Subjects viewed steadily two luminous dots with various instructions as ta where ta fixate and attend, and what disappearances ta report. An analysis of the results showed that the frequency and duration of disappearances was significantly influenced by fixation,attention, and report. A control indicated that the attention effect was not simply due ta missing unattended events. It was suggested that these uncontrol led factors might have confounded some of the visual disappearance research results and that attention might be the primary determinant of the meaningful perceptual unit effect.

La descripción del flujo de fluidos involucra la solución de las ecuaciones de Navier-Stokes compresible, un problema muy complejo cuya estructura matemática no es del todo comprendida. Por lo tanto, mediante análisis asintótico, se pueden derivar modelos simplificados bajo ciertas hipótesis sobre el problema hechas en términos de parámetros adimensionales que miden la importancia relativa de los diferentes procesos físicos. Los flujos a baja velocidad se pueden describir por diferentes modelos que incluyen las ecuaciones de Navier Stokes incompresible cuya matemática es mucho mas conocida. Sin embargo, algunos flujos importantes no se pueden considerar incompresibles debido a la presencia de efectos térmicos. En esta clase de problemas se pueden derivar otra clase de ecuaciones simplificadas: las ecuaciones de Boussinesq y las ecuaciones de bajo numero de Mach.La complejidad de estos problemas matemáticos hace que su solución numérica sea muy difícil. En estos problemas el método de los elementos finitos es inestable, lo que en la práctica implica soluciones numéricas que presentan oscilaciones nodo a nodo de naturaleza no física. En las ecuaciones de Navier Stokes incompresible, dos fuentes bien conocidas de inestabilidad son la condición de incompresibilidad y la presencia del término convectivo. Muchas técnicas de estabilización utilizadas hoy en día se basan en la separación de escalas, descomponiendo la incógnita en una parte gruesa inducida por la discretización del domino y una parte fina de subescala. Modelar la subescala y su influencia conduce a un problema modificado para la escala gruesa que resulta estable.Aunque las técnicas de estabilización son ampliamente utilizadas hoy en día, importantes problemas permanecen abiertos. Contribuyendo a su comprensión, en este trabajo se analizan varios aspectos del modelado de las subescalas. Para problemas escalares de segundo orden, se encuentra la dependencia de la subescala con el tamaño de la malla en el caso general de mallas anisótropas. Estas ideas son extendidas a sistemas de ecuaciones para considerar el problema de Oseen. También se analiza el modelado de las subescalas en problemas transitorios, obteniendo un mejor esquema de integración temporal para el problema de escala gruesa. Para considerar flujos a baja velocidad, se presenta la extensión de estas técnicas a problemas no lineales acoplados, lo que esta íntimamente relacionado con el problema del modelado de la turbulencia, que es un tema en si mismo.Los flujos acoplados térmicamente, aparte del interés intrínseco que merecen, son importantes desde un punto de vista ingenieril. Una solución precisa del problema de flujo es necesaria para definir las cargas térmicas sobre las estructuras, que en muchos casos responden fuertemente, haciendo el problema acoplado. Esta clase de problemas, que motivaron este trabajo, incluyen la respuesta estructural en el caso de un incendio. / A general description of a fluid flow involves the solution of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations, a very complex problem whose mathematical structure is not well understood. Therefore, simplified models can be derived by asymptotic analysis under some assumptions on the problem, made in terms of dimensionless parameters that measure the relative importance of different physical processes. Low speed flows can be described by several models including the incompressible Navier Stokes equations whose mathematical structure is much better understood. However many important flows cannot be considered as incompressible, even at low speed, due to the presence of thermal effects. In such kind of problems another class of simplified equations can be derived: the Boussinesq equations and the Low Mach number equations.The complexity of these mathematical problems makes their numerical solution very difficult. For these problems the standard finite element method is unstable, what in practice means that node to node oscillations of non physical nature may appear in the numerical solution. In the incompressible Navier Stokes equations, two well known sources of numerical instabilities are the incompressibility constraint and the presence of the convective terms. Many stabilization techniques used nowadays are based on scale separation, splitting the unknown into a coarse part induced by the discretization of the domain and a fine subgrid part. The modelling of the subgrid scale and its influence leads to a modified coarse scale problem that now can be shown to be stable. Although stabilization techniques are nowadays widely used, important problems remain open. Contributing to their understanding, several aspects of the subgrid scale modelling are analyzed in this work. For second order scalar problems, the dependence of the subgrid scale on the mesh size, in the general anisotropic case, is clarified. These ideas are extended to systems of equations to consider the Oseen problem. The modelling of the subgrid scales in transient problems is also analyzed, leading to an improved time discretization scheme for the coarse scale problem. To consider low speed flow models, the extension of these techniques to nonlinear and coupled problems is presented, something that is intimately related to the problem of turbulence modelling, which a entire subject on its own right. Thermally coupled flow problems, despite the intrinsic interest they deserve, are important from an engineering point of view. An accurate solution of a flow problem is needed to define thermal loads on structures which, in many cases have a strong response, making the problem coupled. This kind of problems, that motivated this work, include the problem of a structural response in the case of fires.

Plasma sprayed Thermal Barrier Coating systems (TBCs) are commonly used for thermal protection of components in modern gas turbine application such as power generation, marine and aero engines. The material that is most commonly used in these applications is Yttria Partially Stabilized Zirconia (YPSZ) because of this ceramic’s favourable properties, such as low thermal conductivity, phase stability to high temperature, and good erosion resistance. The coating microstructures in YPSZ coatings are highly heterogeneous, consisting of defects such as pores and cracks of different sizes which determine the coating’s final thermal and mechanical properties, and the service lives of the coatings. Determination of quantitative microstructure–property correlations is of great interest as experimental procedures are time consuming and expensive. Significant attention has been given to this field, especially in last fifteen years. The usual approach for modelling was to describe various microstructural features in some way, so as to determine their influence on the overall thermal conductivity of the coating. As the analytical models over-simplified the description of the defects, various numerical models were developed which incorporated real microstructure images.This thesis work describes two modelling approaches to further investigate the relationships between microstructure and thermal conductivity of TBCs. The first modelling approach uses a combination of a statistical model and a finite element model which could be used to evaluate and verify the relationship between microstructural defects and thermal conductivity. The second modelling approach uses the same finite element model along with a coating morphology generator, and can be used to design low thermal conductivity TBCs. A tentative verification of both the approaches has been done in this work.

Continuous-time sigma-delta modulators play an important role in the development of biomedical sensors. It is suitable for monitoring of basic human vital functions (i.e., heartbeat and respiration). However, the physiological signal is very weak and it belongs to low-frequency range, the observed signals are strongly inter¬fered by the intrinsic flicker noise form CMOS transistors, which will cause a certain degree of difficulty in the identification. This thesis describes the implementation of loop filter using a differential chopper-stabilized configuration to reduce the influence of flicker noise on sigma-delta modulator within the signal bandwidth. The noise analysis of this sigma-delta modulator is calculated by the time-domain noise simulation. This method can take the noise factors into account when analyzing the overall performance. The proposed sigma-delta modulator is fabricated using TSMC 0.35£gm 2P4M CMOS technology. The chip area is 1.403 x 1.4 mm2. With a sampling rate of 20.8 kHz, the modulator achieves 84.4 dB of the peak SNDR and ENOB is 13.7-bit within signal band¬width of 10Hz. It dissipates 3.46 mW under 3V supply voltage.

The instrumentation amplifier (IA) is one of the crucial blocks in an electrocardiogram recording system. It is the first block in the analog front-end chain that processes the ECG signal from the human body and thus it defines some of the most important specifications of the ECG system like the noise and common mode rejection ratio (CMRR). The extremely low ECG signal bandwidth also makes it difficult to achieve a fully integrated system. In this thesis, a fully integrated IA topology is presented that achieves low noise levels and low power dissipation. The chopper stabilized technique is implemented together with an AC coupled amplifier to reduce the effect of flicker noise while eliminating the effect of the differential electrode offset (DEO). An ultra low power operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) is the only active power consuming block in the IA and so an overall low power consumption is achieved. A new implementation of a large resistor using the T-network is presented which makes it easy to achieve a fully integrated solution. The proposed IA operates on a 2V supply and consumes a total current of 1.4µA while achieving an integrated noise of 1.2µVrms within the bandwidth. The proposed IA will relax the power and noise requirements of the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that immediately follows it in the signal chain and thus reduce the cost and increase the lifetime of the recording device. The proposed IA has been implemented in the ONSEMI 0.5µm CMOS technology.

This work addresses the issue of transverse combustion instabilities in annular gas turbine combustor geometries. While modern low-emissions combustion strategies have made great strides in reducing the production of toxic emissions in aircraft engines and power generation gas turbines, combustion instability remains one of the foremost technical challenges in the development of next generation combustor technology. To that end, this work investigates the response of a swirling flow and swirl-stabilized flame to a transverse acoustic field is using a variety of high-speed laser techniques, especially high-speed particle image velocimetry (PIV) for detailed velocity measurements of this highly unsteady flow phenomenon. A description of the velocity-coupled transverse instability mechanism is explained with companion measurements describing each of the velocity disturbance pathways. Dependence on acoustic frequency, amplitude, and field symmetry is discussed. Significant emphasis is placed on the response of a swirling flow field to a transverse acoustic field. Details of the dynamics of the vortex breakdown bubble and the shear layers are explained using a wide variety of measurements for both non-reacting and reacting flow cases. This thesis concludes with an overview of the impact of this work and suggestions for future research in this area.

The feasibility of highly dispersed gold nanocatalyst supported on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) for the model reactions of C2H4 and CO oxidation is demonstrated for the first time. Gold nanoparticles are synthesized on YSZ powder by chemical reduction of the precursor salt in the mixture of ethanol, water and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Resulting metal loading of the catalysts are 1 wt.% with average particle sizes ranging from 6 to 9 nm. Results of CO and C2H4 oxidation display catalytic activity at 65 0C and 25 0C for CO and C2H4 oxidation, respectively. The catalytic properties of the catalysts are different due to their average particle size. Electrochemical Promotion of Catalysis (EPOC) of C2H4 oxidation is demonstrated. Application of constant potential difference between two electrodes in the bipolar electrochemical cell led to increase in C2H4 conversion. A proposed mechanism explains the bipolar EPOC phenomenon through formation of O2- flux across the electrochemical cell, resulting in the change of Work Function of gold nanoparticles placed in between the electrodes and is electronically isolated.

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) has been used to produce the yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coatings on metal substrates. Sintering of YSZ with and without doping has been carried out at 1150 °C for 2hrs. The properties of these coatings have been examined in light of thermal barrier applications. For EPD, the green density increases with an initial increase in the HCl concentration and the EPD time. This suggests that particle packing was influenced by a time dependent re-arrangement, in addition to the initial suspension dispersion state. The green density peaks at a electrical conductivity of around 10×10-4 S/m achieved by an 0.5 mM HCl addition for the 20 g/l suspensions with the EPD time of around 8 ~10 minute. For sintered coatings, the HCl concentration had a marked effect on the neck size to grain size ratio of the 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) coatings. The presence of ZrCl4 and ZrOCl2, and a high concentration of oxygen vacancies at the grain boundaries are believed to promote neck growth in the early stage of sintering at 1150 °C. During sintering of 3 mol% and 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (3YSZ and 8YSZ) at 1150 ºC for 2hrs, the densification rate substantially increased with a small amount of Fe2O3 addition (0.5 mol%) to the 3YSZ/8YSZ deposits. A more pronounced graingrowth was present in the Fe2O3 doped 8YSZ deposits. The increased Zr4+ diffusion coefficient is mainly responsible to the rapid densification rate of the Fe2O3 doped 3YSZ/8YSZ deposits. A small grain growth observed in the Fe2O3 doped 3YSZ deposits is attributed to the Fe3+ segregation at grain boundary. A small amount of CeO2 doping was found to substantially inhibit the densification rate of the doped 3YSZ deposits with a minor grain growth. Fe2O3 doping reduced the thermal conductivities of 3YSZ/8YSZ. It is found that Rayleigh-type phonon scattering due to the mass difference alone is inadequate to explain the thermal conductivity of Fe2O3 doped YSZ systems. The lattice strain effects due to the ionic radius difference could more effectively reduce thermal conductivity of the Fe2O3-doped 3YSZ. A decrease in the growth rate of the TGO scale with the increasing Fe2O3 additions was observed for the oxidized FeCrAlY metal substrates with the Fe2O3-doped 3YSZ coating, which was found to be attributed to the early formation of the stable and dense α-Al2O3 phase due to the presence of Fe3+ ions.

Magister Pharmaceuticae - MPharm / This study was based on Dioxy MP 14 (DMP), a brand of stabilized chlorine dioxide (SCD). The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of DMP is chlorine dioxide (CD) which is a potent oxidant and biocide. These properties have proved invaluable for various applications. The main goals of this study were: to evaluate the effectiveness of DMP for disinfecting Mycobateria tuberculosis (TB) contaminated medical instruments, devices, floors and surfaces; to investigate the stability of DMP; and to explore possibilities for medical application of DMP. Evaluation of disinfectant activity of DMP on TB was performed using the spectrophotometric method, a modification of the European suspension test, EN 14348. M. bovis BCG was employed as surrogate in this test. Results were as follows: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₉₀) = 12.5 ppm; the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) = 15.4 ppm; the Mycobactericidal Effect (ME) = 8.8log reduction; and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₉₀) x minimum exposure time (CT) = 12.5 ppm.s. The long term stability study of DMP was performed by monitoring the rate of degradation of DMP stored in the fridge (2-8 °C), in the oven (40 °C), and under ambient conditions (15-30 °C). Analytical methods of assessing DMP concentration was by Iodometric titration method. The shelf life of DMP stored in a transparent bottle at room temperature was 9.8 weeks, as opposed to 52.7 weeks when stored in an amber colored reagent bottle at the same temperature. Both oven samples had an expiry date of about 20 weeks and the fridge samples about 70 weeks. Foam formulations for a vaginal douche (VGD), mouth rinse (MRF), and foot/sit bubble bath (F/SBB)], were developed in the laboratory. DMP and the formulated concentrate were designed to be mixed just prior to administration. During foam evaluation studies, a mechanical overhead stirrer was used to generate foam. Foamability was assessed by quantifying the amount of foam generated. The stability of foams were assessed by: 1) determining the rate of foam decay and the rate of foam drainage observed concurrently from foam loaded in a measuring cylinder; and 2) determining the life span of single bubbles of each foam system i.e. the bubble breaking time (BBT). The density of each foam system was also determined. Potentiometric acid base titration was used to select suitable adjuster alkali, and to show the benefits of employing a buffer. Concentrate development was initiated by a simple mixture of all the ingredients followed by stirring and observing the deviations from desired quality attributes of the product. The subsequent five processes were improvements designed to circumvent the shortcomings of the initial procedure to arrive at the optimized method E. Prototype formulations were employed to optimize excipient quantities to eventually arrive at an optimized master formula. In foam evaluation, it was found that sodium lauryl sulphate/ammonium lauryl sulphate/cocoamidopropyl betaine/cetostearyl alcohol (SLS/ALS/CAPB/CSA) foam system was the most appropriate to use in the formulation. NaOH was selected as the adjuster solution and KHP as the buffer. The dosage formula (DF) of the VGD and F/SBB was determined to be MDF = 5 ml of 50 ppm DMP + 5 ml concentrate + 40 ml water = 50 ml and that of MRF as MDF = 19 ml diluted concentrate + 1 ml of 50 ppm DMP. In conclusion, DMP was found to be a highly effective disinfectant against Mycobacteria. DMP has reasonable shelf life if stored appropriately. Pharmaceutical formulation from DMP was found to be delicate due to the narrow pH window of DMP stability, but is feasible.

Les buts principaux recherchés de la présente thèse visent au développement et à l’expertise d’une méthodologie de simulation numérique des problèmes d’interactions fluides-structures. Afin de cerner progressivement le problème étudié, nous nous sommes intéressés en premier lieu à la simulation numérique des écoulements autour d’obstacles solides, plus particulièrement au phénomène d’éclatements tourbillonnaires dans la zone de sillage d’obstacles de différentes formes. Nous avons utilisé la méthode des éléments finis en adoptant la technique de stabilisation GLS (Galerkin Least-Square). Pour le traitement de la turbulence, nous avons opté pour la méthode LES (Large-Eddy Simulation) en utilisant le filtre de Smagorinsky. En deuxième phase, nous nous sommes intéressés aux écoulements en milieux déformables. Nous avons entrepris la formulation ALE (Arbitrairement Lagrangienne Eulérienne) en considérant un maillage déformable. Pour la mise à jour de la grille du maillage dynamique, nous avons utilisé une approche pseudo-élastique. Afin d’expertiser la méthodologie mise en oeuvre, nous avons choisi d’aborder le problème des ballottements à la surface libre de réservoirs partiellement remplis de liquide. En dernière partie, nous nous sommes intéressés au comportement vibratoire d’un corps solide sous l’effet d’un écoulement de fluide. Par l’utilisation d’un algorithme de couplage totalement implicite basé sur la méthode de Gauss-Seidel par Bloc, nous avons abordé le phénomène des instabilités aéroélastiques des ponts à haubans. Pour la validation du modèle numérique traitant les interactions fluides-structures par les données expérimentales, nous nous sommes intéressés au comportement vibratoire d’une maquette sectionnelle d’un tablier de pont réel sous l’effet d’un vent soufflant uniforme. / The main goals sought by this thesis target the development and expertise of a methodology for numerical simulation of fluid-structure interactions problems. In order to identify the studied problem progressively, we are interested primarily in numerical simulation of flows around bluff bodies, especially the phenomenon of vortex shedding in the wake zone of a bluff body of different shapes. We used the finite element method by adopting the stabilized GLS (Galerkin Least-Square) technique. For the treatment of turbulence, we opted the LES (Large-Eddy Simulation) method using the Smagorinsky filter. In the second phase, we were interested in flows in deformable media. We undertook the ALE (Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian) formulation by considering a deformable mesh. To update the grid of the dynamic mesh, we used a pseudo-elastic approach. To appraise the implemented methodology, we decided to approach the problem of sloshing at the free surface of a tank partially filled with liquid. In the final part, we were interested in vibration behavior of a solid body under the effect of fluid flow. By using a fully implicit coupling algorithm based on a relaxed Bloc Gauss-Seidel method, we studied the phenomenon of aeroelastic instability of cable-stayed bridges. To validate the numerical model treating fluid-structure interactions by experimental data, we investigated the vibration behavior of a real deck sectional model under the effect of a uniform wind.