A síncope neurocardiogênica (SNC) é caracterizada por perda transitória da consciência e do controle postural, devido a uma hipoperfusão cerebral global de surgimento abrupto, com recuperação rápida e espontânea do paciente ao retornar à posição horizontal. Entretanto, investigações adicionais são necessárias para melhor avaliação das respostas cardiorrespiratórias e autonômicas de pacientes com SNC submetidos ao Tilt-test. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar, em pacientes com história clínica sugestiva de SNC, os efeitos da mudança postural induzidas pelo Tilt-test na pressão arterial (PA) e frequência cardíaca (FC), na variabilidade cardiocirculatória e na sensibilidade barorreflexa (SBR). Além disso, o estudo também avaliou a relação entre a idade, sexo e características antropométricas dos pacientes com as respostas ao Tilt-test, e a relação entre o tempo do início da mudança postural e o momento da síncope, com um ou mais parâmetros acima mencionados. O estudo foi dividido em 3 partes: 1 Estudo retrospectivo de 180 pacientes, com história clínica sugestiva de SNC, mas que apresentaram Tilt-test positivo (TTP) (128 indivíduos) ou negativo (TTN) (52 indivíduos) para síncope; 2 Estudo da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC), usando-se métodos lineares (Transformada Rápida de Fourier) em pacientes com história clínica sugestiva de SNC, e com respostas positiva ou negativa ao Tilt-test. Foram incluídos 62 pacientes, 31 com Tilt-test positivo e 31 negativo; 3 Estudo da variabilidade da pressão arterial sistólica (VPAS), usando-se métodos lineares (Transformada Rápida de Fourier), e da SBR (Método da Sequência) em pacientes com história clínica sugestiva de SNC, e com respostas positiva ou negativa ao Tilt-test. Foram estudados 33 indivíduos, 16 com Tilt-test positivo e 17 negativo. Estudo 1 Observou-se que a incidência de SNC foi 1,5 vezes maior em mulheres do que em homens. Além disso, os grupos TTP e TTN apresentaram idade e características antropométricas semelhantes entre si, e não houve significância estatística nas correlações entre o tempo do início da posição vertical até a síncope, a idade e as características antropométricas. Estudo 2 Comparando os 2 grupos nos domínios do tempo (SD-iRR, variância-iRR, RMSSD) e da frequência (LF (un), HF (un) e LF/HF) nas fases Pré-Tilt, Tilt e Pós-Tilt, com exceção do iRR (ms), não observou-se diferença entre os grupos. Houve, na fase Tilt, um menor valor do iRR no grupo TTP. O Pré-Tilt comparado ao Tilt, promoveu em ambos os grupos redução do iRR e aumento na razão LF/HF. Estudo 3 Comparando-se os grupos TTP e TTN no Pré-Tilt e Tilt, não houve diferença no LF da PAS e na SBR. O Tilt promoveu, em ambos os grupos, aumento no LF da PAS, redução na SBR. Somente no grupo TTP foi observado aumento no desvio padrão da PAS durante o Tilt. Em conclusão, o estudo 1 demonstrou que a SNC não foi influenciada pela idade e características antropométricas, no que diz respeito à prevalência, e ao tempo de duração entre o início da mudança postural no Tilt-test e o momento do aparecimento da síncope na posição vertical. O estudo 2 demonstrou que indivíduos com suspeita clínica de SNC, e Tilt-test positivo ou negativo não apresentam anormalidades no balanço simpato-vagal cardíaco, mas, apresentaram diferenças no iRR. O estudo 3 não evidenciou diferenças no controle autonômico cardiovascular (LF-PAS e SBR) entre os grupos TTP e TTN no Pré-Tilt e Tilt. Os estudos 2 e 3 mostraram que com a metodologia utilizada na análise da VFC e VPAS não foi possível detectar anormalidades significativas da modulação autonômica cardiovascular nos grupos TTP e TTN, e desse modo, prever na posição vertical do Tilttest, se um paciente com história clínica sugestiva de SNC apresentará ou não síncope. / Neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) is characterized by transient loss of consciousness and postural control, due to abrupt global cerebral hypoperfusion, with rapid and spontaneous recovery after changing the patient to horizontal position. However, further investigations are necessary to better understand the cardiorespiratory and autonomic responses to the Tilt-test in NCS patients. The present study aimed to evaluate, in patients with a history suspicion of NCS, the effects of postural change (Tilt-test) on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR), on the cardiovascular variability and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). Furthermore, the study also assessed the relationship between age, sex and anthropometric characteristics with the Tilt-test responses, and the relationship between the time period taken to experience syncope following postural change and the above cited parameters. The study was divided into three parts: 1 A retrospective study with 180 patients with a history suspicion of NCS, that experienced (TTP; 128 individuals) or not (TTN; 52 individuals) syncope following Tilt-test; 2 A study of the heart rate variability (HRV), assessed by linear methods (Fast Fourier Transform), in patients with a history suspicion of NCS and that experienced, or not, syncope following Tilt-test. The study included 62 patients (31 in TTP group and 31 in TTN group); 3 A study of the systolic blood pressure variability (SAPV), using linear methods (Fast Fourier Transform), and of the BRS (Sequence Method) in patients with a history compatible with NCS and that experienced, or not, syncope following Tilt-test. The study included 33 patients (16 in TTP group and 17 in TTN group). Study 1 it was observed that the incidence of NCS was 1.5 times greater in women than in men. Furthermore, groups TTP and TTN showed age and anthropometric characteristics similar to each other and no statistical significance was observed in the correlations among the time period taken to experience syncope following postural change and age and anthropometric characteristics. Study 2 The analysis of the cardiovascular variability, by means of time (SD-iRR, variance-iRR, RMSSD) and frequency (LF (nu), HF (nu) and LF/HF) domain methods, revealed no differences between groups in the Pre-Tilt, Tilt and Post-Tilt phases. However, iRR (ms) was found different between groups. During the Tilt phase, TTP group has shown lower iRR as compared to TTN. Also, TTP and TTN groups exhibited lower iRR and higher LF/HF ratio during Tilt-test as compared to Pre-Tilt phase. Study 3 Comparing the TTP and TTN groups, no statistical differences were found in the LF power of SAP and BRS in both Pre-Tilt and Tilt phases. Following Tilt-test it was observed an increase in LF power of SAP and a reduction in BRS. TTP group showed higher SAP standard deviation during the Tilt phase. In conclusion, study 1 demonstrated that NCS incidence and the time period taken to experience syncope following postural change were not influenced by age and anthropometric characteristics. Study 2 has shown that patients with a history suspicion of NCS, that experienced or not syncope following Tilt-test do not show abnormalities in the sympatovagal balance, but exhibited changes in the iRR. Study 3 showed that the cardiovascular autonomic control (LF-SAP and BRS) is not different between the TTP and TTN groups, in the Pre-Tilt and Tilt phases. Studies 2 and 3 have shown that the methods employed in the analysis of HRV and SAPV were unable to reveal abnormalities in the cardiovascular autonomic modulation in TTP and TTN groups, and thus, can not predict if a patient with a history suspicion of NCS will experience or not syncope during Tilt-test.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-09-30T17:32:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tatyanadeoliveiradagosto.pdf: 1263359 bytes, checksum: 18271267583d26114a3516b4c22d9889 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Diamantino Mayra (mayra.diamantino@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-10-03T15:16:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 tatyanadeoliveiradagosto.pdf: 1263359 bytes, checksum: 18271267583d26114a3516b4c22d9889 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-03T15:16:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tatyanadeoliveiradagosto.pdf: 1263359 bytes, checksum: 18271267583d26114a3516b4c22d9889 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-07-15 / O sistema nervoso autônomo (SNA) modula a freqüência cardíaca (FC) em situações de repouso e dinâmicas. Em repouso a variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca (VFC) é uma ferramenta não invasiva para avaliação do SNA. Em situação dinâmica, a transição repouso – exercício (Ton) e testes provocativos como manobra postural ativa (MPA) são capazes de modificar a atuação do SNA, possibilitando a avaliação da capacidade de adaptação do sistema. Fatores como aptidão aeróbia, nível de atividade física (NAF) e a idade podem influenciar diretamente a modulação autonômica cardíaca de repouso. Entretanto, em situações dinâmicas a influência desses fatores é pouco conhecida e contraditória. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar as associações da aptidão aeróbia, NAF e idade na modulação autonômica cardíaca em condições de repouso, no Ton e na postura ortostática após a MPA. No primeiro estudo, analisou-se a relação entre aptidão aeróbia e modulação autonômica cardíaca em 28 indivíduos jovens, com controle do NAF. Analisaram-se a FC e VFC na condição de repouso e, para análise do Ton, foram calculado índices de amplitude, delta de FC e RMSSD em janelas de 15 s. Não houve relação entre aptidão aeróbia e VFC em repouso (SDNN r = -0,22, pNN50 r= -0,25, HF log (ms2) r= -0,31; p>0,05). No Ton, foi observado que o grupo com maior nível de aptidão aeróbia apresentou maior amplitude (61,5 ± 14,6 bpm no grupo VO2 alto e 46,2 ± 11,8 bpm no grupo VO2 baixo; p<0,05) e delta de FC 60s (47,2 ± 11,7 bpm no grupo VO2 alto e 36,4± 12,2 bpm no grupo VO2 baixo; p<0,05). O segundo estudo avaliou a relação entre o NAF e modulação autonômica cardíaca em 26 homens jovens, com controle da aptidão aeróbia e NAF diferentes mensurado pelo escore bruto esportivo de Baecke. Analisaram-se a FC e VFC na condição repouso e, para análise do Ton, foram calculados índices de amplitude, delta de FC e RMSSD em janelas de 15 s. Não houve relação entre NAF e VFC em repouso (SDNN r = -0,32, pNN50 r= -0,26, HF log(ms2) r= -0,37; p>0,05) e no Ton (Aon r= -0,04, D60s r= -0,34; p>0,05). O terceiro estudo analisou a influência da idade na MPA em 20 homens, divididos em dois grupos, sendo Grupo EV: indivíduos acima de 50 anos (n=10), Grupo JV: jovens (n=10). A VFC foi mensurada na posição supina (20 min) e após a MPA, sendo 6 analisados os últimos 5 minutos. Calculou-se VFC por meio de índices lineares e por índices não lineares de entropia. Grupo EV apresentou redução da VFC em repouso e menor capacidade de adaptação à MPA (RMMSD: 62,8 ± 20,7 ms para 33,8 ± 8,3 ms no JV após MPA e 18,1 ± 12,7 para 14,4±13,7 ms no EV após MPA; HF log (ms2): 7,2 ± 0,8 para 5,9 ± 0,7 ms2 no JV após MPA e 4,7 ± 1,1 para 3,6 ± 1,3 ms2 no EV após MPA; p<0,05). O grupo EV não apresentou modificação significativa dos índices lineares como mecanismos de adaptação à MPA, sendo que a redução da entropia pode ser uma explicação para elevação da FC com MPA (correlação entre delta FC e delta entropia ApEn r= -0,48 e SampEn r=-0,65, p<0,05). Podemos perceber que aptidão aeróbia e nível de atividade física não influenciam a modulação autonômica cardíaca em repouso em indivíduos jovens com características homogêneas. Com relação a situações dinâmicas, somente a aptidão aeróbia foi capaz de influenciar o Ton. A idade influência a resposta do SNA tanto no repouso quando após MPA, com mecanismos fisiológicos distintos para adaptação da postura ortostática. Além disso, índices não lineares forneceram informações adicionais da capacidade de adaptação do SNA com envelhecimento na MPA. / The autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulates heart rate (HR) at rest and dynamic situations. At rest the heart rate variability (HRV) is constitute noninvasive tool for evaluate of the ANS. In dynamic situations rest - exercise transient (Ton) and provocative tests as active postural maneuver (APM) are able to modify the SNA dynamics contributing to cardiovascular assessment. Factors such as aerobic fitness, physical activity level (PAL) and age may directly influence the cardiac autonomic modulation at rest. However, in dynamic situations the influence of these factors is poorly understood and contradictory. The study objective was to determine the associations of aerobic fitness, physical activity and aging with cardiac autonomic modulation at rest, in the Ton and the orthostatic posture. The first study examined the relationship between aerobic fitness and cardiac autonomic modulation in 28 young men, with control of the PAL. We analyzed the HR and HRV in resting condition and, for the analysis of the Ton, was calculated rates amplitude, delta HR and RMSSD 15 s. There was no relationship between aerobic fitness and HRV at rest (r = -0.22 SDNN, pNN50 r = -0.25, HF In (ms2) r = -0.31; p>0,05). In Ton, we found that the group with higher level of aerobic fitness had a higher amplitude (61.5 ± 14.6 bpm in group high VO2 and 46.2 ± 11.8 bpm in group low VO2; p<0,05) and delta HR 60s (47.2 ± 11.7 bpm in group high VO2 and 36.4 ± 12.2 bpm in group VO2 below; p<0,05). The second study evaluated the relationship between PAL and cardiac autonomic modulation in 26 young men, with control of aerobic fitness and physical activity levels measured at different raw of the Baecke score sports. We analyzed the HR and HRV in resting condition and for analysis of the Ton, were calculated rates of amplitude, delta HR and RMSSD for 15 s. There was no relation between PAL and HRV at rest (r = -0.32 SDNN, pNN50 r = -0.26, HF In (ms2) r = 0.37; p>0,05) and Ton (Aon r = -0.04, D60s r = -0.34; p>0,05). The third study examined the influence of age on the APM on 20 men, divided into two groups, Group EV: individuals over 50 years (n = 10), Group JV: young (n = 10). HRV was measured in the supine position (20 min) and after the APM, and analyzed the last 5 minutes. HRV was calculated by linear indices and nonlinear indices of entropy. EV Group decreased HRV at rest and less adaptability to AMP (RMMSD: 62.8 ± 20.7 ms 8 to 33.8 ± 8.3 ms in the JV after AMP and 18.1 ± 12.7 to 14, 4 ± 13.7 ms in EV after AMP; HF In (ms2): 7.2 ± 0.8 to 5.9 ± 0.7 ms2 in the JV after AMP and 4.7 ± 1.1 to 3.6 ± 1.3 ms2 in EV after AMP; p <0,05). The EV group showed no significant change in the indices as linear mechanisms of adaptation to the AMP and the reduction of entropy may be an explanation for a rise in HR with AMP (correlation between delta HR and delta entropy ApEn r = -0.48 and SampEn r =- 0.65; p <0,05). We can see that aerobic fitness and physical activity level did not influence the cardiac autonomic modulation at rest in young individuals with homogeneous characteristics. With respect to dynamic situations only aerobic fitness was able to influence the Ton. Age influences the response of ANS both at rest when after AMP, with distinct physiological mechanisms of adaptation to orthostatic posture. In addition, non-linear indices provided additional information the adaptability of the ANS with aging in the AMP.

Background: A squat is a common exercise that is used in many areas of strength training and for different purposes and the literature is inconclusive when it comes to whether the weight lifting belt (WB) affects performance and/or is injury-preventing. The use of breathing techniques is common during heavy lifting and therefore the practice of the breathing teqnice; valsalva maneuver (VM) may be of interest to study and if this along with the WB can provide some advantages in power output and velocity. Aim: The specific aim of the study was to evaluate whether the velocity in the eccentric and the concentric phase of the squat, and the peak velocity in the concentric phases are affected in power output through the use of the VM when the subjects use or did not use a WB. Method: Fifteen subjects (10 men and 5 women) volunteered freely to participate and did a total of 12 squats divided in four different sets with three repetitions each on 75% of their self-reported one repetition maximum (1RM). The first two sets were either with or without WB and the third and fourth sets were either with or without the practice of the VM. The three conditions (with WB, with WB + VM and VA only) were compared to each other and to the control group (without any instructions and no WB) in terms of power output and velocity in the eccentric, concentric and peak velocity in the concentric phase of the squat. Result: There was no significant difference in power output when comparing the four different test conditions. The velocity in the eccentric, concentric and peak velocity in the concentric phase did not have a significant difference between the different test conditions. Conclusions: This study shows a different output compared to previous literature. The WB and the practice of VM did not affect the power output and velocity in a squat, alone or together. / Bakgrund: Det finns många olikheter i litteraturen när det gäller huruvida tyngdlyftarbältet påverkar prestationen och/eller om det minskar skaderisken. En knäböj är en vanlig övning som används inom många områden av styrketräning och för olika ändamål. Användning av andningstekniker är vanligt vid tunga lyft och därför kan utförandet av andningstekniken; valsalvamanövern vara av intresse att studera och om det tillsammans med lyftbältet kan ge effekt på effektutveckling och hastighet i lyft. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att utvärdera hastigheten i en knäböjs olika faser (excentriska, koncentriska och topphastigheten i den koncentriska fasen) och hur effektutvecklingen påverkas av lyftarbälte och valsalvamanövern. Metod: Femton personer (10 män och 5 kvinnor) deltog frivilligt och utförde totalt 12 knäböj i fyra olika sets med tre repetitioner på 75 % av testpersonernas självrapporterade 1RM. De första två seten var utförda antingen med eller utan tyngdlyftarbälte och de tredje och fjärde seten var utförda antingen med eller utan utövande av valsalvamanövern. Dessa tre förhållanden ( med lyftarbälte, med lyftarbälte + VA och VA endast) jämfördes med varandra och med kontrollgruppen ( ingen VM och inget lyftarbälte) med avseende på effektutveckling och hastigheten i den excentriska, koncentriska och topphastighet i knäböjens koncentriska fas. Resultat: Effektutvecklingen gav ingen signifikant skillnad i någon av de fyra olika förutsättningarna (med lyftarbälte, utan lyftarbälte, med bälte och valsalvamanövern och utan bälte och valsalvamanövern). Hastigheten i den excentriska, koncentriska och topphastigheten i den koncentriska fasen visade ingen signifikant skillnad mellan de fyra olika seten. Konklusion: Studien visade ingen skillnad vilket kan jämföras med tidigare litteratur där en skillnad fanns. Lyftarbältet och utförandet av valsalva manövern påverkade inte effektutvecklingen och/eller hastigheten när en knäböj utfördes.

Cette thèse étudie certains problèmes plus importants dans le sens de guidage, navigation et contrôle présentés dans une catégorie particulière de mini véhicules aériens (MVA) : le MVA convertible avec des ailes fixes et disques pendulaires. Cet aéronef est capable de changer sa configuration de vol, du vol stationnaire au vol palier et vice versa, au moyen d’une manœuvre de transition. Motivé par des applications civiles, on étudie théoriquement et expérimentalement les principes de contrôle en fonction de Lyapunov pour les dynamiques présentées dans le MVA convertible. Des résultats de convergence asymptotique sont obtenus sur l’enveloppe de vol complet du véhicule : d’un vol vertical à basse vitesse à un vol vers l’avant à grande vitesse. Cette thèse est divisée en quatre parties principales : l’étude de 1) les aéronefs à voilure fixe ; 2) le quadrirotor (avion équipe de quatre moteurs) ; 3) l’aéronef convertible ; 4) les applications de vision en utilisant l’aéronef convertible. Dans la première partie, un principe de contrôle en fonction de Lyapunov est développé pour diriger un mini véhicule aérien à voilure fixe tout au long d’un chemin d’accès souhaité. En outre, un générateur de chemin d’accès est proposé. Le résultant de la stratégie du contrôle donne une convergence globale du chemin actuel du MVA au chemin d’accès souhaité. Dans la deuxième partie, un contrôle en fonction de Lyapunov à l’aide de la théorie de la perturbation du singulier est proposé et appliqué sur la dynamique du MVA. En effet, dans cette partie on a abordé le problème diagnostic et la détection de pannes fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) pour un quadrirotor. Dans la troisième partie une nouvelle stratégie de contrôle pour effectuer la transition d’un avion convertible entre le mode avion et le mode hélicoptère, et vice versa, est présenté. L’analyse est effectuée pour le modèle longitudinal du PVHAT (Planar Vertical Helicopter-Airplane Transition) aéronef, lequel est un avion ayant disques pendulaires afin de réaliser la manœuvre de transition. L’algorithme de contrôle de boucle fermée qui en résulte, est prouvé être globalement asymptotiquement stable. Finalement, dans la quatrième partie de cette thèse, le problème de l’estimation et suivi d’un chemin à l’aide de vision système embarqué dans l’avion PVHAT est résolu. La stabilité globale exponentielle de la position sous-système ainsi que le contrôleur de commutation est démontrée. Des simulations illustratives et résultats expérimentaux sont obtenus sur plusieurs plateformes expérimentales développées dans cette thèse, pour évaluer l’applicabilité des principes contrôle proposés et mettre en valeur les mérites de l’approche. / This thesis studies some of the most relevant problems in the sense of guidance,navigation and control presented in a particular class of mini aerial vehicles (MAV) : the convertible MAV with fixed wings and tilting rotors. This aircraft is able to change its flight configuration from hover to level flight and vice-versaby means of a transition maneuver. Motivated by civilian applications, we theoretically and experimentally study Lyapunov-based control laws for dynamics presented in the convertible MAV. Results of asymptotic convergence are obtained over the complete flight envelope of the vehicle : from low-speed vertical flight through high-speed forward flight. We have divided this thesis in four main parts : the study of 1) the fixed-wingaircraft; 2) the quadrotor; 3) the convertible aircraft and 4) vision applications by using the convertible aircraft. In a first part, a Lyapunov-based controllaw is developed to steer a fixed wing mini aerial vehicle along a desired path. Furthermore a path generator is proposed. The resulting control strategy yields global convergence of the current path of the MAV to the desired path. In a second part, a Lyapunov-based control using singular perturbation theory is proposed and applied on dynamics of the MAV. Furthermore, in this part we address the problem of fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) for a quad-rotor. In the third part a new control strategy for the transition between airplane and helicopter mode, and vice versa, in convertible planes is presented. The analysis is carried out for the longitudinal model of the PVHAT (Planar VerticalHelicopter-Airplane Transition) aircraft, which is an airplane having tilting rotors in order to achieve the transition maneuver. The resulting closed loop control algorithm is proved to be globally asymptotically stable. Finally in thefourth part of this thesis the problem of estimation and tracking of a road using avision embedded system in the PVHAT aircraft is solved. The global exponential stability of the position subsystem together with the switching controller is demonstrated. Illustrative simulations and experimental results obtained on several experimental platforms developed in this thesis, assess the implementability of the proposed control laws and highlight the merits of the approach.

Overtaking maneuver is very complex event influenced by many parameters. The most important parameters are vehicle performance, longitudinal slope, the speed at the beginning of the maneuver, the reaction time of the driver. Overtaking distance at CSN 73 6101 is determined on the basis of a simplified physical model. It considers constant speed of vehicles (overtaking and overtaken) and it does not consider a longitudinal gradient of road. This calculation is used for several decades and it is required to verify this procedure. That was the purpose of this work. Detailed physical model was performed for several types of passenger vehicles, performance curves and gear changes were included too. Distances between vehicles at the beginning and in the end of the maneuver were chosen with regard to reaction times of drivers. Distances were compared with conclusions of observation studies. Input values of some parameters were determined by own measurement and compared with data reported in the literature. The analysis was performed using the video camera positioned at the front and rear of the vehicle. For selected vehicle were conducted simulations testing the influence of particular parameters. The parameters with the biggest influence were longitudal slope of the road and rolling friction. To achieve results useful for a possible regulations update for the design of roads another simulation models for 43 variants of passenger cars with different engines and transmissions were done. The vehicles were divided into categories based on engine capacity and engine power (up to 1400 ccm, over 1400 ccm; 66 kW to over 66 kW). Results were compiled in tabular form that could be used to discuss modifications to CSN 73 6101 Design of roads.

The Swedish welfare society can be advocated as a social safety net with the intention of giving citizens fair living conditions. However, the welfare system has recently undergone fundamental changes regarding its organization and steering within the social image work, where its impact is considered to have received far too little attention.  The overall purpose of the study is to study social workers 'experiences of steering within the social services' exercise of authority. The empirical data has been considered in qualitative interviews and has brought significant knowledge and information about the subject area. The results have shown an overall control within the social authority work, which normalizes and constitutes an impact on how the practical work is conducted and how the feeling of the social work is treated. However, the results of the study have shown various causal explanations that are rooted in trust from the management team, work motives and also the social worker's individual professional experience and competence. Based on the study's analysis, four central themes have been identified and presented as both causal explanations and prerequisites for practical social authority work. These are explained as; steering and the social secretary's work situation, trust-based governance, social work - a knowledge-based practice and steering as instruments. / Det svenska välfärdssamhället kan hävdas inbegripa som ett socialt skyddsnät med intention av att medborgarna får skäliga levnadsförhållanden. Välfärdsystemet har dock på senare tid genomgått grundläggande förändringar avseende dess organisering och styrning inom det sociala myndighetsarbetet, där dess påverkan allt för lite anses uppmärksammats. Studiens övergripande syfte är att studera socialarbetares upplevelser av styrning inom socialtjänstens myndighetsutövning. Empirin utgörs av kvalitativa intervjuer och har bringat betydande kunskaper och belysning av ämnesområdet. Resultatet har påvisat en överlagd styrning inom det sociala myndighetsarbetet, som normaliserats och utgör påverkan på hur det praktiska arbetet bedrivs och hur känslan av det sociala arbetet behandlas. Vidare har studiens resultat påvisat diverse orsaksförklaringar som bottnar i konstadsfrågor, tillit från ledningsgruppen, arbetsmotiv men också socialsekreterares individuella yrkeserfarenhet- och kompetens. Utifrån studiens analys har fyra centrala teman identifierats och framställts som både orsaksförklaring och förutsättning för ett praktiskt socialt myndighetsarbete. Dessa förklaras som; styrning och socialsekreterares arbetssituation, brist på tillit, socialt arbete – en kunskapsbaserad praktik och styrning som instrument.

Diplom thesis deals with the influence of typical pilot error during the landing maneuver in airplanes with maximum take-off mass 2250 kg. It contains basic information about the landing. The main attention is paid to the accident database, its subsequent evaluation and the proposal for a way to reduce these accidents. It also includes a survey of pilots.

This paper aims to investigate how needs assessors in the municipality experience their work with elderly people who experience loneliness, and what different types of support measures they can offer. In addition the paper looks into the discretion which the needs assessors use to provide the elderly people with care that is adapted to individual needs. This qualitative study has been carried out conducting semi-structured interviews with seven needs assessors from five different municipalities. The findings indicate that the work with elderly people experiencing loneliness is very much a question of interpretation. Loneliness can manifest itself in different ways and is not always easy to talk about, nor to interpret. The study also shows that individual assessments can be difficult to implement due to strict guidelines and a tight budget. However, the work towards helping-and supporting elder people and acknowledging the issue of loneliness in later life is an important matter for both older people and needs assessors.

While the world is urbanising at an exponential rate, so does the conflicts. The common environment for a conventional military force has changed from the open fields normally dominated by tanks and artillery, to narrow streets and buildings in a city. While the actors and environment for combat changes, the tactics doesn’t seem to. Maneuver warfare was mainly developed from the lessons learned from WW2 and was focused on warfare with large units using firepower and movement. But since the last two decades most of the fighting has taken part in urban areas against another type of enemy, which won’t allow for the full extent of the maneuvering and firepower due to structures and other obstructions in a city. This study will analyse how western militaries utilised the principles of maneuver warfare in urban combat. The goal is to measure how well the principles of maneuver warfare applicable in an urban environment against the ever-increasing irregular threat. The purpose is to indicate the complexity the urban environment brings to military units when planning and conducting operations.  The results find that maneuver warfare relates well but can’t fully explain military success in urban warfare.

Aerocapture offers a near propellantless and quick method of orbit insertion at atmosphere bearing planetary destinations. Compared to conventional propulsive insertion, the primary advantage of using aerocapture is the savings in propellant mass which could be used to accommodate more useful payload. To protect the spacecraft from the aerodynamic heating during the maneuver, the spacecraft must be enclosed in a protective aeroshell or deployable drag device which also provides aerodynamic control authority to target the desired conditions at atmospheric exit. For inner planets such as Mars and Venus, aerocapture offers a very attractive option for inserting small satellites or constellations into very low circular orbits such as those used for imaging or radar observations. The large amount of propellant required for orbit insertion at outer planets such as Uranus and Neptune severely limits the useful payload mass that can delivered to orbit as well as the achievable flight time. For outer planet missions, aerocapture opens up an entirely new class of short time of flight trajectories which are infeasible with propulsive insertion. A systems framework for rapid conceptual design of aerocapture missions considering the interdependencies between various elements such as interplanetary trajectory and vehicle control performance for aerocapture is presented. The framework provides a step-by-step procedure to formulate an aerocapture mission starting from a set of mission objectives. At the core of the framework is the ``aerocapture feasibility chart", a graphical method to visualize the various constraints arising from control authority requirement, peak deceleration, stagnation-point peak heat rate, and total heat load as a function of vehicle aerodynamic performance and interplanetary arrival conditions. Aerocapture feasibility charts have been compiled for all atmosphere-bearing Solar System destinations for both lift and drag modulation control techniques. The framework is illustrated by its application to conceptual design of a Venus small satellite mission and a Flagship-class Neptune mission using heritage blunt-body aeroshells. The framework is implemented in the Aerocapture Mission Analysis Tool (AMAT), a free and open-source Python package, to enable scientists and mission designers perform rapid conceptual design of aerocapture missions. AMAT can also be used for rapid Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) studies for atmospheric probes and landers at any atmosphere-bearing destination.