Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'POS tools'

Lo scopo di questo lavoro è quello di analizzare i dati raccolti dal Large Area Telescope a bordo del satellite Fermi con l'obiettivo di ricavare il flusso di raggi-γ, di energia compresa tra 100 MeV e 300 GeV, prodotti dal Blazar PKS B1424-418 in un periodo compreso tra l'1 Gennaio 2012 e il 4 Settembre 2016. Secondo alcuni modelli questo blazar potrebbe essere infatti la prima sorgente di Ultra High Energy Cosmic Ray associata sperimentalmente all'emissione di neutrini. L'analisi dei dati è effettuata tramite il pacchetto di software Fermi Science Tools.

La façon dont l'industrie pharmaceutique développe et manufacture ses produits a évolué au cours de ces dernières années. L'environnement réglementaire auquel elle est contrainte a provoqué ce changement dans le but de doter de technologies de pointe dans ses différentes activités. L’encouragement pour utiliser les technologies d’analyse de procédé (PAT) afin d’implémenter le concept de « Quality By Design » (QbD) est l’exemple le plus significatif de ce nouveau paradigme. Lentement, les industries implémentent ces technologies pour de nouveaux produits, mais également pour certains produits déjà existants, bénéficiant ainsi de leurs avantages. Pour implémenter des PAT dans un procédé, plusieurs étapes doivent être franchies, de l’étude de faisabilité des instruments jusqu’à l’approbation règlementaire. Cette thèse décrit l’étude initiale (faisabilité et développement de modèles) avant toute demande d’autorisation d’utilisation d’outils PAT (proche infra-rouge (NIR), caméra RGB et fluorescence induite par laser (LIF)) pour suivre le procédé de compression d’un mélange commercial comprenant plusieurs ingrédients. Après avoir établi le potentiel de ces différents outils, des modèles quantitatifs calculés par régression par moindres carrés partiels (PLS) ont été développés pour suivre les composants ayant une concentration aussi faible que 0,1 w/w%, avec un coefficient de détermination (R2) de 0,95. Il a également été démontré que l’utilisation conjointe de données de plus d’un outil améliorait la précision du modèle. La spécificité de chacun des outils a également été évaluée à l’aide de plan d’expériences factoriels complets pour lesquels les modèles ont été construits en faisant varier simultanément la concentration de différents éléments. Même dans ces conditions, les modèles construits ont montré une précision acceptable, en considérant les critères d’acceptation utilisés pour les produits alimentaires comme les multivitamines. Le travail présenté dans cette thèse a contribué à la publication de trois articles et de trois présentations orales. En plus de l’établissement de la preuve de concept, ce qui augmente les opportunités pour tester d’autres sondes, la possibilité de suivre en ligne la composition quantitative dans la ligne d’alimentation de la presse a également été établi. Dans ce dernier cas, tous les outils sont suffisamment précis pour suivre au moins un des composants, même si celui-ci est présent en faible concentration et fait partie d’un mélange de plusieurs composants. Conséquemment, l’industrie peut utiliser ses connaissances pour suivre le procédé de compression de façon plus adéquate en augmentant l’éventail des outils utilisés à cet effet. Une recherche fondamentale pourrait également investiguer les phénomènes tels que la ségrégation afin mieux les comprendre.<br>Abstract : The way pharmaceutical industry develops and manufactures their products has been changing in recent years. The regulatory environment that they are obligated to comply has been pushing this change in order to endow this activity with state of art technology. The encouragement of the use of process analytical technology (PAT) to build the quality right from the design (QbD) is perhaps the most significant example of the new paradigm. The manufacturers are implementing this technology in new and existing products and benefiting from their advantages. To implement PAT in a process, many steps must be taken (from the study of feasibility of the instruments until regulatory approval). This thesis describes the initial study (feasibility and model developments), prior to any submission of authorization, of the use of PAT tools (Near-Infrared (NIR), Red Green Blue (RGB) camera and Light Induced Fluorescence (LIF)) to monitor the compression process of a commercial multi-component blend. After the potential of these tools was assessed, quantitative Partial Least Squares (PLS) models were able to be developed to monitor components with a concentration as low as 0.1 w/w % with a R2 of 0.95. It was also proved that combining data from more than one tool was benefit for the accuracy of the model. The tools were also evaluated to their specificity by using a full factorial design where the models were built with simultaneous variations of concentration of some of the components. Even in this challenging case, the models built remained with an acceptable accuracy, considering the acceptance criteria used for dietary products such as multi-vitamins. The work developed in this thesis contributed to the publication of 3 articles and 3 communications. Along with the proof of concept that it provided - which enlarged the opportunities for testing other probes - it also proved that is possible to monitor in-line the components in the feed frame. In this latter case, all the tools were accurate enough to monitor at least one component even if they are present in low concentration and part of multi-component blends. Therefore, the industry can use this knowledge to monitor the compression process more adequately, increasing the range of tools used for the effect. Fundamental research can also be investigated as phenomena like segregation can be more accurately identified.

With the advent of globalization, increasingly companies span the globe in order to get highly competitive position and maximum profit (N.Dayasindhu, 2002). However, transferring information within these multinational organizations is a challenge, particularly when it comes to communication (Lucas and Leyland, 2006). Therefore, in order to keep a solid and rapidly economic growing and strengthen national competitiveness, Chinese enterprises have paid more attention to develop Information Communication Technology (ICT). Among all Chinese enterprises, China&#146;s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and private-owned enterprises (POEs) are playing the most significant roles (Xiaohui Wang et al. 2007). However, little study has been done to research the use performance of ICT tools in China&#146;s SOEs and POEs. Consequently, this study addresses the question of what factors influence the adoption of ICT tools in China&#146;s SOEs and POEs. Due to the scholars such as Joz&#233;e and Arnaud (2005) argue that organizational culture can impede or encourage the adoption of ICT in firms, the study will consider how a particular organizational culture can influence knowledge sharing and in turn the adoption of the ICT tools in China&#146;s SOEs and POEs. Through literature review, we present theory on each of China&#146;s SOEs, China&#146;s POEs, organizational culture, ICT and general success factors related to ICT adoption process. The research was conducted through the use of online survey and two interviews respectively. We then analyzed these survey results and interviews using the theory we had already given in background chapter. From these two, we classified general success factors into three categories, namely &#145;important&#146;, &#145;good performance&#146; and &#145;bad performance&#146; for China&#146;s SOEs and POEs respectively. We found that organizational culture was not the only one main factor that influences the ICT adoption process. Other factors like organizational size and companies&#146; background also have strong impact on prompting new ICT tools in China&#146;s SOEs and POEs. We conclude three main problems related to ICT adoption process and then, we put forward our suggestions to these problems.

Around one third of Italian territorial extension is covered by forest (INFC 2005, Pettenella 2008). The 40 % is privately owned (ISTAT 2008) with a very limited mean extension, around 7.5 ha (Firusbakht 2008, Pettenella 2008). The income from timber sales is on the whole decreasing thus reducing profitability of such a traditional forest production (Ciotti and Pettenella 2005, ISTAT 2008). Other forest products (such as fuel wood and non-wood forest products ) contribute in a highly variable measure to forest owners revenues. Recently, due to the need of increasing the revenues from forests, the commercialization of new forest-based goods is being explored. Among these there are tourist and recreational services (that start to be successfully commercialized and are demonstrating to be good income sources) and environmental services (that look very promising but whose commercialization is still at a very theoretical level). A suitable tool for the commercialization of environmental services (ES) is proposed and discussed through the analysis of two case studies based on network structures: the “Agility Forest adventure park”, i.e. a SME network based on a NFWS (the adventure park); and the “Road of Borgotaro mushroom”, i.e. a network based on a NWFP and a NWFS (the Borgotaro Boletus and the mushroom picking activity). The purpose is to verify if the difficulties that usually arise while implementing payments for environmental services (PES) schemes can be overcome through the insertion in consolidated network structures. SWOT (Analoui and Karami 2003, Stapleton and Thomas 1998) and A’WOT (Weiss et al. 2007) analysis have been applied after assuming the insertion of some ES among the forest-based goods commercialized by the two network cases. The results of the application of such a SME network-based PES scheme indicate that the level of Opportunities would increase while those of Threats and Weaknesses would variably decrease. Furthermore, partially different reactions emerge between the two case studies due to differences in network evolutionary level characterizing them. In more complex network structures (i.e. the Road of Borgotaro mushroom) Opportunities increase is higher than in less evolved networks (i.e. the Agility Forest adventure park) while Strengths decrease. For what concerns Weaknesses, the level decreases more in the less evolved case. Finally, Threats increase more in the case of the more evolved network. It can be concluded that, at least on a theoretical level, the development of SME network- based PES scheme seems to have positive results for what concerns the final main purpose of improve forest-based economy through ES commercialization.<br>Circa un terzo del territorio italiano è coperto da boschi (INFC 2005, Pettenella 2008). Il 40% di tale superficie è di proprietà privata (ISTAT 2008) caratterizzata da un’assai ridotta estensione media per singolo proprietario: circa 7,5 ha (Firusbakht 2008, Pettenella 2008). Anche in conseguenza della struttura della proprietà fondiaria, il ricavo ottenibile dalla vendita del legname ad uso industriale è nel complesso decrescente e ciò riduce la convenienza di una così tradizionale produzione forestale (Ciotti e Pettenella 2005, ISTAT 2008). Gli altri prodotti forestali (quali legna da ardere e prodotti forestali non legnosi ) contribuiscono in modo estremamente variabile alla formazione del reddito dei proprietari forestali. Recentemente, proprio a causa della necessità di incrementare tali redditi, si è cominciata ad esplorare la commercializzazione di nuovi beni derivanti dalle foreste. Tra questi beni vi sono i servizi turistico-ricreativi (che già stanno cominciando a essere commercializzati con successo dimostrandosi delle buone fonti di reddito) e i servizi ambientali (che sembrano molto promettenti ma la cui commercializzazione è ancora a un livello quasi esclusivamente teorico). La commercializzazione di molti di questi servizi è condizionata dalla presenza di forme di integrazione (orizzontale e verticale) tra diversi soggetti economici, ovvero dalla presenza di network. In questo lavoro di ricerca un potenziale strumento per la commercializzazione dei servizi ambientali viene proposto e indagato tramite l’analisi di due casi di studio riguardanti due network di piccole e medie imprese. Un caso riguarda il “Parco Avventura Agility Forest”, ossia un network incentrato su una piccola impresa che offre un servizio turistico-ricreativo in bosco (il parco avventura appunto); il secondo caso riguarda la “Strada del Fungo di Borgotaro”, ossia un network basato su imprese che offrono un prodotto forestale non legnoso e un servizio turistico-ricreativo in bosco (rispettivamente il fungo porcino di Borgotaro e l’attività di raccolta dei funghi). L’obiettivo è quello di verificare se le difficoltà che normalmente sorgono quando si cerca di mettere in atto uno schema di pagamento per servizi ambientali siano superabili tramite l’inserimento in opportune organizzazioni a network. Le due tecniche di analisi SWOT (Analoui e Karami 2003, Stapleton e Thomas 1998) e A’WOT (Weiss et al. 2007) sono state quindi applicate ai due casi di studio dopo aver ipotizzato l’inserimento di alcuni servizi ambientali tra i beni già commercializzati da questi due tipi di network. In sostanza si è messo in pratica uno schema di pagamento per servizi ambientali basato su strutture a network. I risultati ottenuti indicano fondamentalmente che il livello delle Opportunità aumenterebbe, mentre quello delle Minacce e Debolezze cambierebbe in modo variabile. Inoltre, si registrano delle reazioni in parte diverse nei due casi di studio. Tali differenze sono dovute ai diversi stadi di evoluzione che caratterizzano i due network considerati. In particolare, in strutture a network più complesse (quale quella della “Strada del Fungo di Borgotaro”), l’incremento del livello delle Opportunità è superiore a quello registrato in network meno evoluti (come quello del “Parco Avventura Agility Forest”) mentre il livello dei punti di Forza diminuisce. Per quanto riguarda le Debolezze, diminuiscono in modo più consistente nel caso meno evoluto. Le Minacce, infine, aumentano maggiormente nel caso del network più evoluto. Si può alla fine concludere che, almeno a livello teorico, lo sviluppo di schemi di pagamento per servizi ambientali basati su network di piccole o medie imprese operanti con beni di origine forestale in senso lato sembra dare risultati positivi. Dovrebbe così essere possibile il miglioramento dei risultati dell’economia forestale tramite la commercializzazione dei servizi ambientali.

The growing technique of near infrared spectroscopy is used to build fundamental knowledge of how the method might be applied for moisture determination in pulp and paper media. Filter paper was used to investigate the angle and distance dependence, otherwise obscured by the uneven surface of pulp or dry fibers. For contact measurements both filter paper and CTMP-fibers were used. The angle and distance evaluation is based on visual spectral interpretation to later incorporate preprocessing methods of the data followed by a multivariate analysis using PLS. With the knowledge built before the experimental startup, the acquired spectra are known to have many co-linearities and hence, for the purpose of determining the moisture content abundant information which might enable the reduction of data points for evaluation. The distance and angle experiments gave results indicating that the intensity of the reflected light change the information gathered and must be accounted for in calibration. Turning the measuring probe 30 degrees or more at 5 mm distance reduced the effect of high intensity specular reflection. Temperature displayed differences in the spectra, cold samples giving less response than warm samples although no clear correlation was found. Multivariate analysis of the contact measurement samples gave most accurate result after multiple signal correction preprocessing. Distance measurements on fiber rendered models with high RMSEC values and gave no reasonable base for prediction.

Currently, the CubeSat spacecraft is predominantly used for missions at Low- Earth Orbit (LEO). There are various limitations to expanding past that range, one of the major ones being the lack of sufficient radiation shielding on the Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD). The P-POD attaches to a launch vehicle transporting a primary spacecraft and takes the CubeSats out into their orbit. As the demand for interplanetary exploration grows, there is an equal increase in interest in sending CubeSats further out past their current regime. In a collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), students from the Cal Poly CubeSat program worked on a preliminary design of an interplanetary CubeSat deployer, the Poly-Picosatellite Deep Space Deployer (PDSD). Radiation concerns were mitigated in a very basic manner, by simply increasing the thickness of the deployer wall panels. While this provided a preliminary idea for improved radiation shielding, full analysis was not conducted to determine what changes to the current P-POD are necessary to make it sufficiently radiation hardened for interplanetary travel. This thesis develops a tool that can be used to further analyze the radiation environment concerns that come up with interplanetary travel. This tool is the connection between any geometry modeled in CAD software and the radiation tool OLTARIS (On- Page iv Line Tool for the Assessment of Radiation In Space). It reads in the CAD file and converts it into MATLAB, at which point it can then perform ray-tracing analysis to get a thickness distribution at any user-defined target points. This thickness distribution file is uploaded to OLTARIS for radiation analysis of the user geometry. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the tool, the radiation environment that a CubeSat sees inside of the current P-POD is characterized to create a radiation map that CubeSat developers can use to better design their satellites. Cases were run to determine the radiation in a low altitude orbit compared to a high altitude orbit, as well as a Europa mission. For the LEO trajectory, doses were seen at levels of 102 mGy, while the GEO trajectory showed results at one order of magnitude lower. Electronics inside the P-POD can survive these doses with the current design, confirming that Earth orbits are safe for CubeSats. The Europa- Jovian Tour mission showed results on a higher scale of 107 mGy, which is too high for electronics in the P-POD. Additional cases at double the original thickness and 100 times the original thickness resulted in dose levels at orders of about 107 and 104 mGy respectively. This gives a scale to work off for a “worst case” scenario and provides a path forward to modifying the shielding on deployers for interplanetary missions. Further analysis is required since increasing the existing P-POD thickness by 100 times is unfeasible from both size and mass perspectives. Ultimately, the end result is that the current P-POD standard does not work too far outside of Earth orbits. Radiation-based changes in the design, materials, and overall shielding of the P- POD need to be made before CubeSats can feasibly perform interplanetary missions.

In past decades, the expectation of synergy has fueled many thousands of mergers and acquisitions. Meanwhile, economists and analysts have reported a large proportion of merger failures. This apparent contradiction has provided researchers with a rich source of studies. One of the likely causes of a merger failure is the “people factor”. Revolving around the axis of mergers and acquisitions, the peoples affected are, on the one side, the stockholders, top management, and economists who “talk the project” and tend to have a positive attitude and on the other side, the people who “walk the project” – the employees - who have a more hesitant attitude.This empirical study adopted the construct of Psychological Contracts to measure the expectations of employees who are influenced by mergers and acquisitions. Based on this construct, a model was developed to study employees’ behaviour after a merger, examining it from a multitude of dimensions. Using the PLS-Graph analysis tools, the model was tested with the aim of assessing the factors’ impact on employees’ behaviour. Apart from the direct causal relationship between two variables, the indirect effects caused by other variables are assessed as well.The first contribution made by this research is the fact that it examines the relevance of a psychological contract in a non-Western geographical region. Next, the study clearly confirms some of the existing conceptualizations regarding psychological contracts and reveals some additional insights, particularly in relation to the consideration of psychological contracts in a non-Western socio-cultural context.The research aspires to generalize the model for predicting the post-merger behaviour of employees anywhere, across any industry, business segment and profession.

The aim of this study is to develop a search tool for roads for mobile GIS application. The satellite image of Ankara is the base map of program. There is also a search option for the roads. The application is based on open source libraries, which are ECW for imagery and SQLite for the database of vector. The application is coded in Embedded Visual C++. The study shows that mobile GIS applications can be prepared by the help of open source libraries. There is no need to buy a commercial product to mobilize the GIS.

Indoor wireless communication systems are becoming increasingly prevalent in work environments. The need to quickly and efficiently provide in-building and microcellular coverage without sacrificing quality is critical to cellular and emerging personal communication system (PCS) operators. Traditionally, indoor wireless communication system design has been carried out by human experts relying on experience to determine a satisfactory system configuration. This thesis describes the algorithms and technical considerations implemented in a comprehensive propagation planning tool, SMT Plus, which has been designed to predict the coverage regions of both in-building and microcellular wireless communication systems. The goal of SMT Plus is to provide both wireless service providers and equipment manufacturers with an efficient, easy-to-use coverage prediction tool for use in the design of any indoor or campus-wide wireless system. Using site-specific building information combined with on-site signal strength measurements, the tool provides system planners with a highly accurate model of the propagation environment among a group of buildings. SMT Plus provides a comprehensive solution to the planning and installation of wireless communication systems in and around buildings.<br>Master of Science

In past decades, the expectation of synergy has fueled many thousands of mergers and acquisitions. Meanwhile, economists and analysts have reported a large proportion of merger failures. This apparent contradiction has provided researchers with a rich source of studies. One of the likely causes of a merger failure is the “people factor”. Revolving around the axis of mergers and acquisitions, the peoples affected are, on the one side, the stockholders, top management, and economists who “talk the project” and tend to have a positive attitude and on the other side, the people who “walk the project” – the employees - who have a more hesitant attitude.<br>This empirical study adopted the construct of Psychological Contracts to measure the expectations of employees who are influenced by mergers and acquisitions. Based on this construct, a model was developed to study employees’ behaviour after a merger, examining it from a multitude of dimensions. Using the PLS-Graph analysis tools, the model was tested with the aim of assessing the factors’ impact on employees’ behaviour. Apart from the direct causal relationship between two variables, the indirect effects caused by other variables are assessed as well.<br>The first contribution made by this research is the fact that it examines the relevance of a psychological contract in a non-Western geographical region. Next, the study clearly confirms some of the existing conceptualizations regarding psychological contracts and reveals some additional insights, particularly in relation to the consideration of psychological contracts in a non-Western socio-cultural context.<br>The research aspires to generalize the model for predicting the post-merger behaviour of employees anywhere, across any industry, business segment and profession.

Neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPC) can differentiate to neurons and glial cells. NSPC are easily propagated in vitro and are therefore an attractive tool for tissue regeneration. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause for death and disabilities. A fundamental problem following TBI is tissue loss. Animal studies aiming at cell replacement have encountered difficulties in achieving sufficient graft survival and differentiation. To improve outcome of grafted cells after experimental TBI (controlled cortical impact, CCI) in mice, we compared two transplantation settings. NSPC were transplanted either directly upon CCI to the injured parenchyma, or one week after injury to the contralateral ventricle. Enhanced survival of transplanted cells and differentiation were seen when cells were deposited in the ventricle. To further enhance cell survival, efforts were made to reduce the inflammatory response to TBI by administration of ibuprofen to mice that had been subjected to CCI. Inflammation was reduced, as monitored by a decrease in inflammatory markers. Cell survival as well as differentiation to early neuroblasts seemed to be improved. To device a 3D system for future transplantation studies, NSPC from different ages were cultured in a hydrogel consisting of hyaluronan and collagen. Cells survived and proliferated in this culturing condition and the greatest neuronal differentiating ability was seen in cells from the newborn mouse brain. NSPC were also used in a model of peripheral nervous system injury, and xeno-transplanted to rats where the dorsal root ganglion had been removed. Cells survived and differentiated to neurons and glia, furthermore demonstrating their usefulness as a tool for tissue regeneration.

Every year approximately 2800 Swedes are diagnosed with malignant melanoma, the form of cancer that is most rapidly increasing in incidence in the Western world. The earlier we can identify and diagnose a malignant melanoma, the better is the prognosis. In Sweden, 155 000 benign naevi, harmless skin tumours or moles, are surgically excised each year, many of them because melanoma cannot be dismissed by non-invasive methods. The excisions result in substantial medical costs and cause unrest and suffering of the individual patient. For untrained physicians, it is often difficult to make an accurate diagnosis of melanoma, thus a tool that could help to strengthen the diagnosis of suspected melanomas would be highly valuable. This thesis describes the development and assessment of a non-invasive method for early skin cancer detection. Using near infrared (NIR) and skin impedance spectroscopy, healthy and diseased skin of various subjects was examined to develop a new instrument for detecting malignant melanoma. Due to the complex nature of skin and the numerous variables involved, the spectroscopic data were analysed multivariately using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and partial leas square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The reproducibility of the measurements was determined by calculating Scatter Values (SVs), and the significance of separations between overlapping groups in score plots was determined by calculating intra-model distances. The studies indicate that combining skin impedance and NIR spectroscopy measurements adds value, therefore a new probe-head for simultaneous NIR and skin impedance measurements was introduced. Using both spectroscopic techniques it was possible to separate healthy skin at one body location from healthy skin at another location due to the differences in skin characteristics at various body locations. In addition, statistically significant differences between overlapping groups of both age and gender in score plots were detected. However, the differences in skin characteristics at different body locations had stronger effects on the measurements than both age and gender. Intake of coffee and alcohol prior to measurement did not significantly influence the outcome data. Measurements on dysplastic naevi were significantly separated in a score plot and the influence of diseased skin was stronger than that of body location. This was confirmed in a study where measurements were performed on 12 malignant melanomas, 19 dysplastic naevi and 19 benign naevi. The malignant melanomas were significantly separated from both dysplastic naevi and benign naevi. Overall, the presented findings show that the instrument we have developed provides fast, reproducible measurements, capable of distinguishing malignant melanoma from dysplastic naevi and benign naevi non-invasively with 83% sensitivity and 95% specificity. Thus, the results are highly promising and the instrument appears to have high potential diagnostic utility.

Post-occupancy evaluation provides a mechanism for systematically evaluating facilities performance. However, the effectiveness of existing models within HE is subject to question with few institutions fully embracing its application. The research sought to establish the extent to which POE models are utilised and the degree to which they satisfy the needs of HE in England and Wales. The outcome of the work was to propose a POE model that addresses the needs of Higher Education institutions. The research found that development of POE models has been driven by numerous factors resulting in creation of sophisticated POE frame-works. However the extent to which they are considered effective is limited. Earlier work focuses on the identification of factors that influence user satisfaction and development of complex quantitative models. Users of such models seek to learn lessons from projects to improve the design and delivery of facilities and enhance their performance in use. However, the extent to which existing POE models facilitate this is subject to question. The study adopted a mixed methods approach to establish whether existing models reflected the factors influencing user satisfaction in the specific context of HE. It revealed that physical and internal environmental factors influenced user satisfaction in varying patterns with varying results in differing situations. The perception of quality consistently correlated with users' overall perceptions of satisfaction with buildings. The term 'quality' is a made up of several discrete factors; further work could be developed to allow these to be fully defined. The research concluded that a single POE model would be inappropriate and a frame-work is proposed based on a balanced scorecard, reflecting four performance dimensions tailored to the context of HE and allowing linkage of POE to strategic institutional plans. The project liberated contribution to theoretical knowledge and professional practice. It established that within HE the concept of a consistent set of factors correlating with overall satisfaction is flawed. It went further to identify the construct of 'quality' as a key factor influencing satisfaction and established user satisfaction is a construct that is time related. It also found that application of POE is inconsistent across the HE sector in terms of purpose and extent of connectivity to institutional objectives. These findings indicated that adoption of a standardised POE model within HE is unlikely to liberate consistent, useful data to enhance building and facilities performance. The adoption of the proposed approach offers a vehicle cost effective development of tailored POE solutions.

Industrial chemicals in European Union produced or imported in volumes above 1 tonne annually, necessitate a registration within REACH. A common problem, concerning these chemicals, is deficient information and lack of data for assessing the hazards posed to human health and the environment. Animal studies for the type of toxicological information needed are both expensive and time consuming, and to that an ethical aspect is added. Alternative methods to animal testing are thereby requested. REACH have called for an increased use of in silico tools for non-testing data as structure-activity relationships (SARs), quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs), and read-across. The main objective of the studies underlying this thesis is related to explore and refine the use of in silico tools in a risk assessment context of industrial chemicals. In particular, try to relate properties of the molecular structure to the toxic effect of the chemical substance, by using principles and methods of computational chemistry. The initial study was a survey of all industrial chemicals; the Industrial chemical map was created. A part of this map was identified including chemicals of potential concern. Secondly, the environmental pollutants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were examined and in particular the non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs). A set of 20 NDL-PCBs was selected to represent the 178 PCB congeners with three to seven chlorine substituents. The selection procedure was a combined process including statistical molecular design for a representative selection and expert judgements to be able to include congeners of specific interest. The 20 selected congeners were tested in vitro in as much as 17 different assays. The data from the screening process was turned into interpretable toxicity profiles with multivariate methods, used for investigation of potential classes of NDL-PCBs. It was shown that NDL-PCBs cannot be treated as one group of substances with similar mechanisms of action. Two groups of congeners were identified. A group including in general lower chlorinated congeners with a higher degree of ortho substitution showed a higher potency in more assays (including all neurotoxic assays). A second group included abundant congeners with a similar toxic profile that might contribute to a common toxic burden. To investigate the structure-activity pattern of PCBs effect on DAT in rat striatal synaptosomes, ten additional congeners were selected and tested in vitro. NDL-PCBs were shown to be potent inhibitors of DAT binding. The congeners with highest DAT inhibiting potency were tetra- and penta-chlorinated with 2-3 chlorine atoms in ortho-position. The model was not able to distinguish the congeners with activities in the lower μM range, which could be explained by a relatively unspecific response for the lower ortho chlorinated PCBs.<br>Den europeiska kemikalielagstiftningen REACH har fastställt att kemikalier som produceras eller importeras i en mängd över 1 ton per år, måste registreras och riskbedömmas. En uppskattad siffra är att detta gäller för 30 000 kemikalier. Problemet är dock att data och information ofta är otillräcklig för en riskbedömning. Till stor del har djurförsök använts för effektdata, men djurförsök är både kostsamt och tidskrävande, dessutom kommer den etiska aspekten in. REACH har därför efterfrågat en undersökning av möjligheten att använda in silico verktyg för att bidra med efterfrågad data och information. In silico har en ungefärlig betydelse av i datorn, och innebär beräkningsmodeller och metoder som används för att få information om kemikaliers egenskaper och toxicitet. Avhandlingens syfte är att utforska möjligheten och förfina användningen av in silico verktyg för att skapa information för riskbedömning av industrikemikalier. Avhandlingen beskriver kvantitativa modeller framtagna med kemometriska metoder för att prediktera, dvs förutsäga specifika kemikaliers toxiska effekt. I den första studien (I) undersöktes 56 072 organiska industrikemikalier. Med multivariata metoder skapades en karta över industrikemikalierna som beskrev dess kemiska och fysikaliska egenskaper. Kartan användes för jämförelser med kända och potentiella miljöfarliga kemikalier. De mest kända miljöföroreningarna visade sig ha liknande principal egenskaper och grupperade i kartan. Genom att specialstudera den delen av kartan skulle man kunna identifiera fler potentiellt farliga kemiska substanser. I studie två till fyra (II-IV) specialstuderades miljögiftet PCB. Tjugo PCBs valdes ut så att de strukturellt och fysiokemiskt representerade de 178 PCB kongenerna med tre till sju klorsubstituenter. Den toxikologiska effekten hos dessa 20 PCBs undersöktes i 17 olika in vitro assays. De toxikologiska profilerna för de 20 testade kongenerna fastställdes, dvs vilka som har liknande skadliga effekter och vilka som skiljer sig åt. De toxicologiska profilerna användes för klassificering av PCBs. Kvantitativa modeller utvecklades för prediktioner, dvs att förutbestämma effekter hos ännu icke testade PCBs, och för att få ytterligare kunskap om strukturella egenskaper som ger icke önskvärda effekter i människa och natur. Information som kan användas vid en framtida riskbedömning av icke-dioxinlika PCBs. Den sista studien (IV) är en struktur-aktivitets studie som undersöker de icke-dioxinlika PCBernas hämmande effekt av signalsubstansen dopamin i hjärnan.

The increasing mass and complexity of chemicals being produced and transported has resulted in more rigorous demands on both authorities as well as chemical-handling industries to assess the risks involved. The Environment-Accident Index (EAI), has been proposed as a planning tool created as an equation in which chemical properties (variables describing the chemical involved) are combined with site-specific properties (variables describing the accident site). The EAI is intended to facilitate assessment of the environmental effects related to chemical accident scenarios and hence assist the organisation of preventative programs. The main objective of the work described in this thesis was to evaluate, develop and improve the proposed EAI. The steps involved in the development process included I) evaluation of the feasibility of the EAI approach, II) selection of a representative and diverse set of chemical accidents to be used in the development III) the use of questionnaires and expert judgements to develop response values for environmental effects of a chemical accident, and IV) to create a new EAI model using multivariate modelling (PLS). The EAI approach proved to be useful in the work to protect the environment in case of a chemical accident. A representative set of accidents was selected by means of statistical multivariate design (PCA) based on assembled data related to a set of 55 chemical accidents. The selection generated a set of accidents representing a diverse spectrum of chemical accident scenarios. To develop a measure of environmental effects of the chemical accidents i.e. responses, an expert panel was asked to judge their environmental effects (such as effects on animal life in the aquatic or terrestrial environment). The results showed that the judgements give a rough estimate of environmental effects that could be used as responses in the development of the EAI. The developed responses were then related to the chemical and site-specific properties to create a new EAI model. This resulted in a PLS-based EAI connected to a new classification scale. The advantages of the new EAI are that it can be calculated without the use of tables; it can estimate the effects for all included responses, and make a rough classification of chemical accidents according to the new classification scale. Finally, the new EAI is a more stable model than the previously proposed EAI, and it is founded on a valid base of accident scenarios, making its use for a variety of chemicals and situations more reliable since it covers a broader spectrum of accident scenarios. The new EAI can be expressed as a regression model to facilitate calculation of the index for people that do not have access to PLS. The highest priorities for further refining the new EAI in the future are: external validation of the EAI; further refinement of the formula’s structure; adjustment of the new classification scale; and real-life evaluation of the EAI.

Proučavane su koroziona postojanost i tendencija lepljenja različitihmaterijala u kontaktu sa tečnom Al&ndash;Si&ndash;Cu legurom. Ispitivanjem suobuhvaćeni čelik za rad na toplo, plazma nitrirani čelik i dupleksslojevi sa CrN, TiAlN, TiAlSiN i CrAlN prevlakama, različitog nivoapovršinske hrapavosti. Za ispitivanja pomenutih fenomenaprimenjena je metoda izvlačenja, koja je unapređena kako bi se povećalenjena tačnost i verodostojnost simulacije procesa livenja. Korozioniefekti su pojačani tako što su uzorci osim kratkog kontakta sa odlivkomzadržavani i u dužim periodima u kontaktu sa tečnom legurom (5 i 20min). Uprkos opštim stavovima, za ispitivane materijale jeustanovljeno da su sile izvlačenja uzoraka iz Al&ndash;Si&ndash;Cu odlivakanezavisne od njihovog hemijskog sastava. Uticaj hrapavosti je izraženkod uzoraka sa prevlakama kod kojih pri smanjenju hrapavosti dolazi dopovećanja sile izvlačenja. Sve ispitane prevlake su sklone mehaničkomlepljenju Al&ndash;Si&ndash;Cu legure za svoje površine, ali sa aspekta korozije utečnom metalu značajno prevazilaze performanse čelika i plazmanitriranog sloja. Duži kontakt livene legure sa površinama prevlakauzrokovao je niže vrednosti sila izvlačenja, što je posledicaoksidacije površina prevlaka. Ustanovljeno je da su ispitivaneprevlake inertne ka tečnoj leguri aluminijuma. Međutim, dolazi dooksidacije i korozije materijala podloge kroz greške rasta koje suprisutne u prevlakama. Stečena znanja o identifikovanimmehanizmima habanja i propadanja zaštitnih slojeva prevlakaposlužiće daljem razvoju dupleks slojeva namenjenih za zaštitu alataza livenje pod pritiskom.<br>Corrosion resistance and soldering tendency of different materials in moltenAl&ndash;Si&ndash;Cu alloy were studied. Hot-working tool steel, plasma nitrided steel andduplex layers with CrN, TiAlN, TiAlSiN and CrAlN top coatings, which wereproduced to various degree of surface roughness, were covered by the study.An ejection test was employed for investigation of the concerned phenomena.The ejection test was improved in order to increase its accuracy and thereliability of process simulation. Samples were examined in both short andextended periods of contact (5 and 20 min) with liquid casting. Castingsolidification was extended in order to intensify the corrosion effects. Contraryto common findings, it was found that the ejection force of the investigatedmaterials does not depend on their chemical composition. For the coatedsamples, a pronounced dependence of the ejection force on the surfaceroughness was found. The ejection force increases with decrease in surfaceroughness. All investigated coatings are prone to mechanical soldering by Al&ndash;Si&ndash;Cu alloy. Still, their corrosion resistance substantially exceeds the corrosionresistance of steel and plasma nitrided layer. Longer exposure of coatedsamples to cast alloy induced lower ejection forces, which is a consequenceof coatings oxidation. It was found that the investigated coatings are inert toliquid aluminium. However, the underlying material undergoes oxidation andcorrosion through coating growth defects. The findings concerning the wearmechanisms of protective layers support further development of duplex layersintended for die casting tools protection.

Natural archives such as lake sediments allow us to assess contemporary ecosystem responses to climate and environmental changes in a long-term context beyond the few decades to at most few centuries covered by monitoring or historical data. To achieve a comprehensive view of the changes preserved in sediment records, multi-proxy studies – ideally in high resolution – are necessary. However, this combination of including a range of analyses and high resolution constrains the amount of material available for analyses and increases the analytical costs. Infrared spectroscopic methods are a cost-efficient alternative to conventional methods because they offer a) a simple sample pre-treatment, b) a rapid measurement time, c) the non- or minimal consumption of sample material, and d) the potential to extract quantitative and qualitative information about organic and inorganic sediment components from a single measurement. The main objective of this doctoral thesis was twofold. The first part was to further explore the potential of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and visible-near infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy in paleolimnological studies as a) an alternative tool to conventional methods for quantifying biogenic silica (bSi) – a common proxy of paleoproductivity in lakes – in sediments and b) as a tool to infer past lake-water total organic carbon (TOC) levels from sediments. In a methodological study, I developed an independent application of FTIR spectroscopy and PLS modeling for determining bSi in sediments by using synthetic sediment mixtures with known bSi content. In contrast to previous models, this model is independent from conventional wet-chemical techniques, which had thus far been used as the calibration reference, and their inherent measurement uncertainties. The second part of the research was to apply these techniques as part of three multi-proxy studies aiming to a) improve our understanding of long-term element cycling in boreal and arctic landscapes in response to climatic and environmental changes, and b) to assess ongoing changes, particularly in lake-water TOC, on a centennial to millennial time scale. In the first applied study, high-resolution FTIR measurements of the 318-m long sediment record of Lake El’gygytgyn provided a detailed insight into long-term climate variability in the Siberian Arctic over the past 3.6 million years. Highest bSi accumulation occurred during the warm middle Pliocene (3.6-3.3 Ma), followed by a gradual but variable decline, which reflects the first onset of glacial periods and then the finally full establishment of glacial–interglacial cycles during the Quaternary. The second applied study investigated the sediment record of Torneträsk in subarctic northern Sweden also in relation to climate change, but only over the recent post-glacial period (~10 ka). By comparing responses to past climatic and environmental forcings that were recorded in this large-lake system with those recorded in small lakes from its catchment, I determined the significance and magnitude of larger-scale changes across the study region. Three different types of response were identified over the Holocene: i) a gradual response to the early landscape development following deglaciation (~10000-5300 cal yr BP); ii) an abrupt but delayed response following climate cooling during the late Holocene, which occurred c. 1300 cal yr BP – about 1000-2000 years later than in smaller lakes from the area; and iii) an immediate response to the ongoing climate change during the past century. The rapid, recent response in a previously rather insensitive lake-ecosystem emphasizes the unprecedented scale of ongoing climate change in northern Fennoscandia. In the third applied study, VNIR-inferred lake-water TOC concentrations from lakes across central Sweden showed that the ongoing, observed increase in surface water TOC in this region was in fact preceded by a long-term decline beginning already AD 1450-1600. These dynamics coincided with early human land use activities in the form of widespread summer forest grazing and farming that ceased over the past century. The results of this study show the strong impact of past human activities on past as well as ongoing TOC levels in surface waters, which has thus far been underestimated. The research in this thesis demonstrates that infrared spectroscopic methods can be an essential component in high-resolution, multi-proxy studies of past environmental and climate changes.

Le Liber diversarum artium, seconde copie d'un traité de technologie artistique vraisemblablement écrit dans les années 1350, est conservé à la Bibliothèque inter-universitaire de Médecine de Montpellier, dans un manuscrit du XVe siècle, le Ms H277 (vers 1470). Ce texte, par sa structure novatrice, les sources connues antérieures aux années 1300 qui l'alimentent, et leur diffusion, nous a autorisé à le mettre en regard d'œuvres peintes sur bois et sur mur des XIIe et XIIIe siècles conservées en Catalogne, comme nous aurions pu le faire avec n'importe quel autre corpus cohérent. Par le territoire « historique » qu'elle recouvre au Moyen Âge, par le nombre d'œuvres conservées et par leur grande variété esthétique et technique, la Catalogne répondait à cette cohérence. Les peintures retenues ont été envisagées du point de vue leur matérialité. La méthodologie développée pour l'aborder s'est articulée dans une dialectique constante entre le savoir écrit, théorique, du Liber ou d'autres traités, et le savoir pratique mis en œuvre par les peintres en Catalogne aux âges romans. L'observation macroscopique des œuvres, ainsi que la collecte de données physico-chimiques concernant certaines d'entre elles, ou encore notre propre expérience, nous a donné une matière propice à la compréhension du métier de peintre. De cette confrontation est née une lecture singulière, mettant au cœur de notre réflexion le peintre dans l'apprentissage et l'exercice de son métier<br>The Liber diversarum artium, second copy of a treatise on artistic technology probably written in the 1350s, is held at the Inter-university Library of Medicine of Montpellier, in a fifteenth century manuscript, Ms H277 (1470). The innovative structure of this text, the pre-1300s sources it draws on, and their dissemination, enabled us to compare it with works painted on wood and walls in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries preserved in Catalonia, as with any other coherent corpus. By virtue of the "historical" territory it covers in the Middle Ages, the number of works conserved and their wide aesthetic and technical variety, Catalonia provided this coherence. The selected paintings were considered from the perspective of materiality. The methodology developed for the task was structured as a constant dialectic between written and theoretical knowledge contained in the Liber or other treatises, and the practical knowledge applied by painters in Catalonia in the Romanesque period. Macroscopic observation of the works, the collection of physicochemical data concerning some of them, and our own experience, provided us with material that was conducive to understanding the painter's craft. This comparison produced a singular reading, in which thinking is focused on the painter in the learning and the exercise of his craft

Face à l’érosion globale de la biodiversité des écosystèmes aquatiques continentaux, l’identification des mesures de gestion les plus urgentes à mettre en place est cruciale. En s’appuyant sur une approche innovante et multi-facettes de la diversité, les priorités de conservation pour les assemblages de poissons de rivière ont pu être déterminées à l’échelle de la France. La durabilité de ces priorités de conservation face aux principales composantes des changements globaux a ensuite été évaluée afin d’identifier les zones qui protégeront efficacement la biodiversité actuelle dans le futur. La méthodologie développée a finalement été appliquée au réseau hydrographique du département du Pas-de-Calais dans le but d’identifier précisément les priorités locales de conservation et de restauration. Ces outils pourront par la suite être utilisés comme support d’aide à la décision et adaptés selon les besoins des gestionnaires des milieux aquatiques.

The work carried out at the company Pulsar Engineering s.r.l, and discussed in this thesis, focuses on the construction of a model for the dynamic simulation of the operations of a machine that allows feeding and sorting/merging in the tissue sector called REDS INTERMEDIATE. The goal is to derive a powerful dynamic model that can simulate a large range of REDS intermediate that could work in different existing operating modes (DIVERTER, COMBINER and By-pass modes) and containing all existing operating strategies (REVOLVER and TETRIS strategies). This was possible with the aid of a powerful simulation tool called PLS DYNAMIC/ TISSUEPLS DYNAMIC. It is important to emphasize that we will deal with a simplified production line since we are interested in just getting the REDS INTERMEDIATE model. This model can be used to: - Obtain a real estimate of the parameters necessary for the design of a production line. - See the behaviour of the PULSAR line in a 2D and 3D interface proposed by the software. The following discussion reports the study in question presenting some result, starting from a general description of the production lines, and a static analysis of the REDS INTERMEDIATE.

Introdução: O diagnóstico da Síndrome Pré-menstrual (SPM) é um desafio. O uso de questionários estruturados está bem estabelecido, e a ferramenta mais aceita é o DRSP, um questionário prospectivo auto preenchido por ao menos dois meses. O PSST é um questionário retrospectivo de autoaplicação, preenchido em um único momento. Objetivo: comparar estes dois instrumentos (PSST e DRSP) para o diagnóstico da SPM. Método: Um estudo transversal com 127 mulheres entre 20 a 45 anos com queixas de SPM. As mulheres foram avaliadas quanto ao peso, altura, Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC). Após exclusão de casos de depressão através do Prime-MD, as pacientes completaram o PSST e foram orientadas a preencherem o DRSP durante dois meses. A concordância entre os dois questionários foi avaliado pelo cálculo de Kappa (k) e valores do coeficiente PABAK. Resultados: Do total de mulheres que atenderam ao chamado, 282 (74%) preencheram os critérios de elegibilidade e responderam o PSST. Entre estas 282 mulheres, somente 127 (45%) completaram o questionário diário (DRSP) por dois ciclos. O percentual das mulheres com diagnóstico de SPM através do DRSP foi de 74,8%, e pelo PSST foi 41,7%. O percentual das mulheres com diagnóstico de TDPM pelo DRSP foi de 3,9%, e pelo PSST foi de 34,6%. Assim, verificou-se uma maior prevalência de SPM com o DRSP do que com o PSST. De outra parte a TDPM foi mais dignosticada pelo PSST do que com o DRSP. O número de pacientes consideradas “normais” foi semelhante com os dois instrumentos. Na avaliação entre os dois instrumentos verificou-se não haver nenhuma concordância (Kappa = 0,12) nos resultados do diagnóstico de SPM e TDPM (Coeficiente Pabak resultou = 0,39). Para a trigem de SPM/TDPM o PSST tem uma sensibilidade de 79% e especificidade de 33,3%. Conclusão: O PSST deve ser considerado como uma ferramenta de triagem diagnóstica. Conclui-se que os casos SPM/TDPM do PSST devem ser sempre melhor avaliados pelo DRSP.<br>Background: The diagnosis of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a challenge. The use of structured questionnaires is well established and the most accepted is the DRSP, a prospectively self-administered questionnaire that needs two months at least to be completed. The PSST is a retrospective self-scale questionnaire, filled at a single time. Aim: To compare these two instruments (PSST and DRSP) to diagnosis PMS. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 127 women between 20 and 45 years with PMS complaints. The women were evaluated about weight, high, Body Mass Index (BMI). After the exclusion of depression by the Prime-MD Questionnaire, the PSST was completed and the women were oriented to complete the DRSP for two months. The agreement between the two questionnaires was assessed by calculating the Kappa (k) and PABAK values. Results: 282 (74% of all the women) women met eligibility criteria and answered the PSST. Only 127 (45% of the 282 women) completed the daily questionnaire (DRSP) for two cycles. The percentual of women with PMS diagnosis by the DRSP was 74.8%, and by PSST was 41.7%. The percentual of women with PMDD diagnosis by the DRSP was 3.9%, and by the PSST was 34.6%. The number of patients considered “normal” (with the symptoms above the necessary for the diagnostic the PMS) was similar with both questionnaires. We found no agreement between the two instruments (Kappa = 0.12) in the diagnosis of PMS and PMDD (Pabak coefficient keep this result = 0.39). For screening PMS/PMDD the PSST has a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity 33.3%. Conclusion: The PSST should be considered as diagnostic screening tool. We concluded that positive PMD/PMDD cases of PSST should be ever better evaluated by DRSP.

碩士<br>淡江大學<br>資訊管理學系碩士在職專班<br>104<br>Retail services thrived up during the last decade. Ecommerce threatens the traditional retailers and creates a more dynamic environment. In addition, the changes of consumer behavior forced the industry to alter the original competition patterns. To attain competitive advantages, retailers are forced to implement information technology and develop virtual communities. For instance, O2O, shopping recommended, location based service, customer service experience, automatic payment, electronic payments, and mobile POS has become critical issues and challenged the capabilities of information system. Consequently, retailers demand an efficient POS system to response the rapid changes of microenvironment and provide better services to the customers. Since different Point of Sale (POS) systems have various features and services, decision makers are hard to conduct a rational assessment within the limited time. Consequently, the decision-making will be bias and constrained by the personal judgments or budget limits. This paper will use ERVD (election based on relative value distances) to develop an evaluation tool for POS system in retail industry, and therefore provide a better solution to the decision makers.

碩士<br>國立交通大學<br>電子工程系<br>90<br>MPEG-4 is the latest multimedia compression standard defined by ISO/IEC MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group). Its audio part, GA (General Audio), aims at data rates from 12kbit/s to 64kbit/s for encoding a pair of stereo channels to 320kb/s for encoding five-channel audio with ‘indistinguishable quality’. The basic structure of MPEG-4 GA is the same as that of the MPEG-2 AAC (Advance Audio Coding), the previous MPEG audio standard. Yet, it adds in several tools to improve its coding efficiency. This thesis selects one of the new tools, PNS (Perceptual Noise Substitution), as the research topic. We try to improve the audio coding efficiency by the proper use of this tool. PNS is an efficient method of coding the noise-like components in an audio signal. Although the data format and the decoder operation of PNS have been standardized, the method of choosing PNS parameters and the decision of using PNS or not are not standardized. In addition, we find that if we do not reduce the overhead of PNS, it would take up too many bits and thus decrease the coding efficiency. Therefore, we propose an effective and efficient procedure that detects the noise part of sound, and add a decision rule inside the bit-allocation loop to decide if PNS should be used. Simulations indicate that the new procedure saves bits in coding the noise-like components and thus may increase the overall audio coding performance.

碩士<br>國立交通大學<br>英語教學研究所<br>102<br>Applying mobile devices to education and language learning has become a trend nowadays. Tablet-PC is one of the most popular portable gadgets currently; however, there are few studies regarding applying Tablet-PC to English writing. Consequently, the aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of utilizing Tablet-PCs to English writing classroom in a Taiwanese senior high school. Two purposes of the study are addressed as follows: (1) To examine the potential and effectiveness of implementing tablet-PCs in assisting EFL students to complete writing tasks. (2) To investigate student perceptions of using tablets as an assisted tool for English writing. The participants were thirty-eight, eleventh graders from a rural area in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. There were nineteen students in each group and were assigned randomly, and the duration of the whole experiment lasted six months. The two groups first received same instructor’s writing instruction, then a forty-five minutes writing session started. The experimental goup (group T) conducted writing with tablets while the Group P used paper-and-pencil writing solely. Then the Group T completed questionnaire and received interviews, and the instructor was interviewed as well. There are significant differences between the two groups in five aspects: content, organization, word choice and spelling, grammar and structure, and punctuation, especially the first three parts and the students’ overall performance. There are four conclusions of this study: (1) Utilizing Tablet-PC can motivate students to learn English writing, and it is a helpful tool for students to use while composing English writing. (2) Teachers can apply Tablet-PCs to their teaching. (3) The instructors should be aware of the pedagogical meaning when using portable gadgets. (4) The instructors have to be very proficient in using the assisted tool before applying it to a real classroom.

Manufacturing equipments in semiconductor factories (fabs) provide abundant data and opportunities for data-driven process monitoring and modeling. In particular, virtual metrology (VM) is an active area of research. Traditional monitoring techniques using univariate statistical process control charts do not provide immediate feedback to quality excursions, hindering the implementation of fab-wide advanced process control initiatives. VM models or inferential sensors aim to bridge this gap by predicting of quality measurements instantaneously using tool fault detection and classification (FDC) sensor measurements. The existing research in the field of inferential sensor and VM has focused on comparing regressions algorithms to demonstrate their feasibility in various applications. However, two important areas, data pretreatment and post-deployment model maintenance, are usually neglected in these discussions. Since it is well known that the industrial data collected is of poor quality, and that the semiconductor processes undergo drifts and periodic disturbances, these two issues are the roadblocks in furthering the adoption of inferential sensors and VM models. In data pretreatment, batch data collected from FDC systems usually contain inconsistent trajectories of various durations. Most analysis techniques requires the data from all batches to be of same duration with similar trajectory patterns. These inconsistencies, if unresolved, will propagate into the developed model and cause challenges in interpreting the modeling results and degrade model performance. To address this issue, a Constrained selective Derivative Dynamic Time Warping (CsDTW) method was developed to perform automatic alignment of trajectories. CsDTW is designed to preserve the key features that characterizes each batch and can be solved efficiently in polynomial time. Variable selection after trajectory alignment is another topic that requires improvement. To this end, the proposed Moving Window Variable Importance in Projection (MW-VIP) method yields a more robust set of variables with demonstrably more long-term correlation with the predicted output. In model maintenance, model adaptation has been the standard solution for dealing with drifting processes. However, most case studies have already preprocessed the model update data offline. This is an implicit assumption that the adaptation data is free of faults and outliers, which is often not true for practical implementations. To this end, a moving window scheme using Total Projection to Latent Structure (T-PLS) decomposition screens incoming updates to separate the harmless process noise from the outliers that negatively affects the model. The integrated approach was demonstrated to be more robust. In addition, model adaptation is very inefficient when there are multiplicities in the process, multiplicities could occur due to process nonlinearity, switches in product grade, or different operating conditions. A growing structure multiple model system using local PLS and PCA models have been proposed to improve model performance around process conditions with multiplicity. The use of local PLS and PCA models allows the method to handle a much larger set of inputs and overcome several challenges in mixture model systems. In addition, fault detection sensitivities are also improved by using the multivariate monitoring statistics of these local PLS/PCA models. These proposed methods are tested on two plasma etch data sets provided by Texas Instruments. In addition, a proof of concept using virtual metrology in a controller performance assessment application was also tested.

Dissertação de Mestrado em Enologia e Viticultura apresentada à Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro<br>No presente trabalho, foram avaliados trinta clones distintos da casta Tinta Roriz / Tempranillo, da espécie Vitis vinífera L., que haviam sido posteriormente selecionados num trabalho de melhoramento desta casta, através de selecção clonal, levado a cabo pela PORVID, e posteriormente pela ADVID. Amostras de uvas correspondentes a videiras com os diferentes genótipos, foram colhidas em dois campos experimentais, situados na Região Demarcada do Douro (RDD), uma das mais antigas e mais relevantes a nível mundial, aquando da vindima para vinificação. As duas vinhas mencionadas situam-se na Quinta do Cavernelho (Cima Corgo), e Quinta de São Luiz (Baixo Corgo), de forma a avaliar o desempenho destes genótipos em duas sub-regiões distintas. Adicionalmente, os campos experimentais foram plantados com seis réplicas (de 5-6 videiras) de cada clone, seguindo uma distribuição latinizada, de forma a acomodar nos resultados a variabilidade decorrente de diferentes condições existentes dentro da mesma vinha. Das amostras de uvas recolhidas, (60 bagos por amostra) foram produzidos homogeneizados, retiradas películas, e alguns dos bagos foram liofilizados, de forma a realizar extracções para a avaliação dos conteúdos em fitoquímicos, e actividade antioxidante de cada clone. No que diz respeito aos homogeneizados, foram avaliados o °Brix, pH, e acidez titulável, ao passo que os extractos obtidos foram analisados tendo em vista os seus conteúdos em: flavonoides, fenóis totais, Ortho-difenóis, taninos e antocianinas, tendo a sua actividade antioxidante sido avaliada através de duas metodologias distintas, o ABTS, e DPPH, (ambas baseadas na avaliação da capacidade dos extractos para reduzir um radical estável. Concomitantemente, foram registados espectros de Infravermelho para os homogeneizados obtidos, e para películas de uva, com recurso a um instrumento FTIR-ATR, que permite a obtenção de espectros para este tipo de matrizes sem qualquer preparação das amostras. Estes espectros foram obtidos com o propósito de desenvolver uma metodologia para a avaliação dos diferentes clones somente através da aquisição do seu espectro, para vir, por exemplo a ser utilizada nas próximas campanhas deste programa de melhoramento varietal.Para esse efeito, foram testados diferentes tratamentos espectrais (subtracção de linha de base, selecção de intervalos, utilização de derivadas), de forma a obter vários conjuntos de dados para serem aplicados em métodos de análise multivariada. Para produzir os modelos de avaliação de conteúdos / discriminação, foi utilizado o método de regressão PLS (Partial Least Squares), e também o PLS-DA (PLS-Discriminant Analysis), para realizar classificações das amostras. Em ambos os casos foi utilizado um método de validação cruzada (CV), como método de validação. Verificou-se que existem grandes diferenças entre os diferentes campos experimentais, assim como diferenças assinaláveis entre réplicas dentro de cada campo. Assim, as amostras distinguem-se claramente, no que diz respeito à sua origem, mas não é possível associar amostras do mesmo clone plantado nos dois campos distintos. Os resultados espectroscópicos permitem também separar as amostras relativamente à sua origem, sendo também passíveis de ser utilizadas para a avaliação dos seus conteúdos, não o sendo, no entanto, para a discriminação directa entre clones, devido às suas diferenças intrínsecas já mencionadas.<br>Several grapevine varieties have been subjected to clonal selection, aiming to their improvement, to allow the availability of good quality vegetal materials, regarding specific traits. Thus, one of the most important grape varieties worldwide, Tempranillo, has been subjected to clonal selection, since the late 1970’, in an effort started by PORVID, aiming to the improvement of this variety, a work sustained in the last few years by ADVID, which manages two trial fields where 30 previously selected clones were installed. These trial fields, which were established in 2012, in commercial vineyards, are placed in the Douro Demarked Region (DDR), one of the oldest and more relevant geographical indications, located both in the sub-region Cima Corgo, a steep slope and low altitude, and in the sub-region of the Baixo Corgo, a flat area at high altitude. In the present work, these clones have been thoroughly assessed, respecting their traits of interest and biochemical contents. To study these clones, 60 grapes were collected from each sample, and both grape skins and homogenates have been evaluated. In a first stage, these materials were assessed respecting their analytical parameters and phytochemical contents, resorting to conventional standard and colorimetric methods. Furthermore, extracts from these materials were also assessed respecting antioxidant activity, through two distinct assays (DPPH and ABTS), which rely on the capacity of the extracts to reduce a stable radical. Concomitantly, spectroscopical means, namely FTIR, were used to develop a fast and simple methodology, resorting to multivariate statistical approaches, allowing the assessment of clones, solely by spectral acquisition. For this purpose, PLS (Partial Least Squares) regressions were used, as well as PLS-DA (PLS-Discriminant Analysis), while both grape homogenates and grape skins have been assessed. In a first stage, the best spectral treatments, as well as the optimal intervals, for these tasks have been evaluated (baseline subtraction, normalization, 1st derivative). The different data sets obtained from these treatments were subsequently assessed regarding their suitability to produce prediction models, either concerning the discrimination between the samples, or for the prediction of analytic parameters allowing the evaluation of the clones. The quality of the models retrieved was evaluated resorting to CV (Cross-Validation) procedures, and comparison between experimental and predicted values. Concerning the evaluation of the clones, it has been observed, that, since the differences arising between sites are greater that those due to the genotype, the comparison between clone performances must be undertaken for each site. Similar observations have been made regarding the use of spectroscopical data to discriminate the samples, showing that the scpectroscopical data actually reflects the samples’ contents. Moreover, spectroscopical data can be applied for the assessment of distinct analytical parameters of clones from the same grape variety, while different spectral treatments can be preferable for distinct parameters. Therefore, while the spectroscopical approaches do not allow to differentiate the distinct clones directly, due to their variability within a trial site, they do allow the prediction of analytical parameters, which could be applied in normal evaluation models, such as EBLUPS, to assist clone selection.

Dissertação de mest., Ensino de Matemática no 3.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico e no Ensino Secundário, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Univ. do Algarve, 2012<br>Este trabalho apresenta um relato dos factos que considerei mais relevantes que ocorreram ao longo do ano letivo 2011/2012 relacionados com a Prática de Ensino Supervisionada (PES) integrada no plano de estudos do Mestrado em Ensino de Matemática no 3.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico e no Ensino Secundário da Universidade do Algarve. Assim, serão focados aspetos sobre o estágio. Em particular, serão apresentadas as escolas e as turmas onde este ocorreu bem como, relatos de factos relevantes referentes às aulas que assisti e ainda apresentadas planificações completas sobre as aulas lecionadas. As aulas lecionadas também serão acompanhadas de reflexões críticas. Serão igualmente referidos os seminários apresentados na Universidade do Algarve no âmbito da PES. Na formação atual de qualquer professor deve ser tido em conta o uso das tecnologias em sala de aula. Assim, no decorrer da PES iniciei, juntamente com a Dra. Cátia Silva (colega de estágio), o Dr. José Luís Pereira (aluno de doutoramento da UAlg) e a minha orientadora, Doutora Ana Conceição, um projeto inovador na área do ensino, distinguido com o prémio Timberlake1. Idealizámos, criámos e implementámos Software Educacional tendo em vista a melhoria do processo de ensino e de aprendizagem da matemática. Desta forma, neste relatório, apresento o conceito F-Tool, isto é, ferramentas de ensino visuais, dinâmicas e interativas que permitem explorar de uma forma inovadora alguns dos principais conceitos matemáticos nas áreas de pré-cálculo e cálculo diferencial, nos níveis básico, secundário e universitário. As ferramentas digitais por nós concebidas e desenvolvidas foram implementadas com recurso ao sistema de álgebra computacional Mathematica. Por último, apresento uma reflexão final sobre toda a PES e a experiência na investigação.

The rapidly evolving global market scenario raised multiple challenges for an organization such as: change in customer needs and lifestyle, increased competition, compulsion to enter into new markets, pursue to innovate and so on, which raises an additional challenge for organization to sustain and succeed. In order to meet these multiple challenges, continuous New Product Development (NPD) turns out to be one of the essential tasks for any organization to improve market share, profitability and to succeed. In this scenario, a new product portfolio with best mix of new projects that ensures strategic alignment, balance of portfolio and improves organizations’ potential gain is compulsion. However, From the literature, it is observed that, ‘As nearly half of initial NPD ideas occur informally or without a specific goal, even a best performing organization requires a major improvement in the decision making process of Project Evaluation and Selection (PES)’. This emphasizes the significance of decision on Project Evaluation and Selection (PES) of NPD. Additionally, huge investments and resources need to be employed based on decision that is taken at PES phase of NPD. Thus PES turns out to be a crucial and essential phase of New Product Process (NPP). All these stated aspects of this challenging and crucial strategic decision of PES provoke for the requirement of an efficient management system and decision making model. In the literature the management system and decision making processes for formulation of portfolio is termed as “New Product Portfolio Management (NPPM)”. Though various researchers have been focusing on this particular issue of improving NPPM Performance, from the analysis of literature, to the best of our knowledge, it is observed that no one has identified or considered an exhaustive list of possible evaluative dimensions while taking the decision on PES of NPPM (PES-NPPM). This thesis makes an attempt to address this research gap, and the scope of this study is pertained to three sectors of manufacturing industry, namely, Automotive, Electronics and Machine Tools. Accordingly, the main objective of this thesis is “ In order to achieve this particular objective the following sub-objectives, methodologies, and analysis are carried out. For this purpose, first and foremost analysis of literature on PES is carried out. Accordingly, five evaluative dimensions are identified for PES-NPPM and they are: (i) Strategic Fit; (ii) Portfolio-Innovation Balance; (iii) Risk-Uncertainty Estimation; (iv) Cost-Revenue Estimation and (v) Optimized Resource Allocation. Furthermore, it is observed that, there is no study considering all the five evaluative dimensions simultaneously for PES-NPPM either to analyze their impact on performance of NPPM or to develop a decision making model. Thus, we are addressing a new problem configuration in the area of PES-NPPM. Additionally, though the requirements of multi-criteria models for PES-NPPM is discussed both in academic and practioners points of view, the real demonstration of the applicability of multi-criteria models are given a scant treatment in the literature. . By the end of the achieving this objective, we identified five distinct evaluative dimensions which are used in different combinations for PES-NPPM. Further, for measuring each of these five evaluative dimensions, we identified 23, 11, 15, 10, and 18 measurement variables respectively. Based on the evaluative dimensions considered in this study, a framework work is proposed for PES-NPPM. Due to the limitation of empirical evidences on considering the identified evaluative dimensions and respective measurement variables towards the proposed initial framework for PES-NPPM, another exploratory study: a case study method is carried out. In addition to the process of triangulation, the case study approach is carried out to understand (a) significance and nature of the identified measurement variables of all the five evaluative dimensions for PES-NPPM, and (b) real-life practices in decision making process of PES-NPPM and to identify the requirements of decision making tools. Accordingly, 12 case studies (4 each) from three manufacturing sectors, considered in this study, are conducted. Further, 12 case study reports are prepared and inferences are drawn. The inferences drawn are verified by conducting an individual brain-storming session with 3 academicians and 4 practitioners. The detailed analysis of the 12 case study reports endorsed the necessity of considering all the five identified evaluative dimensions in the proposed framework for PES-NPPM. In addition, the case study analysis revealed some of the variables originally considered for measuring the evaluative dimensions are not really the measurement variables, whereas those variables are expected to impact the decision making environment of PES-NPPM (or) NPPM Performance. Further those non-measurement variables are classified into (a) Characteristic Variables of PES-NPPM, and (b) Moderating variables for NPPM. Based on this, case study analysis identified 8 characteristic variables and 8 moderating variables. This specific observation resulted to analyze further the existing literature in order to identify if there exist any additional variables which impact decision making environment of PES-NPPM (or) NPPM Performance. Thus, from the analysis of literature and case study analysis 17 characteristic variable and 13 moderating variables are identified. Additionally, For this purpose, Partial Least Square – Path Modeling (PLS-PM) (or) regression analysis is conducted depending upon type of variables with 104 observations (representing 34, 39, and 31 observations of the three sectors respectively) to analyze the relationships between characteristic and moderating variables on decision-making environment of PES-NPPM and NPPM Performance respectively. From case study analysis, it is observed that the decision making tool required should provide: (a) ability to incorporate judgmental scores along with financial and other quantitative metrics, (b) ability to attain a balance of portfolio and consider interactions among project, and (c) ability to provide alternatives and rank the alternatives. In addition to the observation drawn from the case study analysis on the need of MCDM based tool(s), analysis of the literature is carried out to verify the same. As this problem scenario considers both quantitative and qualitative data for the development of a decision making tool, an appropriate technique/methodology needs to be employed. Based on analysis of literature and the case study reports, this study proposes an integrated Data Envelopment Analysis and Balanced Scorecard (DEA-BSC) model for individual PES. Further, the proposed DEA-BSC model is extended for evaluation of new product portfolio. In the process of formulation of new product portfolio, first, every new product project is evaluated with the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model. Second, an algorithm is designed to generate alternate portfolios with the selected set of efficient new product projects. Then, DEA-BSC model is employed to evaluate the generated portfolios. At this step, an accumulation functions are proposed which considers interactions among projects. These accumulation functions determine the overall input and output of the portfolio along with interactions involved. Accordingly, the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model for portfolio evaluation is expected to result in a balanced portfolio with profitable new product projects. In addition, the workability of the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model is demonstrated by developing a suitable numerical example. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is carried out on proposed DEA-BSC model to analyze the robustness of the results. In summary, this thesis examined a problem of decision making of NPPM. Further, this problem was retained with main focus on PES phase. Accordingly, the major contributions of this thesis are as follows: Identified an exhaustive lists of evaluative dimensions: (i) Strategic Fit; (ii) Portfolio-Innovation Balance; (iii) Risk-Uncertainty Estimation; (iv) Cost-Revenue Estimation and (v) Optimized Resource Allocation. Also identified the significance of these five dimensions in case of PES-NPPM. In addition, all the five evaluative dimensions are considered simultaneously for development of a multi criteria decision making tool for PES-NPPM. Identified the required measurement variables for each of the evaluative dimensions, considered in this study, that are essential for PES, and analyzed their influence on performance of NPPM. Identified and analyzed characteristic and moderating variables that influence decision making environment of PES-NPPM and performance of NPPM respectively. Identified the requirements of a decision making tool for PES-NPPM and developed an integrated DEA-BSC model for PES. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model is considered to be the first hybrid model applied to PES-NPPM. Furthermore for implementing the proposed DEA-BSC model, an algorithm is proposed in this study and this is expected to assist decision maker for selecting the right set of projects for new product portfolio with higher development potential, profitability and minimize the associated risk. Identified possible project interactions caused due to external or internal factors and accordingly proposed an accumulation function to capture these interactions. Proposed an algorithm for formulation of new product portfolio and accordingly proposed a detail step-by-step procedure for implementation of the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model. Though this study analyzes the impact of characteristic variables on decision-making environment of PES-NPPM, we limit to link this impact to DEA-BSC Model. In this study, an attempt is made to capture the moderating effect on NPPM Performance, but this study limits to link this moderating effect in proposed DEA-BSC model. Finally, the validation of the workability of proposed DEA-BSC model is limited to the numerical example considered in the study and not to the real-life problems scenarios.

The rapidly evolving global market scenario raised multiple challenges for an organization such as: change in customer needs and lifestyle, increased competition, compulsion to enter into new markets, pursue to innovate and so on, which raises an additional challenge for organization to sustain and succeed. In order to meet these multiple challenges, continuous New Product Development (NPD) turns out to be one of the essential tasks for any organization to improve market share, profitability and to succeed. In this scenario, a new product portfolio with best mix of new projects that ensures strategic alignment, balance of portfolio and improves organizations’ potential gain is compulsion. However, From the literature, it is observed that, ‘As nearly half of initial NPD ideas occur informally or without a specific goal, even a best performing organization requires a major improvement in the decision making process of Project Evaluation and Selection (PES)’. This emphasizes the significance of decision on Project Evaluation and Selection (PES) of NPD. Additionally, huge investments and resources need to be employed based on decision that is taken at PES phase of NPD. Thus PES turns out to be a crucial and essential phase of New Product Process (NPP). All these stated aspects of this challenging and crucial strategic decision of PES provoke for the requirement of an efficient management system and decision making model. In the literature the management system and decision making processes for formulation of portfolio is termed as “New Product Portfolio Management (NPPM)”. Though various researchers have been focusing on this particular issue of improving NPPM Performance, from the analysis of literature, to the best of our knowledge, it is observed that no one has identified or considered an exhaustive list of possible evaluative dimensions while taking the decision on PES of NPPM (PES-NPPM). This thesis makes an attempt to address this research gap, and the scope of this study is pertained to three sectors of manufacturing industry, namely, Automotive, Electronics and Machine Tools. Accordingly, the main objective of this thesis is “ In order to achieve this particular objective the following sub-objectives, methodologies, and analysis are carried out. For this purpose, first and foremost analysis of literature on PES is carried out. Accordingly, five evaluative dimensions are identified for PES-NPPM and they are: (i) Strategic Fit; (ii) Portfolio-Innovation Balance; (iii) Risk-Uncertainty Estimation; (iv) Cost-Revenue Estimation and (v) Optimized Resource Allocation. Furthermore, it is observed that, there is no study considering all the five evaluative dimensions simultaneously for PES-NPPM either to analyze their impact on performance of NPPM or to develop a decision making model. Thus, we are addressing a new problem configuration in the area of PES-NPPM. Additionally, though the requirements of multi-criteria models for PES-NPPM is discussed both in academic and practioners points of view, the real demonstration of the applicability of multi-criteria models are given a scant treatment in the literature. . By the end of the achieving this objective, we identified five distinct evaluative dimensions which are used in different combinations for PES-NPPM. Further, for measuring each of these five evaluative dimensions, we identified 23, 11, 15, 10, and 18 measurement variables respectively. Based on the evaluative dimensions considered in this study, a framework work is proposed for PES-NPPM. Due to the limitation of empirical evidences on considering the identified evaluative dimensions and respective measurement variables towards the proposed initial framework for PES-NPPM, another exploratory study: a case study method is carried out. In addition to the process of triangulation, the case study approach is carried out to understand (a) significance and nature of the identified measurement variables of all the five evaluative dimensions for PES-NPPM, and (b) real-life practices in decision making process of PES-NPPM and to identify the requirements of decision making tools. Accordingly, 12 case studies (4 each) from three manufacturing sectors, considered in this study, are conducted. Further, 12 case study reports are prepared and inferences are drawn. The inferences drawn are verified by conducting an individual brain-storming session with 3 academicians and 4 practitioners. The detailed analysis of the 12 case study reports endorsed the necessity of considering all the five identified evaluative dimensions in the proposed framework for PES-NPPM. In addition, the case study analysis revealed some of the variables originally considered for measuring the evaluative dimensions are not really the measurement variables, whereas those variables are expected to impact the decision making environment of PES-NPPM (or) NPPM Performance. Further those non-measurement variables are classified into (a) Characteristic Variables of PES-NPPM, and (b) Moderating variables for NPPM. Based on this, case study analysis identified 8 characteristic variables and 8 moderating variables. This specific observation resulted to analyze further the existing literature in order to identify if there exist any additional variables which impact decision making environment of PES-NPPM (or) NPPM Performance. Thus, from the analysis of literature and case study analysis 17 characteristic variable and 13 moderating variables are identified. Additionally, For this purpose, Partial Least Square – Path Modeling (PLS-PM) (or) regression analysis is conducted depending upon type of variables with 104 observations (representing 34, 39, and 31 observations of the three sectors respectively) to analyze the relationships between characteristic and moderating variables on decision-making environment of PES-NPPM and NPPM Performance respectively. From case study analysis, it is observed that the decision making tool required should provide: (a) ability to incorporate judgmental scores along with financial and other quantitative metrics, (b) ability to attain a balance of portfolio and consider interactions among project, and (c) ability to provide alternatives and rank the alternatives. In addition to the observation drawn from the case study analysis on the need of MCDM based tool(s), analysis of the literature is carried out to verify the same. As this problem scenario considers both quantitative and qualitative data for the development of a decision making tool, an appropriate technique/methodology needs to be employed. Based on analysis of literature and the case study reports, this study proposes an integrated Data Envelopment Analysis and Balanced Scorecard (DEA-BSC) model for individual PES. Further, the proposed DEA-BSC model is extended for evaluation of new product portfolio. In the process of formulation of new product portfolio, first, every new product project is evaluated with the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model. Second, an algorithm is designed to generate alternate portfolios with the selected set of efficient new product projects. Then, DEA-BSC model is employed to evaluate the generated portfolios. At this step, an accumulation functions are proposed which considers interactions among projects. These accumulation functions determine the overall input and output of the portfolio along with interactions involved. Accordingly, the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model for portfolio evaluation is expected to result in a balanced portfolio with profitable new product projects. In addition, the workability of the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model is demonstrated by developing a suitable numerical example. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is carried out on proposed DEA-BSC model to analyze the robustness of the results. In summary, this thesis examined a problem of decision making of NPPM. Further, this problem was retained with main focus on PES phase. Accordingly, the major contributions of this thesis are as follows: Identified an exhaustive lists of evaluative dimensions: (i) Strategic Fit; (ii) Portfolio-Innovation Balance; (iii) Risk-Uncertainty Estimation; (iv) Cost-Revenue Estimation and (v) Optimized Resource Allocation. Also identified the significance of these five dimensions in case of PES-NPPM. In addition, all the five evaluative dimensions are considered simultaneously for development of a multi criteria decision making tool for PES-NPPM. Identified the required measurement variables for each of the evaluative dimensions, considered in this study, that are essential for PES, and analyzed their influence on performance of NPPM. Identified and analyzed characteristic and moderating variables that influence decision making environment of PES-NPPM and performance of NPPM respectively. Identified the requirements of a decision making tool for PES-NPPM and developed an integrated DEA-BSC model for PES. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model is considered to be the first hybrid model applied to PES-NPPM. Furthermore for implementing the proposed DEA-BSC model, an algorithm is proposed in this study and this is expected to assist decision maker for selecting the right set of projects for new product portfolio with higher development potential, profitability and minimize the associated risk. Identified possible project interactions caused due to external or internal factors and accordingly proposed an accumulation function to capture these interactions. Proposed an algorithm for formulation of new product portfolio and accordingly proposed a detail step-by-step procedure for implementation of the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model. Though this study analyzes the impact of characteristic variables on decision-making environment of PES-NPPM, we limit to link this impact to DEA-BSC Model. In this study, an attempt is made to capture the moderating effect on NPPM Performance, but this study limits to link this moderating effect in proposed DEA-BSC model. Finally, the validation of the workability of proposed DEA-BSC model is limited to the numerical example considered in the study and not to the real-life problems scenarios.

This thesis involves the study of four problems in the area of nonlinear vibrations, using the asymptotic method of multiple scales(MMS). Accordingly, it consists of four sequentially arranged parts. In the first part of this thesis we study some nonlinear dynamics related to the amplitude control of a lightly damped, resonantly forced, harmonic oscillator. The slow flow equations governing the evolution of amplitude and phase of the controlled system are derived using the MMS. Upon choice of a suitable control law, the dynamics is represented by three coupled ,nonlinear ordinary differential equations involving a scalar free parameter. Preliminary study of this system using the bifurcation analysis package MATCONT reveals the presence of Hopf bifurcations, pitchfork bifurcations, and limit cycles which seem to approach a homoclinic orbit. However, close approach to homoclinic orbit is not attained using MATCONT due to an inherent limitation of time domain-based continuation algorithms. To continue the limit cycles closer to the homoclinic point, a new algorithm is proposed. The proposed algorithm works in phase space with an ordered set of points on the limit cycle, along with spline interpolation. The algorithm incorporates variable stretching of arclength based on local curvature, through the use of an auxiliary index-based variable. Several numerical examples are presented showing favorable comparisons with MATCONT near saddle homoclinic points. The algorithm is also formulated with infinitesimal parameter increments resulting in ordinary differential equations, which gives some advantages like the ability to handle fold points of periodic solution branches upon suitable re-parametrization. Extensions to higher dimensions are outlined as well. With the new algorithm, we revisit the amplitude control system and continue the limit cycles much closer to the homoclinic point. We also provide some independent semi-analytical estimates of the homoclinic point, and mention an a typical property of the homoclinic orbit. In the second part of this thesis we analytically study the classical van der Pol oscillator, but with an added fractional damping term. We use the MMS near the Hopf bifurcation point. Systems with (1)fractional terms, such as the one studied here, have hitherto been largely treated numerically after suitable approximations of the fractional order operator in the frequency domain. Analytical progress has been restricted to systems with small fractional terms. Here, the fractional term is approximated by a recently pro-posed Galerkin-based discretization scheme resulting in a set of ODEs. These ODEs are then treated by the MMS, at parameter values close to the Hopf bifurcation. The resulting slow flow provides good approximations to the full numerical solutions. The system is also studied under weak resonant forcing. Quasiperiodicity, weak phase locking, and entrainment are observed. An interesting observation in this work is that although the Galerkin approximation nominally leaves several long time scales in the dynamics, useful MMS approximations of the fractional damping term are nevertheless obtained for relatively large deviations from the nominal bifurcation point. In the third part of this thesis, we study a well known tool vibration model in the large delay regime using the MMS. Systems with small delayed terms have been studied extensively as perturbations of harmonic oscillators. Systems with (1) delayed terms, but near Hopf points, have also been studied by the method of multiple scales. However, studies on systems with large delays are few in number. By “large” we mean here that the delay is much larger than the time scale of typical cutting tool oscillations. The MMS up to second order, recently developed for such large-delay systems, is applied. The second order analysis is shown to be more accurate than first order. Numerical integration of the MMS slow flow is much faster than for the original equation, yet shows excellent accuracy. A key point is that although certain parameters are treated as small(or, reciprocally, large), the analysis is not restricted to infinitesimal distances from the Hopf bifurcation. In the present analysis, infinite dimensional dynamics is retained in the slow flow, while the more usual center manifold reduction gives a planar phase space. Lower-dimensional dynamical features, such as Hopf bifurcations and families of periodic solutions, are also captured by the MMS. The strong sensitivity of the slow modulation dynamics to small changes in parameter values, peculiar to such systems with large delays, is seen clearly. In the last part of this thesis, we study the weakly nonlinear whirl of an asymmetric, overhung rotor near its gravity critical speed using a well known two-degree of freedom model. Gravity critical speeds of rotors have hitherto been studied using linear analysis, and ascribed to rotor stiffness asymmetry. Here we present a weakly nonlinear study of this phenomenon. Nonlinearities arise from finite displacements, and the rotor’s static lateral deflection under gravity is taken as small. Assuming small asymmetry and damping, slow flow equations for modulations of whirl amplitudes are developed using the MMS. Inertia asymmetry appears only at second order. More interestingly, even without stiffness asymmetry, the gravity-induced resonance survives through geometric nonlinearities. The gravity resonant forcing does not influence the resonant mode at leading order, unlike typical resonant oscillations. Nevertheless, the usual phenomena of resonances, namely saddle-node bifurcations, jump phenomena and hysteresis, are all observed. An unanticipated periodic solution branch is found. In the three dimensional space of two modal coefficients and a detuning parameter, the full set of periodic solutions is found to be an imperfect version of three mutually intersecting curves: a straight line, a parabola, and an ellipse. To summarize, the first and fourth problems, while involving routine MMS involve new applications with rich dynamics. The second problem demonstrated a semi-analytical approach via the MMS to study a fractional order system. Finally, the third problem studied a known application in a hitherto less-explored parameter regime through an atypical MMS procedure. In this way, a variety of problems that showcase the utility of the MMS have been studied in this thesis.

This thesis involves the study of four problems in the area of nonlinear vibrations, using the asymptotic method of multiple scales(MMS). Accordingly, it consists of four sequentially arranged parts. In the first part of this thesis we study some nonlinear dynamics related to the amplitude control of a lightly damped, resonantly forced, harmonic oscillator. The slow flow equations governing the evolution of amplitude and phase of the controlled system are derived using the MMS. Upon choice of a suitable control law, the dynamics is represented by three coupled ,nonlinear ordinary differential equations involving a scalar free parameter. Preliminary study of this system using the bifurcation analysis package MATCONT reveals the presence of Hopf bifurcations, pitchfork bifurcations, and limit cycles which seem to approach a homoclinic orbit. However, close approach to homoclinic orbit is not attained using MATCONT due to an inherent limitation of time domain-based continuation algorithms. To continue the limit cycles closer to the homoclinic point, a new algorithm is proposed. The proposed algorithm works in phase space with an ordered set of points on the limit cycle, along with spline interpolation. The algorithm incorporates variable stretching of arclength based on local curvature, through the use of an auxiliary index-based variable. Several numerical examples are presented showing favorable comparisons with MATCONT near saddle homoclinic points. The algorithm is also formulated with infinitesimal parameter increments resulting in ordinary differential equations, which gives some advantages like the ability to handle fold points of periodic solution branches upon suitable re-parametrization. Extensions to higher dimensions are outlined as well. With the new algorithm, we revisit the amplitude control system and continue the limit cycles much closer to the homoclinic point. We also provide some independent semi-analytical estimates of the homoclinic point, and mention an a typical property of the homoclinic orbit. In the second part of this thesis we analytically study the classical van der Pol oscillator, but with an added fractional damping term. We use the MMS near the Hopf bifurcation point. Systems with (1)fractional terms, such as the one studied here, have hitherto been largely treated numerically after suitable approximations of the fractional order operator in the frequency domain. Analytical progress has been restricted to systems with small fractional terms. Here, the fractional term is approximated by a recently pro-posed Galerkin-based discretization scheme resulting in a set of ODEs. These ODEs are then treated by the MMS, at parameter values close to the Hopf bifurcation. The resulting slow flow provides good approximations to the full numerical solutions. The system is also studied under weak resonant forcing. Quasiperiodicity, weak phase locking, and entrainment are observed. An interesting observation in this work is that although the Galerkin approximation nominally leaves several long time scales in the dynamics, useful MMS approximations of the fractional damping term are nevertheless obtained for relatively large deviations from the nominal bifurcation point. In the third part of this thesis, we study a well known tool vibration model in the large delay regime using the MMS. Systems with small delayed terms have been studied extensively as perturbations of harmonic oscillators. Systems with (1) delayed terms, but near Hopf points, have also been studied by the method of multiple scales. However, studies on systems with large delays are few in number. By “large” we mean here that the delay is much larger than the time scale of typical cutting tool oscillations. The MMS up to second order, recently developed for such large-delay systems, is applied. The second order analysis is shown to be more accurate than first order. Numerical integration of the MMS slow flow is much faster than for the original equation, yet shows excellent accuracy. A key point is that although certain parameters are treated as small(or, reciprocally, large), the analysis is not restricted to infinitesimal distances from the Hopf bifurcation. In the present analysis, infinite dimensional dynamics is retained in the slow flow, while the more usual center manifold reduction gives a planar phase space. Lower-dimensional dynamical features, such as Hopf bifurcations and families of periodic solutions, are also captured by the MMS. The strong sensitivity of the slow modulation dynamics to small changes in parameter values, peculiar to such systems with large delays, is seen clearly. In the last part of this thesis, we study the weakly nonlinear whirl of an asymmetric, overhung rotor near its gravity critical speed using a well known two-degree of freedom model. Gravity critical speeds of rotors have hitherto been studied using linear analysis, and ascribed to rotor stiffness asymmetry. Here we present a weakly nonlinear study of this phenomenon. Nonlinearities arise from finite displacements, and the rotor’s static lateral deflection under gravity is taken as small. Assuming small asymmetry and damping, slow flow equations for modulations of whirl amplitudes are developed using the MMS. Inertia asymmetry appears only at second order. More interestingly, even without stiffness asymmetry, the gravity-induced resonance survives through geometric nonlinearities. The gravity resonant forcing does not influence the resonant mode at leading order, unlike typical resonant oscillations. Nevertheless, the usual phenomena of resonances, namely saddle-node bifurcations, jump phenomena and hysteresis, are all observed. An unanticipated periodic solution branch is found. In the three dimensional space of two modal coefficients and a detuning parameter, the full set of periodic solutions is found to be an imperfect version of three mutually intersecting curves: a straight line, a parabola, and an ellipse. To summarize, the first and fourth problems, while involving routine MMS involve new applications with rich dynamics. The second problem demonstrated a semi-analytical approach via the MMS to study a fractional order system. Finally, the third problem studied a known application in a hitherto less-explored parameter regime through an atypical MMS procedure. In this way, a variety of problems that showcase the utility of the MMS have been studied in this thesis.