The control and protection system of early nuclear power plants (Generation II) have been designed and built on the then reliable analog system. Technology has evolved in recent times and digital system has replaced most analog technology in most industries. Due to safety precautions and robust licensing requirements in the nuclear industry, the analog and digital system works concurrent to each other in most control and protection systems of nuclear power plants. Due to the ageing, regular maintenance and intermittent operation, the analog plant system often gives faulty signals. The objective of this thesis is to simulate a transient using a simulator to reduce the effects of system faults on the nuclear plant control and protection system, by detecting the faults early. The following steps will be performed: • validating the simulator measurements by simulating a normal operation, • detecting faults early on in the system These can be performed by resorting to a model that generates estimates of the correct sensors signal values based on actual readings and correlations among them. The next step can be performed by a fault detection module which determines early whether or not the plant systems are behaving normally and detects the fault. (Baraldi P. et al, 2010.) / Thesis (MSc (Engineering Sciences in Nuclear Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

We study diffusion-reaction-advection models describing population dynamics of aquatic organisms subject to a constant drift, with reflecting upstream and outflow downstream boundary conditions. We consider three different models: single logistically growing species, two and three competing species. In the case of a single population, we determine conditions for existence, uniqueness and stability of non-trivial steady-state solutions. We analyze the dependence of such solutions on advection speed, growth rate and length of the habitat. Such analysis offers a possible explanation of the "drift paradox" in our context. We also introduce a spatially implicit ODE (nonspatial approximation) model which captures the essential behavior of the original PDE model. In the case of two competing species, we use a diffusion-advection version of the Lotka-Volterra competition model. Combining numerical and analytical techniques, in both the spatial and nonspatial approximation settings, we describe the effect of advection on competitive outcomes. Finally, in the case of three species, we use the nonspatial approximation approach to analyze and classify the possible scenarios as we change the flow speed in the habitat.

The fish ear contains three dense, bony bodies (otoliths) surrounded by fluid (the endolymph) and tissue. Under acoustic stimulation, the surrounding fluid and tissues oscillate relative to the otoliths, stimulating the endolymph as well as the array of hair cell cilia adjacent to the otolith and embedded in tissue. It is believed that the hair cell cilia move with the surrounding fluid. This doctoral thesis studied the steady streaming (i.e., time-independent) component of the acoustically induced fluid motion inside of the fish ear to determine how the hair cell cilia displacements due to the steady streaming could provide acoustically relevant information to the fish. This research characterizes the fluid flow around oscillating model otoliths, namely spheroids, grooved spheroids, and a 350% scale model of a cod saccular otolith. This study models the otolithic endorgan as an oscillating body in a Newtonian fluid. The model ignores the surrounding tissues and assumes that the hair cell cilia move like the surrounding fluid. Particle pathline visualizations and particle-image velocimetry (PIV) are used to characterize the flow fields at various oscillation orientations, frequencies and amplitudes. These data are used to determine the location of the stagnation points on the body surface and at the boundaries of the inner rotating region of the flow. Studies are also conducted on bodies sinusoidally oscillated at both a single frequency and two (simultaneous) frequencies along the same direction. Both the steady streaming flow patterns and velocity fields are found to contain acoustically relevant information, but given the very small displacements associated with these flows, it is unclear if the steady streaming flows can be sensed by the fish ear.

Traditionally, void ratio, e has been used as a state variable for predicting the liquefaction behaviour of soils under the Critical State (Steady State) framework. Recent publications show that void ratio, e may not be a good parameter for characterizing sand with fines as the steady state, SS data points move downward in e-log(p) space up to certain fines content termed as threshold fines content, TFC. Thus, it was difficult to apply SS concept on sand with fines as a small variation of fines content may lead to different SS line. Many researchers proposed to used equivalent granular void ratio, e* as an alternative state variable (i.e. in lieu of void ratio, e) in attempt to obtain a narrow trend line for SS data points irrespective of fc provided fc  TFC. The e* is obtained from e. For the conversion from e to e*, one need a parameter b which presents the active fraction of fines in overall force structure of sand. However, predicting the b is problematic. Most, if not all, of the b reported were determined by case-specific back-analysis, that is, the b-value was selected so that the test results for a given sand-fines type could be correlated with the equivalent granular void ratio, e* irrespective of fines content. This thesis examines the factors that affecting the b value by examining published work on binary packing. This leads to a simple semi-empirical equation for predicting the value of b based onparticle size ratio,  and fines content, fc. Published data and experimental results on Sydney sand appears to be in support of the proposed equation. The single relation of SS data points in e*-log(p) space for sand with fines is referred as Equivalent Granular Steady State Line, EG-SSL. The EG-SSL is then used to define the equivalent granular state parameter,*. A good correlation observed between * and q-p, q- q responses in undrained shearing. The e* and * are also used to modified a state dependent constitutive model. Seven model input parameters are needed in addition four to critical state input parameters. These parameters are obtained from drained test. The model is used to predict q-pand q- q responses for flow, non-flow and limited flow behaviour for 0% to 30% fines contents. The model predictions are in good agreement with experimental results. The effect of fines types (in terms of plasticity and angularity) on the prediction equation of b are also examined with four different types of fines. A negligible effect of fines type on the prediction equation of b is observed. The link between monotonic and cyclic loading behaviour for sand with fines are also examined with emphasis on cyclic instability and strain hardening behaviour after quasi steady state, QSS for a range of fines contents (provided that fc < TFC). It is found that a single set of rules could be used to correlate monotonic and cyclic behaviour for a range of fines contents at same *.

Στην παρούσα μεταπτυχιακή αυτή εργασία μελετήσαμε την συμπεριφορά για πρώτη φορά ενώσεων που είχαν σαν βάση την βενζοδισθιαζόλη. Συγκεκριμένα οι ενώσεις αυτές μελετήθηκαν με την χρήση των τεχνικών της φασματοσκοπίας διφωτονικής απορρόφησης της φασματοσκοπίας σταθερής κατάστασης και της φασματοσκοπίας φθορισμού χρονικής ανάλυσης. Αρχικά όσον αφορά την φασματοσκοπία διφωτονικής απορρόφησης, μπορέσαμε να οδηγηθούμε στα εξής συμπεράσματα: οι καλύτερες ενώσεις που παρουσιάζουν αρκετά μεγάλη διφωτονική απορρόφηση είναι τα γραμμικά μόρια (PK-439 και PK-452) σε σχέση με τα U-shaped μόρια με μέγιστη ενεργό διατομή ΔΦΑ ~2000GM. Επιπλέον παρατηρήσαμε ότι η χρήση της βενζοδισθιαζόλης σαν κεντρικός πυρήνας προκαλεί σημαντική αύξηση της διφωτονικής απορρόφησης, σε σχέση με την βενζοθιαζόλη. Τέλος, με την τεχνική της φασματοσκοπίας φθορισμού χρονικής ανάλυσης μπορέσαμε να οδηγηθούμε σε κάποιες διαπιστώσεις: συγκεκριμένα παρατηρήσαμε ότι όσο το μήκος κύματος καταγραφής μεγαλώνει, τόσο οι καμπύλες αποδιέγερσης γίνονται πιο αργές. Ακόμα διαπιστώσαμε ότι από την σύγκριση μορίων στο μήκος κύματος του μεγίστου, σε εκείνα τα μόρια που αποδιεγείρονται γρήγορα, ευνοούνται οι μη-ακτινοβολητικές διεργασίες και ταυτόχρονα παρουσιάζουν μικρή ενεργό διατομή ΔΦΑ. / --

Orientador: Angela Maria Sitta / Banca: Maria Aparecida Soares Ruas / Banca: Claudio Aguinaldo Buzzi / Resumo: Neste trabalho classificamos problemas de bifurcação Z2-equivariantes de corank 2 até co- dimensão 3 via técnicas da Teoria de Singularidades. A abordagem para classificar tais problemas é baseada no processo de redução à forma normal de Birkhoff para estudar a interação de modos Hopf-Pontos de Equilíbrio. O comportamento geométrico das soluções dos desdobramentos das formas normais obtidas é descrito pelos diagramas de bifurcação e estudamos a estabilidade assintótica desses ramos. / Abstract: In this work we classify the Z2-equivariant corank 2 bifurcation problems up to codimension 3 via Singularity Theory techniques. The approach to classify such problems is based on the Birkhoff normal form to study Hopf-Steady- State mode interaction. The geometrical behavior of the solutions of the unfolding of the normal forms is described by the bifurcation diagrams and we study the asymptotic stability of such branches. / Mestre

The calibration of modern internal combustion engines requires ever improving measurement data quality such that they comply with increasingly stringent emissions legislation. This study establishes methodology and a software tool to improve the quality of steady-state emissions measurements from engine dynamometer tests. Literature shows state of the art instrumentation are necessary to monitor the cycle-by-cycle variations that significantly alter emissions measurements. Test methodologies that consider emissions formation mechanisms invariably focus on thermal transients and preconditioning of internal surfaces. This work sought data quality improvements using three principle approaches. An adapted steady-state identifier to more reliably indicate when the test conditions reached steady-state; engine preconditioning to reduce the influence of the prior day’s operating conditions on the measurements; and test point ordering to reduce measurement deviation. Selection of an improved steady-state indicator was identified using correlations in test data. It was shown by repeating forty steady-state test points that a more robust steady-state indicator has the potential to reduce the measurement deviation of particulate number by 6%, unburned hydrocarbons by 24%, carbon monoxide by 10% and oxides of nitrogen by 29%. The variation of emissions measurements from those normally observed at a repeat baseline test point were significantly influenced by varying the preconditioning power. Preconditioning at the baseline operating condition converged emissions measurements with the mean of those typically observed. Changing the sequence of steady-state test points caused significant differences in the measured engine performance. Examining the causes of measurement deviation allowed an optimised test point sequencing method to be developed. A 30% reduction in measurement deviation of a targeted engine response (particulate number emissions) was obtained using the developed test methodology. This was achieved by selecting an appropriate steady-state indicator and sequencing test points. The benefits of preconditioning were deemed short-lived and impractical to apply in every-day engine testing although the principles were considered when developing the sequencing methodology.

This thesis is devoted to the theoretical study of slow thermodynamic processes in non-equilibrium stochastic systems. Its main result is a physically and mathematically consistent construction of relevant thermodynamic quantities in the quasistatic limit for a large class of non-equilibrium models. As an application of general methods a natural non-equilibrium generalization of heat capacity is introduced and its properties are analyzed in detail, including an anomalous far-from-equilibrium behavior. The developed methods are further applied to the related problem of time-scale separation where they enable to describe the effective dynamics of both slow and fast degrees of freedom in a more precise way. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Parmi les différents mécanismes physiques permettant d'actionner des échantillons liquides au sein de labopuces, l'électromouillage sur diélectrique (EWOD) s'impose peu à peu comme une solution fiable permettant de manipuler en particulier des gouttes (labopuces digitaux). Bien que des modèles énergétiques permettent d'expliquer la plupart des fonctions fluidiques élémentaires obtenues par effet EWOD, il demeure certains phénomènes hydrodynamiques en goutte dont la compréhension à l'échelle locale présente des enjeux en termes scientifiques et applicatifs. En particulier, la maîtrise des oscillations de goutte et des écoulements électrohydrodynamiques induits par des signaux électriques alternatifs (AC-EWOD) pourrait permettre l'insertion de nouvelles fonctions dans les labopuces digitaux (brassage, séparation d'espèces). Dans la thèse proposée, une configuration optimale a été retenue consistant en une goutte reposant sur deux électrodes coplanaires passivées. Un banc de caractérisation a été développé ainsi que des logiciels spécifiques dédiés à l'analyse du mouillage et des oscillations de la goutte. Une première étude permet de caractériser l'électromouillage d'une goutte en configuration d'électrodes coplanaires. En particulier, la modélisation des contraintes électriques surfaciques permet de conclure sur leurs rôles dans l'injection normale et tangentielle de quantité de mouvement. Les oscillations de la goutte et les écoulements induits sont ensuite étudiés de manière expérimentale. Suivant la géométrie des électrodes, des configurations d'écoulements axisymétriques et quadripolaires sont observées. Un modèle basé sur le concept de courant de dérive est développé ; sa résolution numérique par éléments finis permet de retrouver les configurations d'écoulement. Des applications biologiques de l'actuation EWOD en signal alternatif sont finalement proposées et discutées pour le développement de laboratoires sur puces. / Among numerous physical mechanisms enabling liquids actuation, electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) is increasingly considered as a trustful solution enabling discrete iquid sample handling by using electrical fields. Although energetic models can explain most basic fluidic functions, some electrowetting phenomena still remain to be considered as scientific issues. So is the case for droplet oscillations and hydrodynamic flows induced by electrowetting when AC voltage is applied (AC EWOD). The understanding and mastering of these phenomena represent the objectives of this thesis. An open electrode configuration has been used in which the droplet straddles two insulated coplanar electrodes. An experimental setup and dedicated software for the measurement of droplet wetting and droplet oscillations have been developed. A first experimental and numerical study allowed us the characterization of electrowetting in the coplanar electrode configuration. The calculation of the electrical stress distribution delivers criteria which help to conclude about the involvement of tangential electrical stresses in drop convective flow. Then, droplet oscillations and induced flows are experimentally and theoretically investigated. Depending on electrode designs, axisymetrical and quadripolar flows as well can be observed. A model based on steady streaming is implemented and structure flows are numerically reproduced using finite element method. Some practical applications of this research within the framework of lab-on-chips are proposed and discussed.

Individuals with high working memory capacity (WMC) appear to be particularly good at focusing their attention (McCabe, Roediger, McDaniel, Balota, &amp; Hambrick, 2010). Therefore, we studied the correlation between WMC and the ability to suppress neurological activity from a task-irrelevant stimulus. The research question tests the foundations of Lavie’s perceptual load theory; that early selection occurs, by testing if higher WMC enhances people’s ability to inhibit processing of task-irrelevant stimuli from low versus high load (i.e. the difference from low to high load should be smaller for high WMC than for low WMC). This was operationalised by measuring the correlation of WMC and auditory processing under low versus high visual load. Auditory processing was measured with auditory steady state responses (ASSR), and WMC was measured with an operation-letter span task. The results showed no significant correlation between WMC and ability to suppress task-irrelevant stimuli. Based on the data, it is not possible to conclude with certainty that effects of load on auditory processing are unaffected by WMC, because confidence intervals were large.