La stratégie «Adequate shelter for all and sustainable settlements development in an urbanising world» adoptée au sommet mondial Habitat II d’Istanbul de 1996, traduite dans les Objectifs du Millénaire pour le Développement et maintenant dans les Objectifs de Développement Durable, vise à fournir un logement décent au plus grand nombre de ménages dans les villes du monde et celles d’Afrique Subsaharienne en particulier. La crise du logement caractérisée par les conditions abjectes dans lesquelles la majorité des ménages des villes d’Afrique subsaharienne se logent, devient ainsi un problème majeur auquel la littérature spécialisée promeut généralement, parmi tous les modes d’occupation du logement, l’accession à la propriété comme la panacée. En supposant que cette dimension de la crise du logement ne peut s’expliquer que par les comportements résidentiels des ménages généralement autopromoteurs de leurs logements en Afrique de l’Ouest, et à Lomé la capitale du Togo en particulier, cette thèse de doctorat vise à répondre à la question générale de recherche suivante : Les choix résidentiels à Lomé, en particulier le choix du statut d’occupation du logement, sont-ils exclusivement influencés par le profil des ménages occupants? Par une approche mixte d’écologie urbaine basée sur des analyses croisées de régression logistique multinomiale appliquées à trois sources de données (RGPH4 de 2010, QUIBB de 2011, TERRAIN 2013) étayées par l’analyse biographique relative aux stratégies résidentielles d’un échantillon de 411 ménages participants dans quatre quartiers de Lomé, choisie comme base empirique, la recherche a plus ou moins confirmé les hypothèses émises a priori par les résultats principaux suivants: En lien avec la faible mobilité résidentielle générale qui caractérise les pratiques résidentielles à Lomé, les ménages choisissent, en élaborant des stratégies «de petits pas», leur statut d’occupation du logement suivant des trajectoires résidentielles surtout ascendantes, en fonction plus de leur profil démographique (âge, genre, statut migratoire et matrimonial, type et taille) que de leur statut socioéconomique (revenu, emploi, éducation). Ces choix résidentiels sont également déterminés par les attributs des logements (typologie, localisation et accès aux services de base) constituant les parcs résidentiels existants. Les ménages propriétaires de Lomé, souvent biparentaux, sont plus âgés, plus larges que les ménages locataires et hébergés. Les natifs de la ville et les migrants de longue date sont plus enclins à être propriétaires et durablement hébergés que les nouveaux arrivants. Globalement plus fortunés que les hébergés, les propriétaires ne sont pas forcément plus nantis et plus éduqués que les locataires. L’habitat de cour, habitation multifamiliale majoritaire dans le parc résidentiel de Lomé, bien qu’il abrite des ménages de tous les statuts résidentiels, il est surtout réservé aux locataires. La thèse suggère que des programmes accrus de financement institutionnel du logement, de rénovation générale du parc résidentiel existant et de production d’une version améliorée de l’habitat de cour, avec l’assistance technique publique, contribueront à fournir un logement décent au plus grand nombre de ménages qu’ils soient propriétaires, locataires ou hébergés, à Lomé et ailleurs dans les villes d’Afrique de l’Ouest, conformément au paradigme actuel du développement durable des établissements humains. / «Adequate shelter for all and sustainable settlements development in an urbanizing world», strategy adopted in 1996 at the World Summit Habitat II of Istanbul and expressed in the Millennium Development Goals and now in Sustainable Development Goals, aims to provide a decent housing for the greatest number of households in the world and especially in sub-saharian African towns. Since then, access to adequate housing becomes an important issue for housing research in developing and sub-Saharan African countries where most of households still live in abject conditions of lack adequate water and sanitation services which, among others, typify the acute housing crisis they are facing up to. Housing policies and literature generally promote homeownership as the panacea to solve this size of the housing shortage. Assuming that this housing crisis in West Africa, especially in Lomé the capital of Togo, should be explained by the residential behavior of the households, who are self-help promoters in majority, this doctoral thesis try to answer the following general research question: Are the residential choices in Lomé, especially tenure choice, exclusively influenced by the occupier households’ characteristics? By a mixed approach of urban ecology based on multinomial logistic regression cross-study analyses applied to three data sources (RGPH4 2010, QUIBB 2011 and 2013 field survey data) supported by the life histories concerning the residential strategies of a sample of 411 households in four areas of Lomé chosen as empirical basis, the research confirms more or less the assumptions made, by the following main results: In connection with the general low residential mobility that characterizes the residential patterns in Lomé, households make their tenure choices through especially upward trajectories by developing strategies of «small steps», more according to their demographic profile (stage of life cycle, age, gender, migratory and marital status, type, size) than their socioeconomic status (income, employment, education). These residential choices are also determined by the characteristics of the existing residential parks (typology, location, access to basic services of housing). We find that owner-occupiers are often bi-parental households headed by men, older and larger than renter and free-holder households in Lomé. Native and long-term migrant households are more likely to be homeowners and long-term sharers than those who recently migrate. Homeowner households are overall well-off than free-holders, but they are not necessary wealthier and better educated than the renters. The thesis also shows that family house which mainly makes up the residential park of Lomé, is especially kept for renters, although it shelters households of all the tenures. We suggest that steady programmes of housing finance systems extended to all the sectors of the society, concentrated on the access of the current housing stock to basic services and on the supply, with the public technical support, of an improved version of family house, will largely contribute to offer a decent housing to most of the households in Lomé as elsewhere in West African cities, whether they are owner-occupiers, renters or sharers.

<p>The Lake Bosomtwe impact crater is located in the Ashanti region of Ghana, West Africa. The impact crater diameter from rim to rim is approximately 10.5 km wide with a lake located at the center. Three different districts touch the lake containing 155,000 hectacres of land. There are approximately 7,500 people from 24 villages, and 12 of those villages reside within walking distance of the lake shore. Within the last ten years, the lake has been subjected to overfishing and environmental degradation. The health of the lake has declined due to overfishing and algae blooms caused by improper fertilization rates. Because of these factors, residents of the area have been forced to transition to subsidence farming as their main vocation. According to the Ghana Statistical Service group, 97.6% of the population participates in some form of rural crop farming (Ghana Statistical Service, 2010). Experience with common practices such as crop rotation, fertilizer use, and erosion control is extremely limited. The lake has not been recommended for recreational use due to the excess runoff in the form of agrochemicals, liquid, and organic waste. Caged aquaculture and traditional fishing within Lake Bosomtwe is currently illegal.</p><p><br></p><p>A comprehensive Institutional Review Board (IRB) survey was developed for the six primary research questions to be examined. From these six research questions, 147 specific questions were developed. Three of the 147 questions were to obtain Global Positioning System (GPS) data for community households, pit latrines, and water wells or boreholes. This study sought to interview 10-15 farmers per village, for each of the 12 villages located along the shore of Lake Bosomtwe of their perspective on land use change/cover in the Lake Bosomtwe area, current farming practices, current water sanitation and hygiene practices, and current fishing practices. These surveys were collected in the form of oral responses, for which 118 small-holder farmers were interviewed. Of the participants surveyed, 66% were qualified to answer all questions, and 100% of participants completed the survey.</p><p><br></p><p>Some specific statistical tests were conducted based of market assessment survey. It was determined that no association between gender and level of education existed. Meaning, that female participants interviewed have just as many opportunities as male participants to pursue education beyond Junior High School (JHS). Yield averages between the villages on the north side of the lake with road access and villages on the southern portion of the lake with limited to no road access were determined to be significantly different. It was determined that road access does affect village yield. When comparing average usable yields between villages located on the northern side of the lake with road access or between villages on the southern side of the lake with limited to no road access, these results were not statistically significant. No significant difference in the scores for villages with road access on the northern side of the lake and villages with limited to no road access on the southern side of the lake existed. Therefore, road access does not affect village usable yield. Through statistical analysis an association was determined between people who practice bathing and washing in the lake and those who practice fishing as a form of livelihood.</p><p><br></p><p>Four decision matrices were created to prioritize the following items: Farm Components, technologies to showcase at an appropriate technology center, improved farming practices to showcase through Demonstration Plots, and extension outreach topics. The top three results for the Farm Components were: Appropriate Technology Center (ATC), Demonstration Plots, and a Micro-Credit Union. The top three technologies to showcase as part of the ATC are: PICS Bags, Moisture Meters, and Above-Ground Aquaculture. The three demonstration plots recommended terracing/erosion control, crop rotation, and cover crops. The highest priority extension outreach topics were: basic home/farm finance, improving health through washing stations, and post-harvest loss prevention. The top three priorities of each decision matrix will be the focus of further study, so that these topics can be developed and programs focusing on these needs can be implemented in collaboration with the community partners.</p>

Depuis une dizaine d'années, la transformée en ondelettes a été reconnue comme un outil privilégié d'analyse des objets fractals, en permettant de définir un formalisme multifractal généralisé des mesures aux fonctions. Dans une première partie, nous utilisons la méthode MMTO (Maxima du Module de la Transformée en Ondelettes) 2D, outil d'analyse multifractale en traitement d'images pour étudier des mammographies. On démontre les potentialités de la méthode pour le problème de la segmentation de texture rugueuse et la caractérisation géométrique d'amas de microcalcifications, signes précoces d'apparition du cancer du sein. Dans une deuxième partie méthodologique, nous généralisons la méthode MMTO pour l'analyse multifractale de données 3D scalaires et vectorielles, en détaillant la mise en oeuvre numérique et un introduisant la transformée en ondelettes tensorielle. On démontre en particulier que l'utilisation d'une technique de filtres récursifs permet un gain de 25 a 60 \% en temps de calcul suivant l'ondelette analysatrice choisie par rapport à un filtrage par FFT. La méthode MMTO 3D est appliquée sur des simulations numériques directes (SND) des équations de Navier-Stokes en régime turbulent. On montre que les champs 3D de dissipation et d'enstrophie pour des nombres de Reynolds modérés sont bien modélisés par des processus multiplicatifs de cascades non-conservatifs comme en témoigne la mesure de l'exposant d'extinction $\kappa$ qui diffère significativement de zéro. On observe en outre que celui-ci diminue lorsqu'on augmente le nombre de Reynolds. Enfin, on présente les premiers résultats d'une analyse multifractale pleinement vectorielle des champs de vitesse et de vorticité des mêmes simulations numériques en montrant que la valeur du paramètre d'intermittence $C_2$, mesuré par la méthode MMTO 3D tensorielle, est significativement plus grande que celle obtenue en étudiant les incréments de vitesse longitudinaux 1D.

Konsequent betriebener Leichtbau führte und führt weiterhin zu steigender Komplexität in der Blechumformung. Erkenntnisse aus Forschungsaktivitäten zur gezielten Beeinflussung, Regelung und Vollautomatisierung des Tiefziehprozesses konnten jedoch bisher nicht in Großserienpresswerke transferiert werden. Aus diesem Grund wird in dieser Arbeit ein Werkzeugkonzept vorgestellt, welches unter Berücksichtigung der relevanten Randbedingungen eine gezielte lokale Beeinflussung des Umformprozesses ermöglicht. Gleichzeitig gestattet es, mit Hilfe eines neuartigen, optischen Sensorkonzeptes die Geschwindigkeit sowie den Einlaufweg der Platine zu überwachen. Es wird eine methodische Vorgehensweise zur Herstellung von Umformwerkzeugen, auf der neuen Konzeption basierend, beschrieben. Umformsimulationen dienen dabei zur Identifikation von kritischen Bauteilen und deren neuralgischen Zonen. Eine entsprechend angepasste Konstruktion bietet Bauraum für die Implementierung von zusätzlichen Aktuatoren und einem definiert elastischen Einsatz. Abschließende FEM-Analysen mit Volumenmodellen sowie die Kalkulation der Lebensdauer bestätigen eine ausreichende Flexibilität und die erforderliche Dauerfestigkeit. Im Rahmen der experimentellen Analyse konnte eine drastische Verkürzung der Anlaufzeit durch deutlich reduzierten Tuschieraufwand aufgrund der Anpassungsfähigkeit sowie Flexibilität des definiert elastischen Werkzeugkonzeptes nachgewiesen werden. Neben diesem Potential hinsichtlich strukturierter Inbetriebnahmen ermöglicht die Konzeption eine Kompensation von Pressenunterschieden und individuellen Maschinencharakteristika (wie bspw. Stößelverkippungen) wodurch der Transfer von der Einarbeitspresse auf die Produktionsanlage wesentlich weniger Korrekturschleifen hervorruft. Außerdem werden der Qualitätsaufwand (Nachtuschieren) während der laufenden Serienproduktion, Stillstandszeiten und Ausschussquoten stark verringert. Darüber hinaus ergeben sich erweiterte Anwendungsmöglichkeiten bei der Umformung von tailored blanks und aus der Minimierung/Optimierung des Platinenzuschnittes enorme Einsparungs- und Kostenpotentiale. Abschließend werden die Vorteile eines geschlossenen Prozessregelkreises durch die Verknüpfung von Sensorik und Aktorik analysiert. Dabei bestätigt das vorgeschlagene Regelkonzept einer Prozessnachführung die Erhöhung der Prozessstabilität bei schwankenden Prozessparametern durch die gezielte, lokale Verteilung der Flächenpressung. Zuletzt diskutiert der vorliegende Beitrag Transfermöglichkeiten der Verbesserungspotentiale in kommende Serienwerkzeuge vor dem Hintergrund von Kostenrestriktionen und Minimierung des bedientechnischen sowie konstruktiven Aufwandes.

Study of biosensors has become an essential part of research in biotechnology. Biosensors as fast, portable, highly sensitive, and low-cost bioanalytical detection devices have been utilized in many fields of human activity. The first part of the presented work focuses on electrochemical biosensors for rapid environmental screening of herbicides as water pollutants. A sol-gel immobilization method for a photosystem II (PSII) complex is studied in order to enhance the sensitivity and the signal strength and stability of a PSII-based biosensor. Computer simulations of a PSII biosensor are employed with the aim to find out how the immobilization membrane properties influence the biosensor parameters. Newly developed immobilization by a thin-layer membrane based on the results of computer simulations and revised measurement protocols are presented. The second part of the work is devoted to synthesis and electrochemical detection of newly developed metal labels for electrochemical immunosensors. The synthesis of dendrimer-encapsulated silver nanoparticles and biorecognition properties of biotin-nanocomposite conjugates are discussed. For detection of synthesized labels, a microfluidic detector was manufactured and tested and different approaches to packing of a microfluidic chip employing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were investigated. Newly designed microstructures for a microfluidic separator of magnetic beads (MBs) were studied by computer simulations. The separator was made and trapping of MBs for the further employment in MBs-based immunoassays are presented

Este trabalho propõe-se a estudar, mediante abordagem teórica e prática, o regime jurídico das debêntures, tendo em vista as recentes alterações introduzidas pela Lei nº 12.431, de 24 de junho de 2011, que promoveu mudanças significativas em sua disciplina, bem como examinar os problemas e questões atuais das debêntures em um contexto evolutivo da doutrina e dos casos práticos que lhe são submetidos à análise, tendo em vista o uso cada vez mais frequente desse mecanismo de financiamento das sociedades. Busca-se, também, examinar o funcionamento do mercado de debêntures e as novas propostas para incentivar a circulação dos títulos de dívida. Dentre as questões mais controvertidas a serem estudadas neste trabalho, destacam-se as seguintes: (i) evolução da natureza jurídica do instituto, em que as debêntures são vistas como títulos de dívida pertencentes à categoria dos valores mobiliários; (ii) criação do novo mercado de debêntures, como avanço à proposta do Novo Mercado de Renda Fixa; (iii) possibilidade de emissão de debêntures por sociedades limitadas e cooperativas, em razão da ausência de vedação legal e da existência de normas que lhe dão suporte jurídico; (iv) realização de negócios jurídicos com debêntures que vão além da sua função econômica de financiamento da empresa; (v) existência da organização dos debenturistas, em complemento à ideia de comunhão de interesses, tendo em vista o seu caráter orgânico; e, por fim, (vi) se os deveres fiduciários dos administradores se voltariam também aos interesses dos debenturistas, como credores especiais da sociedade emitente. / This work aims to study, through a theoretical and practical approach, the legal system of debentures in view of the recent changes introduced by Law No. 1431, of June 24, 2011, affecting significantly their discipline, and also to examine their current problems and issues within the evolutionary context of the doctrine and the case studies that are submitted to analysis, since the use of this financing mechanism by companies has been increasingly frequent. It also seeks to examine the functioning of the debenture market and the new proposals to stimulate the circulation of debt bonds. Amongst the most controversial issues to be studied in this work, the following are highlighted: (i) the evolution of the legal nature of this institute, in which debentures are seen as debt notes pertaining to the category of securities; (ii) the creation of a new debenture market as an advancement to the proposal of the New Fixed Income Market; (iii) the possibility of limited partnerships and cooperatives issuing debentures in view of the absence of a legal prohibition and the existence of norms that give legal support to it; (iv) the consummation of legal transactions with debentures that go beyond their economic function of business financing; (v) the existence of a debenture holder organization as a complement to the idea of pooling of interests, in view of its organic character; and, finally, (vi) whether the fiduciary duties of the administrators would also accommodate the interests of the debenture holders, while in their position of special creditors to the issuing business.

Cílem diplomové práce je navrhnout konstrukční řešení držáků vzorků pro vysokofrekvenční elektron paramagnetickou resonanci. Předmětem návrhu je vytvořit jednoduchý zamykací systém pro spojování mikrovlnného vlnovodu a držáku vzorku. Dále navrhnout systém s řešením držáku pro více vzorků. Toto unikátní provedení držáku povede k několikanásobné úspoře celkového času měření vzorků. Poslední návrh spočívá v optimalizaci držáku vzorku s možností naklápění osy, kterou lze díky přímému napojení na piezoelektrický rotátor pootáčet s přesností na miliradiány. Oba typy držáku vzorku jsou navrženy s ohledem na automatizaci měření.

MESHWR / Department of Hydrology and Water Resources / Irrigation uses the largest amount of water, estimating to 60 % of the total consumption in South Africa. For this reason, the efficient and reasonable use of water by irrigators is of paramount importance. Thus, this study was carried out to assess the suitability of Wetting Front Detectors (WFDs) in improving water management. The study involved an on-farm survey; field installations; testing of WFD technology on selected plots within the scheme; identification of the crops grown; documentation of the current water supply and documentation of the challenges faced by farmers in relation to irrigation. These were carried out to identify the ideal situations in the scheme. Irrigation scheduling helps farmers to know when to irrigate and amount of water required supplying for crop need. The study presented WFD, as a means of improving irrigation efficiency. The WFD is a simple tool that helps farmers to identify what is occurring around the root zone. Four plots with a representative farmer in each of the plot were identified in four Blocks (Block 1 farmer 1, Block 1 farmer 2; Block 2 farmer 1; Block 3 farmer 1 and Block 4 farmer 1). On-farm experiment of the WFD was carried out. However, with Block 4 farmer 1, insufficient data was collected due to absence of LongStop equipment. This also involved field installation, observation and measurements of the LongStops (LSs) and FullStops (FSs) WFDs at placement depth of 30 cm, 45 cm and 60 cm. The efficiency of an irrigation system depends on different performance indicators including Irrigation Efficiency (IE), Conveyance Efficiency (CE), Application Efficiency (AE), Storage Efficiency (SE), Distribution Uniformity (DU) and Coefficient uniformity (CU). In this study, attention was focused only on DU; CU and SE, as represented by water moisture availability. All the DU for all plots in blocks were below the standard DU of furrow, which is 65%. Farmer 2, in Block 1, had a higher DU and CU, which were 60% and 68%, respectively- considered closer to the standard DU value. For the other farmers, their DU and CU prior to irrigation were very low, which indicated that there was uneven distribution of water in these plots. The poor DU in Block 1 farmer 1, indicated by the uneven infiltrated water, resulted in excessive watering. Analysing the WFD showed that farmers were performed well in all the Blocks, except for farmer 1 in Block 1. Average soil moisture content result indicated high water loss through deep percolation. The highest volumes of water recorded before and after irrigation were 131 ml and 159 ml, respectively, for LS90 placed at a depth of 90 cm in Block 2 farmer 1. High volumes of water were collected in Block 1 farmer 2, Block 2 farmer 1 and Block 3 farmer 1 before and after irrigation. The result showed that, the more placement depth down the soil profile, the more accumulation of water in the LSs. Therefore, it was recommended that farmers continue to use the WFD as a tool for irrigation efficiency. However, there is need for improvement and capacity building in using the tool.

Konsequent betriebener Leichtbau führte und führt weiterhin zu steigender Komplexität in der Blechumformung. Erkenntnisse aus Forschungsaktivitäten zur gezielten Beeinflussung, Regelung und Vollautomatisierung des Tiefziehprozesses konnten jedoch bisher nicht in Großserienpresswerke transferiert werden. Aus diesem Grund wird in dieser Arbeit ein Werkzeugkonzept vorgestellt, welches unter Berücksichtigung der relevanten Randbedingungen eine gezielte lokale Beeinflussung des Umformprozesses ermöglicht. Gleichzeitig gestattet es, mit Hilfe eines neuartigen, optischen Sensorkonzeptes die Geschwindigkeit sowie den Einlaufweg der Platine zu überwachen. Es wird eine methodische Vorgehensweise zur Herstellung von Umformwerkzeugen, auf der neuen Konzeption basierend, beschrieben. Umformsimulationen dienen dabei zur Identifikation von kritischen Bauteilen und deren neuralgischen Zonen. Eine entsprechend angepasste Konstruktion bietet Bauraum für die Implementierung von zusätzlichen Aktuatoren und einem definiert elastischen Einsatz. Abschließende FEM-Analysen mit Volumenmodellen sowie die Kalkulation der Lebensdauer bestätigen eine ausreichende Flexibilität und die erforderliche Dauerfestigkeit. Im Rahmen der experimentellen Analyse konnte eine drastische Verkürzung der Anlaufzeit durch deutlich reduzierten Tuschieraufwand aufgrund der Anpassungsfähigkeit sowie Flexibilität des definiert elastischen Werkzeugkonzeptes nachgewiesen werden. Neben diesem Potential hinsichtlich strukturierter Inbetriebnahmen ermöglicht die Konzeption eine Kompensation von Pressenunterschieden und individuellen Maschinencharakteristika (wie bspw. Stößelverkippungen) wodurch der Transfer von der Einarbeitspresse auf die Produktionsanlage wesentlich weniger Korrekturschleifen hervorruft. Außerdem werden der Qualitätsaufwand (Nachtuschieren) während der laufenden Serienproduktion, Stillstandszeiten und Ausschussquoten stark verringert. Darüber hinaus ergeben sich erweiterte Anwendungsmöglichkeiten bei der Umformung von tailored blanks und aus der Minimierung/Optimierung des Platinenzuschnittes enorme Einsparungs- und Kostenpotentiale. Abschließend werden die Vorteile eines geschlossenen Prozessregelkreises durch die Verknüpfung von Sensorik und Aktorik analysiert. Dabei bestätigt das vorgeschlagene Regelkonzept einer Prozessnachführung die Erhöhung der Prozessstabilität bei schwankenden Prozessparametern durch die gezielte, lokale Verteilung der Flächenpressung. Zuletzt diskutiert der vorliegende Beitrag Transfermöglichkeiten der Verbesserungspotentiale in kommende Serienwerkzeuge vor dem Hintergrund von Kostenrestriktionen und Minimierung des bedientechnischen sowie konstruktiven Aufwandes.

This bachelor thesis, developed at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Linaeus Univesity, targets the enhancement of fire extinguisher accessibility and durability on forest machinery for Rottne Industries AB. The study responds to the basic limitations in traditional fire extinguisher storage methods within the forest machinery sector, where current designs fail to provide sufficient robustness and accessibility in forest environments. These challenges are mixed with the physical demands and potential hazards of forest operations.  Through a systematic review of safety measures, this research introduces an innovative concept for a universal fire extinguisher holder adaptable across various models of forest machinery at Rottne Industries AB. The project has a structured product development process, advancing through stages from theoretical design and optimization to 3D CAD modeling and simulation. The resulting design enhances both the structural integrity and functional accessibility of fire extinguishers, significantly improving response capabilities during fire emergencies. This thesis combines advanced engineering principles with appropriate design strategies to deliver a solution that not only increases the accessibility of fire extinguishers but also enhances their durability under operational stresses typical in forestry environments. The findings promise to elevate fire safety standards in forest operations, potentially standardizing fire safety protocols across the forestry sector and specifically advancing the safety agenda of Rottne Industries AB.