect CSI. They also demonstrate the robust performance of the imperfect CSI designs, and confirm that FD outperforms HD even under CSI mismatch conditions. Finally, the fourth part considers the use of linear IA to manage interference in a multi-user multi-cell network with FD BSs and HD users under imperfect CSI. The number of interference links present in such a system is considerably greater than that present in the HD network counterpart; thus, understanding the impact of residual leakage interference on performance is even more important for FD enabled networks. Using the same generalised CSI error model from the second part, we study the performance of IA by characterising the sum rate and DoF losses incurred due to imperfect CSI. Additionally, we propose two novel IA algorithms applicable to this network; the first one is based on minimising the mean squared error (MMSE), while the second is based on Max-SINR. The proposed algorithms exploit statistical knowledge of the CSI error variance in order to improve performance. Moreover, they are shown to be equivalent under certain conditions, even though the MMSE based one has lower computational complexity. Furthermore for the multi-cell case, we also derive the proper condition for IA feasibility.

O objetivo dessa dissertação foi analisar a influência de possíveis reações de fusão nuclear quando elementos leves, definidos como alvos são adicionados ao combustível nuclear. A energia cinética dos produtos de fissão, na concepção desse estudo, é utilizada para vencer a repulsão elétrica entre os núcleos. Para esse trabalho foram considerados a adição de hidrogênio, deutério, lítio e berílio em fração mássica de 0,30. A escolha desses elementos foi realizada através da análise da energia de ligação, do número atômico e das seções de choque experimentais de fusão. A avaliação da fusão nuclear foi realizada via principio da incerteza, pois não há um modelo que pudesse cobrir um grande número de reações possíveis. A probabilidade de reação foi aproximada como uma função da probabilidade de um produto de fissão encontrar determinado elemento leve. Adicionalmente foram calculados os tempos de freamento eletrônico para os produtos de fissão com isso verificou-se que a escala de freamento não representa limitação para a fusão. A principal alteração, devido à adição dos alvos, foi na distribuição dos tempos de meia vida dos produtos de fissão, na direção de maiores tempos. A alteração nessa grandeza indica que é possível reduzir a atividade média do rejeito nuclear, em especial o de alto nível de radioatividade, tornando sua manipulação mais segura. Os alvos de hidrogênio e lítio apresentaram os melhores resultados para o aumento do tempo de meia vida médio dos produtos de fissão, conseguindo altera-la em média duas ordens de grandeza. Outras alterações, que não foram alvo desse estudo, são esperadas devido à inserção desses alvos, como por exemplo, na cinética. / The objective of this dissertation was to analyze the influence of possible nuclear fusion reactions when light elements, defined as targets are added to the nuclear fuel. The kinetic energy of the fission products, in the conception of this study, is used to overcome the electrical repulsion between the nuclei. For this work were considered the addition of hydrogen, deuterium, lithium and beryllium in mass fraction of 0.30. The choice of these elements was performed by analyzing the binding energy, the atomic number and experimental fusion cross sections. The assessment of fusion was performed via the uncertainty principle, since there is no model that could cover a large number of possible reactions. The probability of reaction was approximated as a function of the probability of fission product find a particular light element. Additionally times were calculated for the electronic stopping fission products where was found that scale of stopping does not impose limits on fusion. The main change due to the addition of the targets was the distribution of halflives of the fission products, towards longer times. The change in this magnitude indicates that it is possible to reduce the average activity of the nuclear waste, in particular the high level of radioactivity, making handling safer. The targets of hydrogen and lithium showed the best results for increasing the half-life of the average fission products, managing change a on the average of two orders of magnitude. Other modifications, which were not discussed in this study, are expected due to the insertion of these targets, e.g. kinetics.

It has long been established that the spinal cord is able to produce locomotor activity on its own. Despite extensive research identifying and describing the involvement of multiple spinal neuron populations that are part of the spinal locomotor circuit, the manner in which these different components act together to precisely control the rhythm and the pattern of activation of muscles during locomotion remains largely undetermined. We sought to shed light on how the components of spinal locomotor circuits interact to produce robust locomotion using a developmental approach in zebrafish larvae. We used electrophysiological techniques to observe how the rhythm generation mechanism developed while the fish was transitioning from an early form of swimming to a more mature swimming behaviour. In the process we were able to highlight fundamental changes in the organization of spinal locomotor circuits as its operation moves from a pacemaker-based architecture relying on intrinsic properties of neurons to a network oscillator-based architecture relying on synaptic connectivity to generate proper rhythm driving the fish tail beats. Additionally, we revealed that this transition occurred at different times along the spinal cord progressing in a caudorostral direction. By combining these experimental observations with already published insights we were able to propose models of spinal locomotor circuits reproducing the successive locomotor behaviours encountered through development. By incrementing supplementing the circuit model in a manner that reflected biological processes by which the nervous system maturates (neurogenesis, synaptic connectivity refinement and maturation of intrinsic properties) we mirrored the natural development of the spinal locomotor circuit. This series of successively constructed models permitted us to pinpoint possible roles of specific neural populations for swimming behaviour as well as eventual targets and mechanism of actions of neuromodulators (serotonin and dopamine). In the process, I further provided testable hypotheses for future inquiries. Overall, the experimental findings in combination with the modeling work are an important step forward in fully understanding how the spinal cord generates swimming movements in zebrafish.

Orientador: Roberto de Oliveira Roça / Resumo: O objetivo este estudo foi avaliar o turnover isotópico de δ13C e δ15N no leite, sangue e fezes, ocasionados pela inclusão da cama de aviário na dieta de vacas leiteiras, a fim de determinar o tempo de incorporação do valor isotópico da dieta. Foram utilizadas 12 vacas mestiças, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com seis repetições e dois tratamentos. Os tratamentos foram: T1 – dieta estritamente vegetal durante todo o período experimental; T2 – 50% cama de aviário e 50% vegetal durante o primeiro período experimental e depois dieta vegetal. Foram colhidas amostras diariamente e analisadas com espectrômetro de massas de razão isotópica. Para mensurar o turnover de δ13C e δ15N em determinado intervalo de tempo, foi utilizada a função exponencial de primeira ordem. Os dados isotópicos foram submetidos ao teste t-Student. Os valores isotópicos das fezes e do leite atingiram o patamar de equilíbrio. O sangue não conseguiu atingir o patamar de equilíbrio nos períodos avaliados indicando ser um tecido para detecção de dietas de períodos mais longos. O resultado do teste de t Student (p<0,05) foi semelhante ao encontrado pela análise dos isótopos estáveis mostrando que no primeiro período os valores isotópicos das fezes do T1 diferiram do T2, e para o leite não houve diferença entre os tratamentos. No segundo período, os valores isotópicos das fezes e do leite do T1 não diferiram do T2. Os valores isotópicos de δ 15N no leite para o 1°período diferiram entre o T1... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Doutor

While many systems and standards like CAD systems or CityGML permit the user to represent the geometry and the semantics of building interior models, their use for applications where spatial analysis and/or real-time modifications are required are limited since they lack the possibility to store topological relationships between the elements. In this thesis a new topological data structure, the dual half-edge (DHE) is presented. It permits the representation of the topology of building models with the interior included. It is based on the idea of simultaneously storing a graph in 3D space and its dual graph, and to link the two. Euler-type operators for incrementally constructing 3D models (for adding individual edges, faces and volumes to the model while updating the dual structure simultaneously), and navigation operators (for example to navigate from a given point to all the connected planes or polyhedra) are proposed. The DHE also permits the assigning of attributes to any element. This technique allows the handling of important query types and performs analysis based on the building structure, for example finding the nearest exterior exit to a given room, as in disaster management planning. As the structure is locally modifiable the model may be adapted whenever a particular pathway is no longer available. The proposed DHE structure adds significant analytic value to the increasingly popular CityGML model, and to the CAD field where the dual structure is of growing interest.

O semieixo automotivo é um componente usualmente metálico pelo qual o torque é transmitido do diferencial para as rodas do veículo. Diferentemente dos semieixos convencionais, os fabricados em materiais compósitos possuem algumas variáveis de projeto que devem ser levadas em consideração, como a orientação das fibras, a sequência de empilhamento, a espessura e o número de camadas. Neste trabalho, cilindros compósitos para aplicação em semieixos de transmissão foram processados por enrolamento filamentar com o objetivo de substituir peças em aço convencional por compósito laminado em fibra de carbono com matriz epóxi. Para tal, os parâmetros da aplicação do semieixo em compósito, como frequência natural, torque critico de flambagem e capacidade de transmissão de torque foram considerados. Foi realizado um ensaio preliminar de torção e foram selecionados três laminados: [±22/±45], [±89/±45] e [±45]2. Cilindros de carbono/epóxi foram fabricados pelo processo de enrolamento filamentar e ensaios de compressão radial e longitudinal dos cilindros foram realizados. Análises mecânicas foram realizadas por meio de abordagens analíticas e numéricas, sendo que a última foi baseada no método dos elementos finitos. Os resultados analíticos foram comparados com os numéricos e experimentais, apresentando uma boa correlação entre eles. O cilindro com o laminado [±45]2 apresentou o melhor desempenho de resistência sob torção. Para torque critico de flambagem, assim como em compressão radial e longitudinal, o laminado [±45]2 apresentou um desempenho satisfatório para a aplicação, apesar de não ser o melhor desempenho dentre os laminados. Conclui-se que o laminado [±45]2 é o que apresenta melhor desempenho, em geral e que a redução de massa do semieixo desenvolvido em compósito utilizando este laminado, em relação ao de aço é de 47%. / The automotive half shaft is usually a metallic-based component in which the torque is transmitted from the differential to the wheels. Unlike conventional half shafts, in composite half shafts there are several parameters to be improved, namely fiber orientation, stacking sequence, thickness and number of layers. In this study, composite cylinders for application in half shafts have been processed by filament winding in order to replace conventional steel parts by laminated composites with carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites. For that, it must satisfy several parameters of the composite half shaft, such as critical speed, critical buckling torque and load carrying ability. A preliminary torsional test has been performed and three laminates were selected: [±22/±45], [±89/±45] and [±45]2. Carbon/epoxy cylinders were manufactured by filament winding process and radial and longitudinal compression tests were performed. Mechanical analysis has been accomplished by using analytical and numerical approaches, since the last one is based on the finite element method. Analytical results were compared with the numerical and experimental ones, presenting a good correlation between them. The cylinder [±45]2 has the best performance under torsional loading. For critical buckling torque, as well as radial and longitudinal compression, the laminate [±45]2 presented a satisfactory performance for the application, but not the best performance within the laminates. The main conclusion is that the laminate [± 45]2 has the best performance and the weight reduction of the composite half shaft developed using this laminate is of 47%, when compared to a steel-based shaft.