This thesis presents the preliminary work in the development of a biomimetic actuation mechanism for prosthetic and wearable robotic hand applications. This work investigates the use of novel artificial muscle technology, namely, shape memory alloys. The mechanism developed is based on the combination of compliant tendon cables and one-way shape memory alloy wires that form a set of agonist–antagonist artificial muscle pairs for the required flexion/extension or abduction/adduction of the finger joints. For the purpose of this thesis, an anthropomorphic four degree of freedom artificial testbed was developed with the same kinematic properties as the human finger. Hence, the size, appearance and kinematic architecture of the index finger were efficiently and practically mimicked. The biomimetic actuation scheme was implemented on the anthropomorphic artificial finger and tested, in an ad-hoc fashion, with a simple microcontroller-based pulse width modulated proportional derivation (PWD-PD) feedback controller. The tests were done to experimentally validate the performance of the actuation mechanism as emulating the natural finger’s joints movement. This thesis details the work done for the finger design process as well as the mechanisms and material used to achieve the actuation and control objectives. The results of the experiments done with the actuation platform are also presented.

About 8 tons of dry undigested solid waste is generated by the MixAlco process for every 40 tons of food residue waste fed into the process. This MixAlco process produces liquid fuels and the sludge generated can be further converted into synthesis gas using the process of pyrolysis. The hydrogen component of the product synthesis gas may be separated by pressure swing adsorption and used in the hydrogenation of ketones into fuels and chemicals. The synthesis gas may also be catalytically converted into liquid fuels via the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process. The auger-type pyrolyzer was operated at a temperature between 630-770 degrees C and at feed rates in the range of 280-374 g/minute. The response surface statistical method was used to obtain the highest syngas composition of 43.9 +/- 3.36 v % H2/33.3 +/- 3.29 v % CO at 740 degrees C. The CH4 concentration was 20.3 +/- 2.99 v %. For every ton of sludge pyrolyzed, 5,990 g H2 (719.3 MJ), 65,000 g CO (660 MJ) and 21,170 g CH4 (1055.4 MJ) were projected to be produced at optimum condition. At all temperatures, the sum of the energies of the products was greater than the electrical energy needed to sustain the process, making it energy neutral. To generate internal H2 for the MixAlco process, a method was developed to efficiently separate H2 using pressure swing adsorption (PSA) from the synthesis gas, with activated carbon and molecular sieve 5A as adsorbents. The H2 can be used to hydrogenate ketones generated from the MixAlco process to more liquid fuels. Breakthrough curves, cycle mass balances and cycle bed productivities (CBP) were used to determine the maximum hydrogen CBP using different adsorbent amounts at a synthesis gas feed rate of 10 standard lpm and pressure of 118 atm. A 99.9 % H2 purity was obtained. After a maximum CBP of 66 % was obtained further increases in % recovery led to a decrease in CBP. The synthesis gas can also be catalytically converted into liquid fuels by the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) process. A Co-SiO2/Mo-Pd-Pt-ZSM-5 catalyst with a metal-metal-acid functionality was synthesized with the aim of increasing the selectivity of JP-8 (C10-C17) fuel range. The specific surface areas of the two catalysts were characterized using the BET technique. The electron probe microanalyzer (with WDS and EDS capabilities) was then used to confirm the presence of the applied metals Co, Mo, Pd and Pt on the respective supports. In addition to the gasoline (C4-C12) also produced, the synthesis gas H2:CO ratio was also adjusted to 1.90 for optimum cobalt performance in an enhanced FTS process. At 10 atm (150 psig) and 250 degrees C, the conventional FTS catalyst Co-SiO2 produced fuels rich in hydrocarbons within the gasoline carbon number range. At the same conditions the Co-SiO2-Mo-Pd-Pt/HZSM-5 catalyst increased the selectivity of JP-8. When Co-SiO2/Mo-Pd-Pt-HZSM-5 was used at 13.6 atm (200 psig) and 250 degrees C, a further increase in the selectivity of JP-8 and to some extent diesel was observed. The relative amounts of olefins and n-paraffins decreased with the products distribution shifting more towards the production of isomers.

東協成立的目的之一，就是要促進東協各會員國之間「在平等與夥伴的精神之下，採取共同努力，促進區域內各國的經濟成長、社會進步與文化發展，以增進東南亞國家成為繁榮與和平的基礎。」隨著冷戰結束，大國影響改變，中共與日本積極介入東南亞地區，加上1999年 4 月，隨著柬埔寨的加入東南亞十個國家全部成為東協成員，實現了東協最初建立的願望。但在相互平等、不干涉內政及和平解決衝突的基礎上，東協推動區域安全合作的機制（東協方式的協商模式）面臨極大挑戰與衝擊。 本論文共分七章，第一章緒論，揭示本文研究動機與目的、研究方法、研究範圍與限制及論文架構等。第二章探討東南亞安全環境，從東協的成立，在諸多歷史情結與仇恨糾結中，東協十國出現的背景原因，及探討冷戰前後影響東協安全合作機制形成的因素，從中瞭解「信心安全建立措施」在東協國家間的重要性。第三章 1967-1989東協「信心安全建立措施」的歷史脈絡，從「東協方式」談起，以新自由主義的概念嚐試瞭解不同於歐盟整合的「東協方式」。第四章1990年後東協內部「信心安全建立措施」的發展與特徵。針對冷戰後東協內部安全機制加以探討，如各國之間透過那些機制和平解決雙邊邊界問題等。第五章東協國家主導的由外而內安全合作模式，探討東協區域論壇及亞太安全合作理事會之成立背景、主要議題及對東協安全合作機制的影響。第六章今後東協推動內部「信心安全建立」的機會與挑戰。東協內部對「信心安全建立措施」的看法與態度亦影響執行成效，東協內部解決衝突的機制是否健全，由「信心建立措施」發展到「預防性外交機制」之可行性。第七章結論。藉著上述的探討，瞭解東協內部信心安全建立機制之演進及發展，為東南亞區域安全找到新的方向。

Dopamine (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) have a key role in regulation of voluntary movement control. Their death is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, characterised by inhibited motor control, including muscle rigidity and tremor. Excitatory input to SNc-DA neurons is primarily from the subthalamic nucleus, and in PD these afferents display a higher frequency firing, as well as increased burst firing, which could cause increased excitatory activity in SNc-DA neurons. NMDA receptors (NMDARs) bind the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, and are essential for learning and memory. In SNc-DA neurons, NMDARs have a putative triheteromeric subunit arrangement of GluN1 plus GluN2B and/or GluN2D. Wild type (WT) mice, and those lacking the gene for GluN2D (Grin2D-null), were used to explore its role in various aspects of DA neuronal function and dysfunction using patch-clamp electrophysiology, viability assaying, and immunofluorescence. Pharmacological intervention using subunit-specific inhibitors ifenprodil and DQP-1105 on elicited NMDAR-EPSCs suggested a developmental shift from primarily GluN2B to GluN2B/D. Activity dependent regulation was assessed by high frequency burst stimulation of glutamatergic afferents: in comparison to controls, significant downregulation of NMDARs was observed in SNc-DA neurons, though no differences were observed based on genotype. This regulatory function may be a neuroprotective or homeostatic response. Ambient extracellular glutamate elicits tonic NMDAR activity in SNc-DA neurons, which may be important for maintaining basal levels of excitability: the role of GluN2D was assessed by recording the deflection in baseline current caused by application of competitive NMDAR antagonist D-AP5. There was a significantly larger NMDAR-mediated current in WT vs Grin2D-null mice, indicating that GluN2D has a role in binding ambient glutamate. Dysfunction of glutamate uptake could be a secondary pathophysiological occurrence in the SNc, leading to increased ambient glutamate: the effect of this was explored by application of the competitive glutamate transporter blocker TBOA. Here, the NMDAR-mediated portion of this current was significantly higher in WT mice in comparison to Grin2D-null. Interestingly, dose-response data obtained from bath application of NMDA showed significantly larger currents in Grin2D-null animals vs WT, but only at the top of the response curve (~1-10 mM), which may indicate a capability for larger conductance in Grin2D-null animals at high NMDAR saturation due to replacement of GluN2D with GluN2B. GluN2D may therefore be neuroprotective, by attenuating peak current flow in response to very high agonist concentrations. Lastly, GluN2D has been found to decrease NMDAR open probability under hypoxic conditions, potentially conferring resistance to hypoxia / ischemia related excitotoxicity. Therefore, low (15% O2 / 80% N2 / 5% CO2) vs high (95% O2 / 5% CO2) oxygen conditions were used along with immunofluorescent propidium iodide cell death assaying and immunofluorescent labeling for DA neurons in order to compare levels of DA neuronal death in the SNc based on oxygen status and genotype. Whilst there was a significant submaximal effect based on O2 status, genotype did not confer a practical resistance under these conditions. In summary, NMDARs have diverse roles in SNc-DA neurons which may both serve to maintain normal function and protect the cell against potentially pathological conditions.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:09:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DayseMOS_TESE.pdf: 4185831 bytes, checksum: 7ffe8ba649c7a5670d11523f5cc43976 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-01-31 / Organizations are seeking new ideas, tools and methods aiming to improve management process and performance. On the other hand, system performance measurement needs to portray organizational changes and provide managers with a set of true and more appropriate information for the decision-making process. This work aims to propose a performance measurement system in the academic field regarding Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) in the oil and gas industry. The research performed a bibliographic review in a descriptive exploratory manner. A field research was conducted with an expert focus group in order to gather new indicators. As for the validation of these indicators, a survey with experienced professional was also realized. The research surveyed four segments in and outside of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte-Brazil such as oil and gas project coordinators, staff at Academic Planning Offices, FUNPEC employees as well as coordinators from Petrobr?s. The performance measuring system created from this study features three interrelated performance indicators pointed out as: process indicators, outcome indicators and global indicators. The proposal includes performance indicators that seek to establish more appropriate strategies for effective institution management. It might help policy making of university-industry interaction policies / Cada vez mais as organiza??es est?o ? procura de novas id?ias, novas ferramentas e novos m?todos que as ap?iem no aprimoramento do seu processo de gest?o e assim, melhorar seu desempenho. Por conseguinte, os sistemas de medi??o de desempenho precisam retratar as mudan?as nas organiza??es proporcionando aos seus gestores um conjunto de informa??es verdadeiras e mais adequadas ? tomada de decis?o. O objetivo deste trabalho ? propor um sistema de medi??o de desempenho para os projetos de PD&I no setor de petr?leo e g?s natural para universidades. A pesquisa foi realizada utilizando-se dos seguintes procedimentos: uma revis?o bibliogr?fica com um car?ter explorat?rio-descritivo, acompanhada da pesquisa de campo, a realiza??o de focus group com especialistas para o levantamento de novos indicadores e um survey com profissionais experientes envolvidos na execu??o de projetos dessa natureza, com a finalidade de valida??o dos indicadores. Foram pesquisados quatro segmentos por meio de coordenadores de projetos de petr?leo e g?s natural da UFRN, funcion?rios da Pr?-Reitoria de Planejamento, funcion?rios da FUNPEC e coordenadores da Petrobras. O sistema de medi??o de desempenho gerado a partir deste estudo apresenta em sua estrutura tr?s grupos de indicadores de desempenho inter-relacionados: indicadores de processo, indicadores de resultado e indicadores globais. A proposta inclui indicadores de desempenho que procuram estabelecer uma estrat?gia mais adequada para uma gest?o eficaz das institui??es e pode contribuir para auxiliar as pol?ticas de intera??o universidade-empresa

L’intérêt des systèmes laser UV compacts à solide ne cesse de s’accroître du fait de leurs nombreuses applications dans différents domaines : stockage optique d’information, micro-usinage, médecine, biologie, science des matériaux ... Cependant, dans les cristaux de type oxyde, l’obtention d’une lumière laser UV ne peut se faire que par conversion de fréquences d’un laser émettant dans le domaine infra-rouge. Dans ces conditions, les efforts de recherche s’orientent vers des cristaux à base de borates du fait de leurs performances, de leur transparence dans l’ultraviolet et de leur résistance à l’endommagement laser. Dans ce cadre, nous avons étudié trois matériaux à base de borate : Bi2ZnB2O7 (BZBO), LaBGeO5 (LBGO) et BaCaBO3F (BCBF). Des fibres cristallines de borate de zinc et bismuth BZBO ont été élaborées par la technique de la micro-goutte pendante dans différentes conditions afin de tenter de résoudre le problème de la coloration orange-rouge des fibres obtenues lors de travaux antérieurs. La croissance directe des fibres de LBGO à partir du liquide s’est révélée pratiquement impossible à cause de sa viscosité trop importante. La recherche d’un flux a donc été entreprise afin de diminuer la viscosité et permettre d’obtenir des cristaux de bonne qualité et de dimensions exploitables. Pour cela, le diagramme de phases LBGO-LiF a été étudié ainsi qu’une partie de la coupe isopléthique La2O3-LaBGeO5 dans le système ternaire La2O3-B2O3-GeO2 afin d’étudier les possibilités de « self flux ». Le tirage des fibres BCBF étant très difficile, la technique de la micro-goutte pendante n’est pas une méthode appropriée, dans sa version actuelle, pour la croissance de ce matériau / The growing interest in compact all-solid state laser sources based on non-linear optical crystals emitting in the UV range is explained by their numerous applications such as photolithography, marking, micromachining, cutting or surgery. The only way to generate an ultraviolet laser light from an oxide crystal is by frequency conversion of a near-infrared source. In these conditions, the research works focus towards borate crystals due to their performance, transparency and resistance to laser damage. In this context, we have studied three borate materials: Bi2ZnB2O7 (BZBO), LaBGeO5 (LBGO) and BaCaBO3F (BCBF). Several BZBO crystal fibers were pulled under different conditions by micro-pulling down technique, in order to solve the problem of the orange-red color of the obtained fibers in previous works. The direct growth of LBGO fibers from the melt is impossible because of its excessive viscosity. It was then necessary to find a flux to reduce viscosity and provide crystals with good quality and usable dimensions. So, the LBGO-LiF phase diagram was studied and also the isoplethal section La2O3- LaBGeO5 in the La2O3-B2O3-GeO2 ternary system to examine the possibility of "self-flux". The growth of BCBF fiber being very difficult, the micro-pulling down technique is not appropriate, in its present version, for the growth of this material

Durante a cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio com circulação extracorpórea e hipotermia (CEC-H) ocorre alteração na efetividade do propofol e na sua farmacocinética realizada a partir das concentrações plasmáticas do propofol total no decurso do tempo. A ligação do propofol à proteína plasmática parece estar alterada em consequência de diversos fatores incluindo a hemodiluição e a heparinização que ocorre no início da circulação extracorpórea, uma vez que se reportou anteriormente que a concentração plasmática do propofol livre aumentou durante a realização da circulação extracorpórea normotérmica. Por outro lado, a infusão alvo controlada é recomendada para manter a concentração plasmática do propofol equivalente ao alvo de 2 &#181g/mL durante a intervenção cirúrgica com CEC-H. Se alterações significativas na hipnose do propofol ocorrem nesses pacientes, então o efeito aumentado desse agente hipnótico poderia estar relacionado à redução na extensão da ligação do fármaco as proteínas plasmáticas; entretanto, o assunto ainda permanece em discussão e necessita de investigações adicionais. Assim, o objetivo do estudo foi investigar as concentrações plasmáticas de propofol livre em pacientes durante a revascularização do miocárdio com e sem o procedimento de CEC-H através da abordagem PK-PD. Dezenove pacientes foram alocados e estratificados para realização de cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio com circulação extracorpórea (CEC-H, n=10) ou sem circulação extracorpórea (NCEC, n=9). Os pacientes foram anestesiados com sufentanil e propofol alvo de 2 &#181g/mL. Realizou-se coleta seriada de sangue para estudo farmacocinético e o efeito foi monitorado através do índice bispectral (BIS) para medida da profundidade da hipnose no período desde a indução da anestesia até 12 horas após o término da infusão de propofol, em intervalos de tempo pré-determinados no protocolo de estudo. As concentrações plasmáticas foram determinadas através de método bioanalítico pela técnica de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. A farmacocinética foi investigada a partir da aplicação do modelo aberto de dois compartimentos, PK Solutions v. 2. A análise PK-PD foi realizada no Graph Pad Prisma v.5.0 após a escolha do modelo do efeito máximo (EMAX sigmóide, slope variável). Os dados foram analisados utilizando o Prisma v. 5.0, p<0,05, significância estatística. As concentrações plasmáticas de propofol total foram comparáveis nos dois grupos (CEC-H e NCEC); entretanto o grupo CEC-H evidenciou aumento na concentração do propofol livre de 2 a 5 vezes em função da redução na ligação do fármaco às proteínas plasmáticas. A farmacocinética do propofol livre mostrou diferença significativa entre os grupos no processo de distribuição pelo prolongamento da meia vida e aumento do volume aparente, e no processo de eliminação em função do aumento na depuração plasmática e redução na meia vida biológica no grupo CEC-H. A escolha do modelo EMAX sigmóide, slope variável foi adequada uma vez que se evidenciou alta correlação entre os valores do índice bispectral e as concentrações plasmáticas do propofol livre (r2>0.90, P<0.001) para os pacientes investigados. / During coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) profound changes occur on propofol effect and on kinetic disposition related to total drug plasma measurements in these patients. It was reported that drug plasma binding could be altered as a consequence of hemodilution and heparinization before starts CPB since free propofol plasma levels was increased by twice under normothermic procedure. In addition, the target controlled infusion (TCI) is recommended to maintain propofol plasma concentration (2 &#181g/mL) during CABG CPB-H intervention. However, whether significant changes that occur in propofol hypnosis in these patients could be related to the reduction on the extension of drug plasma binding remain unclear and under discussion until now. Then, the objective of this study was to investigate propofol free plasma levels in patients undergoing CABG with and without CPB by a pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) approach. Nineteen patients were scheduled for on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG-CPB, n=10) or off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG, n=9) were anesthetized with sufentanil and propofol TCI (2 &#181g/mL). Blood samples were collected for drug plasma measurements and BIS were applied to access the depth of hypnosis from the induction of anesthesia up to 12 hours after the end of propofol infusion, at predetermined intervals. Plasma drug concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography, followed by a propofol pharmacokinetic analysis based on two compartment open model, PK Solutions v.2; PK-PD analysis was performed by applying EMAX model, sigmoid shape-variable slope and data were analyzed using Prisma v. 5.0, considering p<0.05 as significant difference between groups. The total propofol plasma concentrations were comparable in both groups during CABG; however it was shown in CPB-group significant increases in propofol free plasma concentration by twice to fivefold occur as a consequence of drug plasma protein binding reduced in these patients. Pharmacokinetics of free propofol in CPB-H group compared to OPCAB group based on two compartment open model was significantly different by the prolongation of distribution half-life, increases on plasma clearance, and biological half-life shortened. In addition, the kinetic disposition of propofol changes in a different manner considering free drug levels in the CPB-H group against OPCAB group as follows: prolongation of distribution half-life and increases on volume of distribution, remaining unchanged biological half-life in spite of plasma clearance increased. BIS values showed a strong correlation with free drug levels (r2>0.90, P<0.001) in CPB-H group and also in OPCAB group by the chosen EMAX model sigmoid shape-variable slope analyzed by GraphPad Prisma v.5.0.

Vortragsfolge: J. Anders Ein H261-Player in Java D. Thie Wavelet- und fraktale Kompression von Videodaten A. Karwath Audiokomprimierung J. Hüttmann Chemnitzer Absolventennetz M. Ehrig Betrachtungen zu verteilten Filesystemen Th. Müller Migration und Datensicherung im MR-AFS M. Clauß Management von Nutzeranforderungen im URZ M. Tautenhahn Systemmanagement auf der Basis von LDAP und SSL S. Brose Zero-Administration-Client mit Ignite-UX und CFENGINE Chr. Ziegler Backupdienst - Stand und Perspektiven Th. Müller BOF: Sicherheit im Campusnetz A. Breiler Server Side Applets N. Schulze Java Beans C. Ranfeld Softwaremanagement RPM vs. OSD G. Heide Neue PD-Software für graphische Benutzeroberflächen J. Wagner Untersuchung zur Neugestaltung der WWW-Seiten zur Softwareausleihe B. Auerbach Digitale Signaturen in MONARCH W. Riedel Lyx - das Wysisyg-LaTeX? W. Riedel BOF: StarOffice - Die vertane Chance? G. Fischer Skalierbarkeit von Serverleistung und Level-4-Switching H. Trapp aktuelle Entwicklungen bei: PGP 5.0, TLS, SSH, Kerberos, vim-5.0 R. Sontag Kommunikationsserver in Schulen: Stand der Vernetzung U. Hübner Perspektiven im Netzbereich

“The relationship between the criminal and victim is much more complicated than the law would care to acknowledge. The criminal and his victim work on each other unconsciously. We can say that as the criminal shapes the victim, the victim also shapes the criminal. The law differentiates distinctly between the attacker and the victim. But their relationship may be, and often is, quite close, so that their roles are reversed and the victim becomes the determining person, while the [victimiser] in the end becomes his own victim.” (Abrahamsen, 1973:35). This research was directed at establishing whether narcissistic individuals will go to extreme levels of violence, specifically murder, if their self-image is threatened. The aim was to determine the extent of pre-existing narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) in these individuals and how this contributed to the murderous action they committed. Emphasis was placed on the psychological motivation of the perpetrator, as well as the relationship that existed between the perpetrator and the victim prior to the event. As the subject of the research was a relatively unknown phenomenon, a qualitative research approach was used. The research focused on analysing specific cases of murder, more particularly cases where rage-type murders were committed. It endeavoured to identify the underlying personality dynamics to determine whether an association between rage-type murder and NPD exists. Case studies illustrating rage-type murderers who had been admitted to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital for a 30-day observation period were identified and analysed. These cases were selected through reviewing the case history of each individual to determine whether the murder fitted the outlined definition of a rage-type murder. The cases that met the outlined requirements were deemed suitable for the purpose of the research, where after the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) results of the selected cases were examined to determine the personality organisation of the individuals. This information was then used to determine the possible association between NPD and rage-type murder. The MMPI-2 was selected as the assessment tool as it is the most widely used personality assessment available. For the purposes of this research a two-point code type was used to indicate the presence of narcissistic personality traits. A two-point code type implies an elevation of two scales, for the purposes of this research specifically the Pd (Psychopathic deviance) scale and the Pa (Paranoia) scale, also referred to as the 4-6/6-4 code type. As interpretation based only on a two-scale elevation was considered to be overly simplistic, all the MMPI-2 clinical scales were interpreted independently, and a clinical interpretation provided in the context of each individual’s background. The 4-6/6-4 code type individual was used to indicate whether the individuals did have narcissistic personality traits, and thus were classified as having NPD. Nine cases were identified of individuals thought to be rage-type murderers, who were admitted for a 30-day period of psychiatric observation to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria. Only five cases were acknowledged as rage-type murders. All the cases selected were referred to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital by order of the court and involved males over the age of 20 years. The individuals involved were admitted to the Forensic Unit of the hospital and were subjected to standard psychiatric hospital observations, which included psychiatric interviews, psychological interviews, psychological testing, as well as general behavioural observations in the ward. All the information obtained during the standard psychiatric hospital observations is held in the clinical case files in the archives at the hospital. All the standard psychiatric hospital observation evaluations were completed prior to the initiation of the research, and the case records had been closed. Although more research is necessary, this research has established an association between the selected cases of rage-type murder and NPD and there is historic documented evidence suggesting that individuals with NPD will most likely react in a similar manner in similar circumstances, as a result of their underlying personality disorder. This suggests that incarceration in a correctional facility is not the most appropriate place to rehabilitate individuals. It also serves as support to why a person with NPD who commits a rage-type murder should be acquitted because of their personality disorder and subsequently be committed to a psychiatric facility as a patient of the state president. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Physiological signals, which are controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), could be used to detect the affective state of computer users and therefore find applications in medicine and engineering. The Pupil Diameter (PD) seems to provide a strong indication of the affective state, as found by previous research, but it has not been investigated fully yet. In this study, new approaches based on monitoring and processing the PD signal for off-line and on-line affective assessment (“relaxation” vs. “stress”) are proposed. Wavelet denoising and Kalman filtering methods are first used to remove abrupt changes in the raw Pupil Diameter (PD) signal. Then three features (PDmean, PDmax and PDWalsh) are extracted from the preprocessed PD signal for the affective state classification. In order to select more relevant and reliable physiological data for further analysis, two types of data selection methods are applied, which are based on the paired t-test and subject self-evaluation, respectively. In addition, five different kinds of the classifiers are implemented on the selected data, which achieve average accuracies up to 86.43% and 87.20%, respectively. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is utilized to investigate the discriminating potential of each individual feature by evaluation of the area under the ROC curve, which reaches values above 0.90. For the on-line affective assessment, a hard threshold is implemented first in order to remove the eye blinks from the PD signal and then a moving average window is utilized to obtain the representative value PDr for every one-second time interval of PD. There are three main steps for the on-line affective assessment algorithm, which are preparation, feature-based decision voting and affective determination. The final results show that the accuracies are 72.30% and 73.55% for the data subsets, which were respectively chosen using two types of data selection methods (paired t-test and subject self-evaluation). In order to further analyze the efficiency of affective recognition through the PD signal, the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) was also monitored and processed. The highest affective assessment classification rate obtained from GSR processing is only 63.57% (based on the off-line processing algorithm). The overall results confirm that the PD signal should be considered as one of the most powerful physiological signals to involve in future automated real-time affective recognition systems, especially for detecting the “relaxation” vs. “stress” states.