This thesis discusses the relationship between the two forces—the Internet and the conventional media, and the rules and etiquette that have governed these media from the mid-1990s to present day. I divide the history of interaction between them into three phases, corresponding to different power balances and stances in the field of cultural production. By analyzing three Internet-themed TV talk show episodes, I probe how the Internet has gradually evolved into an active competitor, and how the conventional media have correspondingly changed their stance in response to their thriving counterpart. / text

The use of high-precision automated equipment is steadily increasing due in part to the progressively smaller sizes of electronic circuits. Currently, piezoelectric transducers (piezos) dominate as the actuation device for high precision machines, but shape memory alloys (SMA) may be a viable alternative to reduce monetary costs. This work explores the implementation of a low-cost linear macro-micro positioning system. The system consists of a modified printer carriage to provide long range, macro scale linear motion (approximately 200 mm range and 200 µm precision) and a micro scale system (approximately 4 mm range and 5 µm target precision) that uses an SMA actuator. A detailed description of the design and implementation of the system is given in this research. A model of the macro-stage is then generated by first identifying and inverting a simple friction model to linearize the system, thereby allowing for modified least squares (MLS) identification of a linear model. Various controllers are attempted for the macro-stage and compared with an experimentally tuned nonlinear PD controller that is implemented in the final design. A model of the micro-stage is derived through analysis of the SMA actuator. The model for the actuator is separated into two portions, an electro-thermal model, and a hysteresis model. The hysteresis model is derived using the Preisach model, and the electro-thermal model through MLS identification. To control the micro-stage, a PI controller with antiwindup is developed experimentally. The two stages are then executed together in closed loop and the resulting coupling between the two stages is briefly examined. Experimental data used for the modelling and design is presented, along with results of the final macro-micro linear positioning system.

The use of high-precision automated equipment is steadily increasing due in part to the progressively smaller sizes of electronic circuits. Currently, piezoelectric transducers (piezos) dominate as the actuation device for high precision machines, but shape memory alloys (SMA) may be a viable alternative to reduce monetary costs. This work explores the implementation of a low-cost linear macro-micro positioning system. The system consists of a modified printer carriage to provide long range, macro scale linear motion (approximately 200 mm range and 200 µm precision) and a micro scale system (approximately 4 mm range and 5 µm target precision) that uses an SMA actuator. A detailed description of the design and implementation of the system is given in this research. A model of the macro-stage is then generated by first identifying and inverting a simple friction model to linearize the system, thereby allowing for modified least squares (MLS) identification of a linear model. Various controllers are attempted for the macro-stage and compared with an experimentally tuned nonlinear PD controller that is implemented in the final design. A model of the micro-stage is derived through analysis of the SMA actuator. The model for the actuator is separated into two portions, an electro-thermal model, and a hysteresis model. The hysteresis model is derived using the Preisach model, and the electro-thermal model through MLS identification. To control the micro-stage, a PI controller with antiwindup is developed experimentally. The two stages are then executed together in closed loop and the resulting coupling between the two stages is briefly examined. Experimental data used for the modelling and design is presented, along with results of the final macro-micro linear positioning system.

This study explores resolution mechanisms for all types of medical malpractice cases with a special focus on the patients and their families¡¦ subjective experiences in such disputes, as well as the relevant factors that influence the process of decision-making and the relevant results. The previous studies on patients¡¦ actions to medical disputes in the literature assumed that patients and their families took certain actions due to monetary reasons or discriminated status under a restricted medical system. Most studies simply state the variables that led the patients and their families to certain resolution mechanism. Nevertheless, not many researchers have explored the micro experiences of meaning construction during the process to resolve malpractice cases. Neither did they study how the patients interpret the cultural and structural variables, which might result in different dispute resolution mechanism being used. Therefore, this study attempts to develop a tentative approach to integrate macro and micro analyses and take the advantage of the procedure of grounded theory to explore the dynamic process in the resolution of disputes over medical malpractice. In-depth interviews were applied in the study involving 16 patients and their family members, 13 third party groups and two physicians for a total of 31 people. Among the 16 patients and their family members, there were 14 cases of medical treatment dispute. It was found that the core concept of ¡§admitting a mistake was made¡¨ is the main goal of patients and their family members when dealing with the dispute. If the injury is not critical, normally the physician will admit his/her mistake in the beginning of the dispute. If the injury is critical, since the patients and their family members not having professional knowledge regarding medical injury and their social economical status as well as lower mobilization capabilities than physicians, they do not get an apology or the truth regarding the medical injury. They only receive compensation at most. There are two key causes of providing compensation: (a) crisscrossed interpersonal connection between patient, physician and the third party, such as a civil representative, who plays the role of coordinator; (b) after litigation, usually the court prosecutor or the judge will mediate between the patient and physician, so that compensation can be made. No direct judgment is made. Yet the patients and their family members are not satisfied because they do not receive a response from the involved physician regarding their request about ¡§admitting mistake was made¡¨ which is terminated since their is no money for further litigation, pressure from the civil representative or other objections of the family members. Furthermore, the interview of the third party and the involved physician show that public hospitals are more afraid of irrational acts from patients and their family members or the intervention of the civil representative when dealing with medical disputes. Even if there is no medical negligence, they still submit to the requests of the patients and their family members.

The non-contact nature of magnetic actuation makes it useful in a variety of microscale applications, from microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip devices to classical MEMS or even microrobotics. Ferromagnetic materials like nickel are particularly attractive, because they can be easily deposited and patterned using traditional lithography-based microscale fabrication methods. However, the response of ferromagnetic materials in a magnetic field can be difficult to predict. When placed in a magnetic field, high magnetization is induced in these ferromagnetic materials, which in turn generates force and/or torque on the ferromagnetic bodies. The magnitude and direction of these forces are highly dependent on the type of material used, the volume and aspect ratio of the ferromagnetic material, as well as the spatial distribution and magnitude of the magnetic field. It is important to understand these complex interactions in order to optimize force and torque generated, particularly given common limitations found in microfabrication, where it is often challenging to deposit large volumes of ferromagnetic material using conventional microdeposition methods, and power availability is also often limited, which in turn limits the ability to generate strong electromagnetic fields for actuation. This work represents a theoretical analysis and experimental validation in macro scale to determine best practices when designing ferromagnetic actuators for microscale applications. Specifically, the use of nickel thin film prisms actuated in spatially uniform electromagnetic fields. These constraints were chosen because uniform magnetic fields can be readily generated with a simple and inexpensive Helmholtz coil design, and the uniformity makes actuation force independent of location, minimizing the need for spatial precision in devices. Nickel can also be easily deposited using evaporation or sputtering, generally in forms of thin-films.

No description available.

Les déchets plastiques s'accumulent depuis plusieurs décennies dans les océans où ils se fragmentent en particules appelés microplastiques lorsque leur taille est inférieure à 5 mm. Ces microplastiques sont retrouvés dans toutes les eaux du globe, dans les sédiments ainsi que dans de nombreux organismes marins. Le devenir physicochimique à long terme de ces particules et leur possible fragmentation en nanoplastiques sont complexes, encore peu documentés et nécessitent des études en laboratoire.Afin de comprendre les processus liés à la photodégradation et à la fragmentation des polymères dans l’environnement, mais également dans le but d’'appréhender l’évolution des fragments générés au cours de l’irradiation, un protocole de vieillissement accéléré en milieu abiotique a été mis en place sur des polymères modèles. Le suivi de l’oxydation et de la fragmentation des deux polymères étudiés,polyéthylène basse densité et polypropylène, a été mené à l’aide de techniques spectroscopiques (infrarouge, Raman), DSC, angles de contact, et microscopiques (lumière polarisée, MEB, AFM…).Ce travail a permis de mettre en évidence l’influence significative de l’environnement et de la morphologie initiale des polymères sur leurs cinétiques de vieillissement et leurs mécanismes de fissuration. Ainsi des distributions en nombres, tailles et formes de fragments très différentes ont été obtenues pour les deux polymères selon la présence d’eau. Enfin, après un long temps d’irradiation, des produits de dégradation ont pu être détectés mais la production significative de nanoplastiques n’a pas été démontrée. L'hypothèse d'une taille limite de fragmentation devrait être envisagée. / Plastic wastes have been accumulating for several decades in the oceans where they break up into particles called microplastics when their size is less than 5 mm. These microplastics are found in all earth’s waters, in sediments and in many marine organisms. Their long-term physico-chemical fate and their possible fragmentation into nanoplastics are complex, still poorly documented and require laboratory studies.In order to understand the processes related to photodegradation and fragmentation of polymers, but also in order to understand the evolution of these fragments during irradiation, an accelerated aging protocol in abiotic conditions has been set up. The oxidation and fragmentation of two model polymers, low density polyethylene and polypropylene, were monitored using spectroscopic techniques (InfraRed, Raman), DSC, contact angles and microscopic technics (light microscopy, polarized light, SEM, AFM ...).This work has demonstrated a significant influence of the environment and the initial morphology of the polymers on their kinetics of aging and cracking mechanisms. This lead to significantly different distributions in numbers, sizes and shapes of the generated fragments. Moreover, after a long time of irradiaiton, other degradation products could be detected but the significant production of nanoplastics has not been demonstrated. The possibility of a size limit below which the fragmentation rate of plastics would strongly decrease should be considered.

Objetivando-se estudar o efeito da suplementação mineral no desenvolvimento reprodutivo de bubalinos do desmame aos 24 meses de idade, utilizaram-se 110 búfalos, distribuídos em três experimentos (A, B e C), que foram criados em três propriedades (GA, GB e GC) no Estado do Pará. Os experimentos A e B foram realizados em áreas de terra firme com pastagens cultivadas (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) em manejos rotacionado e extensivo, respectivamente, com capacidade de suporte e perfil nutricional da forragem, semelhantes. O experimento C foi desenvolvido em áreas de várzea na Ilha de Marajó, com pastagens nativas constituídas, principalmente, por Panicum sp, Axonopus sp e Paspalum sp. Em todas as propriedades dividiram-se os animais em dois grupos (experimento A: GA1 e GA2, experimento B: GB1 e GB2, e experimento C: GC1 e GC2) que foram mantidos a pasto com diferentes suplementações minerais. Os animais foram pesados a cada 28 dias e receberam distintos suplementos minerais: grupos GA2 e GB2 mistura mineral, a ser testada, indicada para búfalos; grupos GA1 e GB1 - misturas minerais utilizadas rotineiramente na fazenda e recomendadas para bovinos; GC1 animais não suplementados e GC2 mistura mineral indicada para búfalos criados em áreas de várzea com águas salobras. As sobras da mistura mineral foram recolhidas semanalmente para se calcular o consumo real da mesma. A cada 56 dias as circunferências escrotais, comprimentos, larguras e espessuras dos testículos foram mensurados, como também foi avaliada a disponibilidade quali-quantitativa da forragem. Aos 22 meses de idade, 77 búfalos foram submetidos a colheitas de sêmen semanais, nos meses de maio e junho de 2005 (n = 616 amostras de sêmen), através de eletroejaculação para se analisar as características físico-morfológicas do sêmen. No plasma seminal foram, determinadas as concentrações de Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Co, Fe, Zn e Mn. Após 14 meses de estudos constatou-se que tanto os animais do grupo GA2 como os do GB2 obtiveram um maior ganho de peso médio diário (p<0,0001). O grupo GA1 consumiu uma maior (p<0,0001) quantidade de mistura mineral, enquanto que para os grupos GB1 e GB2 não houve diferença significativa. As medidas testiculares do grupo GA2 foram significativamente maiores, ao final do estudo, do que as do grupo GA1, demonstrando com isso um efeito da suplementação mineral sobre estas variáveis. Para o grupo GB2 a espessura, a largura e o volume testicular foram significativamente maiores. As demais medidas não sofreram variações significativas. No experimento C não houve variação entre o peso e o ganho de peso para ambos os grupos. Isso provavelmente esta relacionado ao baixo consumo de mistura mineral pelo grupo GC2. Essa pequena diferença do peso entre os grupos GC1 e GC2 foi acompanhada por uma diferença não significativa nas medidas testiculares dos grupos. Deduz-se que devido as altas correlações positivas entre a circunferência escrotal (CE), o peso corporal e demais medidas dos testículos, a CE possa ser utilizada para predizer o tamanho testicular. Conclui-se ainda que a suplementação mineral testada exerceu efeito positivo sobre o peso e o ganho de peso médio diário dos animais dos experimentos A e B. Evidenciou-se médias significativamente maiores para as características físicas do sêmen dos animais que receberam a suplementação mineral testada (GA2) com exceção da concentração espermática. Para as características morfológicas do ejaculado, observou-se que os animais do grupo GA1 apresentaram médias significativamente maiores para o número total de espermatozóides anormais. Não foram verificadas diferenças significativas nas características físicas e morfológicas do sêmen dos grupos GB1 e GB2, com exceção do volume do ejaculado e da motilidade progressiva que foram significativamente maiores para os animais do grupo GB2. Observaram-se correlações significativas, porém baixas, entre a CE a algumas características do ejaculado. Conclui-se, portanto que houve influência da suplementação mineral nas características físicas e morfológicas do sêmen dos animais do experimento A, com melhores resultados para o grupo GA2, que consumiram a suplementação mineral testada; constatou-se, ainda, uma tendência de uma melhor qualidade no sêmen dos animais do grupo GB2. Foi possível averiguar que não houve diferença significativa para os constituintes macro e microminerais do plasma seminal de búfalos jovens, criados em pastejo rotacionado, exceto para os níveis de manganês que foram significativamente maiores para os animais do grupo GA2. Obtiveram-se os seguintes valores para Ca (14,32 ± 6,40 mg/dl), P (3,86 ± 3,30 mg/dl), Mg (11,64 ± 7,02 mg/dl), Zn (4,23 ± 1,35 &mu;g/ml), Fe (8,23 ± 2,38 &mu;g/ml), Cu (0,17 ± 0,07 &mu;g/ml), Co (0,06 ± 0,04 &mu;g/ml) e Mn (0,08 ± &mu;0,06 g/ml) contidos no plasma seminal de búfalos criados em pastejo rotacionado. Os animais do grupo GB2 apresentaram maiores níveis de fósforo e cobalto do que os do grupo GB1, que por sua vez obtiveram maiores teores de manganês. Encontraram-se os seguintes valores Ca (12,16 ± 2,97 mg/dl), P (4,01 ± 4,46 mg/dl), Mg (11,37 ± 6,48 mg/dl), Zn (4,02 ± 1,39 &mu;g/ml), Fe (6,73 ± 1,80 &mu;g/ml), Cu (0,07 ± 0,03 &mu;g/ml), Co (0,14 ± 0,06 &mu;g/ml) e Mn (0,17 ± 0,11 &mu;g/ml) contidos no plasma seminal de búfalos criados em sistema extensivo. Muito embora alguns minerais tenham apresentado correlações significativas com algumas características do ejaculado, essas foram baixas. Portanto não se observou uma variação quali-quantitativa nas concentrações físicas e morfológicas do ejaculado de búfalos jovens criados em pastejo rotacionado e sistema extensivo, em função da concentração de minerais no plasma seminal. / To objectify the study of the effect of mineral supplementation in the reproductive development of buffaloes of wean in the 24 months of age, were used 110 buffaloes, distributed in three experiments (A, B e C) created in three farms (GA, GB e GC) in the Para State. The experiments A e B were realized in areas of firm soil with cultivated pasture (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) in rotational and extensive management, respectively, with similar capacity of support and nutritional profile of the forage. The experiment C was developed in tilled plain areas in Marajo Island, with native pasture basically formed by Panicum sp, Axonopus sp e Paspalum sp. In all farms the animals were divided in two groups (A: GA1 e GA2 experiment, B: GB1 e GB2 experiment, and C: GC1 e GC2 experiment) which were maintained in the pasture with different mineral supplements. The animals were pondered in each 28 days and received different mineral supplements: GA2 and GB2 groups mineral blend, to be tested, indicated to buffaloes; GA1 and GB1 groups mineral blend used in a regular procedure in the farm and recommended to bovines; GC1 group not supplemented animals and GC2 group mineral blend indicated to buffaloes created in tilled plain areas with salutary waters. The remaining mineral blends were collected weekly to calculate the real use of the blends. In each 56 days the scrotal circumferences, lengths and widths of the testis were measured, and was evaluated the availablebility of the quality and the quantity of the forage, as well. In the 22 month of age, 77 buffaloes were submitted to weekly semen collects, in May and June of 2005 (n = 616 semen samples), trough electroejaculation to analyze the semen physic and morphologic characteristics. In the seminal plasma were determined the Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Co, Fe, Zn e Mn concentration. After 14 months of research both animal groups (GA2 and GB2 groups) got larger diary medium weight gain (p<0,0001). The GA1 group has consumed a larger (p<0,0001) quantity of mineral blend, although to the GB1 and GB2 groups there wasnt any significative difference. The testicular measurements of GA2 group were significatively larger, at the end of the research, as the GA1 group, proving that the effects of mineral supplement on these variants. To the GB2 group the thickness, the width and the testicular volume were significatively larger. The others measurements havent significant variations. In the C experiment there wasnt any variation between the weight and gain of weight to both groups. This is probably connected to low use of mineral blend by GC2 group. This insignificant difference of the weight between GC1 and GC2 group was followed by an insignificant difference in the testicular measurements of the groups. Due to high positive correlations between the scrotal circumference (SC), the weight of the body e others measurements, deduce that the SC can be used to predict the testicular size. It can be concluded, as well, that the tested mineral supplement carried out a positive effect on the weight and the gain of diary medium weight of the animals in the experiments A and B. The research proved significant bigger mean rates to the physical characteristics of the animals semen that received the tested mineral supplement (GA2) with exception of spermatic concentration. To the morphological characteristics of semen, it observed that the GA1 animal group showed significant mean rates larger to the total number of abnormal sperm. Significant differences werent noted in the physical and morphological characteristics of the semen of GB1 and GB2 groups, with exception of the volume of the semen and of the motility progressive which were significatively larger to the animals of GB2 group. Significant, but low correlations between the SC and some characteristics of the semen were observed. Consequently, it can be concluded, there were influence of the mineral supplement in the physical and morphological characteristics of the animals semen of A experiment, with better results to GA2 group , that consumed the tested mineral supplement; a tendency of a better quality of the animals semen of the GB2 group animals. Was possible to verify there werent important difference to the macro and micro mineral constituents of the seminal plasma of young buffaloes, created in rotational pasture system, except to the levels of manganese which were significatively larger to the GA2 group animals. The next values were obtained: to Ca (14,32 ± 6,40 mg/dl), P (3,86 ± 3,30 mg/dl), Mg (11,64 ± 7,02 mg/dl), Zn (4,23 ± 1,35 &mu;g/ml), Fe (8,23 ± 2,38 &mu;g/ml), Cu (0,17 ± 0,07 &mu;g/ml), Co (0,06 ± 0,04 &mu;g/ml) e Mn (0,08 ± 0,06 &mu;g/ml) contained in the seminal plasma of the buffaloes created in rotational pasture system. The GB2 group animals introduced larger levels phosphorus and cobalt than the GB1 group, which obtained larger values of manganese. The following values were also discovered: Ca (12,16 ± 2,97 mg/dl), P (4,01 ± 4,46 mg/dl), Mg (11,37 ± 6,48 mg/dl), Zn (4,02 ± 1,39 &mu;g/ml), Fe (6,73 ± 1,80 &mu;g/ml), Cu (0,07 ± 0,03 &mu;g/ml), Co (0,14 ± 0,06 &mu;g/ml) e Mn (0,17 ± 0,11 &mu;g/ml) contained in the seminal plasma of the buffaloes created in extensive system. In spite of some minerals have presented significant correlations with some characteristics of the semen, these ones were lows. Then a variation of the quality and the quantity of physical and morphological concentrations of the semen of young buffaloes created in rotational pasture system and extensive system werent observed.

<p>Date: 6/16/2008</p><p>Institution: School of Sustainable Development of Society and Technology, Mälardalen University, Västerås (Sweden)</p><p>Authors:</p><p>Brüning, Andrea</p><p>830111</p><p>Västerås</p><p>Curtolo,Anna</p><p>820517</p><p>Västerås</p><p>Tutor: Tobias Eltebrandt</p><p>Title: A Study of Switch Pac: what would be the efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand and capitalize on green attitudes and behavior in the Swedish market?</p><p>Problem: What would be the efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand and capitalize on green attitudes and behavior in the Swedish market?</p><p>Purpose: The aim of our project is to see the potential of Switch Pac’s oxo-biodegradable plastic bags on the Swedish market by capitalize on green attitudes and behaviour.</p><p>Method: The report is based on primary data collected through questionnaires (end consumer/ B2B customers). For the investigation of Switch Pac’s macro- and microenvironment secondary data was used (books, journals, newspaper and the Internet)</p><p>Conceptual Framework: The conceptual framework consists of certain models to investigate the following topics:</p><p>Consumer behavior</p><p>AIDA-Model</p><p>STP-Model</p><p>Switch Pac´s business environment</p><p>PESTEL</p><p>Conclusion/ Recommendations: In our conclusion based on our frameworks PESTEL, AIDA and STP we concluded that peoples’ awareness regarding environmental friendly plastic bags are not very high based on our questionnaire. The efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand is to target the customer in the age range from 20 – 49 years and cooperate with supermarkets and (department) stores. Furthermore, Switch Pac needs to position its products in the consumers mind through create brand awareness by using certain elements of the marketing mix model.</p>

Date: 6/16/2008 Institution: School of Sustainable Development of Society and Technology, Mälardalen University, Västerås (Sweden) Authors: Brüning, Andrea 830111 Västerås Curtolo,Anna 820517 Västerås Tutor: Tobias Eltebrandt Title: A Study of Switch Pac: what would be the efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand and capitalize on green attitudes and behavior in the Swedish market? Problem: What would be the efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand and capitalize on green attitudes and behavior in the Swedish market? Purpose: The aim of our project is to see the potential of Switch Pac’s oxo-biodegradable plastic bags on the Swedish market by capitalize on green attitudes and behaviour. Method: The report is based on primary data collected through questionnaires (end consumer/ B2B customers). For the investigation of Switch Pac’s macro- and microenvironment secondary data was used (books, journals, newspaper and the Internet) Conceptual Framework: The conceptual framework consists of certain models to investigate the following topics: Consumer behavior AIDA-Model STP-Model Switch Pac´s business environment PESTEL Conclusion/ Recommendations: In our conclusion based on our frameworks PESTEL, AIDA and STP we concluded that peoples’ awareness regarding environmental friendly plastic bags are not very high based on our questionnaire. The efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand is to target the customer in the age range from 20 – 49 years and cooperate with supermarkets and (department) stores. Furthermore, Switch Pac needs to position its products in the consumers mind through create brand awareness by using certain elements of the marketing mix model.