Conventional rectangular waveguides are commonly used for high power and millimetre wave microwave applications. However their use at lower frequencies has been limited by their bulky nature at these frequencies. A new type of compact waveguide called a partial H-plane waveguide has previously been proposed that has only one quarter of the cross sectional area of a conventional waveguide. However, only limited information relating to the feeding of such waveguides is available. This study focuses on the development of a practical end-launched coaxial and a microstrip to partial H-plane waveguide adapters with similar or larger achievable bandwidths compared to conventional waveguide probe feed adapters. The two proposed waveguide transition geometries are investigated to determine which parameters can be used to optimise the insertion and return losses. The prototype waveguide transitions were optimised using numerous simulations and fabricated in the back-to-back configuration. Simulated single ended and back-to-back S-parameters yield good performance over the entire H-band (3.95 to 5.85 GHz, also known as G-Band). De-embedding techniques are used to measure the approximate single ended response of the two waveguide adapters based on the back-to-back measurements. The measurement and simulation results compare favourably and validate the designs. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / MEng / Unrestricted

O presente estudo, através de metodologia sistematizada envolvendo testes eletrodiagnósticos e avaliações dinâmicas da marcha, objetivou analisar e interpretar parâmetros biomecânicos e eletrofisiológicos relacionadas à neuropatia diabética durante a marcha. Analisou e interpretou-se parâmetros temporais, de distribuição da pressão plantar e força reação do solo, adquiridos através de um equipamento específico para tal fim para três grupos experimentais. Analisou-se parâmetros da eletrofisiologia indicadores de respostas somato-sensoriais: cronaxia sensitiva e tolerância à dor em regiões anatomicamente determinadas da superfície plantar. Com tais parâmetros, buscou-se definir os padrões da marcha de indivíduos neuropatas ou não, para intervir de forma mais complexa na descrição e interpretação da doença. Investigou-se relações de dependência entre as variáveis dinâmicas e as eletrofisiológicas como forma de entender outros fatores intervenientes na etiologia das lesões decorrentes, bem como nas alterações compensatórias dinâmicas na marcha desses pacientes, alterações essas que são bilaterais e necessárias para a adaptação devido ao déficit sensorial decorrente da neuropatia. Apesar de não ter sido observada correlação entre estas variáveis, vale ressaltar que esse relacionamento torna-se cada vez mais importante para a compreensão da doença e interpretação de suas diferentes respostas adaptativas na avaliação do comportamento da marcha humana / The purpose of this study is to investigate electrophysiological parameters related to diabetic neuropathy and biomechanical parameters during gait, by systemized methodology, including electrodiagnostic tests and dynamic gait evaluation. We have analysed temporal aspects during stance phase, plantar pressure distribution, and ground reaction forces, acquired by an specific equipment in three experimental groups. We also have studied electrophysiological parameters related to somatic sensorial responses, like sensitive cronaxie and pain tolerance threshold, in some specific anatomical areas of plantar surface. Within these parameters, we searched for defined gait patterns in neuropathic diabetic patients, as well as in diabetic patients without neuropathy, to intervene in a more complex description and interpretation of the disease. We also looked for some relations of dependency between dynamic and electrophysiological variables as a contribution to the better undestanding of the disease ethiology and dynamic compensatory mechanisms in pathological gait. These compensatory mechanisms are usually bilateral, because it is a way of adapting to the sensorial deficit due to the neuropathy. Although there are no observed correlation between these variables, it is good to emphasize that such relationship becomes gradually more important to the understanding of the disease and the interpretation of its different adaptative reactions in human locomotion

Introdução: Em particular, não se sabe se o exercício físico termina com falha da homeostase metabólica em intensidades pertencentes ao domínio moderado, pesado e severo. Este estudo examinou as respostas fisiológicas durante exercícios de sobrecargas constantes até a exaustão, executadas em diferentes domínios metabólicos. Métodos: Dez homens saudáveis executaram quarto cargas constantes as quais corresponderam aos domínios de intensidade moderada (LL1), pesada (LL50% e LL2) e severa (LW25%). Parâmetros metabólicos e cardiorrespiratórios e a percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE) foram medidos em intervalos regulares de tempo. Resultados: O tempo de exaustão em cada carga constante foi: 93,8 (&#177; 18,0), 77,0 (&#177; 22,9), 44,5 (&#177; 16,0) e 22,8 (&#177; 10,6) minutos em LL1, LL50%, LL2 e LW25%, respectivamente. Quando os dados foram analisados em relação ao tempo absoluto de exercício, significantes variações temporais foram encontradas na razão de trocas respiratórias (RER) e nas concentrações plasmáticas de potássio em LL1; no VO2, VCO2, RER, freqüência respiratória (FR), concentrações plasmáticas de norepinefrina e potássio em LL50%; na RER e nas concentrações plasmáticas de norepinefrina, epinefrina e potássio em LL2; em na RER e concentrações plasmáticas de lactato e potássio em LW25%. Quando os dados foram normalizados pelo tempo de exaustão, algumas significantes variações temporais desapareceram. Exceções foram encontradas para RER e potássio em LL1; RER em LL50%; RER, norepinefrina e potássio em LL2; VE, RR, lactato e potássio em LW25%. Entretanto, com exceção da FR, nenhum outro parâmetro metabólico ou cardiorrespiratório aumentou significantemente depois de decorrido 50% do tempo de exercício, em qualquer das intensidades executadas, indicando a presença de um estado de equilíbrio nas variáveis metabólicas e cardiorrespiratórias, em todos os domínios de intensidade analisados. De outro lado, a PSE apresentou aumentou significante depois de decorrido 50% do tempo de exaustão nos domínios pesado (LL50% e LL2) e severo (LW25%.), quando analisada em termos relativos ao tempo de exaustão. A taxa de incremento da PSE em função do tempo de exercício foi significantemente correlacionada ao tempo de exaustão (r = -0,72 à -0,84; P < 0.05) em todas os domínios de intensidade. Conclusão: A exaustão ocorreu sem clara evidência de falha na homeostase, mesmo em exercício de domínio de intensidade severa, uma vez que não houve significante variação temporal nos parâmetros metabólicos ou cardiorrespiratórios depois de decorrido 50% do tempo de exercício. Estes resultados poderiam sugerir um mecanismo de controle centralmente regulado durante o exercício / Introduction: We wished to determine whether exercise at moderate, heavy and severe intensities terminates with evidence of homeostatic failure. This study verified the physiological responses during exercise to exhaustion in different intensity domains. Methods: Ten healthy men performed prolonged exercise at four constant workloads corresponding to moderate (LT1), heavy (TT50% and LT2) and severe (TW25%) intensity domains. Metabolic and cardiorespiratory parameters and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured at fixed time intervals. Results: The time to exhaustion was 93.8 (&#177;18.0), 77.0 (&#177; 22.9), 44.5 (&#177; 16.0) and 22.8 (&#177; 10.6) minutes at LT1, TT50%, LT2 and TW25%, respectively. When data were analyzed according to absolute exercise duration, significant temporal variations were found in respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and plasma potassium concentrations in LT1; in VO2, VCO2, RER, respiratory rate (RR), plasma noradrenaline and potassium concentrations in TT50%; in RER, noradrenaline, adrenaline and potassium concentrations in LT2; and in RER and blood lactate and potassium concentrations in TW25%. When data were normalized to 100% of exercise duration, some significant temporal variations disappeared. Exceptions were RER and plasma potassium concentrations in LT1; RER in TT50%; RER and plasma noradrenaline and potassium concentrations in LT2; and VE, RR, blood lactate and plasma potassium concentrations in TW25%. Except for RR, no other cardiorespiratory or metabolic parameter increased significantly after the first 50% of any exercise bout had been completed, indicating the presence of a metabolic and cardiorespiratory steady state at all intensity domains. Conversely, RPE rose progressively in all constant workloads when analyzed in both absolute and relative terms. In addition, the slope at which RPE increased was significantly correlated to time to exhaustion (r = -0.72 to -0.84; P < 0.05) at all exercise intensities. Conclusion: Exercise terminated at all intensities without any indication of homeostatic failure. Since there was no significant variation in cardiorespiratory and metabolic parameters after the completion of 50% of any exercise bout these results might suggest a centrally-regulated control mechanism that defends homeostasis

Title: Analysis of distance and speed characteristics of performance of floorball players during competition and comparison of performance with other team sport players Objectives: The aim of this thesis is to measure the distance and speed characteristics during the performance of floorball players playing a competitive match. The obtained data are compared with the results of studies measuring the same parameters in futsal and handball matches. Methods: GPS technology, Apex 10 Hz chips together with StatSport software for evaluation of measured data were used to obtain the necessary data. Results: The average distance covered by a floorball player during a match was 4745.40 m. The longest distance was covered by the middle strikers, while the shortest distance was covered by the wing strikers. The most represented running intensity was slow running (1-3 m/s) and the least represented was maximum intensity running (>7 m/s). On average, a player performed 13 sprints during a match, with sprint lengths ranging from 10.21 - 11.68 m and durations of said sprints ranging from 1.91 - 2.14 s. It was decided that futsal players achieve to run the longest distance, the second longest distance was managed by floorball players and the shortest distance was accomplished by handball players. Keywords:...

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The Powder Bed Fusion using Electron Beam (PBF-EB) process is a highly complex additive manufacturing process. There are a very limited number of materials that have been used successfully, which limits the applications of the process, despite its well-documented advantages over conventional manufacturing. However, the development of new materials is hindered due to a lack of understanding of the fundamental phenomena in the process. The goal of this work has been to develop a model that is able to predict the process parameters that will lead to the manufacture of a fully dense component.   The model is based on 1285 empirical datasets of process parameters and the physical properties of the printed materials. Nine different materials were included in the data. By inputting a pre-defined set of process parameters and materials properties the model will output the beam power at which it is predicted a dense component may be manufactured. This novel approach will shorten the development of new process parameters by providing a first approximation of suitable parameters to iterate from. A tool steel powder supplied by Uddeholms AB was printed, using parameters proposed by the model. Two sets of pre-defined process parameters were used with several beam velocities and resulted in a number of correct predictions.   This model is a first step in predicting process parameters and presents a simple, transparent and new method of obtaining the process window for novel materials in Powder Bed Fusion using Electron Beam. / Powder Bed Fusion med Electron Beam (PBF-EB) är en mycket komplex additiv tillverkningsprocess. Det finns ett fåtal antal material som går att använda i processen. Detta är ett förhinder för applikationer trots processens väldokumenterade fördelar över konventionell framställning. Framtagning av nya material är dock hejdad på grund av okunskap kring de grundläggande fenomenen inom processen. Målet med detta arbete har varit att utveckla en modell som kan förutse processparametrar vilka ger helt kompakta komponenter.   Modellen är baserad på totalt 1285 data uppsättningar av processparametrar och de fysiska egenskaperna av de printade materialen. Data på nio olika material har samlats in. Genom att mata in ett par förbestämda processparametrar och materialets specifika materialegenskaper så beräknar modellen kraften på strålen vid vilken det förutspås att goda resultat framställs. Denna nya metod kortar ned tiden inom traditionell processparameterutveckling genom att bistå med en första iteration att arbeta utifrån. Ett verktygsstålspulver tillverkat av Uddeholms AB vart printat med hjälp av modellen. Två uppsättningar av förbestämda processparametrar användes vid flera olika stråles hastigheter och resulterade i åtskilliga lyckade förutsägelser.   Denna modell är ett första steg i att förutspå processparametrar och presenterar en simpel, transparant och ny metod till att finna process fönstret för nya material i Powder Bed Fusion med Electron Beam processen.

No / Model based control of automotive engines for fuel economy and pollution minimization depends on accuracy of models used. A number of mathematical models of automotive engine processes are available for this purpose but critical model parameters are difficult to obtain and generalize. This paper presents a novel method of online estimation of discharge coefficient of throttle body at the intake manifold of gasoline engines. The discharge coefficient is taken to be a varying parameter. Air mass flow across the throttle body is a critical variable in maintaining a closer to stoichiometric air fuel ratio; which is necessary to minimize the pollution contents in exhaust gases. The estimation method is based on sliding mode technique. A classical first Sliding mode observer is designed to estimate intake manifold pressure and the model uncertainty arising from the uncertain and time varying discharge coefficient is compensated by the discontinuity/switching signal of sliding mode observer. This discontinuity is used to compute coefficient of discharge as a time varying signal. The discharge coefficient is used to tune/correct the intake manifold model to engine measurements. The resulting model shows a very good agreement with engine measurements in steady as wells transient state. The stability of the observer is shown by Lyapunov direct method and the validity of the online estimation is successfully demonstrated by experimental results. OBD-II (On Board Diagnostic revision II) based sensor data acquisition from the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of a production model vehicle is used. The devised algorithm is simple enough to be designed and implemented in a production environment. The online estimation of parameter can also be used for engine fault diagnosis work. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The objective of this study was to evaluate the optimum addition level of arginine and the relationship of antagonism between amino acids arginine and lysine in diets for juvenile south brazilin catfish (Rhamdia quelen) for variables that were studied live performance, composition and nutrient retention, biochemical parameters , liver and digestive. The first trial lasted 45 days, was conducted in the fish farming Laboratory of Federal University of Santa Maria, in water recirculation system, using 24 280 l tanks, each equipped with two experimental units (cages with useful volume of 15 l), each unit was populated with 12 fish (initial weight of 2.00 ± 0.04 g). The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial arrangement of two for six, and to 4.5% and 5.1% lysine were used following arginine levels: 2.5, 3.0, 3.6, 4, 3, 5.0 and 5.6%, totaling 12 treatments with 4 replicates. The second experiment lasted 49 days, following the same methodology as the first varying levels of inclusions arginine, lysine content keeping fixed at 6.65% of the protein fraction, testing six increasing levels of arginine: 4.20, 4.65, 5.0, 5.35, 5.65 and 6.00% each with four replications. Each unit was populated with 15 fish (mean weight 0.3 ± 3.00 g). In the first study based on the results obtained by polynomial regression equations, we conclude that the combination of 5.1% to 4.6% lysine with arginine provided better performance associated with greater carcass yield and lower body fat deposition. The second study that remained fixed in 6.65% lysine (protein), found better response to the inclusion of 5.8% arginine in the protein fraction of the diet. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o nível ótimo de inclusão de arginina e a relação de antagonismo entre os aminoácidos lisina e arginina em dietas para juvenis de jundiá (Rhamdia quelen), e para isso foram estudadas variáveis de desempenho zootécnico, composição e retenção de nutrientes, parâmetros bioquímicos, hepáticos e digestivos. O primeiro experimento teve duração de 45 dias, foi conduzido no Laboratório de Piscicultura da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, em sistema de recirculação de água, utilizando-se 24 tanques de 280 L, cada qual equipado com duas unidades experimentais (tanques-rede com volume útil de 15 L), cada unidade foi povoada com 12 peixes (peso inicial de 2,00 ± 0,04 g). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial dois por seis, sendo que para 4,5% e 5,1% de lisina foram utilizados os seguintes níveis de arginina: 2,5, 3,0, 3,6, 4,3, 5,0 e 5,6% (da fração proteica), totalizando 12 tratamentos com 4 repetições. O segundo experimento teve duração de 49 dias, seguindo a mesma metodologia do primeiro variando os níveis de inclusões de arginina e mantendo o teor de lisina fixo em 6,65% da fração proteica, testando seis níveis crescentes de arginina: 4,20, 4,65, 5,0, 5,35, 5,65 e 6,00% cada um com 4 repetições. Cada unidade foi povoada com 15 peixes (peso médio 3,00±0,3 g). No primeiro estudo com base nos resultados obtidos pelas equações de regressão polinomial, concluímos que a combinação de 5,1% de lisina com 4,6% de arginina proporcionou melhor desempenho associado a maior rendimento de carcaça e menor deposição de gordura corporal. Já o segundo estudo que manteve lisina fixa em 6,65% (proteína), encontrou-se melhor resposta à inclusão de arginina em 5,8% da fração proteica das dietas.

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) is a rapid prototyping technique that allows for direct and rapid manufacturing of complex components. DMLS is however an intricate process and the quality of the final product is influenced by multiple manufacturing parameters (or DMLS settings) and powder characteristics. The effect which each of these manufacturing parameters and powder characteristics has on the final parts is not well understood and the success of process manufacturing mainly relies on empirical knowledge. Consequently high dimensional deformation and relatively poor mechanical properties are still experienced in many DMLS products, in particular in copper-based laser sintered parts. A need therefore exists to systematically examine the effect of process parameters on the quality of final parts in order to determine the most appropriate manufacturing parameters for specific applications of copper-based laser sintered parts. This document summarises the effect of different process parameters on the quality of Direct Metal 20 laser sintered parts produced with a EOSINT M250 Xtended laser sintering machine from powder consisting of Ni5Cu, Cu15Sn – Cu5Sn and Cu8P – Cu2P material grains. The quality of the sintered parts is defined in terms of the microstructures, porosities and dimensional deformations obtained. The effects of three different geometric sintering strategies currently in standard use namely Solid Skin, Skin Stripes and Skin Chess were examined, and the more appropriate process parameters and scanning technique for the available set-up is presented. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) is a rapid prototyping technique that allows for direct and rapid manufacturing of complex components. DMLS is however an intricate process and the quality of the final product is influenced by multiple manufacturing parameters (or DMLS settings) and powder characteristics. The effect which each of these manufacturing parameters and powder characteristics has on the final parts is not well understood and the success of process manufacturing mainly relies on empirical knowledge. Consequently high dimensional deformation and relatively poor mechanical properties are still experienced in many DMLS products, in particular in copper-based laser sintered parts. A need therefore exists to systematically examine the effect of process parameters on the quality of final parts in order to determine the most appropriate manufacturing parameters for specific applications of copper-based laser sintered parts. This document summarises the effect of different process parameters on the quality of Direct Metal 20 laser sintered parts produced with a EOSINT M250 Xtended laser sintering machine from powder consisting of Ni5Cu, Cu15Sn – Cu5Sn and Cu8P – Cu2P material grains. The quality of the sintered parts is defined in terms of the microstructures, porosities and dimensional deformations obtained. The effects of three different geometric sintering strategies currently in standard use namely Solid Skin, Skin Stripes and Skin Chess were examined, and the more appropriate process parameters and scanning technique for the available set-up is presented. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015