Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Distribution factor method'

O estudo de redes hidrÃulicas para fins de operaÃÃo ou anÃlise de viabilidade para ampliaÃÃo ou recuperaÃÃo das mesmas à iniciado pela calibraÃÃo, neste contexto, entendida como identificaÃÃo de parÃmetros tais como: fator de atrito, rugosidade e diÃmetro. O MÃtodo Transiente Inverso em conjunto com Algoritmo genÃtico se mostra eficiente nessa tarefa. O referido mÃtodo emprega o MÃtodo das CaracterÃsticas na soluÃÃo das equaÃÃes de movimento para escoamento transiente em tubos de redes e a otimizaÃÃo das soluÃÃes à baseada na Teoria Evolutiva e avaliada por uma funÃÃo objetivo, que neste estudo à o somatÃrio do mÃdulo da diferenÃa entre as cargas medidas e calculadas pelo modelo para cada conjunto de soluÃÃes. Considerando que o objetivo do desenvolvimento de modelos matemÃticos para a calibraÃÃo de redes hipotÃticas à a utilizaÃÃo dos mesmos em redes reais, e que nessas, a coleta de dados de carga està sujeita a erros de mediÃÃo, seja devido a defeitos nos equipamentos seja por condiÃÃes ambiente desfavorÃveis ou outros efeitos aleatÃrios e tendo em vista a relevÃncia dos fatores de atrito nas tubulaÃÃes, pela sua relaÃÃo com perdas de carga que devem ser controladas para um Ãtimo funcionamento de redes, garantindo um abastecimento contÃnuo em quantidade e condiÃÃes de funcionamento adequados, este trabalho propÃe-se a verificar a interferÃncia da presenÃa de erros de mediÃÃo de carga transiente na identificaÃÃo dos fatores de atrito em duas redes hidrÃulicas hipotÃticas. As mesmas sÃo de portes diferentes com relaÃÃo ao nÃmero de anÃis, nÃs e tubos. Ambas sÃo alimentadas por um reservatÃrio cada. As condiÃÃes transientes sÃo atribuÃdas a uma manobra de vÃlvula instalada em um dos nÃs de cada rede. A coleta de dados de carga à restrita a 20% dos nÃs de cada rede, sendo que um deles à o nà onde se encontra a vÃlvula. O tempo de observaÃÃo do transiente hidrÃulico à restrito ao tempo da manobra de vÃlvula, 20s, e ocorre em intervalos de 0,1s, resultando em 200 registros de carga. A condiÃÃo permanente das redes à inicialmente desconhecida o conhecimento acerca da mesma à restrito a carga nos reservatÃrios e demandas nos nÃs, bem como diÃmetros dos tubos, os fatores de atrito sÃo inicialmente estipulados. A determinaÃÃo das condiÃÃes permanente e transiente bem como a identificaÃÃo dos fatores de atrito à realizada com a utilizaÃÃo de um modelo hidrÃulico e geram cargas transientes que sÃo consideradas convencionalmente verdadeiras, essas entÃo recebem incrementos de diversos erros sistemÃticos e aleatÃrios, que geram novas cargas e essas sÃo consideradas coletadas com erros de mediÃÃo. A partir dessas novas cargas sÃo realizadas identificaÃÃes de fatores de atrito, os quais sÃo comparados com os que foram obtidos considerando um caso ideal de cargas sem erros de mediÃÃo. A referida comparaÃÃo à realizada atravÃs do Erro MÃdio Relativo e da FunÃÃo Objetivo Ãtima. Os resultados encontrados demonstram que os erros de mediÃÃo interferem na identificaÃÃo dos fatores de atrito apesar de nÃo ser possÃvel delinear uma relaÃÃo entre os mesmos.<br>The study of hydraulic networks for operation purposes or viability analysis for extension or renovation of the same is started the calibration in this context understood as identification parameters, such as friction coefficient, surface roughness and diameter. The Transient Inverse Method in conjunction with genetic algorithm is efficient in this task shows. This method employs the method of characteristics in the solution of the equations of motion for transient flow in networks of pipes and the optimization of solutions is based on Evolutionary Theory and evaluated by an objective function, which in this study is the sum of the difference between the module loads measured and calculated by the model for each set of solutions. Whereas the objective of the development of mathematical models for calibration hypothetical networks is their use in real networks, and that these, the collection of payload data is subject to measurement errors, is due to defects in the equipment or by conditions unfavorable environment or other random effects and taking into account the relevance of friction factors in pipelines, by their relationship to head losses that must be controlled to a great operation of networks, ensuring a continuous supply in quantity and appropriate operating conditions, this work is proposed to verify the influence of the presence of transient load measurement errors in the identification of friction factors in two hypothetical hydraulic networks. They are of different sizes with the number of rings, knots and tubes. Both are each fed by a reservoir. The transient conditions are assigned to a valve maneuver installed in one of the nodes of each network. The load data collection is restricted to 20% of the nodes in each network, one of which is the node where the valve is located. The hydraulic transient observation time is restricted to the valve maneuver time, 20s, and occurs at intervals of 0.1s, resulting in 200 charge records. The permanent condition of networks is initially unknown knowledge about the same is restricted to load in the reservoirs and demands on us as well as pipe diameter, the friction factors are initially stipulated. The determination of the permanent and transient conditions and the identification of the friction factors is performed using a hydraulic model and generate transient loads which are conventionally considered true, then these various steps of receiving systematic and random errors, which generate new burdens and these are considered collected with measurement errors. From these new loads are carried IDs friction factors, which are compared with those obtained considering an ideal case with no measurement errors loads. This comparison is performed using the mean relative error and function great goal. The results show that measurement errors in the identification of interfering friction factors although not possible to draw a relationship between them.

This research provides a multi-tier framework for load carrying capacity assessment of bridges using structural health monitoring techniques. In this framework, four tiers are developed ranging from simplified to detailed tiers for holistic bridge assessment. Performance of each tier has been validated using various numerical and experimental examples of bridges and beam-like structures.

Modelisation originale de la densite electronique moleculaire par la superposition de densites atomiques spheriques, centrees sur les noyaux a partir de calculs d'orbitales moleculaires, avec trois invariants : la charge totale, le potentiel electrons-noyaux, le moment dipolaire. Description de la methode numerique pour determiner les densites associes aux atomes dans une base d'orbitales gaussiennes. Renseignements obtenus sur les modifications spatiales de la charge electronique par formation de liaisons, sur les facteurs de structure atomiques effectifs, apres transformation de fourier, en tenant compte de l'effet de l'environnement. Extension de la methode a la decomposition de la densite electronique moleculaire en densites composantes, autres qu'atomiques et non necessairement centrees sur les noyaux. Outre les applications a l'etude de la structure et des proprietes electroniques des molecules, proposition d'utilisation au calcul des polarisabilites optiques (lineaires ou non), a l'analyse des donnees cristallographiques obtenues par diffraction de rayon x et a la prevision de la structure des cristaux moleculaires

This thesis aims to find out the effective diffusivity (Deff) of a porous material – γ-alumina, using an unsteady state method with two inert gases at ambient condition with no reactions. For porous materials, Deff is important because it determines the amount of reactants that transfers to the surface of pores. When Deff is known, the apparent tortuosity factor of γ-alumina is calculated using the parallel pore model. The apparent tortuosity factor is important because: (a) it can be used to back-calculate Deff at reacting conditions; (b) once Deff with reactions is known, the Thiele modulus can be calculated and hence the global reaction rate can be found; (c) apparent tortuosity factor is also important for modelling purposes (e.g. modelling a packed-bed column or a catalytic combustion reactor packed with porous γ-alumina in various shapes and monoliths). Experimental measurements were performed to determine the effective diffusivity of a binary pair of non-reacting gases (He in N2, and N2 in He) in spherical γ-alumina pellets (1 mm diameter), and in γ-alumina washcoated monoliths (washcoat thickness 20 to 60 µm, on 400 cpsi (cells per square inch) cordierite support). The method used is based on the chromatographic technique, where a gas flows through a tube, which is packed with the sample to be tested. A pulse of tracer gas is injected (e.g. using sample loops: 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 ml) and by using an on-line mass spectrometer the response in the outlet of the packed bed is monitored over time. For the spherical pellets, the tube i.d. = 13.8 mm and the packed bed depths were 200 and 400 mm. For monoliths the tube i.d. = 7 mm and the packed lengths were 500 and 1000 mm. When the chromatographic technique was applied to the monoliths, it was observed that experimental errors can be significant, and it is very difficult to interpret the data. However, the technique worked well with the spherical pellets, and the effective diffusivity of He in N2 was 0.75 – 1.38 × 10-7 m2 s-1, and for N2 in He was 1.81 – 3.10 × 10-7 m2 s-1. Using the parallel pore model to back-calculate the apparent tortuosity factor, then a value between 5 to 9.5 was found for the pellets.

Master’s thesis, „Optimization of hanger design in petrochemical industry heaters”, describes a procedure and means, leading to better hanger design in various cases. The thesis describes several problems which are necessary to be solved in hanger design. Technical expertise is executed on hangers of various designs. The procedure of optimization is shown on one chosen hanger design.

In recent years, photovoltaic (PV) power production have seen an increase and the PV power systems are often located in the distribution grids close to the consumers. Since the distributions grids rarely are designed for power production, investigation of its effects is needed. It is seen in this thesis that PV power production will cause voltages to rise, potentially to levels exceeding the limits that grid owners have to abide by. A model of a distribution grid is developed in MathWorks MATLAB. The model contains a transformer, cables, households, energy storage systems (ESS:s) and photovoltaic power systems. The system is simulated by implementing a numerical Forward Backward Sweep Method, solving for powers, currents and voltages in the grid. PV power systems are added in different configurations along with different configurations of ESS:s. The results are analysed, primarily concerning voltages and voltage limits. It is concluded that addition of PV power production in the distribution grid affects voltages, more or less depending on where in the grid the systems are placed and what peak power they have. It is also concluded that having energy storage systems in the grid, changing the power factor of the inverter for the PV systems or lowering the transformer secondary-side voltage can bring the voltages down.<br>På senare tid har det skett en ökning i antalet solcellsanläggningar som installeras i elnätet och dessa är ofta placerade i distributionsnäten nära hushållen. Eftersom distributionsnäten sällan är dimensionerade för produktion så behöver man utreda effekten av det. I det här arbetet visas det att solcellsproduktion kommer att öka spänningen i elnätet, potentiellt så mycket att de gränser elnätsägarna måste hålla nätet inom överstigs. En modell över lågspänningsnätet skapas i MathWorks MATLAB. Modellen innehåller transformator, kablar, hushåll, energilager och solcellsanläggningar. Systemet simuleras med hjälp av en numerisk Forward Backward Sweep-lösare som beräknar effekter, strömmar och spänningar i elnätet. Solcellanläggningarna placeras ut i elnätet i olika konfigurationer tillsammans med olika konfigurationer av energilager. Resultaten från simuleringarna analyseras främst med avseende på spänningen i elnätet utifrån dess gränser. De slutsatser som dras i arbetet är att solcellsproduktion kommer att påverka spänningen, mycket beroende på var i elnätet anläggningarna placeras och storleken hos dem. Det visas också att energilager, justering av effektfaktor hos solcellsanläggningarna eller en spänningssänkning på transformatorns lågspänningssida kan få ner spänningen i elnätet.<br><p>LiTH-ISY-EX--19/5194--SE</p>

Die elektrischen Mikrofeldverteilungen (EMDs) und ihre Auswüchse wurden in einkomponentiger (OCP) Elektron-, zweikomponentigen (TCP) Elektron-Positron-, Wasserstoff- und einwertig ionisierten Alkaliplasmen im Rahmen verschiedener Pseudopotentialmodelle (PM) untersucht und mit sowohl Molekulardynamik (MD) und Monte-Carlo Simulationen als auch mit Experimenten vergliechen. Die verwendeten theoretischen Verfahren zur Berechnung von EMDs gehen zurück auf die von C. A. Iglesias entwickelte Kopplungsparameter Integrationstechnik (KPIT) für OCP und die von J. Ortner et al. vorgeschlagene verallgemeinerte KPIT für TCP. EMDs wurden im Rahmen der abgeschirmten Kelbg-, Deutsch-, Hellmann-Gurskii-Krasko(HGK)-PM untersucht, welche quantenmechanische Effekte, Abschirmungseffekte und die Struktur der Ionenrümpfe (HGK) berücksichtigen. Die Abschirmungseffekte wurden auf Grundlage der Bogoljubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon- Methode eingeführt. Wir haben das abgeschirmte HGK-Pseudopotential in der Debye-Näherung sowie in einer mäßig gekoppelten Plasma-Näherung verwendet. Wir haben verschiedene Typen vom asymptotischen Verhalten der Verteilungsauswüchse in Abhangigheit von Plasmaparameter, Plasmatypen und Strahler bestimmt. Der Vergleich der experimentell gewonnenen Daten mit sowohl einem synthetischen Li2+-Lyman-Spektrum als auch mit einer synthetischen Li II 548 nm Linie lassen den Schluss zu, daß die EMD, welche auf der Grundlage der Iglesias-Methode für OCP im HGK-PM und der MD erhalten wurde, eine gute Übereinstimmung mit den experimentellen Werten liefert. Die statischen partiellen und Ladung-Ladung-Strukturfaktoren (SSF) wurden für Alkali- und Be2+-Plasmen unter Verwendung der von G. Gregori et al. beschriebenen Methode berechnet. Die dynamischen Strukturfaktoren (DSF) für Alkaliplasmen wurden unter Verwendung der durch V. M. Adamyan et al. entwickelten Methode der Momente berechnet. Bei beiden Methoden wurde das abgeschirmte HGK-Pseudopotential verwendet.<br>The electric microfield distributions (EMDs) and its tails have been studied for electron one-component plasma (OCP), electron-positron, hydrogen and single-ionized alkali two-component plasmas (TCP) in a frame of different pseudopotential models (PM) and compared with Molecular Dynamics (MD) and Monte-Carlo simulations as well as with experiments. The theoretical methods used for calculation of EMDs are a coupling-parameter integration technique (CPIT) developed by C. A. Iglesias for OCP and the generalized CPIT proposed by J. Ortner et al. for TCP. We studied the EMDs in a frame of the screened Kelbg, Deutsch, Hellmann-Gurskii-Krasko (HGK) PMs which take into account quantum-mechanical, screening effects and the ion shell structure (HGK) due to the Pauli exclusion principle. The screening effects were introduced on a base of Bogoljubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon method. We used the screened HGK pseudopotential in the Debye approximation as well as in a moderately coupled plasma approximation. The influence of the plasma coupling parameter on the EMD along with the ion shell structure was investigated. We determined different types of asymptotic behaviour of EMD tails in dependence on the plasma type, parameters and radiator. Comparison of a synthetic Li2+ Lyman spectrum as well as comparison of a synthetic Li II 548 nm line with experimental data allows us to conclude that the EMD, obtained on a base of the CPIT method for OCP within the HGK PM and MD, provides a good agreement with the experiment. We have calculated the partial and charge-charge static structure factors (SSF) for alkali and Be2+ plasmas using the method described by G. Gregori et al.. We have calculated the dynamic structure factors (DSF) for alkali plasmas using the method of moments developed by V. M. Adamyan et al. In both methods the screened HGK pseudopotential has been used.

Regarding quantifying uncertainties in prediction, two projects with different perspectives and application backgrounds are presented in this dissertation. The goal of the first project is to predict the corporate default risks based on large-scale time-to-event and covariate data in the context of controlling credit risks. Specifically, we propose a competing risks model to incorporate exits of companies due to default and other reasons. Because of the stochastic and dynamic nature of the corporate risks, we incorporate both company-level and market-level covariate processes into the event intensities. We propose a parsimonious Markovian time series model and a dynamic factor model (DFM) to efficiently capture the mean and correlation structure of the high-dimensional covariate dynamics. For estimating parameters in the DFM, we derive an expectation maximization (EM) algorithm in explicit forms under necessary constraints. For multi-period default risks, we consider both the corporate-level and the market-level predictions. We also develop prediction interval (PI) procedures that synthetically take uncertainties in the future observation, parameter estimation, and the future covariate processes into account. In the second project, to quantify the uncertainties in the maximum likelihood (ML) estimators and compute the exact tolerance interval (TI) factors regarding the nominal confidence level, we propose algorithms for two-sided control-the-center and control-both-tails TI for complete or Type II censored data following the (log)-location-scale family of distributions. Our approaches are based on pivotal properties of ML estimators of parameters for the (log)-location-scale family and utilize the Monte-Carlo simulations. While for Type I censored data, only approximate pivotal quantities exist. An adjusted procedure is developed to compute the approximate factors. The observed CP is shown to be asymptotically accurate by our simulation study. Our proposed methods are illustrated using real-data examples.<br>Ph. D.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The design of a water supply system relies on the knowledge of the water demands of its specific end-users. It is also important to understand the end-users’ temporal variation in water demand. Failure of the system to provide the required volume of water at the required flow-rate is deemed a system failure. The system therefore needs to be designed with sufficient capacity to ensure that it is able to supply the required volume of water during the highest demand periods. In practice, bulk water supply systems do not have to cater for the high frequency, short duration high peak demand scenarios of the end-user, such as the peak hour or peak day events, as the impact of events is reduced by the provision of water storage capacity at the off-take from the bulk supply system. However, for peak demand scenarios with durations longer than an hour or a day, depending on the situation, the provision of sufficient storage capacity to reduce the impact on the bulk water system, becomes impractical and could lead to potential water quality issues during low demand periods. It is, therefore, a requirement that bulk water systems be designed to be able to meet the peak weekly or peak month end-user demands. These peak demand scenarios usually occur only during a certain portion of the year, generally concentrated in a two to three month period during the drier months. Existing design guidelines usually follow a deterministic design approach, whereby a suitable DPF is applied to the average annual daily system demand in order to determine the expected peak demand on the system. This DPF does not account for the potential variability in end-user demand profiles, or the impact that end-storage has on the required peak design factor of the bulk system. This study investigated the temporal variations of end-user demand on two bulk water supply systems. These systems are located in the winter rainfall region of the Western Cape province of South Africa. The data analysed was the monthly measured consumption figures of different end-users supplied from the two systems. The data-sets extended over 14 years of data. Actual monthly peak factors were extracted from this data and used in deterministic and probabilistic methods to determine the expected monthly peak factor for both the end-user and the system design. The probabilistic method made use of a Monte Carlo analysis, whereby the actual recorded monthly peak factor for each end-user per bulk system was used as an input into discrete probability functions. The Monte Carlo analysis executed 1 500 000 iterations in order to produce probability distributions of the monthly peak factors for each system. The deterministic and probabilistic results were compared to the actual monthly peak factors as calculated from the existing water use data, as well as against current DPFs as published in guidelines used in the industry. The study demonstrated that the deterministic method would overstate the expected peak system demand and result in an oversized system. The probabilistic method yielded good results and compared well with the actual monthly peak factors. It is thus deemed an appropriate tool to use to determine the required DPF of a bulk water system for a chosen reliability of supply. The study also indicated the DPFs proposed by current guidelines to be too low. The study identified a potential relationship between the average demand of an end-user and the expected maximum monthly peak factor, whereas in current guidelines peak factors are not indicated as being influenced by the end-user average demand.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ontwerp van ‘n watervoorsiening stelsel berus op die kennis van die water aanvraag van sy spesifieke eindverbruikers. Dit is ook belangrik om ‘n begrip te hê van die tydelike variasie van die eindverbruiker se water-aanvraag. Indien die voorsieningstelsel nie in staat is om die benodigde volume water teen die verlangde vloeitempo te kan lewer nie, word dit beskou as ‘n faling. Die stelsel word dus ontwerp met voldoende kapasiteit wat dit sal in staat stel om die benodigde volume gedurende die hoogste aanvraag periodes te kan voorsien. In die praktyk hoef grootmaat water-voorsiening stelsels nie te voldoen aan spits watergebeurtenisse met hoë frekwensie en kort duurtes, soos piek-dag of piek-uur aanvraag nie, aangesien hierdie gebeurtenisse se impak op die grootmaat stelsel verminder word deur die voorsiening van wateropgaring fasiliteite by die aftap-punte vanaf die grootmaatstelsels. Nieteenstaande, vir piek-aanvraag gebeurtenisse met langer duurtes as ‘n uur of dag, raak die voorsiening van voldoende wateropgaring kapasiteit by die aftap-punt onprakties en kan dit selfs lei tot waterkwaliteits probleme. Dit is dus ‘n vereiste dat grootmaat watervoorsienings stelsels ontwerp moet word om die piek-week of piek-maand eindverbruiker aanvrae te kan voorsien. Hierdie piek-aanvraag gebeurtenisse vind algemeen in gekonsentreerde twee- of drie maand periodes tydens die droeër maande plaas. Bestaande ontwerpsriglyne volg gewoonlik ‘n deterministiese ontwerp benadering, deurdat ‘n voldoende ontwerp spits faktor toegepas word op die gemiddelde jaarlikse daaglikse stelsel aanvraag om sodoende te bepaal wat die verwagte spits aanvraag van die stelsel sal wees. Hierdie ontwerp spits faktor maak nie voorsiening vir die potensiële variasie in die eindverbruiker se aanvraag karakter of die impak van die beskikbare water-opgaring fasiliteit op die benodigde ontwerp spits faktor van die grootmaat-stelsel nie. Hierdie studie ondersoek die tydelike variasie van die eindverbruiker se aanvraag op twee grootmaat watervoorsiening stelsels. Die twee stelsels is geleë in die winter reënval streek van die Wes-Kaap provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Die data wat geanaliseer is was die maandelikse gemeterde verbruiksyfers van verskillende eindverbruikers voorsien deur die twee stelsels. Die datastelle het oor 14 jaar gestrek. Die ware maand piekfaktore is bereken vanaf die data en is in deterministiese en probabilistiese metodes gebruik om die verwagte eindverbruiker en stelsel ontwerp se maand spits-faktore te bereken. Die probabilistiese metode het gebruik gemaak van ‘n Monte Carlo analise metode, waardeur die ware gemeette maand spits-faktor vir elke eindverbruiker vir elke grootmaatstelsel gebruik is as invoer tot diskrete waarskynlikheids funksies. Die Monte Carlo analise het 1 500 000 iterasies voltooi om waarskynlikheids-verdelings van elke maand spitsfaktor vir elke stelsel te bereken. Die deterministiese en probabilistiese resultate is vergelyk met die ware maand spits faktore soos bereken vanuit die bestaande waterverbruik data, asook teen huidige gepubliseerde ontwerp spits-faktore, wat in die bedryf gebruik word. Die studie het aangetoon dat die deterministiese metode te konserwatief is en dat dit die verwagte piekaanvraag van die stelsel sal oorskat en dus sal lei tot ‘n oorgrootte stelsel. Die probabilistiese metode het goeie resultate opgelewer wat goed vergelyk met die ware maand piek-faktore. Dit word gereken as ‘n toepaslike metode om die benodigde ontwerp spits-faktor van ‘n grootmaat-watervoorsiening stelsel te bepaal vir ‘n gekose voorsieningsbetroubaarheid. Die studie het ook aangedui dat die ontwerps piek-faktore voorgestel deur die huidige riglyne te laag is en dat dit tot die falings van ‘n stelsel sal lei. Die studie het ‘n moontlike verwantskap tussen die gemiddelde daaglikse wateraanvraag van die eindverbruiker en die verwagte maksimum maand spits faktor geïdentifiseer, nademaal die piek-faktore soos voorgestel deur die huidige riglyne nie beïnvloed word deur die eindverbruiker se gemiddelde verbruik nie.

Mesure des facteurs de structure. Determination des parametres d'agitation thermique dont les valeurs presentent une bonne coherence d'un compose a l'autre. Description de la densite de valence a l'aide d'un modele de charges de liaison gaussiennes. Les calculs theoriques de structure de bandes conduisent a une densite de valence theorique assez voisine de la densite experimentale

Dans le cadre général de l'estimation de la moyenne (supposée appartenir à v, sous-espace vectoriel strict de l'espace des observations) d'une loi normale multidimensionnelle y de variance connue à un facteur multiplicatif près, on cherche des conditions de domination de l'estimateur des moindres carrés t par des estimateurs à rétrécisseurs (autrement dit de James-Stein) de la forme t(y)-h(t(y), y-t(y))c(t(y)), où c est un endomorphisme de v. De nombreuses conditions "classiques" de domination apparaissent comme des corollaires des notres dans le cas ou t(y) et y-t(y) n'interviennent dans l'expression de h que par les valeurs prises par des formes quadratiques définies respectivement sur v et sur w (orthogonal de v pour la forme bilinéaire symétrique associée à l'inverse de la variance). On constate que des hypothèses de nature algébrique contraignante sur c permettent d'éviter l'usage d'hypothèses de différentiabilité sur h; quand celles-ci sont introduites, on distinguera selon qu'on utilise, relativement à la deuxième variable dans l'expression de h, la différentielle partielle (application de v x w dans le dual de w) ou la dérivée partielle suivant un vecteur privilégié de w

INTRODUÇÃO: A microcirurgia endoscópica transanal (TEM) é uma técnica minimamente invasiva segura e eficiente para o tratamento de neoplasia retal benigna e maligna precoce. As complicações pós operatórias podem ser graves. Existe controvérsia na literatura a respeito da sua incidência e gravidade. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os fatores de risco relacionados a incidência e gravidade das complicações pós operatórias e seu comportamento temporal em pacientes com neoplasia retal tratados por TEM. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo das complicações pós-operatórias usando a classificação e graduação de Clavien-Dindo. As características estudadas dos pacientes foram: idade, sexo, risco cirúrgico dado pela Associação Americana de Anestesiologia (ASA), quimiorradioterapia neoadjuvante, altura e tamanho da lesão, margens patológicas, histologia do tumor e tipo de sutura: por TEM ou por afastador anal convencional. RESULTADOS: Dentre os cinquenta e três pacientes tratados, a morbidade geral foi de 50%. Incontinência foi a complicação mais frequente (17,3%). Apenas uma paciente teve incontinência persistente. As taxas de complicações pós-operatórias grau I e grau II (GII) foram ambas 21,1%; para grau III (GIII) e IV também foram ambas: 3,8%. Não houve mortalidade. Dos pacientes que tiveram complicações pós-operatórias, 61,54% tinham lesões abaixo da primeira válvula retal, comparado com 38,46% dos pacientes com lesões acima da primeira válvula (p=0.039). Pacientes submetidos à quimiorradioterapia neoadjuvante tiveram 24 vezes mais chance de apresentarem complicações pós-operatórias GII (p=0,002), e 7,03 vezes mais chance de GIII (p=0,098). Quando a sutura da ferida cirúrgica foi realizada por TEM, houve 16 vezes menos chance de ocorrerem complicações pós-operatórias GIII (p=0,043). 53% das complicações pós-operatórias ocorreram em 10 dias e 95%, em 20 dias. CONCLUSÕES: Complicações pós-operatórias pós TEM são frequentes, aceitáveis e geralmente controladas com medicamentos. Pacientes com lesões mais distais têm mais complicações pós-operatórias. Pacientes que receberam quimiorradioterapia neoadjuvante e submetidos a sutura com afastador de ânus convencional tiveram complicações pós operatórias que requereram intervenção médica - cirúrgica ou endoscópica sobre sedação. O comportamento temporal das complicações é progressivo e inespecífico, a maioria ocorrendo nos primeiros 20 dias<br>INTRODUCTION: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a safe and efficient minimally invasive treatment for rectal benign and early malignant neoplasia. Postoperative complications may be severe. Controversy exists with regard to incidence and severity. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate risk factors related to incidence and severity of postoperative complications, and time course, in patients with rectal neoplasia treated by TEM. METHODS: Prospective study of postoperative complications using the Clavien-Dindo classification and grading system. Patients\' characteristics included age, sex, ASA score, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT), lesion height and size, pathologic margins, tumor histology, and suture type: through TEM or conventional retractor. RESULTS: Among fifty-three patients treated,overall morbidity rate was 50%. Incontinence was the most frequent complication (17.3%). One patient had persistent incontinence. Grade I and Grade II (GII) postoperative complication rates were both 21.1%, and Grade III (GIII) and IV rates were both 3.8%. There was no mortality. Of the patients with postoperative complications, 61.54% had lesions under the first rectal valve, compared with 38.46% of patients with lesions over the first valve (p=0.039). Patients submitted to CRT had a 24-fold greater chance of presenting GII complications (p=0.002), and a 7.03-fold greater chance of GIII (p=0.098). When the surgical defect was treated using the TEM device to perform the suture, there was a 16-fold less chance of having GIII complications (p=0.043). Fifty-three percent of complications occurred in the first 10 days, and 95% within 20 days. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications after TEM for the treatment of rectal neoplasia are frequent, acceptable, and usually controllable with pharmacologic treatment. Patients with more distal lesions have more postoperative complications. Patients receiving neoadjuvant CRT and submitted to suture with a conventional anal retractor have more postoperative complications that require intervention under sedation. Over time the nature of complications is progressive and nonspecific, with most occurring within the first 20 days

碩士<br>國立中正大學<br>電機工程研究所<br>105<br>Owing to the increased environmental awareness grows in recent years. The government promotes the use of renewable energy to generate electricity. Using renewable energy to generate electricity can protect the earth and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Among the numerous renewable energy sources, solar power is one of the rapid growth clean energy in the world. However, with the increasing number of solar power sources connected to the grid, it is increasingly important to evaluate the potential risks of solar power generation. So there is an urgent need for relevant research to do some work on hosting capacity of the feeder. The photovoltaic system will result to different impact when connecting at different sites or different capacity. Therefore, the power company must have to do something positive to discuss the issue. In this thesis, a stochastic analysis method with considering installation combination factor is use to evaluate the maximum allowable penetration level of photovoltaic generation on distribution system feeders. Consider the unpredictability of solar system connected sites and capacity for the reason that stochastic analysis with the combination factor is to use calculate total number of combinations of photovoltaic system, after that gradually increase the capacity of the photovoltaic system to explore the impact on the feeder. In addition, smart inverter strategy is adopted to improve the power quality and enhance the hosting capacity. The impact in distribution feeder will basis on the renewable energy connected rules of Taiwan power company for following criteria：overvoltage、voltage deviation and voltage unbalance. After getting all the voltage impact on the feeder, and we can know how amount capacity of photovoltaic system can be connected to the feeder and will not cause endanger to the grid. This thesis use OpenDSS and MATLAB co-simulation. The advantage of OpenDSS is to model the system and do the fast power flow calculation. It can not only run independently but also execute pass through COM interface and connect with other software. In this thesis, MATLAB is use to calculate different sites and different capacity of the photovoltaic system. After that pass the message to OpenDSS by COM interface to model the photovoltaic system and do the fast power flow calculation. Finally, MATLAB will collect needed data and depict. Keywords：Hosting capacity、Stochastic analysis、Smart inverter control、power quality criteria

碩士<br>國立臺北科技大學<br>冷凍與低溫科技研究所<br>91<br>In the past few years, economy grew up substantially as a result of the semiconductor industry developing quickly. However, the energy consumption of the semiconductor factory (SF) that operating all day is quite heavy. The energy consumption proportion of HVAC system in a SF is the highest, so the presented research will aim at improving the load distribution of chiller unit. Owing to the R2 value of a third order kW-PLR curve being superior to a second order kW-PLR curve, the kW-PLR curve is used as the objective function determined through regression applied to measured data. If the incremental power cost curve is non-monotonically, it will be revised to a monotonical curve by using a piece-wise linear representation. The Sorted Table Method is then used to solve optimal chiller load distribution problem according to each chiller performance to minimize the input electric power and satisfy the load demand.

In past decades, a variety of statistical techniques have been used and developed to predict species occurrences over broad geographical areas. These models generally employ correlations between point-location data on species occurrence and environmental predictors from GIS and other mapped data. These models have wide management applications in the context of conservation biology, biogeography and climate change studies. Despite substantial progress, there are number of critical factors that have a significant impact on the performance of species distribution models, leading to uncertainties in species distribution modelling. These factors originate either from the nature of species and habitat data used to derive the distribution models, or from the modelling methodology. Numerous empirical studies using real species field data have been conducted by various authors to assess how such factors affect species distribution model performance. Comparing models with real data, however, can be problematic due to the lack of knowledge of the process controlling the true distributions of the species. Furthermore, empirical studies have yielded various, sometimes contradictory, recommendations regarding the model used and ways to minimize the impact of certain factors on model performance. From a wildlife management perspective, such conflicting recommendations are not helpful. In contrast, generating simulated data on species distributions has the advantage of providing perfect control over the causal factors of interest. Simulated data provide a way to assess the underlying response of model performance with respect to underlying assumptions, and can guide the inferences obtained from empirical studies in a systematic manner. This thesis constructs a systematic simulation data framework in order to provide an understanding of how various data and methodological factors can affect species distribution model prediction and inference. The data issues examined include the form of species occurrence and environmental dependence, prevalence (i.e. the proportion of observed sites where the species is present), and spatial autocorrelation in species occurrence data and in supporting environmental data. The methodological factors examined include the predictive performance measure, the method for setting the probability threshold used to define species occurrence in the fitted distribution model, and the success of the fitted distribution model in capturing the dominant environmental determinant for the species. The findings are used to explain relationships found by existing studies for real species distribution data. Beyond the key findings described above, the simulation approach presented in this thesis offers a promising tool for testing various aspects of species distribution modelling. Such aspects could include assessment of how constraints on species dispersal can affect model predictive performance, assessment of the sensitivity of model predictive performance to species rarity and sampling prevalence, and assessment of the effect of collinearity in predictive variables on model inference.

No<br>We have probed the coupling between flow and concentration fluctuations in polymer blends using small-angle neutron scattering. We utilized a recirculating cell with a slot die, enabling us to measure the behavior at the entrance, within and at the exit of a contraction-expansion flow. While, as expected, anisotropy was observed in all nonquiescent experiments, the correlation lengths associated with the concentration fluctuations are found to be "stretched" more in the direction perpendicular to the flow at all positions along the centerline of the flow, except at the slot die exit. To gain insight into the observations, we present calculations of the scattering based on a multiscale approach, which bridges the gap between macroscopic Newtonian fluid dynamics and the convection of nanoscale concentration fluctuations. However, we find that this model contains insufficient physics to correctly describe our observations. Consequently, we argue that the deformation of the correlation length is primarily due to the coupling between weakly non-Newtonian stresses and thermodynamics

Face checking in decorative maple veneered plywood panels is a significant problem for hardwood plywood manufacturers, furniture makers, cabinetmakers, and consumers. Efforts made by panel producers and researchers to minimize checking conducted to-­‐date have been limited, and produced contradictory results. In this study the impact of four manufacturing factors believed to contribute to check development in decorative maple veneer panels were determined. The factors investigated were face veneer thickness and preparation, lathe-­‐check orientation, adhesive and core type. An efficient, automated, optical technique based on digital image correlation principles was developed and used to detect and measure checks as they develop. The novel new method for characterizing check severity and development was effective in efficiently measuring checking for a substantial number of samples. The results of the factor screening analysis reveal intricate four way interactions between factor levels contribute to check development, and that some combinations are likely to exhibit much more checking than others.<br>Graduation date: 2013

The aim of this research was to explore consumer perceptions of personalised nutrition and to compare these across three different levels of "medicalization": lifestyle assessment (no blood sampling); phenotypic assessment (blood sampling); genomic assessment (blood and buccal sampling). The protocol was developed from two pilot focus groups conducted in the UK. Two focus groups (one comprising only "older" individuals between 30 and 60 years old, the other of adults 18-65 yrs of age) were run in the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Germany (N=16). The analysis (guided using grounded theory) suggested that personalised nutrition was perceived in terms of benefit to health and fitness and that convenience was an important driver of uptake. Negative attitudes were associated with internet delivery but not with personalised nutrition per se. Barriers to uptake were linked to broader technological issues associated with data protection, trust in regulator and service providers. Services that required a fee were expected to be of better quality and more secure. An efficacious, transparent and trustworthy regulatory framework for personalised nutrition is required to alleviate consumer concern. In addition, developing trust in service providers is important if such services to be successful.

Recurring drought conditions have always been an endemic feature of climate in South Africa, limiting maize development and production. However, recent projections of the future climate by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggest that due to an increase of atmospheric greenhouse gases, the frequency and severity of droughts will increase in drought-prone areas, mostly in subtropical climates. This has raised major concern for the agricultural sector, particularly the vulnerable small-scale farmers who merely rely on rain for crop production. Farmers in the Luvuvhu River catchment are not an exception, as this area is considered economically poor, whereby a significant number of people are dependent on rain-fed farming for subsistence. This study was therefore conducted in order to improve agricultural productivity in the area and thus help in the development of measures to secure livelihoods of those vulnerable small-scale farmers. Two drought indices viz. Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and Water Requirement Satisfaction Index (WRSI) were used to quantify drought. A 120-day maturing maize crop was considered and three consecutive planting dates were staggered based on the average start of the rainy season. Frequencies and probabilities during each growing stage of maize were calculated based on the results of the two indices. Temporal variations of drought severity from 1975 to 2015 were evaluated and trends were analyzed using the non-parametric Spearman’s Rank Correlation test at α (0.05) significance level. For assessing climate change impact on droughts, SPEI and WRSI were computed using an output from downscaled projections of CSIRO Mark3.5 under the SRES A2 emission scenario for the period 1980/81 – 2099/100. The frequency of drought was calculated and the difference of SPEI and WRSI means between future climate periods and the base period were assessed using the independent t-test at α (0.10) significance level in STATISTICA software. The study revealed that planting a 120-day maturing maize crop in December would pose a high risk of frequent severe-extreme droughts during the flowering to the grain-filling stage at Levubu, Lwamondo, Thohoyandou, and Tshiombo; while planting in October could place crops at a lower risk of reduced yield and even total crop failure. In contrast, stations located in the low-lying plains of the catchment (Punda Maria, Sigonde, and Pafuri) were exposed to frequent moderate droughts following planting in October, with favorable conditions noted following the December planting date. Further analysis on the performance of the crop under various drought conditions revealed that WRSI values corresponding to more intense drought conditions were detected during the December planting date for all stations. Moreover, at Punda Maria, Sigonde and Pafuri, it was observed that extreme drought (WRSI <50) occurred once in five seasons, regardless of the planting date. Temporal analysis on historical droughts in the area indicated that there had been eight agricultural seasons subjected to extreme widespread droughts resulting in total crop failure i.e. 1983/84, 1988/89, 1991/92, 1993/94, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2004/05 and 2014/15. Results of Spearman’s rank correlation test revealed weak increasing drought trends at Thohoyandou (ρ = of 0.5 for WRSI) and at Levubu and Lwamondo (ρ = of 0.4 for SPEI), with no significant trends at the other stations. The study further revealed that climate change would enhance the severity of drought across the catchment. This was statistically significant (at 10% significance level) for the near-future and intermediate-future climates, relative to the base period. Drought remains a threat to rain-fed maize production in the Luvuvhu River catchment area of South Africa. In order to mitigate the possible effects of droughts under climate change, optimal planting dates were recommended for each region. The use of seasonal forecasts during drought seasons would also be useful for local rain-fed maize growers especially in regions where moisture is available for a short period during the growing season. It was further recommended that the Government ensure proper support such as effective early warning systems and inputs to the farmers. Moreover, essential communication between scientists, decision makers, and the farmers can help in planning and decision making ahead of and during the occurrence of droughts.<br>Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology<br>M. Sc. (Agriculture)