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Liang, Yuanling. "Utilization of a scientifically operated charge-coupled device detector for high-performance thin-layer chromatographic analysis." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/282688.
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A high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) separation system coupled with a scientifically operated charge-couple device detector (CCD) has been developed to improve the identification and quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical products and natural toxins. The combination of the fast, easy and high throughput properties of TLC, high speed, sensitivity, wide dynamic range of the CCD detector, and the high reproducibility and accuracy of the micro-nebulization sampler can be used to facilitate pharmaceutical industrial quality control and food industrial safety control. The application of this system in these areas has shown significant improvement in sensitivity, precision, and accuracy.
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Miao, Ran. "Multimetallic Supramolecular Complexes: Synthesis, Characterization, Photophysical Studies and Applications in Solar Energy Utilization and Photodynamic Therapy." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/26372.
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This thesis describes the study of a series of multimetallic supramolecules containing varied metals and ligands, synthesized by a building block method and characterized by mass spectrometry, electronic absorption spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. Incorporating different functional units into complex systems allowed these multimetallic supramolecules to perform various light activated tasks including DNA cleavage and hydrogen generation from water.
The complex [({(bpy)2Os(dpp)}2Ru)2(dpq)](PF6)12 and [{(bpy)2M(dpp)}2Ru(BL)PtCl2](PF6)6 were synthesized (M = OsII or RuII; BL = dpp or dpq; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, dpq = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline). The building blocks displayed varied electrochemical properties upon complexation. The bridging ligands dpp and dpq display their reduction potentials shifted to less negative values when they changed from monochelating to bischelating. The electronic absorption spectra of the multimetallic systems displayed transitions of each contributing chromophore, with overlapping metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions in visible region of spectrum. Spectroelectrochemistry revealed the nature of MLCTs and helped to identify fingerprint features of complex supramolecules. Photophysical measurements include emission spectroscopy with quantum yield measurements and emission lifetime measurements. Photophysical data provided detailed information to aid in developing an understanding of excited state properties of these complexes. Supported by the electrochemical data and spectroelectrochemistry, the hexametallic complex was suggested to have a HOMO localizing in the peripheral Os and a LUMO localizing in the central dpq, separating by a Ru energy barrier. This research systematically investigated photophysical properties of some building blocks and the mixed-metal, mixed-ligand supramolecules constructed by a variety of building blocks coupling light absorbing subunits to a reactive Pt metal center. Preliminary studies suggested [{(bpy)2Ru(dpp)}2Ru(dpq)PtCl2](PF6)6 was a photocatalyst for H2 production from water in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor. The complex [{(bpy)2Ru(dpp)}2Ru(dpq)PtCl2](PF6)6 had been studied for its catalytic ability in generating hydrogen and was found to have 34 product turnovers after 3 h photolysis. Photolysis and gel electrophoresis revealed that the tetrametallic complexes were able to bind to and then photocleave DNA through an oxygen mediated mechanism. The independence of ionic strength variation when [{(bpy)2Ru(dpp)}2Ru(dpp)PtCl2](PF6)6 interacted with DNA, suggested the covalent interaction nature of the complex. These results suggest future work on understanding the excited state properties of supramolecular complexes is suggested. The designs of future photocatalysts for hydrogen production from water and anticancer photodynamic therapy drugs are also proposed.Ph. D.
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Miller, Michael E. "Examining the effect of organizational policy change on taser utilizations." Orlando, Fla. : University of Central Florida, 2008. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0002150.
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Derenowski, Eileen. "The relationship between organizational structural variables and the utilization of nursing practice innovations." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/276865.
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This research sampled a group of 261 nurse managers to test the relationships among organizational structural variables and the utilization of nursing practice innovations. Subjects completed instruments that measured organizational complexity, centralization, formalization and the utilization of nursing practice innovations. Pearson correlations revealed a significant positive relationship between utilization of nursing practice innovations and individual perception of autonomy in decision-making. Within organizational centralization the decision-making components of organizational centralization entered into a multiple regression equation which explained 27% of the variance in utilization of nursing practice innovations, with total decision-making contributing the greatest amount of variance. Organizational complexity variables entered into a multiple regression equation which explained 2% of the variance in utilization of nursing practice innovations with the certification variable explaining the majority of the variance. Five variables related to organizational centralization and complexity together explained 28% of the variance in utilization of nursing practice innovations with the total decision-making variable explaining the majority of the variance.
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Pan, Yajuan. "Canopy Change Assessment and Water Resources Utilization in the Civano Community, Arizona." The University of Arizona, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/622784.
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The Civano community of Tucson, Arizona, is built for sustainability. Trees and plants are precious resources in the community and balancing human needs and natural resources. The design of rainwater harvesting systems and the usage of reclaimed water inside the community effectively irrigate plants and save drinking water. This project estimates canopy changes over time and explores the effect of water resources on plant growth for developed areas and natural areas, respectively. This project generates land cover classifications for 2007, 2010, and 2015 using supervised classification method and measures canopy cover change over time. Based on City of Tucson Water “harvesting rainwater guide to water-efficient landscaping”, this project discusses if water supply meets plant water demand in the developed areas of the community. Additionally, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data for developed area and natural area over ten years are compared and provide a correlation analysis with water sources. The results show that canopy cover across the entire community decreased from 2007 to 2010, then increased from 2010 to 2015. Water supply in the developed areas is sufficient for plant water demand. In natural areas plant growth changes dramatically as a result of precipitation fluctuation. In addition, it’s proved that 2011 National Land Cover Database (NLCD) tree canopy underestimates canopy cover in the Civano community. The final products not only provide the fundamental canopy cover data for other studies, also serve as a reference of water efficient landscaping within a community.
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Götz, Andreas. "Zukünftige Belastungen von Niederspannungsnetzen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Elektromobilität." Doctoral thesis, Universitätsbibliothek Chemnitz, 2016. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:ch1-qucosa-198403.
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Aktuell finden umfangreiche Neuerungen und Veränderungen im Elektroenergiesystem statt. Dabei stellen die Netzintegration von Energiespeichern, EE-Anlagen und Elektrofahrzeugen sowie die Realisierung von Energiemanagementsystemen wichtige Neuerungen in der Niederspannungsebene dar. Analysen der Ladevorgänge von Elektrofahrzeugen zeigen einen nennenswerten Einfluss auf den Lastbedarf. Als ein Ergebnis wird die maximal zulässige Anzahl an Elektrofahrzeugen ermittelt, bei der kein Netzumbau notwendig wird. Neben der Untersuchung verschiedener Ladevarianten wird die zufällige Ladung als innovative Ladevariante vorgestellt und deren Nutzen simuliertCurrently, fundamental innovations and changes are occurring in the power system. The grid integration of energy storage systems, renewable energy systems and electric vehicles as well as the implementation of energy management systems are important innovations in the low-voltage grid. Analyses of charging processes for electric vehicles show significant impacts on the load demand. As one result, the maximum number of electric vehicles is determined assuming that no grid expansion is needed. Besides studying various charging options, a random charging method is proposed as an innovative charging option and its benefits are shown by simulations
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Greene, Amanda E. "Utilization of a Professional Sport Venue to Create Positive Change Within a Community." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2014. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/4955.
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Otieno, Jackson Ongong'a. "Climate change and wildlife utilization on private land: evidence from wildlife ranching in South Africa." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/23413.
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This thesis focuses on the economics of climate change and wildlife utilization in privately owned parcels of land in South Africa. A significant proportion of agricultural land in the Southern Africa region has undergone transition with many farmers opting to move away from livestock farming to either wildlife farming, ranching or conservancies. In other instances, farmers in areas which were predominantly under irrigation are also switching to wildlife land use. One of the biggest claims to this transition has been the effects of climate change on livestock and crop production. The increasing cost of production associated with worsening climate continue to force farmers into abandoning livestock and crop production in favor of wildlife, which has been considered more profitable in the marginal areas in the southern Africa region. However, several uncertainties engulf wildlife utilization on private land, this may hinder its ability to bring about development that might improve the welfare of the communities and those individuals who directly participate in wildlife conservation in the private areas. The most pressing issue in wildlife utilization on private land includes; i). Its effects on the welfare of the communities living around the wildlife farms, ranches or conservancies. The livelihood of these communities revolved around livestock and livestock production for employment, food provision and other socioeconomic and cultural provisions. Therefore, the transition from livestock to wildlife production inevitably can improve or worsen the living standards of these communities, ii). Sustainability of wildlife production as alternative land use in the face of prevailing and future climate scenarios. While it has been cited that wildlife and wildlife revenues are more resilient to climate change, there is every indication that climate change affects wildlife conservation, iii). The role of wildlife in climate change adaptation. Farmers in South Africa are known to mix wildlife with livestock as one way of adapting to climate change. Over time, such farms have transited into wildlife ranches. The issue therefore is how vulnerable are wildlife ranches compared to livestock and mixed wildlife-livestock ranches?
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Henshaw, Katie(Katherine A. ). "Optical detection of finger pressure through utilization of nailbed color changes." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2020. https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/127927.
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Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, May, 2020Cataloged from the official PDF of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 14-15).
This thesis presents the theory and design of a sensor that detects a when a finger is pressed by visually examining a user's fingernail coloration. Unlike other finger-based controllers that primarily depend on covering the finger pad, this method of sensing allows for accurate measurements without impairing a user's tactile sense. First the color change of a fingernail is examined based on the underlying biological mechanisms of the finger. Then the hue, saturation, and value (HSV) coordinates of videos of the fingernails are analyzed in three different locations; the entire image, a segment of the rear of the fingernail, and a segment of the tip of the fingernail. The front of the fingernail, where a white band develops when pressure is applied to the finger, proved to have statistically significant increases in saturation and value for all test subjects. With these results a simple sensor was designed and tested that accurately sensed finger presses, however with a significant time lag. Finally, the mechanical design of such a sensor was proposed, leaving room for further study and development.
by Katie Henshaw.
S.B.
S.B. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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Miller, Michael. "EXAMINING THE EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLICY CHANGEON TASER UTILIZATIONS." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2008. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/3044.
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The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of organizational policy changes within the Use-of-Force Continuum on taser usage and officer's perceptions of taser effectiveness. Tasers have been used by police since the 1970s and their use is increasing as the technology has improved. Data reveals that tasers are beneficial for controlling non-compliant suspects while preventing serious injuries and rarely has their use resulted in death. Much of the public controversy surrounding tasers centers on when and how often officers deploy them. Use of force data from 890 police citizen encounters during a two-year period was analyzed to examine how changes in organizational policy have affected taser deployments and how policy changes have affected taser use. The study's findings support that after the policy change, the frequency of taser use by officers decreased, while the levels of suspect resistance encountered by officers increased. The frequency and severity of suspect injuries did not change and the numbers of officers injured in use-of-force encounters also did not change. Survey response data from officers were compared to archival data, which revealed that while officers perceive an increased risk of harm to themselves as a result of the organizational policy change that was not supported in the findings. Officers did not perceive an increased risk of harm to suspects which was supported in the archival data findings. Officers also expressed a belief that the organizational change that placed the taser at a higher level on the Use-of-Force Continuum is appropriate for most use-of-force encounters. This study concludes with future directions and trends for taser use in law enforcement.Ph.D.
Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies
Health and Public Affairs
Public Affairs PhD
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Laanani, Moussa. "Étude des relations entre l’état de santé, sa prise en charge et le décès par suicide à partir du Système national des données de santé Contacts with Health Services During the Year Prior to Suicide Death andPrevalent Conditions A Nationwide Study Collider and Reporting Biases Involved in the Analyses of Cause of Death Associations in Death Certificates: an Illustration with Cancer and Suicide." Thesis, université Paris-Saclay, 2020. http://www.theses.fr/2020UPASR016.
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Le suicide représente un problème de santé publique majeur en France avec près de 10 000 décès prématurés chaque année. L'étude des déterminants du suicide est complexe. Il s'agit d’un phénomène plurifactoriel, pouvant être influencé par des éléments personnels et/ou environnementaux, bio-médicaux et/ou socio-économiques. La présence de pathologies (psychiatriques ou somatiques) chez l'individu joue un rôle important. Les pathologies psychiatriques peuvent se compliquer de processus suicidaires (idées suicidaires, pouvant être suivies de comportements suicidaires, puis d'un décès par suicide). Pour les pathologies somatiques, la maladie peut impacter de manière importante la qualité de vie de l'individu, favorisant des processus suicidaires, et ainsi des décès par suicide. Des troubles psychiatriques peuvent ainsi compliquer les maladies somatiques, et constituer une étape vers la survenue de processus suicidaires. Les maladies somatiques peuvent également survenir chez des individus souffrant de troubles psychiatriques, et favoriser le déclenchement de processus suicidaires. Pour les pathologies psychiatriques comme somatiques, les processus suicidaires peuvent également être la conséquence d'effets indésirables des traitements médicamenteux. Il est alors souvent difficile de dénouer le rôle du traitement et de la pathologie traitée. Ce travail de thèse visait à étudier les relations complexes entre pathologies et suicide, à partir des données du Système national des données de santé (SNDS)Suicide is a major public health problem in France, with nearly 10,000 premature deaths each year. Studying the determinants of suicide is complex. It is a multi-factorial phenomenon, which can be influenced by personal and/or environmental, biomedical and/or socio-economic factors. The presence of diseases (psychiatric or physical) in the individual plays an important role. Psychiatric pathologies can be complicated by suicidal processes (suicidal ideation, which may be followed by suicidal behaviour and then death by suicide). For physical diseases, the disease can have a significant impact on the quality of life of the individual, favouring suicidal processes, and thus death by suicide. Psychiatric disorders can thus worsen physical illnesses and be a step towards the occurrence of suicidal processes. Physical diseases can also occur in individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders, and can trigger suicidal processes. For both psychiatric and physical diseases, suicidal processes can also be the consequence of adverse effects of drug treatments. In such cases, it is often difficult to disentangle the role of the treatment and that of the pathology being treated. The aim of this thesis was to study the complex relationships between diseases and suicide death, using data from the French National Health Data System (SNDS)
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Starmans, Hubertus Bernardus Gerardus. "The effects of patient charges on medical utilization, expenditure, and health Dutch investigations and international evidence /." [Maastricht : Maastricht : Universiteit Maastricht] ; University Library, Maastricht University [Host], 1998. http://arno.unimaas.nl/show.cgi?fid=5980.
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Mara, Kyle Reid. "Evolution of the Hammerhead Cephalofoil: Shape Change, Space Utilization, and Feeding Biomechanics in Hammerhead Sharks (Sphyrnidae)." Scholar Commons, 2010. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/3502.
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The relationship between form and function is often used to elucidate the biological role of a structure. Hammerhead sharks offer a unique opportunity to study form and function through phylogeny. Because sphyrnid sharks display a range of cranial morphologies this group can be used to address questions about the evolution of cranial design and investigate the effects of changes in head morphology on feeding structures and bite force. Geometric morphometrics, volumetric analyses, morphological dissections, and phylogenetic analyses of the cephalofoil were used to gain insight into changes in cranial design through evolutionary history. External morphometrics and internal volumetric analyses indicated that while the external shape of the cephalofoil and placement of the sensory structures is variable through evolutionary history, the volumes of the internal cranial elements do not change. Constructional constraints within the cephalofoil were confined to sensory structures while feeding morphology remained relatively unchanged. Analysis of the morphology and biomechanics of the feeding apparatus revealed that through phylogeny the feeding system does not change among sphyrnid species. However, size-removed bite force was lower than predicted for all sphyrnid species except Sphyrna mokarran. Despite differences in head morphology between sphyrnid and carcharhinid sharks, the feeding bauplan is conserved in sphyrnid sharks with few changes to the feeding structures. Instead the chondrocranial and sensory structures are modified around the relatively static feeding core. Finally, the durophagous S. tiburo was found to consume hard prey in a manner that is biomechanically and morphologically different from other durophagous fishes. Furthermore, the diet of S. tiburo is constrained by the properties of its preferred prey.
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St-Pierre, Normand Roger. "Minimum cost requirements from a response function and incorporation of uncertainty in composition of feeds into chance-constrained programming models of livestock rations /." The Ohio State University, 1985. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1487260135354794.
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Carpenter, Steven Michael. "Transdisciplinarity Within the North American Climate Change Mitigation Research Community, Specifically the Carbon Dioxide Capture, Transportation, Utilization and Storage Community." Thesis, California Institute of Integral Studies, 2017. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10276706.
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This research investigates the existence of and potential challenges to the development of a transdisciplinary approach to the climate change mitigation technology research focusing on carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) in North America. The unprecedented challenge of global climate change is one that invites a transdisciplinary approach. The challenge of climate change mitigation requires an understanding of multiple disciplines, as well as the role that complexity, post-normal or post-modern science, and uncertainty play in combining these various disciplines.
This research followed the general discourse of transdisciplinarity as described by Klein (2014) and Augsburg (2016) which describe it as using transcendence, problem solving, and transgression to address wicked, complex societal problems, and as taught by California School of Transdisciplinarity, where the research focuses on sustainability in the age of post-normal science (Funtowicz & Ravetz, 1993).
Through the use of electronic surveys and semi-structured interviews, members of the North American climate change mitigation research community shared their views and understanding of transdisciplinarity (Kvale & Brinkmann, 2009). The data indicate that much of the research currently being conducted by members of the North American CCUS research community is in fact transdisciplinary. What is most intriguing is the manner in which researchers arrived at their current understanding of transdisciplinarity, which is in many cases without any foreknowledge or use of the term transdisciplinary.
The data reveals that in many cases the researchers now understand that this transdisciplinary approach is borne out of personal beliefs or emotion, social or societal aspects, their educational process, the way in which they communicate, and in most cases, the CCUS research itself, that require this transdisciplinary approach, but had never thought about giving it a name or understanding its origin or dimensions. Much of this new knowledge has come from the analysis and understanding of the Tier 1, Tier 2 and Emergent traits of the transdisciplinarian.
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Abuzaid, Abdullah Ibrahim. "A Variation of Positioning Phase Change Materials (PCMs) Within Building Enclosures and Their Utilization Toward Thermal Performance." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/100612.
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Recently, buildings have been receiving more serious attention to help reduce global energy consumption. At the same time, thermal comfort has become an increasing concern for building occupants. Phase Change Materials (PCMs), which are capable of storing and releasing significant amounts of energy by melting and solidifying at a given temperature, are perceived as a promising opportunity for improving the thermal performance of buildings. This is because they use their thermophysical properties and latent heat while transforming state (or phase) as a feature for thermal energy storage systems to reduce overall energy demand, specifically during peaks hours, as well as to improve thermal comfort in buildings. This research aims to provide an overview of opportunities and challenges for the utilization of PCMs in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, a broader understanding of specifically promising technologies, and a clarification of the effectiveness of different applications in building enclosures design especially in exterior walls. The research discusses how PCMs can be incorporated within building enclosures effectively to enhance building performance and improve thermal comfort while reducing heating and cooling energy consumption in buildings. The major objectives of the research include studying the properties of PCMs and their potential impact on building construction, clarifying PCMs selection criteria for building application, identifying the effectiveness of utilizing PCMs on saving energy, and evaluating the contribution of utilizing PCMs in building enclosures to thermal comfort. The research uses an exploratory quantitative approach that contains three main stages: 1) a systematic literature review, 2) laboratory experiments, and 3) validation to meet the goal of the research. Finally, by extrapolating results, the research ends with a practical assessment of application opportunities and how to effectively utilize PCMs in exterior walls of buildings.PHD
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Zhang, Min H. "The Effect of Change in Medi-Cal Dental Coverage on Dental Care Utilization Among Medi-Cal Beneficiaries." VCU Scholars Compass, 2019. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/6045.
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One of the most important factors in accessing dental care is having dental insurance. For people with low incomes, Medicaid is the main source of health insurance. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. Adult dental services were mostly eliminated in Medi-Cal in 2009 due to the economic downturn and partially restored in 2014. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of change in Medi-Cal dental coverage, specifically the partial restoration of adult dental coverage in 2014, on dental care utilization among Medi-Cal beneficiaries. The partial restoration significantly increased the utilization rates in dental clinics from 2014 to 2017 (22% in 2017 vs. 12% in 2013) for the overall population. However, the magnitude of increase differs in different age groups and ethnic groups. More statistically significant findings show greater utilization rates among beneficiaries of 19-64 than 65-74 and 75+ years old. Also, more significant findings show lower utilization among Black than White, Hispanic or Asian beneficiaries. The partial restoration significantly reduced the dental related ER visits among Medi-Cal beneficiaries from 2015 to 2017. However, the reduction is largely seen in beneficiaries of 19-64 years old in the ethnic groups of White and Black with reductions of 20 and 15 visits per 1,000 enrollees respectively in 2017 comparing to 2013. The dental related ER visits were lower for Hispanics and Asians, and remained very low among those 65 years old and above. In addition, the partial restoration resulted in increases in participation of dental care providers in the Medi-Cal program.
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Zizzi, Samuel J. "Effectiveness of traditional and web-based interventions on utilization of sport psychology services exploring the stages of change /." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 2000. http://etd.wvu.edu/templates/showETD.cfm?recnum=1458.
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Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 2000.Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 93 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 56-62).
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Schön, Pär. "Gender Matters : Differences and change in disability and health among our oldest women and men." Doctoral thesis, Stockholms universitet, Institutionen för socialt arbete - Socialhögskolan, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-55282.
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This thesis investigates gender differences in health and how they have changed between 1992 and 2002 among very old people. It explores gender differences in the association between disability and health, and gender differences in care utilization among our oldest old people. The studies are based on nationally representative data of the population in Sweden aged 77 and older (SWEOLD). Results from Study I showed that women generally had more health problems than men. Analyses of change between 1992 and 2002 showed increased prevalence rates for both sexes, especially women. However, women’s reporting of poor global self-rated health did not increase. There were no gender differences and there was no change over time in activities of daily living (ADL). Several health indicators seem to be developing differently for women and men. Study II showed that associations between ADL disability and other health indicators changed between 1992 and 2002, with several health problems and functional limitations becoming less disabling over time. This trend was especially true for women, while for men, the findings were mixed. Study III found no gender differences in physician visits and dental visits, despite women’s worse health and dental status. Marriage was associated with more physician visits for men and dentist visits for women. Results imply that women and unmarried older adults may have unmet health-care needs. Study IV examined whether the increase in life expectancy at age 65 observed between 1992 and 2002 consisted of years with or without musculoskeletal pain. Results showed that total years without pain decreased for both women and men, but more so for women. Women also had more years with pain added to life. The results of this thesis suggest an increase of health problems, but not disability, in the oldest Swedish population. However, gender variations in the findings highlight the importance of analyzing health trends separately for women and men.At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: In press. Paper 3: Manuscript. Paper 4: Submitted.
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Zulueta, Stacy, Emily Clemans, and Grant Skrepnek. "The Top 25 Comorbidities Reported During Inpatient Stays for Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: Patient Demographics and Impact on Inpatient Mortality and Charges." The University of Arizona, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/614607.
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Class of 2011 AbstractOBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of patient and hospital characteristics as well as selected comorbidities on inpatient mortality and charges in pediatric HSCT. We have determined the top 25 comorbidities reported during all inpatient stays for HSCT as well as for those stays ending in mortality. METHODS: All data was extracted from the AHRQ KID databases for the years 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006. Two regression analyses were performed to determine the contribution of various independent variables on mortality and charges. Subjects of this study included all cases of HSCT reported in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) KID as ICD-9 41.XX. RESULTS: Factors accounting for larger increases in cost included death during hospital stay, the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), pneumonia, and length of stay (LOS). The largest decreases in charges were seen for patients coming from a small or “micropolitan” location, patients cared for in teaching hospitals, and in hospitals with large bedsizes. Variables associated with increased risk of mortality on linear regression included development of DIC, sepsis, or pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Further study relating to HSCT is necessary to determine the contribution of specific comorbidities to mortality and charges. Importantly, DIC is associated with both greater risk of mortality and greater charges. It would be prudent to recommend increased monitoring and early treatment for DIC based on these results.
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Biroscak, Brian J. "Use of System Dynamics Modeling to Explicate the Theory-of-Change of a Social Marketing Innovation." Scholar Commons, 2014. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/5184.
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Community coalitions are an important part of the public health milieu and thus subject to many of the same external pressures as public health organizations--including changes in required strategic orientation. Many funding agencies have shifted their funding agenda from program development to policy change. Thus, the Florida Prevention Research Center created the Community-Based Prevention Marketing for Policy Development framework to teach community coalitions how to apply social marketing to policy change. The dissertation research reported here was designed to explicate the framework's theory-of-change. The research question was: "What are the linkages and connections between CBPM inputs, activities, immediate outcomes, intermediate outcomes, and ultimate impacts?" The author implemented a case study design, with the case being a normative community coalition. The study adhered to a well-developed series of steps for system dynamics modeling.
Results from model simulations show how gains in performance depend on a community coalition's initial culture and initial efficiency, and that only the most efficient coalitions may see benefits in coalition performance from implementing Community-Based Prevention Marketing for Policy Development. Theoretical implications for social marketers--e.g., real-world example of how to work `upstream'--and system dynamics modelers--e.g., application of generic structures--are discussed. Practical implications for the framework's developers--namely, the importance of managing the early expectations of framework adopters--are discussed as well.
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Krukowski, Elizabeth Gayle. "Carbon dioxide (CO2) sorption to Na-rich montmorillonite at Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) P-T conditions in saline formations." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/49615.
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Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) in confined saline aquifers in sedimentary formations has the potential to reduce the impact of fossil fuel combustion on climate change by storing CO2 in geologic formations in perpetuity. At PT conditions relevant to CCUS, CO2 is less dense than the pre-existing brine in the formation, and the more buoyant CO2 will migrate to the top of the formation where it will be in contact with cap rock. A typical cap rock is clay-rich shale, and interactions between shales and CO2 are poorly understood at PT conditions appropriate for CCUS in saline formations. In this study, the interaction of CO2 with clay minerals in the cap rock overlying a saline formation has been examined, using Na-rich montmorillonite as an analog for clay-rich shale. Attenuated Total Reflectance -- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR -FTIR) was used to identify potential crystallographic sites (AlAlOH, AlMgOH and interlayer space) where CO2 could interact with montmorillonite at 35"C and 50"C and from 0-1200 psi. Analysis of the data indicates that CO2 that is preferentially incorporated into the interlayer space, with dehydrated montmorillonite capable of incorporating more CO2 than hydrated montmorillonite. No evidence of chemical interactions between CO2 and montmorillonite were identified, and no spectroscopic evidence for carbonate mineral formation was observed. Further work is needed to determine if reservoir seal quality is more likely to be degraded or enhanced by CO2 - montmorillonite interactions.Master of Science
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Volz, Kevin R. "Utilization of Musculoskeletal Sonography in Detecting Physiologic Changes of the Median Nerve in a Working Animal Model." The Ohio State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1365003763.
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Götz, Andreas. "Zukünftige Belastungen von Niederspannungsnetzen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Elektromobilität." Doctoral thesis, Universitätsverlag der Technischen Universität Chemnitz, 2015. https://monarch.qucosa.de/id/qucosa%3A20413.
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Aktuell finden umfangreiche Neuerungen und Veränderungen im Elektroenergiesystem statt. Dabei stellen die Netzintegration von Energiespeichern, EE-Anlagen und Elektrofahrzeugen sowie die Realisierung von Energiemanagementsystemen wichtige Neuerungen in der Niederspannungsebene dar. Analysen der Ladevorgänge von Elektrofahrzeugen zeigen einen nennenswerten Einfluss auf den Lastbedarf. Als ein Ergebnis wird die maximal zulässige Anzahl an Elektrofahrzeugen ermittelt, bei der kein Netzumbau notwendig wird. Neben der Untersuchung verschiedener Ladevarianten wird die zufällige Ladung als innovative Ladevariante vorgestellt und deren Nutzen simuliert.Currently, fundamental innovations and changes are occurring in the power system. The grid integration of energy storage systems, renewable energy systems and electric vehicles as well as the implementation of energy management systems are important innovations in the low-voltage grid. Analyses of charging processes for electric vehicles show significant impacts on the load demand. As one result, the maximum number of electric vehicles is determined assuming that no grid expansion is needed. Besides studying various charging options, a random charging method is proposed as an innovative charging option and its benefits are shown by simulations.
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Peters, Cheryl Elizabeth. "Early changes in respiratory health in young apprentices and physician utilization for asthma and bronchitis later in life." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/32226.
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Introduction: The main risk factors for the development of respiratory disease have
been largely established, however we still cannot predict which individuals will develop
respiratory morbidity later in life. This study had two main goals: 1) to examine early
working-life changes in respiratory health as risk factors for the development of asthma
and bronchitis, and 2) to assess the utility of healthcare utilization data for longitudinal
studies in respiratory epidemiology.
Methods: A cohort of young apprentices at entry to their trade (machining,
construction painting, insulating, and electrician) was enumerated in 1988 to study
prospectively the natural history of respiratory morbidity. This group (n=356) was
followed-up again two years later. Subjects were linked to a provincial database of all
healthcare encounters from 1991 to 2004 (linkage rate 98%). Two health outcomes
were studied using physician diagnosis codes: asthma and "bronchitis". Demographics,
smoking, spirometric variables, and respiratory symptoms were assessed as predictors
of both becoming a respiratory case (logistic regression), and of physician visit rate
(negative binomial regression) during the administrative follow-up.
Results: There were 281 subjects available for analysis (complete data from baseline,
first follow-up, administrative data). Sixteen met the case definition for asthma (2
physician visits in 1 year), and 20 met the case definition for "bronchitis" (3 visits in 1
year). Baseline bronchial responsiveness (BR), and especially a rapid increase in BR
over the first 2 years was a strong risk factor for both asthma and "bronchitis". Baseline
symptoms of chronic cough or phlegm were predictive of subsequent "bronchitis" visits,
and incident asthma-like symptoms were strongly related to subsequent asthma visits.
Lung function variables were not important in any models. Relationships were also
detected between type of physician, age, sex, job title, size of town, smoking status and
the type of respiratory diagnostic code assigned at each physician visit.
Conclusions: Early changes in respiratory health may be useful markers in a
surveillance program of workers who are susceptible to subsequent obstructive lung
disease. Health care utilization data is a unique and promising tool in respiratory
epidemiology.Medicine, Faculty of
Population and Public Health (SPPH), School of
Graduate
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Naseer, Zarga. "Chemical and physical changes associated with maturity of different plants and enhancement of nutritional value by chemical treatment of crop residues." Diss., This resource online, 1990. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-07122007-103928/.
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Michailova, Olga. "Utilizavimo proceso laiko eilučių modelis." Master's thesis, Lithuanian Academic Libraries Network (LABT), 2014. http://vddb.library.lt/obj/LT-eLABa-0001:E.02~2012~D_20140630_173848-76986.
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Šiame darbe buvo atlikta gyvūninės kilmės atliekų utilizavimo proceso analizė. Pagrindinis uždavinys- rasti būdą prognozuoti utilizavimo proceso pabaigą ir tuo sumažinti energijos suvartojimą. Naudojausi laiko eilučių prognozavimo modeliu. Aprašiau savo metodą pasikeitimo taškui rasti. Taip pat buvo panaudota tiesinė regresija. Galimybė prognozuoti pasikeitimo tašką leistų žymiai sumažinti utilizavimo proceso savikainą.I this work, an analysis of animal waste utilization process was performed. The main task was to find a way to predict the end of the desiccation process, because possibility to predict this end point may reduce energy consumption. I used the time series forcasting model and proposed method for the change point detection. Linear regression was also used for this task.
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Spires, Jessica Rose. "Model analysis of oxygen transport and metabolism in skeletal muscle: responses to a change in energy demand." Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies / OhioLINK, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1365177364.
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Ghodrati, Shojaei Mehdi Verfasser], Thomas [Akademischer Betreuer] [Gutachter] Brey, and Dieter [Gutachter] [Piepenburg. "Developments in German Bight benthic ecology driven by climate change and anthropogenic utilization / Mehdi Ghodrati Shojaei. Betreuer: Thomas Brey. Gutachter: Thomas Brey ; Dieter Piepenburg." Bremen : Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Bremen, 2016. http://d-nb.info/1106374649/34.
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Ngorsuraches, Surachat. "The effects of inflation, utilization, prescription size, and product mix on prescription drug expenditure changes in a health maintenance organization (HMO)." Madison, 2002. http://www.library.wisc.edu/databases/connect/dissertations.html.
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Backéus, Lina. "THE BEST WAY TO WORK : Increasing the efficiency through layout changes and standardization." Thesis, Luleå tekniska universitet, Institutionen för ekonomi, teknik, konst och samhälle, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-85890.
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This is a master thesis done in the program of industrial design engineering at Luleå University ofTechnology, conducted during the spring of 2021. The project is a collaboration with Epiroc RockDrills AB which is a leading global company in the mining industries, and the workshop in which thisthesis is made manufactures and assembles rock drills sold worldwide. The aim of this thesis is toincrease the utilization of three lathes in the workshop that are often left unused when theiroperators have to leave the machines to perform other tasks. This is due to short operation timesthat require the operator to be present.The project follows a cyclic method in order to force the work forward without worrying aboutmissing information. There were three cycles with different aim. In the first cycle, the focus was onplanning the project and mapping the current state. In the second, a requirement specification wasmade and concepts were created. These concepts were further developed in the third cycle. Finally arecommendation was made.The current state was mapped using different methods like interviews and spaghetti diagram. Thesemethods showed that the lathes were unused mainly during setups, and that setups were timeconsuming due to equipment being placed far away from the lathes. The result showed that manyproblems could be related to bad layout design and lack of standardized work. In order to create abetter layout for the operators, a relationship chart was made and several suggestions constructedbased on it. The purpose of the layout changes was to get necessary equipment closer to the lathesin order for the setups to be performed faster. All suggestions were compared to the requirementspecification and only three were further developed during the third cycle.The lean tool SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die) was used to create a standard for setups. Thisstandard was further developed into a work instruction to be better visualized for the operators.The final recommendation is to make layout changes according to one of the layouts presented inthis report, and to implement the work instruction. These changes will increase the utilization bypreparing as much as possible before the lathe is tuned off.
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Whittle, Andrew James. "FLORIDA PANTHER AND BLACK BEAR: A ROAD AND URBAN AVOIDANCE/UTILIZATION ANALYSIS AND IMPACTS OF LAND USE AND CLIMATE CHANGE ON LARGE CARNIVORE HABITAT IN FLORIDA." Lexington, Ky. : [University of Kentucky Libraries], 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10225/1098.
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Thesis (M.S.)--University of Kentucky, 2009.Title from document title page (viewed on October 29, 2009). Document formatted into pages; contains: vi, 104 p. : ill. (some col.), maps. Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-101).
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Freixa, Casals Anna. "Function and structure of river sediment biofilms and their role in dissolved organic matter utilization." Doctoral thesis, Universitat de Girona, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/363921.
Full textAbstract:
The objective of this thesis was to study how sediment microbial communities in Mediterranean rivers used dissolved organic matter at different spatial and temporal scales. Results from the two field studies, showed that the quality and origin of the dissolved organic matter (allochthonous versus autochthonous) and the different hydrological periods (drought versus base flow) highly modified the biofilm functioning and composition. On the other hand, the two laboratory experiments showed that first, the decrease in dissolved oxygen in sediment depth determined the microbial organic matter degradation. And second, results also showed that warming river water increased the heterotrophy of the microbial communities and clearly modified the food web structure. In conclusion this thesis demonstrates that the structure and functioning of sediment biofilms change at different spatial and temporal scales and they are sensitive to the increase in water pollution and the effects of global climate change.L’objectiu d’aquesta tesi era investigar com les comunitats microbianes del sediment dels rius Mediterranis utilitzaven la matèria orgànica dissolta a diferents escales espacials i temporals. Els resultats dels dos experiments de camp, van demostrar que tant la qualitat i l’origen de la matèria orgànica dissolta (al·lòcton versus autòcton) com els canvis hidrològics (sequera versus cabal mitjà) clarament modificaven l’activitat i la composició del biofilm. D’altra banda, els dos experiments de laboratori van mostrar primer que la disminució de l’oxigen dissolt en profunditat determinava la degradació microbiana de la matèria orgànica. I segon, com l’escalfament de l’aigua feia augmentar l’heterotròfia de les comunitats microbianes i modificava clarament l’estructura de la xarxa tròfica. En conclusió aquesta tesi demostra que l’estructura i el funcionament dels biofilms dels sediments varia espacial i temporalment i són sensibles a l’augment de la contaminació de l’aigua i els efectes del canvi climàtic global.
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Jeschke, Jana [Verfasser], and Andreas [Akademischer Betreuer] Winterpacht. "Utilization of Genome-wide DNA Methylation Changes in Breast Cancer for Identification of Biomarkers for Prognosis and Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis / Jana Jeschke. Betreuer: Andreas Winterpacht." Erlangen : Universitätsbibliothek der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 2013. http://d-nb.info/1033029882/34.
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Smolk, Jasen J. "The Design and Development of Low Profile Leaf Springs Through the Utilization of Geometry and Material Changes for Paper Handling Applications of Automated Teller Machines." University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1216780013.
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Binder, Bradley F. "Changes in the growth and food utilization of the cabbage looper Trichoplusia Ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) after consumption of an artificial diet incorporating the non-protein amino acid L-canavanine." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 1985. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/309.
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Shao, Jung-Hua. "Evaluation of health-related outcomes following a self-management program for older people with heart failure." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2008. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/20702/1/Jung-Hua_Shao_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Background. Heart failure (HF) which is a chronic, disabling disorder is mainly found in older people and is one of the leading causes of hospitalisation and readmission around the world. Unfortunately, the mortality and morbidity rates for HF remain high. HF is a complex combination of symptoms which are related to an inadequate perfusion of the body tissues caused by fluid and sodium retention. Hence, enhancing HF patients’ self-efficacy to change their behaviours to perform fluid & sodium control is one of the most important issues for the management of HF. A self-management program has the potential to raise self-efficacy and self-care which is a method to improve health for those with chronic illness and to decrease patients’ health service utilisation and also to enhance these patients’ health status. Aim. The study aims to examine the effectiveness of a self-management program, based on self-efficacy theory, in older people with heart failure in Taiwan. Methods. An experimental design was used to examine the effectiveness of a self-management program on diet and fluid control among HF patients. A total of 93 subjects from two medical centres in Taiwan were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. In order to examine the effectiveness of self-management, data were collected at baseline, week 4, and week 12 using the following instruments: self-efficacy for salt and fluid control, HF self-management behaviour, HF related symptoms, and body weight. Moreover, health service utilisation and patient’s evaluation of care received were collected on all patients for the 12 weeks prior to commencing the study and for the 12 week study period. Demographic and disease information was also collected including age, gender, marital state, education, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification. A structured, individualized self-management training program created by the investigator was implemented for the intervention group through home visits and telephone follow-ups. This program emphasized self-monitoring of diet control and body weight for the self-management of heart failure. The purpose was to improve patients’ self-efficacy in their diet control behaviour. The “diet control” in this study focussed on sodium and fluid restriction. Outcome measures were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 15.0 version, and the level of significance (á) was set at 0.05 for statistical analysis. Results. There were differences for older Taiwanese HF patients’ self-efficacy for salt and fluid control, self-management behaviour, and HF related symptoms for participants who received a self-management intervention compared to those who did not. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in weight and health serves utilization (p>.001). Conclusion. The self-management program had a positive impact on the improvement of self-efficacy for salt and fluid control, HF related self-management behaviours and symptoms in older Taiwanese with HF. This program may bridge the gap between theory and practice. Health care providers need to provide older people in Taiwan with HF the appropriate skills for self-managing their condition and thereby promoting their health status. These patients with HF and their caregivers have to receive individualized education that emphasizes self-efficacy in the self-management of their disease, thus improving their quality of life.
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Shao, Jung-Hua. "Evaluation of health-related outcomes following a self-management program for older people with heart failure." Queensland University of Technology, 2008. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/20702/.
Full textAbstract:
Background. Heart failure (HF) which is a chronic, disabling disorder is mainly found in older people and is one of the leading causes of hospitalisation and readmission around the world. Unfortunately, the mortality and morbidity rates for HF remain high. HF is a complex combination of symptoms which are related to an inadequate perfusion of the body tissues caused by fluid and sodium retention. Hence, enhancing HF patients’ self-efficacy to change their behaviours to perform fluid & sodium control is one of the most important issues for the management of HF. A self-management program has the potential to raise self-efficacy and self-care which is a method to improve health for those with chronic illness and to decrease patients’ health service utilisation and also to enhance these patients’ health status. Aim. The study aims to examine the effectiveness of a self-management program, based on self-efficacy theory, in older people with heart failure in Taiwan. Methods. An experimental design was used to examine the effectiveness of a self-management program on diet and fluid control among HF patients. A total of 93 subjects from two medical centres in Taiwan were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. In order to examine the effectiveness of self-management, data were collected at baseline, week 4, and week 12 using the following instruments: self-efficacy for salt and fluid control, HF self-management behaviour, HF related symptoms, and body weight. Moreover, health service utilisation and patient’s evaluation of care received were collected on all patients for the 12 weeks prior to commencing the study and for the 12 week study period. Demographic and disease information was also collected including age, gender, marital state, education, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification. A structured, individualized self-management training program created by the investigator was implemented for the intervention group through home visits and telephone follow-ups. This program emphasized self-monitoring of diet control and body weight for the self-management of heart failure. The purpose was to improve patients’ self-efficacy in their diet control behaviour. The “diet control” in this study focussed on sodium and fluid restriction. Outcome measures were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 15.0 version, and the level of significance (á) was set at 0.05 for statistical analysis. Results. There were differences for older Taiwanese HF patients’ self-efficacy for salt and fluid control, self-management behaviour, and HF related symptoms for participants who received a self-management intervention compared to those who did not. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in weight and health serves utilization (p>.001). Conclusion. The self-management program had a positive impact on the improvement of self-efficacy for salt and fluid control, HF related self-management behaviours and symptoms in older Taiwanese with HF. This program may bridge the gap between theory and practice. Health care providers need to provide older people in Taiwan with HF the appropriate skills for self-managing their condition and thereby promoting their health status. These patients with HF and their caregivers have to receive individualized education that emphasizes self-efficacy in the self-management of their disease, thus improving their quality of life.
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Maier, Edith [Verfasser], Ralf [Akademischer Betreuer] Tiedemann, and Gerhard [Akademischer Betreuer] Bohrmann. "Oxygen and Silicon Stable Isotopes of Diatom Silica: Reconstructing Changes in Surface Water Hydrography and Silicic Acid Utilization in the Late Pleistocene Subarctic Pacific / Edith Maier. Gutachter: Ralf Tiedemann ; Gerhard Bohrmann. Betreuer: Ralf Tiedemann." Bremen : Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Bremen, 2014. http://d-nb.info/1072225891/34.
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Figueroa, Daniela. "Bacterioplankton in the Baltic Sea : influence of allochthonous organic matter and salinity." Doctoral thesis, Umeå universitet, Institutionen för ekologi, miljö och geovetenskap, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-117977.
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Climate change is expected to increase the precipitation ~30% in higher latitudes during the next century, increasing the land runoff via rivers to aquatic ecosystems. The Baltic Sea will receive higher river discharges, accompanied by larger input of allochthonous dissolved organic matter (DOM) from terrestrial ecosystems. The salinity will decrease due to freshwater dilution. The allochthonous DOM constitute a potential growth substrate for microscopic bacterioplankton and phytoplankton, which together make up the basal trophic level in the sea. The aim of my thesis is to elucidate the bacterial processing of allochthonous DOM and to evaluate possible consequences of increased runoff on the basal level of the food web in the Baltic Sea. I performed field studies, microcosm experiments and a theoretical modeling study. Results from the field studies showed that allochthonous DOM input via river load promotes the heterotrophic bacterial production and influences the bacterial community composition in the northern Baltic Sea. In a northerly estuary ~60% of bacterial production was estimated to be sustained by terrestrial sources, and allochthonous DOM was a strong structuring factor for the bacterial community composition. Network analysis showed that during spring the diversity and the interactions between the bacteria were relatively low, while later during summer other environmental factors regulate the community, allowing a higher diversity and more interactions between different bacterial groups. The influence of the river inflow on the bacterial community allowed “generalists” bacteria to be more abundant than “specialists” bacteria. Results from a transplantation experiment, where bacteria were transplanted from the northern Baltic Sea to the seawater from the southern Baltic Sea and vice versa, showed that salinity, as well as the DOM composition affect the bacterial community composition and their enzymatic activity. The results showed that α-proteobacteria in general were favoured by high salinity, β-proteobacteria by low salinity and terrestrial DOM compounds and γ-proteobacteria by the enclosure itself. However, effects on the community composition and enzymatic activity were not consistent when the bacterial community was retransplanted, indicating a functional redundancy of the bacterial communities. Results of ecosystem modeling showed that climate change is likely to have quite different effect on the north and the south of the Baltic Sea. In the south, higher temperature and internal nutrient load will increase the cyanobacterial blooms and expand the anoxic or suboxic areas. In the north, climate induced increase in riverine inputs of allochthonous DOM is likely to promote bacterioplankton production, while phytoplankton primary production will be hampered due to increased light attenuation in the water. This, in turn, can decrease the production at higher trophic levels, since bacteria-based food webs in general are less efficient than food webs based on phytoplankton. However, complex environmental influences on the bacterial community structure and the large redundancy of metabolic functions limit the possibility of predicting how the bacterial community composition will change under climate change disturbances.
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Nfotabong, Atheull Adolphe. "Impact of anthropogenic activities on the vegetation structure of mangrove forests in Kribi, the Nyong river mouth and Cameroon estuary." Doctoral thesis, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2013/ULB-DIPOT:oai:dipot.ulb.ac.be:2013/209870.
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Mangroves are intertidal ecosystems found along the tropical and subtropical coastlines.Though globally recognised as ecosystems of ecological, biological and economical
remarkable importance, these ecotone formations are characterised by a continuously
increasing anthropization. However, very little studies have been focused on the impact of
various anthropogenic activities on the mangrove vegetation structure.
We have firstly (a) assessed the commercial and subsistence utilization of mangrove
wood products in the Littoral region (Cameroon estuary). Then, we have confronted the
subsistence usages of mangrove wood products in the Southern region (close to the mouth of
the Nyong River and Mpalla village (Kribi)) in comparison with the Littoral region. By doing,
we have compared the local residents‟ perceptions on environmental changes that occurred
within the two regional mangrove forests. Also, we have (c) studied the structural dynamic of
mangrove vegetation neighbouring the Douala city (Cameroon). Always in the vicinity of this
town, we have (d) reconstructed the original structure of largely disturbed mangrove forests.
Moreover, we have (e) map the mangrove structure in a non peri-urban setting located within
the Cameroon estuary. Here, we have finally (f) analysed the spatial distribution of a black
mangrove namely Avicennia germinans (L.) Stearn.
Our results underlined an excessive utilization of mangrove wood products in the
Cameroon estuary. We have showed that the frequency of mangrove harvesting was relatively
fewer in Kribi (Mpalla) and the mouth of the Nyong River. The local people inhabiting these
two localities perceived mangroves as less degraded areas. In contrast, those established
within the Cameroon estuary stated that mangroves were largely disturbed. When combining
the local people statements with our field observations, we recorded that it a complex mix of
causes (e.i. clear-felled corridors, agriculture, sand and gravel extraction, over-harvesting and
anarchic urbanization) that have led to the largely degradation (vegetation and sediment) of
the peri-urban mangroves in Cameroon. A diachronic analysis (1974, 2003, 2009) of their
coverage revealed that over the 35-year period, mangrove had decreases in cover of 53.16%
around Douala. We have also showed that in the peri-urban settings, wood harvesting was
commonly applied on the structurally more complex (highly dense stands neighbouring the
habitations) mangrove forests (Mboussa Essengue) and, in a lesser extent, on the structurally
more developed mangrove stands (fewer dense stands faraway from Douala). On the other
hand, the mapping analysis of the non peri-urban mangroves (distant from Douala) has
revealed that the structure of these intertidal forests was relatively less impacted. In the
Cameroon estuary, we also showed that A. germinans trees were randomly distributed on
almost one-half of the sampling plots and clumped at some scales on the remaining plots.
Accordingly, this species might play a significant role in the recovery process of artificial
gaps found in the non peri-urban areas.
The multi-disciplinary approach employed in this study has allowed a better
understanding of the direct and indirect impacts of anthropogenic activities on the mangrove
vegetation structure in Cameroon. These results constitute a fundamental data base quite
useful for the multi-temporal monitoring of these littoral ecosystems perpetually disturbed.
The application of similar approach in other mangroves facing high anthropogenic pressures
appears important.
Doctorat en Sciences
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished
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Fernandes, Elisabete. "Curso clínico da dor lombar crónica após alta da fisioterapia : trajetórias de dor no follow-up aos quatro e seis meses." Master's thesis, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal. Escola Superior de Saúde, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/6201.
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Fernandes, Elisabete. "Curso clínico da dor lombar crónica após alta da fisioterapia : trajetórias de dor no follow-up aos quatro e seis meses." Master's thesis, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal. Escola Superior de Saúde, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10362/15211.
Full textAbstract:
RESUMO:Introdução: O conhecimento acerca da influência das características dos indivíduos
com dor cervical crónica (DCC) no prognóstico dos resultados alcançados com a
Fisioterapia é ainda inconsistente, sendo escassos os estudos desenvolvidos neste
âmbito. Objetivo: Este relatório pretende determinar se um modelo baseado em fatores
de prognóstico é capaz de prever os resultados de sucesso da Fisioterapia, a curto prazo,
em utentes com DCC, ao nível da incapacidade funcional, intensidade da dor e perceção
global de melhoria. Metodologia: Trata-se de estudo de coorte prospetivo com 112
participantes. Os utentes foram avaliados na primeira semana de tratamento e sete
semanas após o início da intervenção. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Neck
Disability Index–Versão Portuguesa (NDI-PT) e a Escala Numérica da Dor (END) nos
dois momentos de avaliação, um Questionário de Caracterização Sociodemográfica e
Clínica da Amostra na baseline e a Patient Global Impression Change Scale–Versão
Portuguesa (PGIC-PT) no follow-up. As características sociodemográficas e clínicas
foram incluídas como potenciais fatores de prognóstico e estes foram definidos com
base nas diferenças mínimas clinicamente importantes (DMCI) dos instrumentos NDIPT
(DMCI≥6) e END (DMCI≥2) e no critério de pontuação ≥5 na PGIC-PT. A análise
dos dados foi realizada através do método de regressão logística (backward conditional
procedure) para identificar as associações entre os indicadores e as variáveis de
resultado (p<0.05). Resultados: Dos 112 participantes incluídos no estudo, 108
completaram o follow-up (média de idade: 51.76±10.19). No modelo multivariado
relativo à incapacidade funcional, os resultados de sucesso encontram-se associados a
elevados níveis de incapacidade na baseline (OR=1.123; 95% IC 1.056–1.194) e a
duração da dor inferior a 12 meses (OR=2.704; 95% IC 1.138–6.424). Este modelo
explica 30.0% da variância da melhoria da funcionalidade e classifica corretamente
74.1% dos utentes (sensibilidade: 75.9%; especificidade: 72.0%). O modelo relativo à
intensidade da dor identificou apenas a associação do outcome com níveis elevados de
intensidade da dor na baseline (OR=1.321; 95% IC 1.047–1.668), explicando 7.5% da
variância da redução da mesma e classificando corretamente 68.2% dos utentes
(sensibilidade: 94.4%; especificidade: 16.7%). O modelo final referente à perceção
global de melhoria apresentou uma associação com a intensidade da dor na baseline
(OR=0.621; 95% IC 0.465–0.829), com a presença de cefaleias e/ou tonturas
(OR=2.538; 95% IC 0.987–6.526) e com a duração da dor superior a 12 meses
(OR=0.279; 95% IC 0.109–0.719). Este modelo explica 27.5% da variância dos
resultados de sucesso para este outcome e classifica corretamente 73.1% dos utentes
(sensibilidade: 81.8%; especificidade: 59.5%). Conclusões: Utentes com DCC com
elevada incapacidade na baseline e queixas de dor há menos de 12 meses apresentam
maior probabilidade de obter melhorias ao nível da incapacidade funcional. Elevados
níveis de intensidade da dor na baseline predizem resultados de sucesso na redução da
dor após sete semanas de tratamento. Utentes com DCC com baixos níveis de dor na
baseline, com cefaleias e/ou tonturas e com queixas de dor há mais de 12 meses
apresentam maior probabilidade de obter uma melhor perceção de melhoria.-----------ABSTRACT: Introduction: The influence of the characteristics of individuals with chronic neck pain
(CNP) on the prognosis of physiotherapy outcomes is still inconsistent, there being few
studies developed in this context. Aim: This study seeks to determine whether a model
based on prognostic factors can predict the short-term physiotherapy successful
outcomes in CNP patients, regarding functional disability, pain intensity and perceived
recovery. Methodology: This is a prospective cohort study with 112 participants.
Patients were assessed during the first week of treatment and seven weeks after the start
of the intervention. The instruments used were the Neck Disability Index–Portuguese
Version (NDI-PT) and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at both moments of
assessment, a Sample Sociodemographic and Clinical Characterization Questionnaire at
baseline and Patient Global Impression Change Scale–Portuguese Version (PGIC-PT)
at the follow-up. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were included as
potential predictors of successful outcomes, and these were defined on the basis of
minimal clinically important differences (MCID) of NDI-PT (MCID≥6) and END
(MCID≥2) and the criteria score ≥5 on the PGIC-PT. Data analysis was performed
using logistic regression (backward conditional procedure) to identify associations
between predictors and outcomes (p<0.05). Results: Of the 112 participants included in
the study, 108 completed the follow-up (mean age: 51.76±10.19). In the multivariate
model of functional disability, the successful outcomes are associated with high levels
of disability at baseline (OR = 1.123; 95% CI 1.056-1.194), and pain duration shorter
than 12 months (OR=2.704; 95% CI 1.138–6.424). This model explains 30.0% of the
variance of improved functional capacity and correctly classifies 74.1% of the patients
(sensitivity: 75.9%, specificity: 72.0%). The model for pain intensity solely identified
an outcome association with high pain intensity at baseline (OR=1.321; 95% CI 1.047-
1.668), explaining 7.5% of the variance of pain reduction and correctly classifying
68.2% of the patients (sensitivity: 94.4%, specificity: 16.7%). The final model of
perceived recovery showed an association with pain intensity at baseline (OR=0.621;
95% CI 0465-0829), with the presence of headache and/or dizziness (OR=2.538; 95%
CI 0.987-6.526) and the duration of pain over 12 months (OR=0.279; 95% CI 0.109-
0.719). This model explains 27.5% of the variance of successful outcomes and correctly
classifies 73.1% of the patients (sensitivity: 81.8%, specificity: 59.5%). Conclusions:
Patients with CNP with high disability at baseline and complaints of pain for less than
12 months are more likely to obtain improvements in functional disability. High levels
of pain intensity at baseline predict successful outcomes in pain reduction after seven
weeks of treatment. Patients with CNP with low levels of pain at baseline, with
headache and/or dizziness and with pain complaints for more than 12 months are more
likely to get a better perceived recovery.
44
Lucas, D. Pulane. "Disruptive Transformations in Health Care: Technological Innovation and the Acute Care General Hospital." VCU Scholars Compass, 2013. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/2996.
Full textAbstract:
Advances in medical technology have altered the need for certain types of surgery to be performed in traditional inpatient hospital settings. Less invasive surgical procedures allow a growing number of medical treatments to take place on an outpatient basis. Hospitals face growing competition from ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). The competitive threats posed by ASCs are important, given that inpatient surgery has been the cornerstone of hospital services for over a century. Additional research is needed to understand how surgical volume shifts between and within acute care general hospitals (ACGHs) and ASCs. This study investigates how medical technology within the hospital industry is changing medical services delivery. The main purposes of this study are to (1) test Clayton M. Christensen’s theory of disruptive innovation in health care, and (2) examine the effects of disruptive innovation on appendectomy, cholecystectomy, and bariatric surgery (ACBS) utilization. Disruptive innovation theory contends that advanced technology combined with innovative business models—located outside of traditional product markets or delivery systems—will produce simplified, quality products and services at lower costs with broader accessibility. Consequently, new markets will emerge, and conventional industry leaders will experience a loss of market share to “non-traditional” new entrants into the marketplace. The underlying assumption of this work is that ASCs (innovative business models) have adopted laparoscopy (innovative technology) and their unification has initiated disruptive innovation within the hospital industry. The disruptive effects have spawned shifts in surgical volumes from open to laparoscopic procedures, from inpatient to ambulatory settings, and from hospitals to ASCs. The research hypothesizes that: (1) there will be larger increases in the percentage of laparoscopic ACBS performed than open ACBS procedures; (2) ambulatory ACBS will experience larger percent increases than inpatient ACBS procedures; and (3) ASCs will experience larger percent increases than ACGHs. The study tracks the utilization of open, laparoscopic, inpatient and ambulatory ACBS. The research questions that guide the inquiry are: 1. How has ACBS utilization changed over this time? 2. Do ACGHs and ASCs differ in the utilization of ACBS? 3. How do states differ in the utilization of ACBS? 4. Do study findings support disruptive innovation theory in the hospital industry? The quantitative study employs a panel design using hospital discharge data from 2004 and 2009. The unit of analysis is the facility. The sampling frame is comprised of ACGHs and ASCs in Florida and Wisconsin. The study employs exploratory and confirmatory data analysis. This work finds that disruptive innovation theory is an effective model for assessing the hospital industry. The model provides a useful framework for analyzing the interplay between ACGHs and ASCs. While study findings did not support the stated hypotheses, the impact of government interventions into the competitive marketplace supports the claims of disruptive innovation theory. Regulations that intervened in the hospital industry facilitated interactions between ASCs and ACGHs, reducing the number of ASCs performing ACBS and altering the trajectory of ACBS volume by shifting surgeries from ASCs to ACGHs.
45
SHU-HUI-SHIEH and 謝淑慧. "A Pilot Study of Reasonable Home Care Charge in Yun Li-Case Study by Analyzing Resource Utilization Group." Thesis, 2003. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/12881220934623471647.
Full text
46
"The feasibility of using video stereography to predict the length change of anterior cruciate ligament-cadaveric study." 1997. http://library.cuhk.edu.hk/record=b5889302.
Full textAbstract:
by Tsang Wai Nam.Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 163-176).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.i
ABSTRACT --- p.ii
Chapter CHAPTER 1: --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1
Chapter CHAPTER 2: --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.5
Chapter 2.1 --- ACL ANATOMY AND BIOMECHANICS --- p.5
Chapter 2.1.1 --- Microscopic anatomy --- p.5
Chapter 2.1.2 --- Gross anatomy --- p.6
Chapter 2.1.3 --- Functions of ACL --- p.9
Chapter 2.1.4 --- Kinematics of ACL --- p.10
Chapter 2.1.5 --- Biomechanics of ACL --- p.12
Chapter 2.2 --- ACL INJURY --- p.16
Chapter 2.2.1 --- Epidemiology --- p.16
Chapter 2.2.2 --- Mechanism of injury --- p.16
Chapter 2.2.3 --- Clinical signs and symptoms of ACL injury --- p.17
Chapter 2.2.4 --- Consequences after ACL injury --- p.18
Chapter 2.3 --- SURGICAL TREATMENT OF ACL INJURY --- p.19
Chapter 2.3.1 --- ACL reconstruction --- p.19
Chapter 2.3.2 --- Healing of the graft --- p.20
Chapter 2.4 --- REHABILITATION --- p.22
Chapter 2.4.1 --- Rehabilitation of the ACL-deficient knee --- p.22
Chapter 2.4.2 --- Rehabilitation of the ACL-reconstructed knee --- p.22
Chapter 2.5 --- KINEMATIC MEASUREMENT --- p.33
Chapter 2.5.1 --- Reasons for kinematic measurement --- p.33
Chapter 2.5.2 --- Measurement methods --- p.33
Chapter 2.6 --- ROENTGEN STEREOPHOTOGRAMMETRIC ANALYSIS (RSA) --- p.45
Chapter 2.6.1 --- Plain radiographic method --- p.45
Chapter 2.6.2 --- RSA --- p.45
Chapter 2.6.3 --- Convergent versus Biplane x-ray methods --- p.46
Chapter 2.7 --- VIDEO STEREOGRAPHY --- p.49
Chapter 2.7.1 --- Kinematic studies --- p.49
Chapter 2.7.2 --- Strain studies --- p.52
Chapter 2.7.3 --- Errors from video camera measurement --- p.53
Chapter 2.8 --- EXTERNAL MARKERS --- p.54
Chapter 2.8.1 --- Skin markers --- p.55
Chapter 2.8.2 --- Plate markers --- p.55
Chapter 2.8.3 --- Skeletal markers --- p.56
Chapter 2.8.4 --- Virtual markers --- p.58
Chapter 2.9 --- ARTHROSCOPY --- p.61
Chapter 2.10 --- RATIONALE AND SCOPE OF THE PROJECT --- p.63
Chapter CHAPTER 3: --- INSTRUMENTATION --- p.69
Chapter 3.1 --- RSA --- p.69
Chapter 3.1.1 --- Biplane x-ray apparatus --- p.69
Chapter 3.1.2 --- Internal markers and implant instrument --- p.70
Chapter 3.1.3 --- Plexi-glass calibration box --- p.71
Chapter 3.1.4 --- Transparent digitizer and computer --- p.72
Chapter 3.1.5 --- Accuracy of the RSA --- p.74
Chapter 3.2 --- MOUNTING JIGS AND FORCE APPLICATION SYSTEM --- p.74
Chapter 3.3 --- VIDEO STEREOGRAPHY --- p.76
Chapter 3.3.1 --- PEAK motion measurement system --- p.76
Chapter 3.3.2 --- External markers --- p.79
Chapter 3.3.3 --- Calibration frame --- p.81
Chapter 3.4 --- ARTHROSCOPY INSTRUMENT --- p.82
Chapter CHAPTER 4: --- METHODOLOGY --- p.84
Chapter 4.1 --- EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP --- p.84
Chapter 4.1.1 --- Specimens --- p.84
Chapter 4.1.2 --- Implantation of tantalum beads into the ACL --- p.84
Chapter 4.1.3 --- Set-up of the video motion measurement system and x-ray --- p.86
Chapter 4.1.4 --- Mounting of cadaveric knees --- p.88
Chapter 4.1.5 --- Mounting of external markers --- p.88
Chapter 4.1.6 --- Pre-conditioning --- p.89
Chapter 4.1.7 --- Application of force --- p.89
Chapter 4.1.8 --- X-ray and video camera capturing --- p.91
Chapter 4.1.9 --- The conditions of ACL --- p.91
Chapter 4.1.10 --- Digitization of x-ray images --- p.91
Chapter 4.1.11 --- Digitization of video images --- p.92
Chapter 4.2 --- TESTING OF INSTRUMENTATION --- p.93
Chapter 4.2.1 --- Accuracy of the PEAK motion measurement system --- p.93
Chapter 4.2.2 --- Reliability of the experimental set-up and migration of tantalum beads --- p.94
Chapter 4.2.3 --- "Comparison of the x, y, and z coordinates of external markers imaged by RSA and video stereography" --- p.96
Chapter 4.3 --- PREDICTION OF LENGTH CHANGE OF ACL --- p.96
Chapter 4.4 --- BEHAVIOR OF ACL --- p.97
Chapter CHAPTER 5: --- DATA ANALYSIS AND STATISTICAL METHODS --- p.98
Chapter 5.1 --- MATHEMATICAL CALCULATION --- p.98
Chapter 5.1.1 --- RSA calculation --- p.98
Chapter 5.1.2 --- Determination of the length changes of ACL using RSA and video stereography --- p.102
Chapter 5.1.3 --- Calculation of center of the external markers --- p.111
Chapter 5.2 --- ACCURACY OF THE PEAK MOTION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM --- p.113
Chapter 5.3 --- STATISTICAL METHODS --- p.114
Chapter 5.3.1 --- Reliability of the experimental set-up and migration of tantalum beads
Chapter 5.3.2 --- "Comparison of the x, y, and z coordinates of external markers imaged by RSA and video stereography" --- p.114
Chapter 5.3.3 --- Prediction of length change of ACL --- p.115
Chapter 5.3.4 --- Behavior of ACL --- p.115
Chapter CHAPTER 6: --- RESULT --- p.116
Chapter 6.1 --- ACCURACY OF THE PEAK MOTION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM --- p.116
Chapter 6.2 --- RELIABILITY OF THE EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP --- p.117
Chapter 6.3 --- MIGRATION OF TANTALUM BEADS --- p.120
Chapter 6.4 --- "COMPARISON OF THE X，Y, AND Z COORDINATES OF EXTERNAL MARKERS IMAGED BY RSA AND VIDEO STEREOGRAPHY" --- p.123
Chapter 6.5 --- PREDICTION OF LENGTH CHANGE OF ACL --- p.125
Chapter 6.6 --- BEHAVIOR OF ACL --- p.129
Chapter 6.6.1 --- Comparison of length changes in different conditions of ACL --- p.130
Chapter 6.6.2 --- Comparison of length changes of AM and PL bundles of ACL --- p.131
Chapter CHAPTER 7: --- DISCUSSION --- p.132
Chapter 7.1 --- LIMITATIONS --- p.132
Chapter 7.2 --- VIDEO STEREOGRAPHY --- p.135
Chapter 7.2.1 --- Accuracy of the PEAK motion measurement system --- p.135
Chapter 7.2.2 --- Prediction of length change of ACL by video stereography --- p.138
Chapter 7.2.3 --- External markers --- p.144
Chapter 7.3 --- BEHAVIOR OF ACL --- p.145
Chapter 7.3.1 --- Effect of sectioning on the behavior of ACL as measured by RSA --- p.146
Chapter 7.3.2 --- The behavior of AM and PL bundles as measured by RSA --- p.147
Chapter 7.3.3 --- Comparison of the RSA and video stereography systems in the study of the behavior of ACL --- p.149
Chapter 7.4 --- SOURCES OF ERROR --- p.151
Chapter 7.5 --- CLINICAL APPLICATIONS --- p.153
Chapter 7.5.1 --- Suggestions to the logistic of the video stereography in in vivo --- p.153
Chapter 7.5.2 --- Suggested clinical applications --- p.156
Chapter 7.6 --- FUTURE STUDY --- p.158
Chapter 7.7 --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.162
REFERENCES --- p.163
APPENDICES --- p.177
Chapter 1. --- Mathematical derivations for RSA system --- p.177
Chapter 2. --- Computer program for the RSA system: BP41 EXE --- p.186
Chapter 3. --- Computer program to find the center of the external markers: FINDCG.EXE --- p.191
Chapter 4. --- Data and statistical results --- p.196
47
Yu-Ning, Yung, and 楊祐寧. "A Study on the Change of Agricultural Development and Utilization from Groundwater in Pingtung Plain." Thesis, 2012. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/37864304783071182705.
Full textAbstract:
碩士國立屏東科技大學
土木工程系所
100
The groundwater resources are abundant in the Pingtung Plain. As the economy grows rapidly and social patterns change, the demand for water supply increases as well. Due to the better quality of groundwater resources, the agriculture with the flourishing development in various industries has boomed since the retrocession of Taiwan. A large amount of groundwater resources has been used and become important issues to water resources development in Pingtung Plain. There are several reasons affecting groundwater resources in Pingtung Plain, particularly the recharge area has been reduced due to land development and construction that lead to shrunk number of rivers, preventing groundwater to be recharged with the maximum amount on a surface runoff to river. The annual volume of groundwater recharged to the middle fan has been extracted to use by agricultural irrigation and inland freshwater aquaculture farming, while the recharge water amount flowing into the distal fan is reduced. The result of heavily centralized groundwater extraction by the coastal aquaculture use was then the serious land subsidence occurred at the distal fan region. The thesis was mainly discussed the Pingtung Plain from the time when Taiwan Sugar Corporation developed groundwater resources since 1950 as of today by organizing the development history and research reports on groundwater resources, in attempt to present the transformation of groundwater development in the Pingtung Plain. The thesis was provided subsequent references for personnel working with groundwater resources with full integration of history and data that the Government and the public can understand the changes of groundwater for agricultural use in the plain. The thesis was to estimate the annually required depth of groundwater for farmed fish or shrimp species, i.e. freshwater shrimp annual water requirement of 142,240 m3/ha, eels annual water requirement of 398,700 m3/ha, other freshwater fish requirement 89,400 m3/ha in average, and grouper and other seawater fish annual requirement 152,940 m3/ha in average and seawater shrimp annual water requirement of 164,420 m3/ha. For Taiwan Sugar Corporation, annual depth of 18,600 m3/ha during the sugarcane growing stage in autumn time, whereas the annual demand for water is 17,200 m3/ha for the spring time and the perennial root requires 19,100 m3/ha in annual. Keywords: Ground Water Development, History, Agricultural Water, Aquaculture Water
48
倪信松. "Research on the Tribe Development & Land Utilization and Change in Yualiao Village, Kanting Township." Thesis, 2017. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/38851199311998243331.
Full textAbstract:
碩士國立高雄師範大學
地理學系
105
ABSTRACT This study aims to target Yuanliao Village as the study area by making use of Taiwan Baotu of the Japanese Occupation Period, the map around 1960, the map in 2006, the aerial photograph in 2015, the census registration and land administration, the field survey method, the interview method as well as collecting the related literature to explore the land development & utilization and change of settlements in Yualiao Village. We use the library information and the relevant literature data to compare the methods of the qualitative research of temporal and spatial development discrepancy and the participative & observation research, from which we find, analyze and investigate the changes of settlements and land utilization of Yuanliao Village far from the Japanese Occupation Period through to 1989, 1998 and 2004, to see how it transits the space from the implementation of the space during the development and utilization of the government and the private sectors, further represents the meaning of the interaction between settlement and land and finally formulates the new looks of settlement changes and land utilization of Yuanliao Village.It is found from the study results that due to the industrialization, the landscape of Yuanliao Village goes through the development and utilization in a way from simplification to multiplicity. Both the governmental sectors and private enterprises strive hard for developing the land of Yuanliao Village. Seeing that the residents of Yuanliao Village keep cultivating this land, they, along with the government, also make strenuous endeavors in protecting the natural landscape resources from the pollution of industrialized development.The land where the earliest immigrants of the Han ethnic group immigrated, reclaimed and acquired includes such settlements as Wayaokou, Tienliao, etc., much farer from the places where the Pingpu Tribe began to reclaim. The southern zone of fan tip in Yuanliao Village is the location of shrine of Chiateng Shrine of Pingpu Tribe. Under the tribal policy of wasteland openness in Ching Dynasty, the Pingpu Tribe gradually lost the location of shrine and it then became the settlement of the Han immigrants. Yuanliao Village boasts of the geographical adequacy and excellent natural conditions, so it turned out a granary of grain production at that time. Owing to the double material demands from people’s livelihood and economy, Yuanliao Village has been developed step by step as the convergence of grain production. At the initial stage after the War, the agricultural production of Yuanliao Village makes progress incessantly. It also drove the development of the settlements and the agricultural mechanism of the land utilization. In 1964, the government-planned economic reconstructions and the import-substituted industrial development took effect, leading to the industrial productivity exceeding the agricultural one. In order toimprove the lower price of farming products and the shortage of the labor force, the agriculture transformed to be a diversified, part-time and crude farming form. Accordingly the agricultural activities in the area of Yuanliao Village transited into a market-based crops farming pattern. Consequently the landscape in the settlements of this area was liable to change, depending on the demands of the market economy. The development of the settlements in Yuanliao Area still relied on the agricultural development of each settlement. On the contrary, the recession of development of the agricultural economy resulted in the stagnancy of the settlement development. After 1990s, thanks to the agricultural production function as a central place, Yuanliao Village can still resort to the agricultural economy to squeeze the employment opportunities and absorb the remaining labor of each settlement. However, the transition of its exportation place and decline of the settlement farming economy also jointly and severally affected the driving force of the settlement growth.After 2010s, the economic policy of the government lacked promotion for the agricultural industry of the Pingtung Plain. It influenced the overall development of the settlements in Yuanliao Village. Yuanliao Village played a role as the central place of agricultural economic function in the areas southern to the alluvial fan tip of the Linpien Stream. The agricultural productivity of its inner settlements and the adjacent townships reduced by degrees. The development of transportation, agriculture and servicing function of Yuanliao Village as a central place was affected in terms of lack of motive power for growth.The lifestyle of the settlements in the farming villages mostly remained as a type of agricultural production. Under the influence of the economic strategies of the commercialized crops, it moves towards the diversified and crude operation. The original simplified sugarcane and rice landscape of the agricultural village developed to be the agricultural landscape of the orchards, betel nuts and aquaculture fishery. The internal settlement development and the variance of the land utilization in Yuanliao Village testified the results of the local feedback from the process of the capitalization. It is not the case that the economic reconstruction and the national strength at each stage would follow the plan to move forward without cease. As time changes, the temporal and spatial distribution will demonstrate itself to create the dynamic look of the settlement development and the land utilization in Yuanliao Village. The launch of National Highway No. 3 in 2015 urged the agricultural economy of Yuanliao Village to start growing in the light of the appreciation of the land value, rapid shortening of the transportation time, upgrading of the agricultural industry and the increase of the resident population. Key Words: Yuanliao Village, Change and developmentof Settlements, Land Utilization, Agricultural Economy
49
Hung, Chia-Chen, and 洪嘉辰. "The Impact of Reimbursement Change Influencing Behaviors of Physician on Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy Utilization." Thesis, 2017. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/y9hyap.
Full textAbstract:
碩士國立陽明大學
醫務管理研究所
106
Abstract Objectives: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is the most common treatment for upper urinary tract urolithiasis and also the highest outpatient payment unit for medical equipment usage. The aim of this study was determinate whether the urologist providing excessive ESWL after the reimbursement of ESWL changed since Jan. 1st, 2007 and to prove the “supplier-induced demand (SID)” hypothesis. Materials and Methods: The research sample was collected from LHID 2005 (Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005) and the study period was during 2000-2013. Prevalence of upper tract urolithiasis, demographic characteristics of stone patients and treatment trends were analyzed. Generalized linear model was used to for trends analysis after the imbursement changed. Result: Patients of upper urinary tract stone increased from 4303 in 2000 to 5887 in 2013, resulting in a 36.8% increase. From 2000 to 2013, patients diagnosed with urinary tract stone, the percent who received ESWL increased from 64% to 68%, those received URS decreased from 32% to 29.5% nd those received open surgery decreased from 1.3% to 0.3%. Utility of ESWL increased most obviously in the level of region hospitals. This research uses general linear model for trend analysis and shows ESWL use increased after reimbursement change in 2007 with statistically significant. Conclusions: In the face of income shock after reimbursement change, urologist increased the utilization of ESWL by both lowering the treatment indication and prolonging the treatment course, especially in level of region hospitals and district hospitals.
50
Peterson, William. "The effect of organisational design on group cohesiveness, power utilization and organisational climate." Diss., 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/15762.
Full textAbstract:
Modern organisations are facing many challenges that are threatening
their survival. These challenges come in the form of social, political,
economic and rapid ongoing technological change.
As organisations search for appropriate designs for the nineties and
beyond, clear schools of thought have developed, vehemently supporting
either the organic or mechanistic approach. While these debates rage on,
several critical considerations are being ignored. One such consideration
is the effect of organisational design on organisational climate, utilisation
of power and group cohesiveness.
This research sets out to explore this consideration. Various
questionnaires were utilized to measure employees' perceptions of
climate, power utilisation and group cohesiveness within organistic and
mechanistic orientated organisations.
A systematic research and design process was undertaken within two
business units of a large financial organisation, from which the sample
for the study was drawn.
Statistical analyses revealed that organisational design does have a
significant effect on job satisfaction, work group support and employee
support. The employees which perceived the organisation to be more
mechanistically inclined reported higher levels of employee empowerment;
workgroup support and job satisfaction than their counterparts who
perceived the organisation as more organistically inclined.Psychology
M.A. (Industrial Psychology)