Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926): The manuscript of Reus

Many of Gaudí’s original documents (writings, drawings, etc.) were destroyed during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) when riots erupted in the architect’s studio located inside the Sagrada Família temple in Barcelona. Fortunately, surviving documents had been relocated long before to other places by architect Domènech Sugrañes Gras (1878–1938). Among those documents rescued was Gaudí’s notebook, also known as El manuscrit de Reus (The Manuscript of Reus), rediscovered by Catalan architect Cèsar Martinell (1888–1973) during the preparation of his book, Gaudí. His life, his theory, his work, published in 1967

Communication systems using LabVIEW

LabVIEW enables engineers to simulate various communication and control systems. LabVIEW helps to create Virtual Instruments (VIs) which are the files with which the user interacts to accomplish the required task. In this paper, the AM system implementation in LabVIEW is explained in detail along with the observed waveforms. The AM system is implemented using two separate VIs i.e. Transmitter_AM.vi and Receiver_AM.vi. Each VI has two parts: Front Panel and the Block Diagram. The Front Panel is usually the interface the user interacts with and observes results. The block diagram contains the blocks used to implement the functionality required for the operation of the VI. The individual blocks in the block diagram are called the sub VIs. The user may or may not need to make changes in the block diagram of the VI during the execution of the LabVIEW program

Assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning among women living in the Mbouda health district, Cameroon

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Promotion of family planning has been shown to reduce poverty, hunger, maternal and infant mortality, and contribute to women’s empowerment. But many resource-limited countries still have very low rates of contraceptive use. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning among women living in a resource-poor rural setting. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in January 2010 in the Mbouda Health District, Cameroon. After a multistage random selection, 120 households were selected. Participants were women aged at least 15 years old, sexually active, and who volunteered to participate in the study. Data were collected during an anonymous interview using a structured pre-tested questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 101 women were enrolled, their ages ranging from 18–58 years with a mean of 31.7 ± 8.8 years. Ninety-six percent of these women had already heard about family planning. Almost all respondents (98 %) were aware of at least one contraceptive method, the most cited being the male condom (96 %), the safe period (86.1 %), injectables (76.2 %) and oral pills (75.2 %), Sixty-six women (65.3 %) were currently practicing at least one contraceptive method, and the three prevailing methods used were: the safe period (50 %), the male condom (34.8 %), and injectables (12.1 %). The main reasons precluding women from practicing contraception were lack of knowledge (31.4 %), uselessness (31.4 %) and unbearable side effects (8.6 %). Fourteen of these women (42.4 %) expressed the willingness to start practicing contraception if they received more information about the subject. Decision on the number of children to have was made by both the man and the woman in 59.5 % of cases. The practice of contraception had been decided by the couple in 39.6 % of cases, and 9.4 % of men were not aware that their wives were currently practicing contraception. CONCLUSION: Although the level of awareness about family planning and contraceptive methods is quite satisfactory, the level of contraceptive use is not optimal in our setting. Consequently, more adapted educational and counseling interventions should be undertaken among women, and family planning messages directed to men need to be included too

Suction and shear strength relationships of granular materials

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2015Unsaturated soils are the predominant soil type in moisture deficient areas of the world. These soils have the characteristic ‘suction’, which is the potential for a soil to absorb water. With more than one-third of the world located in moisture deficient zones, understanding the characteristics of these soils is important in enhancing engineering design and analysis. Much of the research focus on unsaturated soils is centered on the formulation of the effective stress equation involving suction and its relevance to strength and volume change. Suction therefore is a key parameter linked to the behavior of these soils. It is made up of two components namely matrix and osmotic (solute) suction of which both are believed to influence soil properties. However, the exact role of each or both components in influencing the effective stress, strength and volume change behavior of unsaturated soils has not been fully verified. The hypothesis postulated is that osmotic or solute suction contributes to the shear strength of soils. The focus of this research is experimentally to isolate the effect of osmotic suction and further evaluate its contribution as well as those of other capillary forces to the shear strength of granular soils. The experimental method consisted in altering the suction characteristics of the pore matrix in granular soils by mixing it with various solutions. This was achieved by using distilled water, ionic solutions of NaCl and non-ionic solutions of detergent, and measuring the effects of these solutions on shear strength. In addition, surface tension measurements were made in a set of capillary tubes with these solutions and psychrometer tests were made on granular soils mixed with these solutions. Three sets of triaxial shear strength parameters and corresponding suction ranges were obtained from the verifications: Shear strength parameters and matrix suctions measured by the axis translation technique in the undrained triaxial test. Shear strength parameters measured in the drained triaxial test. Shear strength parameters measured in the undrained state on specimens exposed to different atmospheres in equilibrium with saturated salts solutions and others exposed to atmospheres in equilibrium with distilled water, ionic solutions of NaCl and non-ionic solution of detergent. Results of the experiments revealed that though solute suction may indirectly influence the shear strength of granular soils, it does not contribute to it in a direct way. The Bishop equation appropriately describes the strength and deformable characteristics of unsaturated soils

HelloFresh : a recipe for sustainable market leadership?

The concepts of Strategic Change and Dynamic Capabilities are widely discussed in the strategic management literature, explaining how firms can sustain a competitive advantage. While strategic change implies the company’s alignment with its external environment, dynamic capabilities are the firm’s potential to systematically solve problems. The focal purpose of this thesis is to illustrate how strategic change and the deployment of dynamic capabilities can help a company to adapt to, cope with, and grow in constantly changing environments. Moreover, this thesis intends to identify the motives for mergers and acquisitions as a form of strategic growth. For pedagogical purposes, a teaching case was developed, which demonstrates how HelloFresh, a meal kit supplying company founded in 2011, became the global market leader in its industry only after a few years of existence. HelloFresh reacted to consumer trends, implemented new technology and data management systems and invested in growth strategies that enabled them to successfully outgrow their competitors in all of their markets. By initiating strategic transformations and deploying a strong set of dynamic capabilities, especially in detecting opportunities and making market-oriented decisions, HelloFresh was able to adapt to shifts in society, technology and competition. Nevertheless, none of the meal kit companies has been able to reach profitability so far. As the online food market is growing slower than expected, the question remains whether these online food businesses have been introduced too early to the market.Os conceitos de Mudança Estratégica e Dynamic Capabilities encontram-se amplamente debatidos na literatura de gestão estratégica para explicar como as empresas podem assegurar uma vantagem competitiva. Enquanto Mudança Estratégica representa o alinhamento da empresa com o contexto externo, Dynamic Capabilities referem-se à capacidade da empresa de resolver problemas sistematicamente. O objetivo desta dissertação é ilustrar como mudanças estratégicas e desenvolvimento de Dynamic Capabilities podem auxiliar uma empresa a adaptar-se, lidar com, e crescer em ambientes de mudança constante. Além disso, pretende identificar os motivos que levam a fusões e aquisições entre empresas enquanto método de crescimento estratégico. Para fins pedagógicos foi desenvolvido um caso de estudo que ilustra como a HelloFresh, empresa que fornece kits de refeições, fundada em 2011, se tornou líder global de mercado nesta indústria poucos anos após a fundação. A HelloFresh reagiu a uma tendência de mercado, implementou novas tecnologias e sistemas de gestão de dados e investiu em estratégias de crescimento que permitiram-na desenvolver-se a um ritmo mais rápido que os seus concorrentes nos mercados que opera. Através da implementação de transformações estratégicas e do lançamento de um forte conjunto de Dynamic Capabilities, particularmente na deteção de oportunidades e tomada de decisões direcionadas para o mercado, a HelloFresh foi capaz de adaptar-se a mudanças sociais, tecnológicas e competitivas. Mas, nenhuma empresa deste setor obteve lucro. Como o sector do comércio está a crescer mais lentamente do que esperado, mantém-se a questão se os negócios de venda de comida através da internet surgiram demasiado cedo

Einfluss kardialer Funktionsparameter und Begleitvitien auf schweregradbestimmende echokardiographische Parameter der Aortenstenose: eine systematische Analyse im Modellkreislauf

Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist, den Einfluss von kreislaufspezifischen Funktionsparametern, respektive dem Schlagvolumen (SV), der Herzfrequenz (HF), des peripheren Widerstandes (SVR) und der Compliance (C), sowie von Begleitvitien (Mitralinsuffizienz) auf die echokardiographisch bestimmten Werte für den MPG bzw. die AVA systematisch zu analysieren. Hierzu wurde ein Kreislaufmodell entwickelt, in dem die Hämodynamik der hochgradigen AS unter Anpassung verschiedener Kreislaufparamter und Begleitvitien untersucht werden kann. Die systematische Analyse des Einflusses von Begleitvitien und kreislaufspezifischen Parametern wurde mit Hilfe einer dopplerechokardiographischen Messung durchgeführt. In Abwesenheit einer MI führt der Anstieg des SV bei gegebener AVA zu einem korrespondierenden Anstieg des MPG. Eine zusätzliche MI führt zu einem signifikanten Abfall des Vorwärtsschlagvolumens, weil das mitrale Regurgitationsvolumen zu einer Abnahme des Vorwärtsschlagvolumens über der AS führt. Dies war assoziiert mit einer Reduktion des MPG. Hingegen änderte sich die berechnete AVA nicht signifikant. In der Konfiguration des Kreislaufes mit schwerer AS ohne MI ist weder eine Änderung des SVR noch der C mit einer signifikanten Änderung von MPG oder AVA assoziiert. Auch bei schwerer AS und gleichzeitiger hochgradiger MI führt ein Anstieg des SVR nicht zu einer signifikanten Änderung des MPG. Durch den Abfall des Vorwärtsschlagvolumens ist die Messung des transvalvulären MPG nicht mehr repräsentativ für den Schweregrad der AS, denn sowohl der MPG als auch die Vmax sind flussabhängig und können signifikant beeinträchtigt sein, wenn das SV bei begleitender MI abnimmt. Im Kontrast dazu ist die berechnete AVA, welche aufgrund der Beeinflussung durch verschiedene Messgrößen eher fehlerbehaftet ist, ein robuster Parameter bei der Evaluation der AS, wenn gleichzeitig eine MI vorliegt

Reaching Out to Researchers: A Model for Web-based User Education Resources for Archives and Manuscript Collections

This paper discusses the need for and presents a model of web-accessible instruction and orientation resources to support users of archives and manuscript collections. Traditional archives orientation and user education practices, as well as web-based library instruction techniques, are reviewed to create a framework of types of information that should be provided and types of resources that best provide this information. A sample of thirty special collections departments at large research institutions are examined in depth using this framework to discover what user education resources are being implemented in the field. Applying the evaluation framework and findings, a model for web-based archives user education resources is offered, featuring content on archival orientation, intellectual access, physical access, and utilization

TYPES OF ALGEBRAIC STRUCTURES IN PROOF ASSISTANT SYSTEMS

Building a standard library of mathematical knowledge for a proof system is a complex task that relies on human effort. By conducting a survey on the standard library of four proof systems (Agda, Idris, Lean, and Coq), we define the scope for our research to study types of algebraic structures in proof systems. From the result of the survey, we establish our focus to contribute to the Agda standard library. Universal algebra studies structures by abstracting out the specific definitions and properties of algebraic structures. Providing an extensive and well-defined library of algebraic structures and theorems in Agda will enable researchers to explore new domains and build upon existing definitions (and theorems). We explore capturing a select subset of algebraic structures such as quasigroups, loops, semigroups, rings, and Kleene algebra with some of their constructs. Constructs like homomorphism, isomorphism, and direct products are given to us by universal algebra which provides a way to relate different structures in a systematic and rigorous way. Homomorphisms allow us to understand how different structures are related. During our exploration of capturing these structures in Agda, we encountered several issues. We categorized these issues into five classes and analyzed each problem to provide plausible solutions. As part of this research, we define more than 20 algebraic structures and add more than 40 proofs to the Agda standard libraryThesisMaster of Science (MSc

A Bit Serial Approach to Massively Parallel Floating Point Operations on an FPGA

In this paper we discuss the pros and cons of bit serial arithmetic for performing mathematical operations for signal processing and scientific computations on an FPGA. We describe our formulation of the architecture for such massively parallel systems, the advantage being that it requires no parallel programming in the traditional sense. We describe a pseudo floating point bit serial circuit which is less complex than full precision floating point and show that it is suitable for many applications. We conclude with several application examples and show that a bit serial implementation can be competitive with a high speed parallel implementation