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Russia / Belarus / Oil Pipelines / Democratic Revolution / As the last dictatorship in Europe, Belarus is a "problem state" for the United States. This thesis analyses U.S. interests in Belarus and assesses the extent of interdependence of these interests with Russian interests there. It first establishes a theoretical framework for U.S. and Russian national interests and the possibility for cooperation between the two countries. It then examines the mutuality of U.S and Russian interests in Belarus in the areas of democracy and human rights, drug and human trafficking, arms proliferation, oil and gas transit, and Russo-Belarusian trade and political integration and the policy options available to each country. Next, other elements of cooperation are applied to the situation in Belarus. Finally, the possibilities for cooperation are evaluated. This thesis demonstrates that the achievement of U.S. interests is significantly constrained by Russia's willingness to cooperate and that the United States can best achieve its objectives only through cooperation with Russia. This cooperation should center on neither country's first preference, but a compromise solution involving the ascendance of a moderate opponent to Lukashenka from within the Belarusian elite.

Dans cette thèse, nous avons traité l’endommagement local des pipes en acier API 5L X52, par impact de sable et par hydrogène. L’érosion se produit par la projection du corindon (Al2O3), d’une taille moyenne de grains comprise entre 300 et 400um. Les variables sont le temps de sablage (compris entre 1 et 8 heures) et le rayon d’entaille d’éprouvette (0.25 à 1 mm). L’effet d’érosion est caractérisé par : perte de masse, volume érodé, évolution des paramètres d’entaille, analyse des contraintes résiduelles et microdureté HV. Nous avons constaté que plus le temps de sablage et le rayon d’entaille sont grands, plus l’endommagement est important. Les contraintes résiduelles introduites par sablage jouent un rôle important sur la résistance du matériau. La deuxième partie concerne l’endommagement des pipes par la présence de l’hydrogène. Des essais ont été réalisés à un potentiel constant de -1Vsce et dans une solution électrolytique standard : NS4 (Natural Soil 4). La quantité et la concentration d’hydrogène absorbée ont été évaluées. En réalisant différents essais mécaniques : Traction, Charpy et fatigue, nous avons déterminé l’influence du sablage et de l’hydrogène sur les propriétés mécaniques des pipes. Les résultats montrent que le sablage améliore l’élongation à la rupture et la durée de vie du pipe ;  par contre, l’hydrogène les réduit puisque il pénètre dans l’acier et change le mécanisme de rupture. L’évolution de la microstructure du matériau et le mode de rupture ont été observé par microscope à balayage. la réduction de la taille des grains de l’acier, au fond d’entaille sablée, est le signe d’une forte déformation plastique. Les fissures dans l’acier, chargé en hydrogène, se propagent en suivant le chemin de la porosité. Enfin, la nocivité d’entaille, sous sablage et sous hydrogène, a été étudiée par le Diagramme Intégrité Rupture Modifié. Nous avons montré que l’entaille, d’une profondeur de 20% de l’épaisseur du pipe, reste sans dangerosité, mais la fragilisation par la présence de l’hydrogène diminue les facteurs de sécurité et de sûreté d’environ 7% / In this thesis, we have treated the local damage of pipes, with API 5L X52 steel, by impact of sand and hydrogen. The erosion occurs by the projection of corundum (Al2O3), with an average grain size between 300 and 400μm. The variables are the sanding time (between 1 and 8 hours) and the specimen notch radius (0.25 to 1 mm). The effect of erosion is characterized by: mass loss, eroded volume, evolution of notch parameters, residual stress analysis and microhardness HV. We noticed that longer the sanding time and larger the notch radius, more significant is the damage. Residual stresses introduced by sandblasting play an important role on the material resistance. The second part concerns the damage of pipes by the presence of hydrogen. Tests were carried out at a constant potential of -1Vsce, and in a standard electrolytic solution: NS4 (Natural Soil 4). The quantity and the concentration of absorbed hydrogen were evaluated. By performing different mechanical tests: Tensile, Charpy and fatigue, we determined the influence of sandblasting and hydrogen on the mechanical properties of pipes. The results indicate that the sandblasting improves the elongation at fracture and the lifetime of pipe, but on the other side, hydrogen reduces them because "he" penetrates into the steel and changes the failure mechanism. The evolution of material microstructure and fracture mode were observed by scanning electron microscope. The decrease in steel grains size, at the sandblasted notch tip, is a sign of large plastic deformation. The cracks in steel, charged with hydrogen, propagate along the porosity path. Finally, the harmfulness of notch, under sandblasting and hydrogen, was studied by the Modified Failure Assessment Diagram. We have shown that the notch with a depth of 20% of the pipe thickness isn’t dangerous, but the brittleness caused by the presence of hydrogen reduces the safety and security factors about 7%

A model-based estimation process is implemented in simulation of a water transmission line for the purpose of leak detection. The objective of this thesis is aimed at determining, through simulation results, the effectiveness of the Extended Kalman Filter for leak detection. Water distribution systems often contain large amounts of unknown losses. The range in magnitude of losses varies from 10 to over 50 percent of the total volume of water pumped. The result is a loss of product, including water and the chemicals used to treat it, environmental damage, demand shortfalls, increased energy usage and unneeded pump capacity expansions. It is clear that more control efforts need to be implemented on these systems to reduce losses and increase energy efficiencies. The problems of demand shortfalls, resulting from lost product, are worsened by the limited availability of water resources and a growing population and economy. The repair of leakage zones as they occur is not a simple problem since the vast majority of leaks, not considered to be major faults, go undetected. The leak detection process described in the work of this thesis is model based. A transient model of a transmission line is developed using the Method of Characteristics. This method provides the most accurate results of all finite-difference solutions to the two partial differential equations of continuity and momentum that describe pipe flow. Simulations are run with leakage within the system and small transients are added as random perturbations in the upstream reservoir head. The head measurements at the two pipe extremes are used as inputs into the filter estimation process. The Extended Kalman Filter is used for state estimation of leakage within the transmission line. The filter model places two artificial leakage states within the system. The estimates of these fictitious leakage states are then used to locate the actual position and magnitude of leakage within the transmission line. This method is capable of locating one leak within the line. The results of the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) process show that it is capable of locating the position and magnitude of small leaks within the line. It was concluded that the EKF could be used for leak detection, but field tests need to be done to better quantify the ability of these methods. It is recommended that a multiple filtering method be implemented that may be able to locate the occurrence of multiple leakage.

A model based algorithm of pipeline flow is developed and tested to determine if the model is capable of detecting a leak in a pipeline. The overall objective of this research is to determine the feasibility of applying the Extended Kalman Filter and a new technique defined as the Extended Boundary Approach to the detection of leakages in a physical water distribution system. <p>The demands on the water supply system increase as the human population grows and expands throughout the world. Water conservation is required to ensure an adequate supply of water remains for future generations. One way to conserve this water is by reducing the leakages in underground water distribution systems. Currently between 10 to 50 percent of the pumped water is lost due to unrecognized leakages. This results in a huge revenue loss of water, chemicals and energy that is required for transporting the water. The detection of underground leakages is a very complex problem because many leakages are small and go unnoticed by todays leak detection technology. <p>A model based leak detection technique is developed and tested in this thesis. The Method of Characteristics is used to develop a model of a single pipeline. This method is extensively used and provides the most accurate results of the two partial differential equations of continuity and momentum that describe pipe flow. The Extended Kalman Filter is used to estimate two fictitious leakages at known locations along the pipeline. In order to ensure the model is observable four pressure measurements are needed at equally spaced nodes along the pipeline. With the development of the Extended Boundary Approach only the upstream and downstream pressure measurements are required, however; the upstream and downstream flow measurements are also required. Using the information from the two fictitious leaks the actual leak location and magnitude can be determined. This method is only capable of detecting one leak in a single pipeline. <p>The results of the developed model show that the approach is capable of theoretically determining the leak location and magnitude in a pipeline. However, at this time, the feasibility of implementing the proposed leak detection method is limited by the required level of accuracy of the sensors which is beyond that found in todays technology. It was also found that the EKF used primarily steady state information to predict the leakage. It is recommended that further research explore alternate models which might better enhance the EKF approach using transient information from the pipeline. This may allow implementation on a real pipeline.

A model-based estimation process is implemented in simulation of a water transmission line for the purpose of leak detection. The objective of this thesis is aimed at determining, through simulation results, the effectiveness of the Extended Kalman Filter for leak detection. Water distribution systems often contain large amounts of unknown losses. The range in magnitude of losses varies from 10 to over 50 percent of the total volume of water pumped. The result is a loss of product, including water and the chemicals used to treat it, environmental damage, demand shortfalls, increased energy usage and unneeded pump capacity expansions. It is clear that more control efforts need to be implemented on these systems to reduce losses and increase energy efficiencies. The problems of demand shortfalls, resulting from lost product, are worsened by the limited availability of water resources and a growing population and economy. The repair of leakage zones as they occur is not a simple problem since the vast majority of leaks, not considered to be major faults, go undetected. The leak detection process described in the work of this thesis is model based. A transient model of a transmission line is developed using the Method of Characteristics. This method provides the most accurate results of all finite-difference solutions to the two partial differential equations of continuity and momentum that describe pipe flow. Simulations are run with leakage within the system and small transients are added as random perturbations in the upstream reservoir head. The head measurements at the two pipe extremes are used as inputs into the filter estimation process. The Extended Kalman Filter is used for state estimation of leakage within the transmission line. The filter model places two artificial leakage states within the system. The estimates of these fictitious leakage states are then used to locate the actual position and magnitude of leakage within the transmission line. This method is capable of locating one leak within the line. The results of the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) process show that it is capable of locating the position and magnitude of small leaks within the line. It was concluded that the EKF could be used for leak detection, but field tests need to be done to better quantify the ability of these methods. It is recommended that a multiple filtering method be implemented that may be able to locate the occurrence of multiple leakage.

A model based algorithm of pipeline flow is developed and tested to determine if the model is capable of detecting a leak in a pipeline. The overall objective of this research is to determine the feasibility of applying the Extended Kalman Filter and a new technique defined as the Extended Boundary Approach to the detection of leakages in a physical water distribution system. <p>The demands on the water supply system increase as the human population grows and expands throughout the world. Water conservation is required to ensure an adequate supply of water remains for future generations. One way to conserve this water is by reducing the leakages in underground water distribution systems. Currently between 10 to 50 percent of the pumped water is lost due to unrecognized leakages. This results in a huge revenue loss of water, chemicals and energy that is required for transporting the water. The detection of underground leakages is a very complex problem because many leakages are small and go unnoticed by todays leak detection technology. <p>A model based leak detection technique is developed and tested in this thesis. The Method of Characteristics is used to develop a model of a single pipeline. This method is extensively used and provides the most accurate results of the two partial differential equations of continuity and momentum that describe pipe flow. The Extended Kalman Filter is used to estimate two fictitious leakages at known locations along the pipeline. In order to ensure the model is observable four pressure measurements are needed at equally spaced nodes along the pipeline. With the development of the Extended Boundary Approach only the upstream and downstream pressure measurements are required, however; the upstream and downstream flow measurements are also required. Using the information from the two fictitious leaks the actual leak location and magnitude can be determined. This method is only capable of detecting one leak in a single pipeline. <p>The results of the developed model show that the approach is capable of theoretically determining the leak location and magnitude in a pipeline. However, at this time, the feasibility of implementing the proposed leak detection method is limited by the required level of accuracy of the sensors which is beyond that found in todays technology. It was also found that the EKF used primarily steady state information to predict the leakage. It is recommended that further research explore alternate models which might better enhance the EKF approach using transient information from the pipeline. This may allow implementation on a real pipeline.

I denna uppsats studeras placeringen av svenska filmproduktionsbolag. Eftersom majoriteten av de svenska filmproduktionsbolagen förlagt sig i Stockholm, trots att hälften av all svensk långfilm produceras i Västra Götalandsregionen, studeras de olika spatiala förutsättningarna för filmproduktionsbolag förlagda på dessa båda platser. Den övergripande frågeställningen rör varför majoriteten av svenska filmproduktionsbolag är placerade i Stockholm. Det empiriska materialet har samlats in genom intervjuer med filmproduktionsbolag, filmföretag och samproducenten Film Väst. Baserat på klusterteorier kring lokalt surr, globala pipelines och temporära kluster, har materialet analyserats. Dessutom har tidigare studier av projektbaserad verksamhet använts för att förstå hur filmproduktionsbolag arbetar.   Studien visar att det finns olika anledningar till varför många filmproduktionsbolag är förlagda i Stockholm. Det beror dels på att där finns en tradition av filmskapande vilket medför institutionella fördelar, men det finns också fördelar i ekonomi och kunskapsutbyte vilket går att koppla till de teoretiska utgångspunkterna. Däremot verkar det som filmproduktionsbolag i Västra Götaland har en annorlunda kontaktfördelning än Stockholmsbaserade produktionsbolag, vilket beror på Film Västs internationella attraktion och intresse.

Natural language pipelines consist of various natural language algorithms that use the annotations of a previous algorithm to compute more annotations. These algorithms tend to be expensive in terms of computational power. Therefore it is advantageous to parallelize them in order to reduce the time necessary to analyze a large document collection. The goal of this project was to develop a new framework to encapsulate algorithms such that they may be used as part of a pipeline without any additional work. The framework consists of a custom-built data structure called Slab which implements type safety and functional transparency to integrate itself into the Scala programming language. Because of this integration, it is possible to use Spark, a MapReduce framework, to parallelize the pipeline on a cluster. To assess the performance of the new framework, a pipeline based on the OpenNLP library was created. An existing pipeline implemented in UIMA, an industry standard for natural language pipeline frameworks, served as a baseline in terms of performance. The pipeline created from the new framework processed the corpus in about half the time. / text

Offshore pipelines are susceptible to the damage that leads to local collapse. If the ambient pressure is sufficiently high, local collapse can initiate a buckle that propagates at high velocity catastrophically destroying the pipeline. Buckle arrestors are circumferential local stiffeners that are placed periodically along the length of the pipeline. When properly designed, they arrest an incoming buckle thus limiting the damage to the structure to the distance between two adjacent arrestors. Slip-on type buckle arrestors are tight-fitting rings placed over the pipe. They are relatively easy to install and do not require welding. As a result they have been widely used in shallow waters. It has been known that such devices often cannot reach higher levels of arresting efficiency. The somewhat deficient performance is due to the fact that a buckle can penetrate such devices via a folded-up U-mode at pressures that are lower than the collapse pressure of the intact pipe. Because of this they have not seen extensive use in deeper waters. The aim of this study is to quantify the limits in arresting performance of slip-on buckle arrestors in order to enable expanded use in pipelines installed in moderately deep and deep waters. The performance of slip-on buckle arrestors is studied through a combination of experiments and analysis. The study concentrates on pipes with lower D/t values (18-35) suitable for moderately deep and deep waters. The arresting efficiency is studied parametrically through experiments and full scale numerical simulations. The results are used to generate an empirical design formula for the efficiency as a function of the pipe and arrestor geometric and mechanical properties. The performance of slip-on arrestors is shown to be bounded by the socalled the confined propagation pressure. That is the lowest pressure that U-mode pipe collapse propagates inside a rigid circular cavity. Therefore, a quantitative study of this critical pressure is undertaken using experiments and numerical simulations. A new expression relating this critical pressure to the material and geometric parameters of the liner pipe is developed. This in turn is used to develop quantitative limits for the efficiency of slip-on buckle arrestors.