Shaping concrete: An investigation of knitted formwork for concrete casting

Double-curved geometries have never been easier to design with the advancements in 3d software. However, realizing these structures are often complicated, time consuming, and wasteful. The formwork for casting concrete structures represents more than half of the total cost for complex geometries making it unfeasible in most cases. Not only does this limit the architectural expression but also the engineering possibilities. Admired structures, such as the ones built by acclaimed engineers like Felix Candela and Pier Luigi Nervi, rely on curved geometry to carry the load efficiently. In this thesis, knitted formwork is examined as an alternative production method for double-curved geometries. The production method is studied to optimize the production phase to increase the feasibility of such complex structures. In addition, the method is also studied to produce efficient structures to reduce material usage in the structural system. The exploration of knitted formwork is done in a design study where models of varying scales are produced. To complement the physical models, computational simulations are performed to support the design process by generating knitting patterns, form-finding and analysis of the shell structure. The final design is a result of an iterative design process where the fabrication method, as well as the structural system, is expressed. Only when these are in symbiosis can the design be a representation of efficiency

Theory of Mind Development in Swedish Preschoolers: Relations with Language, Executive function, Temperament, and the Social Environment

Understanding others in social situations is a cornerstone of any lifespan. A part of social understanding comes from appreciating other’s intentions, desires, and knowledge, which can be called an understanding of others’ Theory of Mind. However, the measurement of Theory of Mind has predominantly been performed using cross-sectional designs and one type of Theory of Mind test, measuring false belief. Other alternatives that capture a scale measure of Theory of Mind better reflecting a continuum of development across a wider age range are now available. The current thesis investigates this scale longitudinally in relation to previously affirmed, but also less or unexplored, individual and social factors. In brief, the present dissertation finds limited support for individual but some support for social factors. The crucial finding is that Theory of Mind is only marginally related to the investigated factors, apart from Theory of Mind itself. Three studies support the conclusions put forth. Study I is a psychometric investigation of the Theory of Mind scale in Swedish preschoolers ages 3–5. The scale was psychometrically examined longitudinally as a 3- and 4-step scale in separate age groups (i.e., at three, four, or five years of age) and for boys and girls, respectively. The results showed that the scale was longitudinally consistent for both versions of the scale. Concerning the separate age groups, the scale was reliable as a 3-step scale in almost all investigated groups. However, the 4-step scale was only reliable when including all age groups (i.e., 3–5-year-old children). This suggests that Theory of Mind scales that include more than three steps might not be appropriate for all preschool ages. Study II predominantly investigated the Theory of Mind scale in relation to individual factors, namely executive function, productive language, and temperament. Socioeconomic status was included as a control variable. The individual factors related to Theory of Mind ability were executive function (when analyzed against the 3-step scale) and the temperament variable Shyness (both for the 3- and 4-step scales). Socioeconomic status was also related to ToM at three years of age. Study III investigated relations between ToM development and social factors: socioeconomic status, number of siblings, and parental use of mental state words (i.e., mention of cognition, emotion, or desire words). The children’s executive function and productive language were included as control variables. Parental use of cognition words was most often found to be related to Theory of Mind, but emotion and desire words were also related, to a lesser extent. In addition, the parents' frequency of spoken cognition words and emotion vocabulary size were related to a faster Theory of Mind development in children. Socioeconomic status and children’s productive language were also associated with ToM at four years of age. In summary, social factors received continued support as factors in Theory of Mind development. However, barely any individual factors surfaced in controlled analyses with Theory of Mind. With a specific focus on longitudinal studies of the development of children’s ability to understand other minds, the current thesis uniquely contributes to our understanding of Theory of Mind development in the preschool ages

Sinteza, in vitro antitumorsko ispitivanje i radiosenzitirajuće vrednovanje novih derivata 4-[3-(supstituiranih)tioureido]-N-(kinoksalin-2-il)benzensulfonamida

Sulfonamides and quinoxaline derivatives possess many types of biological activities and have been recently reported to show substantial antitumor activity. This paper reports the synthesis of novel thioureidosulfaquinoxaline derivatives. All the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity against a human liver cell line (HEPG2) and showed higher activity than the reference drug doxorubicin. 4-(3-(4-Ethylbenzoate)thioureido)-N-(quinoxalin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (9) (IC50 = 15.6 µmol L1), N-(pyridin-2-yl)-4-(3-(4-(N-quinoxalin-2-yl-sulfamoyl)phenyl)thioureido)benzene-sulfonamide (10) (IC50 = 26.8 µmol L1) and N-(quinoxalin-2-yl)-4-(3-(4-(N-thiazol-2-ylsulfamoyl)phenyl)thioureido)benzenesulfonamide (11) (IC50 = 24.4 µmol L1) were the most potent compared to doxorubicin (IC50 = 71.8 µmol L1). The most potent compounds 9, 10 and 11 were evaluated as radiosensitizing agents by subjecting the compounds to γ-irradiation (8 kGy).Derivati sulfonamida i kinoksalina imaju raznoliko biološko djelovanje, između ostalog i antitumorsko djelovanje. U radu je opisana sinteza novih derivata tioureido sulfakinoksalina. Svim novim spojevima ispitano je antitumorsko djelovanje in vitro na humanoj staničnoj liniji jetre (HEPG 2). Svi ispitani spojevi pokazuju jači učinak nego referentni lijek doksorubicin. Najjači učinak imali su 4-(3-(4-etilbenzoat)tioureido)-N-(kinoksalin-2-il)benzen-sulfonamid (9) (IC50 = 15,6 µmol L1), N-(piridin-2-il)-4-(3-(4-(N-kinoksalin-2-il-sulfamoil)fenil)tioureido)-benzen-sulfonamid (10) (IC50 = 26,8 µmol L1) i N-(kinoksalin-2-il)-4-(3-(4-(N-tiazol-2-ilsulfamoil)fenil)tioureido)benzen-sulfonamid (11) (IC50 = 24,4 µmol L1), dok je IC50 vrijednost bila 71,8 µmol L1. Najaktivniji spojevi 9, 10 i 11 evaluirani su kao radziosenzitirajuća sredstva nakon izlaganja spojeva γ-zračenju (8 kGy)

Wood smoke particles from different combustion phases induce similar pro-inflammatory effects in a co-culture of monocyte and pneumocyte cell lines

Background Exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been linked to several adverse cardiopulmonary effects, probably via biological mechanisms involving inflammation. The pro-inflammatory potential of PM depends on the particles’ physical and chemical characteristics, which again depend on the emitting source. Wood combustion is a major source of ambient air pollution in Northern countries during the winter season. The overall aim of this study was therefore to investigate cellular responses to wood smoke particles (WSPs) collected from different phases of the combustion cycle, and from combustion at different temperatures. Results WSPs from different phases of the combustion cycle induced very similar effects on pro-inflammatory mediator release, cytotoxicity and cell number, whereas WSPs from medium-temperature combustion were more cytotoxic than WSPs from high-temperature incomplete combustion. Furthermore, comparisons of effects induced by native WSPs with the corresponding organic extracts and washed particles revealed that the organic fraction was the most important determinant for the WSP-induced effects. However, the responses induced by the organic fraction could generally not be linked to the content of the measured polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), suggesting that also other organic compounds were involved. Conclusion The toxicity of WSPs seems to a large extent to be determined by stove type and combustion conditions, rather than the phase of the combustion cycle. Notably, this toxicity seems to strongly depend on the organic fraction, and it is probably associated with organic components other than the commonly measured unsubstituted PAHs

Photocatalytic Decomposition of Formic Acid on Mo2C-Containing Catalyst

Soluble components in the peripheral blood from experimental exposure of 14 healthy subjects to filtered air and wood smoke. Samples were collected before (pre), at 24 h and 44 h after exposure, to air and wood smoke. Data are given as medians with interquartile range. (DOCX 62 kb

CT Scanning of Capillary Phenomena in Bio-Based Materials

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a powerful tool for the non-destructive study of dynamic moisture processes in wood and other bio-based materials. In the CT facilities at Luleå University of Technology, it is possible to study wood-moisture relations such as water absorption, drying and related material deformation under a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment. An increase in the use of bio-based materials in building construction has led to an increased interest in capillary phenomena in these materials, because of an increasing number of moisture-related damage in timber and hybrid-timber buildings. This article shows some examples of how different bio-materials used in construction interact with liquid water over time. The overall purpose has been to develop the CT technique as a powerful tool for the determination and visualization of capillary flow that can be a base for modelling and an increased understanding of moisture flow in new bio-based building materials. Early-stage observation of the behaviour of different traditional and new bio-based building materials shows that CT scanning, combined with image processing, has a high potential to be used in performing non-destructive and non-contact tests that can help to increase the knowledge of water-material interactions and develop building materials with an optimized performance.publishedVersionPRO LIGNO is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Differentiation as a Consequence of Choice and Decentralization Reforms—Conditions for Teachers’ Competence Development

This paper examines the conditions for teacher competence development as they relate to the current restructured governance of the education sector in Sweden. In reviewing the literature, contextual factors in the workplace are often pointed out as central to conditions for competence development. However, we argue that a sector-level approach is useful in examining and explaining competence development conditions, especially in times of governance change. We describe how a workplace’s geographical location and budgetary situation, along with its size and age, relate to how teachers experience their working conditions. The findings indicate that the organization of work at a local workplace level impacts the conditions for competence development. Moreover, various regional and local characteristics seem to affect the conditions for competence development in that the organization and governance of the education sector create different conditions for competence development

Interaction of Cationic Porphyrins with DNA

Utilizing linear dichroism (LD), circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence energy transfer, the binding geometries of a series of Co3+-porphyrins and their free ligands were examined. The compounds studied were Co-meso-tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyi(nC oTMPyP) and its free ligand (H2- TMPyP), Co-meso-tetrakis(N-n-butylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin( CoTBPyP) and its free ligand (H2TBPyP), and Co-meso-tetrakis(N-n-octylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin (CoTOPyP). The two non-metalloporphyrins exhibit negative LD, having angles of roughly 75\u27 relative to the DNA helix axis. They also display negative CD and a significant contact energy transfer from the DNA bases. On the other hand, the three metalloporphyrins display orientation angles of roughly 45\u27 between the porphyrin plane and the helix axis of DNA. Furthermore, they exhibit positive CD and no contact energy transfer from DNA bases. These observations show that the metalloporphyrins are not intercalated whereas non-metalloporphyrins having four freely rotating meso-aryl groups intercalate between the base pairs of DNA. In the presence of KHSOs, the cobalt porphyrins cleave closed circular PM2 DNA in a single strand manner, i.e., a single activation event on the porphyrin leads to a break in one of the DNA strands. A kinetic analysis of the cleavage data revealed that cleavage rates are in the order CoTMPyP \u3e CoTBPyP \u3e CoTOPyP with the difference being due to different DNA affinities rather than differences in cleavage rate-constants. Based on these and earlier observations, the metalloporphyrins appear bound to a partially melted region of DNA

Torsional Analysis Challenges Of A Centrifugal Pump Train

Case Stud

Social touch and human development.

Social touch is a powerful force in human development, shaping social reward, attachment, cognitive, communication, and emotional regulation from infancy and throughout life. In this review, we consider the question of how social touch is defined from both bottom-up and top-down perspectives. In the former category, there is a clear role for the C-touch (CT) system, which constitutes a unique submodality that mediates affective touch and contrasts with discriminative touch. Top-down factors such as culture, personal relationships, setting, gender, and other contextual influences are also important in defining and interpreting social touch. The critical role of social touch throughout the lifespan is considered, with special attention to infancy and young childhood, a time during which social touch and its neural, behavioral, and physiological contingencies contribute to reinforcement-based learning and impact a variety of developmental trajectories. Finally, the role of social touch in an example of disordered development -autism spectrum disorder-is reviewed