Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Grasp and functional use'
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Rubert, Escuder Carlos. "Application and use of quality metrics for the prediction of grasp success and evaluation of artificial hands." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Jaume I, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/663158.
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Artificial manipulation has been one of the main areas of interest in robotics for decades. Finding a proper grasp to seize objects and design robotic hands capable of such grasps are two of the main problems in such field.
This thesis analyze the use of quality metrics to evaluate grasp hypothesis. Different classification algorithms are used with such metrics to predict the success of grasp hypothesis. These algorithms are applied to evaluate artifical hands and their performance to grasp objects.La manipulación ha sido una de las grandes áreas de interés en la rootica durante décadas. Encontrar una forma de agarre adecuada para manipular objetos y disear manos capaces de dichos agarres son dos de los principales problemas en este campo. En esta tesis se analia el uso de distintas métricas de calidad para evaluar las hipótesis de agarre y, mediante algoritmos de aprendizaje automico, predecir el éxito de los mismos. Por último, dichos algoritmos son utilizados para evalaur diseños de manos y sus capacidades para agarrar objetos. Los experimentos llevados a cabo en esta tesis se han realizado tanto en entornos de simulación como con robots reales.
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Gracia, Ibañez Verónica. "Contribution to hand functional assessment based on its kinematics." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Jaume I, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/398838.
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Aquesta tesi per articles aporta diferents contribucions pràctiques a l'avaluació de la funcionalitat de la mà en el desenvolupament d'activitats de la vida diària (AVD), començant amb una revisió de l'estat de l'art que revela la necessitat d'objectivar l'avaluació funcional de la mà.
En primer lloc es presenta un enfoc qualitatiu, consistent en una gradació dels diferents tipus de prensió en relació a la seva rellevància per a l'autonomia personal.
Es proporcionen valors més reals de rangs actius de moviment (RAM) mitjançant la quantificació de la interrelació entre els rangs de flexo-extensió de l'articulació metacarpofalàngica (MCF) dels dits, útil per comprovar anormalitats.
Amb el fi de caracteritzar la cinemàtica de la mà en AVD, es proposa un nou mètode de calibratge per a un guant instrumentat que requereix el registre de sols una única postura de referència, vàlid per tant per a ser utilitzat amb pacients.
Es posen a disposició rangs de moviments funcionals i es comparen amb els RAM, proporcionant dades que permeten inferir el nivell de funcionalitat en relació amb el RAM assolit.
Finalment, es posa a prova l'ús de l'anàlisi de components principals (ACP) per identificar els paràmetres a utilitzar en l'avaluació funcional, reflectint uns resultats prometedors de l'ús de l'ACP com un mètode objectiu i d'aplicació general per avaluar la funcionalitat de la cinemàtica de la mà.Esta tesis por artículos proporciona diferentes contribuciones prácticas a la evaluación funcional de la mano en el desarrollo de actividades de la vida diaria (AVD), comenzando por una revisión del estado del arte que revela la necesidad de objetivar la evaluación funcional de la mano. En primer lugar se presenta un enfoque cualitativo, consistente en una clasificación de los diferentes tipos de agarre según su relevancia para la autonomía personal. Se proporcionan valores más reales de rangos activos de movilidad (RAM) mediante la cuantificación de la interrelación entre los rangos de flexo-extensión de la articulación metacarpofalángica (MCF) de los dedos, útil para comprobar anormalidades. Con el fin de permitir la caracterización de la cinemática funcional de la mano en AVD, se propone un nuevo método de calibración para un guante instrumentado que requiere del registro de una simple postura de referencia, siendo por tanto válido para su uso con pacientes. Se ponen a disposición rangos funcionales de movimiento y se comparan con los RAM, proporcionándose datos que permiten inferir el nivel de funcionalidad en relación con el RAM alcanzado. Por último, se evalúa el uso de análisis de componentes principales (ACP) para identificar los parámetros a utilizar en la evaluación funcional, obteniéndose resultados prometedores del uso de ACP como un método objetivo y de aplicación general para evaluar la funcionalidad cinemática de la mano.
This thesis by articles provides different practical contributions to the assessment of hand function for developing activities of daily living (ADL), starting with a review of the state of the art revealing the need of objectifying the hand functional assessment. A qualitative approach is presented first, consisting in a rating of the grasp types according to their relevancy for personal autonomy. More realistic values of active range of motion (AROM) are provided through the quantification of the interrelationship between the ranges of flexion and extension of adjacent metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of the fingers, useful to check abnormalities. To enable the characterization of the hand kinematics in ADL, a new calibration method for an instrumented glove is proposed, requiring the registration of just one simple reference posture, therefore being valid to be used with patients. Functional ranges of motions are made available and compared with the AROM, providing data that allow inferring the level of functionality in relation to the current AROM. Finally, the use of principal component analysis (PCA) to identify parameters to be used in functional assessment is tested, disclosing promising results of the usage of PCA as an objective and generally applicable method to assess hand kinematics functionality.
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Salajková, Michaela. "Nanocelluloses - surface modification and use in functional materials." Licentiate thesis, KTH, Biokompositer, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-90864.
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Cellulose nanocomposites offer interesting potential in terms of improved properties and new functionalities compared with microcomposites. Preparation from colloidal suspensions is promising, since high reinforcement content is possible and a wide range of constituents can be used. In the first study, the challenge is to form a stable suspension of well-dispersed carbon nanotubes (CNT) and nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) in water and to prepare commingled high CNT content nanopaper structures by filtration. Various surfactants were used to modify CNT. The NFC was stabilized by charged carboxylate groups. A nonylphenol phosphate ester surfactant, NPPE, worked well for CNT and provided a stable and well-dispersed water suspension of CNT and NFC. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), porosimetry and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize nanopaper structure, and tensile properties were measured as well as surface resistivity. The processing route is water based and it is possible to prepare thin coatings as well as thicker films with a combination of low surface resistivity, flexibility in bending and high strength and toughness in tension. As inspired by organo-modified layered silicates, the objective of the second study is to develop an environmentally friendly procedure for the surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals, CNC, using quaternary ammonium salts via adsorption. In order to obtain higher surface charge density on CNC, a new route is developed for preparation of CNC with carboxylic acid groups. Quanternary ammonium cations bearing alkyl, phenyl, glycidyl, and diallyl groups are used to modify CNC to render their surface more hydrophobic. The structure and surface hydrophobicity of unmodified and modified CNC as well as their dispersibility in organic solvent are characterized by AFM, FE-SEM, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray analysis (XDR) and contact angle measurement (CAM). Future work will focus on surface-modified nanocelluloses in composite materials, in order to learn more about surface treatment effects on nanocomposite properties.Nanokompositer från cellulosa har potential att ge starkt förbättrade egenskaper och ny funktionalitet jämfört med mikrokompositer. De ger även möjlighet till komposittillverkning från kolloidala suspensioner där man kan uppnå hög halt av förstärkningsfasen. Det är också möjligt att välja från en bred flora av lösliga och dispergerbara materialkomponenter. I första studien är utmaningen att skapa en stabil och väldispergerad suspension av kolnanorör (CNT) och nanofibrillerad cellulosa (NFC) i vatten för att genom filtrering framställa nanopapper med interpenetrerande CNT och NFC nätverk. Olika ytaktiva ämnen användes för att modifiera CNT. NFC stabiliserades genom laddade karboxylgrupper på ytan. En nonylfenol fosfatester, NPPE, fungerade bra för CNT och resulterade i en stabil och väldispergerad vattensuspension av CNT och NFC. FE-SEM, densitometri och AFM användes för att karakterisera nanopapperstruktur. Mekaniska egenskaper och ytresistivitet mättes. Processen för framställning av CNT/NFC nanopapper är vattenbaserade och det är möjligt att framställa tunna ytbeläggningar likväl som tjockare filmer. Dessa strukturer har en kombination av låg resistivitet, flexibilitet i böjning liksom hög hållfasthet och seghet i dragbelastning. Syftet med den andra studien är att utgå från organo-modifierade skiktade silikater (leror) för att utveckla en miljövänlig ytmodifieringsmetod för nanocellulosa. För att öka ytladdningstätheten på CNC (nanokristaller från cellulosa) utvecklas ett nytt sätt att skapa karboxylgrupper på ytan. Kvarternära ammoniumsalter med alkyl, fenyl, glycidyl och diallylgrupper används för att göra ytan på CNC mer hydrofob. Ytans struktur och hydrofoba karaktär, liksom dispersionsegenskaper i organiska lösningsmedel, karakteriseras med hjälp av AFM, FE-SEM, FT-IR, XDR och kontaktvinkelmätning. Fortsatt arbete kommer att fokusera på ytmodifierad cellulosa i kompositmaterial, för att utveckla förståelsen för effekter av ytmodifiering på nanokompositers egenskaper
QC 20120302
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Holguin, Emilsen Salazar. "Strategies Functional Managers Use to Control Cyberloafing Behaviors." ScholarWorks, 2016. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/2604.
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Computer technologies have increased the opportunities for employees to engage in cyberloafing by using the Internet at work for personal purposes. Uncontrolled cyberloafing is a threat to organizational effectiveness because it affects organizational productivity. The purpose of this single case study was to explore successful strategies functional managers use to control cyberloafing behaviors of their employees at an e-learning organization located in the northeastern United States. The theory of planned behavior, which emphasized behavioral, normative, and control beliefs as key elements to predict individuals' intentions to behave was the conceptual framework. Data collection included semistructured face-to-face interviews with 11 functional managers and an exploration of organizational policies, procedures, and handbooks. Data analysis included examination of word frequencies, keyword coding, and theme identification. Using Yin's 5 steps for data analysis, 3 themes emerged: create engaging jobs, communicate clear expectations, and promote a positive work environment. Functional managers in the e-learning organization in this study may control cyberloafing by ensuring that social norms convey disapproval, combining deterrence policies and performance metrics; and showing attitudes that promote citizenship behaviors. The implications for positive social change include the potential to provide the e-learning organization in this study with best practices that support employees' needs for work-life balance, thus promoting employee satisfaction while maximizing employee productivity. As a result, the findings of this study can decrease stress, increase morale and positively impact the overall well-being of the organization's workforce.
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Rodsiri, Ratchanee. "MDMA : binge use and functional outcomes in the rat." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2009. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/13386/.
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3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use has increased dramatically and more intensive patterns of use such as binging have become common. This thesis pays particular attention to the translation of animal data to humans by examining low doses and binge type repeated regimen of MDMA in the rat. The functional effects especially acute and long-term effects on memory have been investigated together with the measurement of changes in 5-HT and dopamine to investigate the possible link of these neurotransmitters and the functional effects of MDMA. The acute effect of single low doses of MDMA on memory was initially examined and it was shown that MDMA (3 mg/kg) acutely disrupted novel object discrimination when given 30 min before the test. However there was no change in 5-HT and dopamine in the hippocampus, striatum and frontal cortex 150 min after MDMA administration. The combined techniques of radiotelemetry and in vivo microdialysis were used to examine effects of 'binge-type' repeated low dose MDMA administration (3 or 6 mglkg i.p. x 3 every 2 h). Locomotor activity, body temperature and 5-HT release in the hippocampus were simultaneously measured in the same animal during MDMA administration. MDMA (3 x 6 mglkg) increased locomotor activity after each injection. In addition MDMA (3 x 3 mg/kg) produced hypothermia following each injection while MDMA (3 x 6 mg/kg) changed thermoregulation as it decreased body temperature after the first injection and then increased body temperature after the second to a maximum of + 1.3 °C after the third injection. Both 'binge' doses of MDMA however increased extracellular 5-HT in the hippocampus after each injection and there was no correlation between 5-HT release in the hippocampus and changes either in locomotor activity or body temperature. The long-term effect of repeated administration of low doses of MDMA (3 or 6 mg/kg i.p. x 3 every 2 h) on memory was investigated using novel object discrimination 2 weeks after treatment. To imitate the single housing condition used in radiotelemetry experiments, rats were individually housed during drug treatment. MDMA (3 x 6 mglkg) caused impairment of novel object discrimination but there was no change in 5-HT, dopamine and their metabolites in the hippocampus, striatum and frontal cortex 2 weeks after MDMA treatment suggesting no contribution of either 5-HT or dopamine loss to the MDMA-induced memory impairment. The effects of housing conditions on MDMA-induced changes in body temperature and subsequent 5-HT neurotoxicity were determined. Group housed rats showed a similar pattern of changes in body temperature to singly housed rats measured by radiotelemetry following MDMA (3 x 6 mg/kg) suggesting no effect of the housing condition on MDMA-induced changes in body temperature. MDMA (3 x 6 mg/kg) given to group housed rats however produced loss of hippocampal 5-HT 2 weeks after treatment indicating that MDMA-induced hyperthermia is not an essential factor for MDMA-induced neurotoxicity. The influence of tyrosine on MDMA-induced 5-HT neurotoxicity was determined by depletion of brain tyrosine availability by giving a tyrosine-free amino acid mixture (1 glkg twice 1 h apart) to Dark Agouti rats before and after MDMA administration (12.5 mglkg i.p.). A small increase of tyrosine in the hippocampus and striatum occurred in rats treated with MDMA alone. Although the tyrosine-free amino acid mixture decreased tyrosine in the hippocampus and striatum by more than 50% 2 h after administration, this did not protect against MDMA-induced acute hippocampal and striatal 5-HT depletion and long-term 5-HT loss in the hippocampus indicating no effect of tyrosine on MDMA-induced 5-HT neurotoxicity. Overall the results of the present study provide extensive evidence for acute and long-term memory impairments following single and 'binge-type' repeated low dose MDMA administration and that these effects may translate effectively to human conditions. The memory impairments appeared to have no link with 5-HT and dopamine thus it is important to focus on other factors involved in the mechanism of MDMA-induced memory impairments.
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Mecitoğlu, Güçbilmez Çiğdem Yemenicioğlu Ahmet. "Production of functional packaging materials by use of biopreservatives/." [s.l.]: [s.n.], 2005. http://library.iyte.edu.tr/tezlerengelli/master/biyoteknoloji/T000356.pdf.
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Thesis (Master)--İzmir Institute of Technology, İzmir, 2005.Keywords: Biopreservatives, antimicrobial enzymes, antioxidant proteins, edible films, functional packaging materials. Includes bibliographical references (leaves.88-101).
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Sheldrake, Simon N. "Extending functional databases for use in text-intensive applications." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2002. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/34644.
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This thesis continues research exploring the benefits of using functional databases based around the functional data model for advanced database applications-particularly those supporting investigative systems. This is a growing generic application domain covering areas such as criminal and military intelligence, which are characterised by significant data complexity, large data sets and the need for high performance, interactive use. An experimental functional database language was developed to provide the requisite semantic richness. However, heavy use in a practical context has shown that language extensions and implementation improvements are required-especially in the crucial areas of string matching and graph traversal. In addition, an implementation on multiprocessor, parallel architectures is essential to meet the performance needs arising from existing and projected database sizes in the chosen application area.
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Ibrahim, Saber. "Synthesis of Functional Block Copolymers for use in Nano-hybrids." Doctoral thesis, Saechsische Landesbibliothek- Staats- und Universitaetsbibliothek Dresden, 2011. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa-67435.
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Polystyrene block polyethyleneimine (PS-b-PEI) copolymer prepared by combining PS and poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (PMeOx) segments together through two strategies. Furthermore, PMeOx block was hydrolysis to produce PEI block which linked with PS block.
Macroinitiator route is one of these two ways to prepare PS-b-PEI copolymer. Polystyrene macroinitiator or poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) macroinitiator prepared through Nitroxide Mediate Radical Polymerization (NMRP) or Cationic Ring Opening Polymerization (CROP) respectively. Each macroinitiator has active initiated terminal group toward another block monomer. Second strategy based on coupling of PS segment with PMeOx block through “click” coupling chemistry. Polystyrene modified with terminal azide moiety are combined with PMeOx functionalized with alkyne group via 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition reaction “click reaction”.
PS-b-PMeOx was hydrolysis in alkaline medium to produce amphiphilic PS-b-PEI copolymer. A set of block copolymer with different block ratios was prepared and investigated to select suitable block copolymer for further applications. Stichiometric PS-b-PEI copolymer selected to stabilize gold nanoparticle (Au NPs) in polymer matrix. PEI segment work as reducing and stabilizing agent of gold precursor in aqueous solution. Various concentrations of gold precursor were loaded and its effect on UVVIS absorbance, particle size and particle distribution studied. In addition, reduction efficiency of PEI block was determined from XPS measurements. The thickness of Au NPs/PS-b-PEI thin film was determined with a novel model for composite system. On the other hand, Gallium nitride quantum dots (GaN QDs) stabilized in PS-b-PEI copolymer after annealing. Our amphiphilic block copolymer exhibit nice thermal stability under annealing conditions. GaN QDs prepared in narrow nano-size with fine particle distribution. Blue ray was observed as an indication to emission activity of GaN crystal. Over all, PS-b-PEI copolymer synthesized through macroinitiator and click coupling methods. It was successfully stabilized Au NPs and GaN QDs in polymer matrix with controlled particle size which can be post applied in tremendous industrial and researcher fields.
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Mwihaki, Alice. "Meaning and use: a functional view of semantics and pragmatics." Universitätsbibliothek Leipzig, 2012. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:15-qucosa-91021.
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This article addresses the notion of linguistic meaning with reference to Kiswahili. It focuses particular attention on meaning typology, with the assumption that a discussion of meaning types can enhance the understanding and appreciation of linguistic meaning. The discussion takes its general conceptual orientation from the approach that considers meaning as use, whereby the unit of analysis is the speech
act. This is a functional view of linguistic meaning, the tenets of which are contained in functional grammar. From a broader perspective, this article distinguishes conceptual and associative meaning then proceeds to deal with the individual types. Ultimately, five types of linguistic meaning are discussed: conceptual, connotative, social, affective and collocative. From the discussion, conclusionsabout the value of the typology for defining the concept and the scope of semantics are drawn.
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Dobson, Benjamin Pirnie. "Dispersions of graphene for use as thermal and functional fluids." Thesis, Durham University, 2018. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/12570/.
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Graphene's combination of properties makes it a material with great potential in a wide range of applications. High thermal conductivity and good tribological properties mean graphene has been proposed as an additive for both lubricants and thermal fluids; being used to form nanofluids with improved properties. However, the use of graphene in these applications requires the significant challenge of dispersing graphene in applied fluids to be overcome. In this work graphene, and its functionalised derivatives were dispersed in both polar and non-polar fluids using a range of techniques, following which the properties of these fluids were analysed. Initially, the dispersibility of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in water was investigated and a novel method of using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)to act as a dispersant for rGO in polar fluids was developed. Using this method dispersions of rGO in water were produced at over six times the concentration possible by standard dispersion. Working in more applied fluids efforts were made to improve the dispersibility of graphene materials in applied polar fluids such as oils. Stable dispersions of graphene materials in commercial oils were produced through functionalisation of graphene, with a range of reagents, to improve its compatibility with non-polar solvents. These functionalised graphenes were then dispersed in commercial lubricants to form stable dispersions and the tribological properties of these dispersions were tested showing that it was possible for functionalised graphenes to improve the performance of commercial lubricants. To assess the impact of graphene on the thermal properties of applied fluids dispersions of graphene materials were prepared in a commercial coolant. The thermal properties of this nanofluid were then determined and it was shown that the addition of graphene materials can improve the thermal properties of applied fluids.
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Kent, Matthew Paul. "Estimating functional performance for use in the aesthetic design process." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2015. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/6422/.
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In engineering fields such as automobile design, optimisation of functional performance properties often conflicts with aesthetic optimisation. Functional performance feedback into the aesthetic design software may therefore improve the convergence of the design process. Unfortunately, many functional performance scores such as aerodynamic drag require intensive computational effort. We consider the use of machine learning approaches to instead provide estimates of these functional performance scores. We study the problems encountered when developing such an estimation function. The use of a historically accumulated data set of STereoLithography-format designs and their performance scores is suggested. We first look at preparing such a data set as training data for a machine learning task. Our first major novel contribution combats this problem in a manner similar to voxelisation. We next look at generating the regression function, seeking to achieve good generalisation across a large space of possible designs and for a problem where dimensionality reduction is challenging. Our second major novel contribution deals with this problem using an ensemble regression framework incorporating multiple data representations. Finally, we look at strategies of combining these two novel systems into a complete system. Upon evaluation, we conclude that our original aims have been met by this complete system.
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Mwihaki, Alice. "Meaning and use: a functional view of semantics and pragmatics." Swahili Forum 11 (2004) S. 127-139, 2004. https://ul.qucosa.de/id/qucosa%3A11492.
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This article addresses the notion of linguistic meaning with reference to Kiswahili. It focuses particular attention on meaning typology, with the assumption that a discussion of meaning types can enhance the understanding and appreciation of linguistic meaning. The discussion takes its general conceptual orientation from the approach that considers meaning as use, whereby the unit of analysis is the speech
act. This is a functional view of linguistic meaning, the tenets of which are contained in functional grammar. From a broader perspective, this article distinguishes conceptual and associative meaning then proceeds to deal with the individual types. Ultimately, five types of linguistic meaning are discussed: conceptual, connotative, social, affective and collocative. From the discussion, conclusionsabout the value of the typology for defining the concept and the scope of semantics are drawn.
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Noga, David Edward. "Synthesis of functional lactide copolymers for use in biomedical applications." Diss., Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/29646.
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Thesis (Ph.D)--Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009.Committee Chair: Collard, David M.; Committee Member: García, Andrés J.; Committee Member: Tolbert, Laren; Committee Member: Wang, Yadong; Committee Member: Weck, Marcus. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.
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Mandarim, de Lacerda Maria Elisa. "The use of plastic in utilitarian and functional design objects." Thesis, University of Iowa, 2010. https://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/705.
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Plastic is widely used to shape many of the daily goods produced and consumed today. Compared to wood and metal, this versatile material was recently introduced to society. The technical advances that began in the mid 1850's led to the invention of the first cellulose plastic polymers - a naturally occurring or synthetic compound consisting of large molecules made up of a linked series of repeated simple monomer (One Look on line Dictionary, 2009) - to be used at an industrial level. Inaugurating a period in which objects could have the strength of metal or wood, while also being lighter, colorful and cheaper to be manufactured. Plastics are a material that has the ability to be easily shaped (Lefteri, 2008). For me, plastic is ideal to work with, not only because its eclectic applications in product design and manufacture, but also due to its ordinary use in our globalized society.
My master's research is to design functional objects using different types of plastics. My goal is to experiment with this material and understand the industrial production process behind the manufacture of the daily functional objects that surround us. Each plastic polymer has its proper usage and constraints. These characteristics are taken into account in my design process. Conceptually I allow myself to have freedom in exploring the object's form by respecting the material`s limitations as well as the techniques I have available to design and make my pieces. In conjunction with this creative research, I am using Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing through Computer Numerical Control and Rapid Prototyping technologies to design and produce the pieces.
Furthermore, my intention is to have a deep understanding of the uses, production, discard and, recycling procedures of plastics goods. I am interested in knowing more about biodegradable, compostable and recyclable polymers in order to enjoy this great material that is evolving rapidly (Lefteri, 2008) in the contemporary society without causing environmental damage and preserve good conditions to future habitants of the Planet.
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Cheng, Chung Wah. "Chinese herbal medicine for functional constipation." HKBU Institutional Repository, 2009. http://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_ra/1090.
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Kamadia, Gopi. "The use of modeling tools in the analysis of functional requirements." Birmingham, Ala. : University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. https://www.mhsl.uab.edu/dt/2008m/kamadia.pdf.
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South, Christopher Peter. "The use of functional imaging to design optimal radiotherapy dose distributions." Thesis, Institute of Cancer Research (University Of London), 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.538528.
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Worby, Julian. "A Functional gene-protein model for use in simulations of evolution." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2009. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.507140.
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Shepherd, Rachel. "Novel microbial lipophilic polysaccharide emulsifiers for use as functional food ingredients." Thesis, Open University, 1992. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.316717.
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Cant, Edward J. "Development of novel functional and degradable materials for use in microstereolithography." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2017. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/101988/.
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The research carried out in this thesis focusses on the development of novel functional and degradable materials for use in Microstereolithography (μSL), a type of additive manufacturing (AM) technology. Chapter 1 provides a background into the μSL technology with regards to key developments and the current state-of -the-art for the μSL apparatus itself in addition to providing an overview of the various types of commercially or non-commercially available materials currently developed for μSL. Chapter 2 describes the current state-of-the-art in terms of four-dimensional (4D) printing materials used within the μSL technology and subsequently focusses on expanding the limited scope of materials currently developed. The previously described poly(ethylene glycol) di-ortho-nitrobenzyl (PEG-oNB) ester molecule is successfully synthesised. Upon optimisation of a PEG-oNB containing resin, the material was found to be capable of solidifying to a defined two dimensional (2D) shape utilising one wavelength of light in the μSL apparatus and subsequently able to undergo photodegradation upon controlled exposure by a secondary wavelength of light thereby exemplifying a fourth dimension. In chapter 3, a library of previously described and novel malate based monomers with various functionality are synthesised and subsequently polymerised by step-growth polymerisation either in bulk or in solution to form short chain homopolymers. Copolymerisations carried out in bulk are shown to form polymers with the desired alkene bearing functionality required for cross-linking via radical thiol-ene coupling and the Poly(EtMa-co-BuMa) copolymer is successfully functionalised using dodecanethiol demonstrating its potential for use as a material within μSL. Chapter 4 describes the successful application of Poly(EtMa-co-BuMa), as synthesised in chapter 3, within a novel resin composition, containing dibutenyl succinate (DBS) as reactive diluent, that is capable of printing complex 3D architectures within the μSL process. The materials produced demonstrate exemplar degradation via the surface erosion mechanism and consequently exhibit near-zero order release kinetics upon encapsulation of a model small molecule. Furthermore, small alterations of the resin composition allowed for the rate of degradation and release to be tuned whilst applying multiple materials within the same device allows for controlled, temporal release. Chapter 5 concludes the most significant findings of Chapters 2-4 whilst Chapter 6 lists all the experimental protocols and methods used in this thesis.
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Forcellini, Giulia. "Brain functional connectivity and alcohol use disorder: a graph theoretical approach." Doctoral thesis, Università degli studi di Trento, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11572/246082.
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Resting-state functional MRI(rs-fMRI) represents a powerful means to assess brain functional connectivity in healthy subjects and in neuropsychiatric patients. Aberrant functional connectivity has been observed in subjects affected by Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) and other forms of substance dependence, a major health issue worldwide with limited treatment options. Despite intense investigation, the specific neuronal substrates involved and the functional implications of aberrant connectivity in these patients remain unknown. Moreover, it is unclear whether treatment can reverse these alterations, and normalize functional connectivity. Several methodological and conceptual questions in the analysis of functional connectivity are still open, and contribute to this uncertainty. Functional connectivity is defined in terms of correlated MR-signal fluctuations, and in-scanner patient motion and other nuisance signals can introduce spurious correlations, thus representing substantial confounding factors. At a more general level, understanding the effects of complex conditions, like AUD, on brain connectivity and their functional implications requires a deep comprehension of the brain organizational principles at multiple scales, a tremendous challenge that is at the heart of modern neuroscience. In this PhD dissertation I address some of the outstanding questions in the analysis and interpretation of aberrant functional connectivity in AUD. To this end, I have embraced the formalism of graph-theory, a powerful framework to assess the effects of alcohol abuse on the local and global topological organization of resting state connectivity. On the methodological side, I have investigated the effects of subject’s motion on the structure of resting state networks, and compared efficacy of different approaches to remove motion-related confounds. Moreover, I demonstrate the importance of network sparsification to remove spurious connections from the graph while maximizing the structural information that can be extracted from the system. Leveraging these methodological developments, I have evaluated functional alterations in different samples of AUD patients. In two independent studies, I demonstrated specific alterations in the topological organization of the insular cortex and subcortical basal structures in recently detoxified alcoholics. Interestingly, protracted abstinence appears to partially normalize functional connectivity, thus suggesting that alcohol-induced alterations in connectivity may be amenable to treatment. Based on these findings, I have studied the effects on brain functional networks of a putative novel treatment based on deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Specifically, I analyzed resting state connectivity in AUD patients subjected to repetitive TMS of the bilateral insula and of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and demonstrated treatment-induced changes that may underlie the efficacy of this potential treatment in surrogate clinical read-outs.
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Chan, Chi Fai. "Multi-functional upconversion nanoparticles for in vivo imaging, in vivo tumor suppression and photodynamic therapy." HKBU Institutional Repository, 2016. https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_oa/272.
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Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have been utilized for biological applications. Unlike conventional linear excitation molecules, UCNPs are excited by 980nm and emit photon in visible and near infrared region. The unique photophysical property offers superior penetration depth and lower photo-cytotoxicity. With the aid of various vectors such as target-specific peptides and photosensitizers, the UCNPs can precisely interact selectively with designated proteins (Cyclin D1 and Polo-like Kinase 1) and cancer cells so as to achieve theranostic effect. This thesis illustrated the upconversion mechanism and anti-cancer effect by UCNPs conjugated with peptides. Two research studies focus on Cyclin D1 or Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) specific peptides coated UCNPs function as key cell cycle inhibitors, in vitro imaging agent and in vivo tumor suppressor. Apart from inorganic nanomaterials, graphitic phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanoparticles coupled with porphyrin moieties act as cancer directional photodynamic therapy agents was also described in the aspects of detailed photophysical measurements and in vitro theranostic studies.
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Zhang, Lei. "A study of functional units for information use of scholarly journal articles." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/34015.
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This research aims to enhance reading effectiveness and efficiency by presenting the readers with the text in the article that is most relevant to a particular information task, rather than presenting the article in its entirety. It applies the idea of the functional unit, the smallest information unit with a distinct function within four major components of scholarly journal articles — Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion.
First, through a review and analysis of the literature and validation through user surveys, 41 functional units within the four components were identified. Also identified were the relationships between the individual functional units and five information use tasks, and furthermore the relationships among a set of functional units for a particular task. The functional units were classified into three categories (primary, related, additional related) according to how useful they were for each task. Based on this taxonomy, a prototype journal reading system was designed and implemented. Thirty 3rd and 4th year psychology students participated in an experimental study using the prototype system. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data collected from retrospective interviews, questionnaire open-ended questions, and screen recordings. A statistical analysis of quantitative data collected via rating scales, logging of time and highlights was also carried out. The answers to comprehension questions were assessed first by content analysis and then by statistical analysis.
Participants using the prototype system were significantly more satisfied with the information obtained, highlighted more relevant text, and answered more fully the comprehension questions. The use of functional units was effective in enabling people to focus on specific information and use pieces of relevant information across the article, but not necessarily to move from more relevant to less relevant information. Participants using the prototype system also felt significantly more efficient in obtaining the information. The use of functional units was efficient in enabling people to read less or read selectively. The signaling of functional units seemed to be more effective and efficient for the tasks requiring use of information scattered across articles.
This research suggests that information within an article can be organized and presented to benefit readers’ information use.
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Alfonso, Amanda. "Organic nitrogen use by different plant functional types in a boreal peatland." Thesis, McGill University, 2012. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=106594.
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Mineralization has long been thought to be the main driver in providing plant available nitrogen (N). However, slow mineralization rates of northern ecosystems cannot sustain total plant N accumulation and it is now recognized that plants can utilize organic forms of N. N is often a limited nutrient in ombrotrophic bogs and at Mer Bleue peatland nearly 80% of the N in the porewater is in the dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) form. This study determined whether peatland plants can take up organic forms of N and whether there are differences between plant functional types, which dominate bog vegetation. To determine if bog plants take up organic N, 16 plots were selected at Mer Bleue where half remained a control and half received a treatment of isotopically labeled glycine (13C2,15N, 98% atom). The labeled glycine was injected into the rhizosphere at a depth of 0-20cm. After 72 hours the leaves and roots of shrub (C. calyculata, V. myrtilloides, L. groenlandicum), sedge (E. vaginatum) and moss (S. magellanicum, S. capillifolium) in the plots were sampled and analyzed for plant δ13C and δ15N. Foliar samples showed a significant uptake of 15N across all species and no significant uptake of 13C. Root samples showed greater enrichment in 15N and 13C for both shrub and sedge species; however, sedge uptake of 13C was not found to be significant. Results showed that shrub species took up glycine intact while a significant uptake of glycine was not found for sedge and moss species. This suggests that the mycorrhizal associations of ericaceous shrubs may contribute to organic N uptake at Mer Bleue bog.La minéralisation a longtemps semblé être le conducteur principal fournissant l'azote aux plantes. Cependant, les faibles taux de minéralisation des écosystèmes nordiques ne peuvent pas pourvoir l'apport total d'azote des plantes et il est maintenant reconnu que les plantes peuvent utiliser les formes organiques de l'azote. L'azote est souvent un nutriment limitant dans les tourbières ombrotrophes et, à la tourbière Mer Bleue, près de 80% de l'azote dans l'eau interstitielle est sous forme d'azote organique dissous. Cette étude avait pour but de déterminer si les plantes des tourbières peuvent absorber l'azote sous formes organiques et s'il y a des différences entre les types fonctionnels de plantes qui dominent la végétation des tourbières. Pour déterminer si les plantes des tourbières absorbent l'azote organique, 16 parcelles ont été choisies à Mer Bleue, où une moitié a été utilisée comme contrôle et l'autre moitié a reçu un traitement de glycine marquée isotopiquement (13C2, 15N, 98% atomes). La glycine marquée a été injecté dans la rhizosphère à une profondeur de 0-20cm. Après 72 heures, les feuilles et les racines des arbustes (C.calyculata, V. myrtilloides, L.groenlandicum), laîches (E. vaginatum) et les mousses (S. magellanicum, S.capillifolium) dans les parcelles ont été recueillies et analysées pour les plantes δ13C et δ15N. Les échantillons foliaires ont montré une absorption importante de 15N pour toutes les espèces et aucune augmentation significative de signatures δ13C. Les échantillons de racines ont montré un enrichissement plus grand en δ15N et δ13C pour les deux espèces d'arbustes et celle de laîche. Cependant, l'absorption de δ13C pour espèces de laîche n'a pas été jugée significative. Les résultats ont montré que les espèces d'arbustes ont absorbé la glycine entièrement alors que l'absorption de glycine n'a pas été importante pour les espèces de carex et de mousse, ce qui suggère que les associations mycorhiziennes des arbustes éricacées peut être le facteur déterminant dans l'absorption de l'azote organique à la tourbière Mer Bleue.
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Gaponik, Nikolai. "Assemblies of thiol-capped nanocrystals as functional units for use in nanotechnology." Doctoral thesis, Saechsische Landesbibliothek- Staats- und Universitaetsbibliothek Dresden, 2013. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa-107607.
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This work summarizes results of about 10 years of the author’s own activities in the field of aqueous synthesis and handling of thiol-capped semiconductor nanocrystals. As this field has also been explored by hundreds of other scientists, I have endeavoured to do my utmost to provide a short but comprehensive overview presenting my own results as part of the knowledge framework jointly created by multiple colleagues and collaborators from all over the world. This habilitation thesis consists of an introduction, which provides references to the corresponding literature sources and also links to the corresponding annexes, i.e. original published articles, which are attached to this cumulative script.
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Fries, Melissa. "FUNCTIONAL HEALTH LITERACY AND THE USE OF DENTAL SERVICES IN YOUNG CHILDREN." VCU Scholars Compass, 2009. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1710.
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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine parental Functional Health Literacy and their child’s subsequent utilization of dental services. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of children (n=1175) enrolled in the Child Health Investment Partnership of Virginia (CHIP). Descriptive statistics and separate multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine the relationship between functional health literacy measures; 1) Health Care Literacy (HCL), 2) Personal Health Literacy (PHL), and 3) LSP 22 scale, with utilization as measured as number of dental visit/s. Results: Descriptive analysis of the cohort reveals: 45% black, 40% white, 10% Hispanic, 5% other, 41% of parents not having a high school diploma or GED, >75% were enrolled in CHIP by the age of one, 90% had Medicaid, 80% lived in Roanoke City, 87% had a normal birth weight, 86% were term pregnancies, and 91% did not have asthma. All literacy measures, PHL, HCL, LSP 22, and LSP 22 Target Range were positively associated with having dental utilization. Hispanic race had a less likely chance of having multiple dental visits even when within target range of LSP 22. Conclusion: Parents of children enrolled in CHIP with higher levels of functional health literacy as measured by the Life Skills Progression Instrument demonstrated an increased likelihood of dental utilization for their children.
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Anders, Shilo H. "Projecting trajectories of functional use for a new technology the electronic ICU /." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1213369071.
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Ligier, Damien. "Functional encryption applied to privacy-preserving classification : practical use, performances and security." Thesis, Ecole nationale supérieure Mines-Télécom Atlantique Bretagne Pays de la Loire, 2018. http://www.theses.fr/2018IMTA0040/document.
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L'apprentissage automatique (en anglais machine learning) ou apprentissage statistique, a prouvé être un ensemble de techniques très puissantes. La classification automatique en particulier, permettant d'identifier efficacement des informations contenues dans des gros ensembles de données. Cependant, cela lève le souci de la confidentialité des données. C'est pour cela que le besoin de créer des algorithmes d'apprentissage automatique capable de garantir la confidentialité a été mis en avant. Cette thèse propose une façon de combiner certains systèmes cryptographiques avec des algorithmes de classification afin d'obtenir un classifieur que veille à la confidentialité. Les systèmes cryptographiques en question sont la famille des chiffrements fonctionnels. Il s'agit d'une généralisation de la cryptographie à clef publique traditionnelle dans laquelle les clefs de déchiffrement sont associées à des fonctions. Nous avons mené des expérimentations sur cette construction avec un scénario réaliste se servant de la base de données du MNIST composée d'images de digits écrits à la main. Notre système est capable dans ce cas d'utilisation de savoir quel digit est écrit sur une image en ayant seulement un chiffre de l'image. Nous avons aussi étudié la sécurité de cette construction dans un contexte réaliste. Ceci a révélé des risques quant à l'utilisation des chiffrements fonctionnels en général et pas seulement dans notre cas d'utilisation. Nous avons ensuite proposé une méthode pour négocier (dans notre construction) entre les performances de classification et les risques encourusMachine Learning (ML) algorithms have proven themselves very powerful. Especially classification, enabling to efficiently identify information in large datasets. However, it raises concerns about the privacy of this data. Therefore, it brought to the forefront the challenge of designing machine learning algorithms able to preserve confidentiality.This thesis proposes a way to combine some cryptographic systems with classification algorithms to achieve privacy preserving classifier. The cryptographic system family in question is the functional encryption one. It is a generalization of the traditional public key encryption in which decryption keys are associated with a function. We did some experimentations on that combination on realistic scenario using the MNIST dataset of handwritten digit images. Our system is able in this use case to know which digit is written in an encrypted digit image. We also study its security in this real life scenario. It raises concerns about uses of functional encryption schemes in general and not just in our use case. We then introduce a way to balance in our construction efficiency of the classification and the risks
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Tzelnic, Tania. "Infants reason about functional information embedded in means-end sequences." Thesis, Kingston, Ont. : [s.n.], 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1974/690.
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Gubsch, Marlén. "Plant species and functional group responses to changes in plant community diversity and composition : functional traits, species interactions and resource use /." [S.l.] : [s.n.], 2009. http://e-collection.ethbib.ethz.ch/show?type=diss&nr=18342.
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Frumerie, Clara. "Functional characterization of a phage integrase and its possible use in gene therapy /." Stockholm : Department of genetics, microbiology and toxicology, Stockholm university, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-397.
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Lowe, Fri Maria. "The double axe in Minoan Crete : a functional analysis of production and use /." Stockholm : Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University [distributör], 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-7039.
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Samarra, Filipa Isabel Pereira. "Functional design and use of acoustic signals produced by killer whales (Orcinus orca)." Thesis, University of St Andrews, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/2564.
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This study aimed to investigate possible functions of the sounds produced by herring-eating killer whales in the Northeast Atlantic. In this study, I investigated the whistle repertoire of killer whales, which had previously only been studied in British Columbia, where it appeared to be restricted to the audible range. However, I show that high frequency whistles (> 17 kHz) were detected in Northeast Atlantic populations but not in Northeast Pacific populations. These results indicated substantial intraspecific variation in whistle production in killer whales. Little variation was observed in high frequency whistles recorded from three different sites in the Northeast Atlantic, suggesting this signal has a similar function across locations. The estimated active space of high frequency whistles and burst-pulse calls suggested that these are short-range signals used for within-group communication. Source levels of burst-pulse calls were lower than what was previously described in British Columbia, which possibly reflected the fact that these sounds do not need to propagate far because distances between group members are generally short. Calls, high frequency whistles and herding calls produced at different depths did not appear to suffer effects due to increased pressure, such as changing frequency or duration characteristics. Feeding appeared to take place below 10 m of depth, as suggested by the localisation of depth of production of feeding-related sounds. These depths were consistent with those at which tailslaps were produced in Dtags attached to individual whales. Feeding periods were characterised by deep diving, increased sound production and highly non-directional movement. These findings suggested that killer whales in a herring spawning ground use a feeding strategy different from carousel feeding used in herring overwintering grounds. These findings showed that Northeast Atlantic killer whales have a different sound repertoire to other populations, and suggested that they may employ different feeding strategies depending on prey behaviour.
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Vega, Gabrielle M. "A Decision-Making Model for Safe and Effective Use of Functional Analysis Procedures." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2017. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1011856/.
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While functional analysis provides the standard methodology for the assessment of problem behavior, procedures still pose potential risk when assessing severe problem behavior. Previous studies have examined several strategies to improve the efficiency of and reduce risks related to the functional analysis process. The purpose of the present series of studies was to replicate and extend previous research on the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior for one participant diagnosed with an intellectual disability. By incorporating strategies within a systematic decision-making framework, functional analysis procedures were implemented to conduct the assessment of precursors, determine maintaining contingencies for severe problem behavior, and evaluate the effects of a treatment based on the results of a functional analysis.
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Metras, Rachel. "Teaching Behavior Professionals to Use the Interview-Informed Synthesized Contingency Analysis (IISCA): A Preliminary Investigation." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2017. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1011807/.
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We assessed the implementation accuracy and fidelity of two board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) using the open-ended interview from Hanley. Participants interviewed a confederate using the open-ended interview, and were then asked to use information gathered from the interview to create operational definitions of target behaviors as well as test and control condition procedures for a subsequent matched test-control functional analysis as is characteristic of the interview-informed synthesized contingency analysis (IISCA) strategy. Brief behavioral skills training (BST) was then implemented with all participants to increase the accuracy of constructing both target behavior definitions and functional analysis procedures. Preliminary results show moderate rates of accuracy of target behavior definitions and functional analysis procedures prior to BST, and high rates of accuracy following BST. The results also suggest high implementation fidelity on the open-ended interview may not be necessary to achieve high accuracy when constructing target behavior definitions and functional analysis procedures.
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Xu, Wei. "The Use of Internal and External Functional Domains to Improve Transmembrane Protein Topology Prediction." Thesis, University of Waterloo, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10012/1073.
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Membrane proteins are involved in vital cellular functions and have important implications in disease processes, drug design and therapy. However, it is difficult to obtain diffraction quality crystals to study transmembrane protein structure. Transmembrane protein topology prediction tools try to fill in the gap between abundant number of transmembrane proteins and scarce number of known membrane protein structures (3D structure and biochemically characterized topology). However, at present, the prediction accuracy is still far from perfect. TMHMM is the current state-of- the-art method for membrane protein topology prediction. In order to improve the prediction accuracy of TMHMM, based upon the method of GenomeScan, the author implemented AHMM (augmented HMM) by incorporating functional domain information externally to TMHMM. Results show that AHMM is better than TMHMM on both helix and sidedness prediction. This improvement is verified by both statistical tests as well as sensitivity and specificity studies. It is expected that when more and more functional domain predictors are available, the prediction accuracy will be further improved.
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Lee, Fu-Hua Lawrence. "The use of functional capacity to predict postoperative outcomes in subjects undergoing colorectal resection." Thesis, McGill University, 2013. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=114185.
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Introduction: There is increasing evidence to suggest that functional capacity assessment can identify patients at high risk for major surgery, however previous studies have used heterogeneous patient populations. We sought to investigate the effect of poor functional capacity on the incidence of postoperative complications in a population of subjects undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of adult subjects undergoing elective colorectal resection at a single university-affiliated institution from 2005 to 2011 who were participants in three clinical trials was performed. The main exposure variable was poor functional capacity as measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) or by the distance walked in six-minutes (6MWT). The main outcome variable was complications that occurred within 30 days of the index operation and length of stay. Receiver-operating characteristics curves identified threshold for increased perioperative risk. Multiple regression models estimated the effect of exposure on the outcome by adjusting for confounders. Results: A total of 296 were included in the overall subject cohort. The 6MWT was available in all subjects, and CPET was available in 114 subjects. The overall incidence of postoperative complications was 42% (126/296). The threshold for increased perioperative risk was found to be a peak oxygen consumption (VO2) < 72% of predicted,and a 6MWT < 392 meters. After adjusting for confounders, the odds of suffering a major complication was 7.66 times (95% confidence interval 1.57–37.44) higher in subjects with peak VO2 < 72% of predicted compared to those with peak VO2 ≥ 72% of predicted. The odds of suffering a cardiopulmonary complication (OR 4.75, 95% CI1.46–15.44) or minor complications (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.02 – 3.46) was significantly higher in subjects with 6MWT < 392 meters. However, major complications were not associated with 6MWT < 392 meters (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.42–2.99), after adjusting for confounders. Conclusions: Poor functional capacity is associated with increased perioperative risk in subjects undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Functional capacity assessment can be performed using CPET or the 6MWT.Introduction: Il existe un nombre croissant de preuves qui suggèrent que l'évaluation de la capacité fonctionnelle permet d'identifier les patients à hauts risques pour une chirurgie majeure. Toutefois, les études antérieures ont été basées sur des populations de patients hétérogènes. Nous avons cherché à étudier l'impact d'une faible capacité fonctionnelle sur l'incidence de complications postopératoires au sein d'une population de patients devant subir une chirurgie colorectale. Méthodes: Nous avons réalisé une étude de cohorte de patients adultes, ayant subi une résection colorectale entre 2005 et 2011 dans une même institution affiliée à une université, qui avaient participé à trois essais cliniques. La variable d'exposition principale était une faible capacité fonctionnelle telle que mesurée par l'épreuve fonctionnelle d'exercice (EFX) ou par le test de marche de six minutes (TDM6). Les objectifs principaux étaient les complications développées durant les 30 jours suivant l'opération indexée ainsi que la durée du séjour hospitalier. Les valeurs seuils corrélées avec les complications ont été identifiées à l'aide de courbes ROC. Les modèles de régression multiples ont permis d'estimer l'effet de l'exposition sur les objectifs principaux en ajustant pour les facteurs confondants Résultats: Un total de 296 patients ont été inclus dans la cohorte. Les résultats du TDM6 étaient disponibles pour tous les patients et ceux de l'EFX l'étaient pour 114 patients. L'incidence globale des complications postopératoires était de 42% (126/296). La valeur seuil corrélée avec les complications était un pic de consommation d'oxygène (VO2pic)inférieur au 72% de prédiction et un TDM6 inférieur à 392 mètres. Après l'ajustementpour les facteurs confondants, les chances de développer une complication majeure étaient 7.66 fois (intervalle de confiance à 95%: 1.57-37.44) plus élevées chez les patientsavec un VO2pic < 72% de prédiction. Un TDM6 < 392 mètres était indépendamment associé à une chance plus importante de développer une complication cardio-pulmonaire(OR ajusté 4.75, IC à 95% 1.46-15.44) ou une morbidité mineure (ORa 1.87, IC à 95%1.02-3.46), mais pas une complication majeure (ORa 1.10, IC à 95% 0.42-2.99). Conclusion: Une faible capacité fonctionnelle est associée à des risques péri-opératoires plus élevés chez les patients subissant une chirurgie colorectale. Une évaluation de la capacité fonctionnelle peut être réalisée à l'aide de l'EFX ou du TDM6.
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Hrvatin, Sinisa. "Exploring the Use of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Create Functional Pancreatic \(\beta\) Cells." Thesis, Harvard University, 2012. http://dissertations.umi.com/gsas.harvard:10728.
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Directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) has the potential to produce human cell types that can be used for disease modeling and cell transplantation. Two key challenges in the differentiation from hPSCs to \(\beta\) cells are the specification from pancreatic progenitors to insulin-expressing \((INS^+
)\) cells and the maturation of \(INS^+\) cells into glucose responsive β cells. To address the first, two high-content chemical screens identified PKC inhibitors as inducers of \(INS^+\) cells from pancreatic progenitors. PKC inhibition generated up to tenfold more \(INS^+\) cells while PKC agonists blocked differentiation into \(INS^+\) cells. Transplantation of \(PKC\beta\) inhibitor-treated pancreatic progenitors, containing higher
proportions of endocrine progenitors and endocrine cells, resulted in mature \(\beta\) cells showing higher levels of glucose-stimulated human c-peptide production in vivo. This indicates that in vitro derived \(INS^+\)
cells might be competent to mature into functional \(\beta\) cells. To address the second challenge, we first studied mouse and human \(\beta\) cell maturation in vivo. Postnatal mouse \(\beta\) cell maturation was marked by an increase in the glucose threshold for insulin secretion and by expression of the gene urocortin 3. To study human \(\beta\) cell maturation, a Method for Analyzing RNA following Intracellular Sorting (MARIS) was developed and used for transcriptional profiling of sorted human fetal and adult \(\beta\) cells. Surprisingly, transcriptional differences between human fetal and adult \(\beta\) cells did not resemble differences between mouse fetal and adult \(\beta\) cells, calling into question inter-species homology at the late stages of development. A direct comparison between hPSC-derived \(INS^+\) cells, and \(\beta\) cells produced during human development is essential to validate directed differentiation and provide a roadmap for maturation of hPSC-derived \(INS^+\) cells. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis of sorted \(INS^+\) cells derived from three hPSC-lines suggest that different lines produce highly similar \(INS^+\) cells, confirming robustness of directed differentiation protocols. Furthermore, nonfunctional hPSC-derived \(INS^+\) cells resemble human fetal \(\beta\) cells, which are distinct from adult \(\beta\) cells. We therefore suggest that in vitro directed differentiation mimics normal human development and reveal differences in gene expression that may account for the functional differences between hPSC-derived \(INS^+\) cells and true \(\beta\) cells.
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Whittle, J. N. D. "The use of proofs-as-programs to build an analogy-based functional program editor." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.663736.
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This thesis presents a novel application of the technique known as proofs-as-programs. Proofs-as-programs defines a correspondence between proofs in a constructive logic and fundamental programs. By using this correspondence, a functional program may be represented directly as the proof of a specification and so the program may be analysed, within this proof framework. CYNTHIA is a programming editor for the functional language ML which uses proofs-as-programs to analyse users' programs as they are written. So that the user requires no knowledge of proof theory, the underlying proof representation is completely hidden. The proof framework allows programs written in CYNTHIA to be checked to be syntactically correct, well-typed, well-defined and terminating. Users of CYNTHIA make fewer programming errors and the feedback facilities of CYNTHIA mean that it is easier to track down the source of errors when they do occur. CYNTHIA also embodies the idea of programming by analogy - rather than starting from scratch, users always begin with an existing function definition. They then apply a sequence of high-level editing commands which transform this starting definition into the one required. These commands preserve correctness and also increase programming efficiency by automating commonly occurring steps. The thesis describes the design and implementation of CYNTHIA and investigates its role as a novice programming environment. Use by experts is possible but only a subset of ML is currently supported. Two major trials of CYNTHIA have shown that CYNTHIA is well-suited as a teaching tool.
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CALDEIRA, LUIZ RODOLFO NEVES. "SEMI-AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF FUNCTIONAL TEST SCRIPTS BY COMPOSING USE CASES WITH DECISION TABLES." PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO, 2010. http://www.maxwell.vrac.puc-rio.br/Busca_etds.php?strSecao=resultado&nrSeq=16806@1.
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COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOREste trabalho tem por objetivo propor um processo e ferramentas para a geração semi-automática de scripts de teste funcional para sistemas web, a partir de casos de uso e tabelas de decisão, com vistas à geração de eficazes scripts de teste automatizados, simultaneamente reduzindo o tempo gasto para gerá-los. As especificações dos testes dão-se através de descrições de casos de uso escritas usando português restrito semi-estruturado e obedecendo a uma estrutura precisamente definida. Com o auxílio de uma ferramenta, monta-se manualmente uma tabela de decisão a partir desses casos de uso. Os casos de teste semânticos são gerados automaticamente a partir destas tabelas de decisão. Outra ferramenta é responsável por gerar os scripts de testes a partir dos casos de teste semânticos. Os scripts de teste gerados devem adequar-se à ferramenta de execução automatizada dos testes. Neste trabalho, utilizou-se a ferramenta Selenium para a automação da interação com o navegador. A avaliação da eficácia deu-se através da aplicação do processo em um sistema real e através de comparação com técnicas tradicionais de geração de testes automatizados aplicadas ao mesmo sistema.
This work aims at developing a process and tools for the semi-automatic generation of functional test scripts for web based systems. The process and tools depart from use cases and decision tables, in order to produce high quality automated tests as well as to reduce the time spent generating them. The tests specifications are provided by use cases written in semi-structured Portuguese and obeying a well defined structure. By means of a tool, decision tables are manually built from the use case descriptions. Afterwards semantic test cases are automatically generated from these decision tables. Another tool generates executable test scripts from these test cases. The generated test scripts must suit the tool used for automated testing. In this work, the Selenium tool was used for automating test interaction with the browser. The evaluation of the efficacy of the process and tools was performed applying them to a real system and comparing the result with traditional techniques of automated test generation regarding this same system.
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Souza, Dennis Góss de. "Comparative analyses of microbial phylogenetic and functional processes following long-term land-use change." Universidade de São Paulo, 2015. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/91/91131/tde-05012016-152905/.
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In the last years, microbial ecologists have dramatically increased their efforts to elucidate the \"black box\" of patterns and processes that modulate the diversity and functionality of soil microorganisms, examining their genetic diversity (e.g. through metagenomic) and measuring their functional characteristics. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the interaction of the ecological processes of dispersion, diversification, selection and genetic drift on (1) the soil microbial communities, after conversion of forest to grassland or no-till cropping in long-term and (2) on the microbial communities in the rhizosphere of soybean in long-term no-till system. The cultivation of grassland in long-term led to a homogenizing selection of microbial communities, reducing beta-diversity, with consequent changes in the soil functions related to stress. No-till long-term led to minor changes of diversity, maintaining the functions found in the forest. The soybean plant has shown homogenizing power selection, and this increased with time. However, the functions selected in the rhizosphere were maintained, indicating functional resilience.Nos últimos anos, ecologistas microbianos aumentaram drasticamente seus esforços para elucidar a \"caixa preta\" dos padrões e processos que modulam a diversidade e funcionalidade dos microrganismos do solo, examinando sua diversidade genética (e.g. através de metagenômica) e medindo suas características funcionais. O objetivo dessa tese foi avaliar a interação dos processos ecológicos de dispersão, diversificação, seleção e deriva gênica, sobre (1) as comunidades microbianas do solo, após a conversão da floresta em pastagem ou plantio direto, em longo período e (2) sobre as comunidades microbianas da rizosfera de soja, em sistema de plantio direto, em longo período. O cultivo de pastagens em longo período levou a uma seleção homogeneizante das comunidades microbianas, reduzindo a beta-diversidade, com conseguinte alteração em funções no solo relacionadas ao estresse. O plantio direto em longo período levou a uma menor alteração da diversidade, com manutenção das funções encontradas na floresta. A planta de soja demonstrou poder de seleção homogeneizante, e este aumentou com o tempo. Contudo, as funções selecionadas na rizosfera foram mantidas, indicando resiliência funcional.
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Abuhasan, Wlla. "Developing Language Learners’ Use of Appraisal for Argumentative Writing: A Systemic Functional Linguistics Approach." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/41941.
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This study explores the impact of a pedagogic intervention grounded in Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2014) designed to support language learners’ development of their English argumentative writing skills. The predominance of argumentative writing in school curricula and language assessment reflects the importance of helping language learners master this text-type in order for them to succeed in academic settings. This pedagogic intervention drew specifically on the Appraisal system of SFL to make explicit to students the interpersonal and evaluative language resources they can use to establish authoritative and intersubjective positioning as key means of achieving the overall purpose of argumentative texts. The study documents the impact of explicating to students appraisal resources during class instruction and helping them make more informed language choices as they engage with the information presented in their texts, and shape the interaction with their readers.
The study drew on quantitative data stemming from students’ writing tasks and qualitative data in the form of reflection tasks and a research journal to explore the extent to which students’ understanding and use of different appraisal resources could be positively affected by the pedagogic intervention at the heart of this study. The analysis of the findings suggests that the intervention was successful in helping students familiarize themselves with and incorporate appraisal language to effectively convey their intended meaning in the composition of their argumentative texts. The findings also suggest that the teaching intervention contributed to students’ increased awareness of the range of lexicogrammatical choices available to them when they write as reflected in students’ skillful use of these resources in genre-specific ways. This included using appraisal resources to develop well-supported claims, in addition to establishing a critical authoritative position.
Discussion of these findings focuses on the value of this type research on the pedagogic applications of the SFL framework as a way of advancing our understanding of how to better scaffold language learners and help them gain greater explicit control of the language resources necessary to successfully construct academic texts. As such, this study argues for the potential affordances of teaching pedagogies grounded in SFL theory in supporting language learners’ academic writing development. This study presents a case for the ability of SFL-informed pedagogies to empower students as writers by offering them new ways of looking at the writing process and using language to engage in advanced acts of meaning-making.
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Stytsenko, M., and S. Lapko. "Use of functional tests to assess the state of the cardiovascular system in students." Thesis, Sumy State University, 2019. https://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/77357.
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The leading criterion for the health of students is, as is
known, not only a high level of mental activity, but also physical
development. The ability of their organism to maintain resistance to
various factors (endogenous and, in particular, exogenous) depends
on normal physical and neuropsychological development,
functioning of organs and systems of students, to adapt to changing
environmental conditions and to successfully show the best results
in learning. In those with some variations in health, adaptive
capacity is usually lower than that of completely healthy students,
which results in lower educational outcomes. Deviations that arise
in the regulatory systems of the cardiovascular system are usually
preceded by a variety of disorders, namely: hemodynamic,
metabolic, energy disturbance and, therefore, are the earliest
diagnostic features of the morbidity of the subject that needs to be
corrected, which is especially relevant for young people. Age,
especially for students.
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Baker, James Stewart Jr. "Synthesis of Functional Vinylbenzocyclobutenes for Use as Crosslinkers in the Preparation of Amphiphilic Nanoparticles." University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1321304647.
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Dombrowski, Francis J. "Functional specifications to an automated retinal scanner for use in plotting the vascular map." Thesis, Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/23243.
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Approved for public release; distribution is unlimitedThe connection between eye disease and diabetes is proven and is no longer a point of conjecture. In focusing attention on the retina, profound inroads have been made in the fight against this dreaded disorder of the blood. By carefully imaging the blood vessels in the eye, medical professionals can make accurate diagnoses based upon the changes and abnormalities observed. In addition, because the vasculature in the retina is extremely sensitive to fluctuations in normal bodily processes, often the first indication of diabetes and many other diseases manifest themselves here and are found during routine eye examinations. This thesis will explore the possibilities of a new method of retinal imaging by the blending and application of existing technologies. With the use of an automated, infrared-based imaging system, problems related to human error and the limitations of existing methods can be readily resolved and the groundwork can be laid for a new standard of accuracy in retinal imaging. Most importantly, it will automate the entire procedure providing medical specialists heretofore unavailable accuracy in their diagnoses.
http://archive.org/details/functionalspecif00domb
Lieutenant, United States Navy
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Girolami, Peter A. "The use of analog functional analysis in assessing the function of mealtime behavior problems." Morgantown, W. Va. : [West Virginia University Libraries], 1999. http://etd.wvu.edu/templates/showETD.cfm?recnum=633.
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Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 1999.Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 77 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 40-47).
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Spadoni, Andrea D. "Family history of alcohol use disorders and neuromaturation a functional connectivity study with adolescents /." Diss., [La Jolla] : [San Diego] : University of California, San Diego ; San Diego State University, 2009. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ucsd/fullcit?p3358674.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University, 2009.Title from first page of PDF file (viewed July 14, 2009). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 64-86).
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Lefcheck, Jonathan S. "The use of functional traits to elucidate the causes and consequences of biological diversity." W&M ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539616736.
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The rapid and global rise in species extinctions has prompted much research into the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss. In the past two decades, efforts have expanded beyond characterizing diversity through numbers of species -- or species richness -- and integrated additional information on how species interact with one another and their environment via functional traits. Functional traits permit a more nuanced exploration of patterns in community structure and composition, and provide a mechanistic basis to link community diversity to ecosystem processes. In this dissertation, I apply functional traits to observational surveys and a small-scale experimental manipulation to understand and explain patterns in diversity, and to link functional diversity to ecosystem functioning. In all three cases, I show that functional traits yield substantial additional insight into ecological patterns and processes beyond what can be gained via richness alone.;In the first chapter, I use functional traits and two newly-derived phylogenies to understand the role of biotic interactions in determining how local communities of reef fishes assemble from the available pool of species. to address this question, I utilized data from the Reef Life Survey network, a global citizen science program that has conducted visual censuses of reef fish communities at nearly 2,000 sites across the globe. to rigorously disentangle the biotic and abiotic drivers of assembly, I aimed to factor out the effect of environment by grouping species based on their fine-scale habitat requirements, then tested for significant patterns in functional and phylogenetic diversity of local communities relative to the regional species pool. I found that most communities were functionally and phylogenetically clustered relative to the regional pool, meaning that species found in these communities were more functionally- and phylogenetically-similar than expected by chance. This clustering increased with increasing latitude independent of several major axes of environmental variation. I propose several non-mutually exclusive explanations for this pattern, including: (1) increased competition at higher latitudes, potentially driven by variability in resources; (2) higher mobility of fishes at high latitudes reducing trait and evolutionary composition at any given site relative to what could be observed there (i.e., high turnover), and; (3) reduced richness at high latitudes reducing the probability of capturing functionally and phylogenetically unique species. This chapter is one of the first studies to unite a macroecological perspective on assembly with functional biogeography across global gradients, particularly for vertebrates.;In the second chapter, I utilized data from a 15-year observational survey of an eelgrass Zostera marina L. bed in the York River Estuary, Chesapeake Bay, USA to test the relative strength of top-down and bottom-up control and the role of species richness and functional diversity in mediating trophic processes. I united biological data on eelgrass, microalgal epiphyte, and invertebrate grazer biomass, and predator abundances with physical data on temperature, light, turbidity, and nutrients using structural equation modeling. Across spring, summer, and fall seasons, biological variables appeared to be largely controlled by temperature and turbidity. However, there was weaker but statistically significant evidence for top-down control in the spring and summer, changing over to bottom-up control in the fall. In contrast to evidence from small-scale experiments, there was no effect of diversity on ecosystem properties such as standing stock biomass of eelgrass, grazers, and predators, which may have been a consequence of the overall low diversity and high functional redundancy present in this system. This chapter reveals a small but significant role for biology in the face of strong, long-term natural variation in abiotic parameters in a temperate eelgrass bed.;In the third and final chapter, I experimentally manipulated functional trait diversity of estuarine mesograzers and predators within multiple levels of species richness to test the relative predictive ability of functional diversity and species richness on ecosystem functioning. I found that multivariate functional diversity based on 8 traits was a better predictor and explained more variation in standing stock biomass of predator, grazer, and recruiting invertebrates than did species richness. Aggregating across all 8 traits in a multivariate index of functional diversity improved prediction accuracy relative to any individual trait. I then used structural equation modeling to show that the positive effects of community-level functional diversity were a consequence of both predator and grazer functional diversity, although predator effects were much stronger. I also modeled the contributions of each individual species to show that different functions were driven by different species with unique combinations of traits, suggestive of functional complementarity. Together, these results suggest that functional diversity is a powerful alternative to species richness in predicting the ecosystem consequences of species loss. This chapter is one of the first studies to conduct an a priori manipulation of functional traits using consumers, and the first to manipulate traits across multiple levels of a realistic food web.
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Beier, Sara. "Bacterial Degradation and Use of Chitin in Aquatic Habitats." Doctoral thesis, Uppsala universitet, Limnologi, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-131128.
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Chitin belongs to the most abundant biopolymers on earth where it has an important role as a structural element in crustaceans, insects, fungi and some phytoplankton. Missing evidence for long-term accumulation of chitin in nature implies fast turnover and as chitin is composed of aminosugar subunits it holds central roles in both carbon and nitrogen cycles. The aim of this thesis was to contribute to a better understanding of organic matter cycling by learning more about the diversity, function and ecology of bacteria that degrade chitin. A metagenome-enabled study of the spatial distribution of chitinolytic bacteria in aquatic ecosystems identified salinity as the major environmental factor for shaping their community composition. To address the role of alternative environmental variables controlling chitinolytic communities, a temporally resolved study was completed in a dimictic freshwater lake. Pronounced seasonal change in the indigenous chitinolytic community was observed and parallel measured environmental parameters pointed to the availability and crystalline form of chitin as significant controlling factors. The different ecological niches occupied by microbes that utilize chitin for growth were studied in an experimental study. Single-cell quantification of chitinolytic cells and cells incorporating chitin hydrolysis products suggested that commensal use of chitin hydrolysis products without simultaneous chitinase activity could be an important ecological strategy in freshwater bacterioplankton communities. Members of the ubiquitous and often quantitatively dominant group of freshwater Actinobacteria Ac1 were identified as particularly active in this “cheater” lifestyle. Further experiments based on artificially created gradients in bacterial diversity demonstrated the importance of specific bacterial populations and community composition rather than overall community richness in controlling more specific functions such as chitin and cellulose degradation. To conclude, results of this thesis provide insight into the biogeography, niche-separation and species interactions of the functional community of chitin degraders and the influence of general bacterial diversity to the respective system functioning.Felaktigt tryckt som Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology 700
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Shihadeh, Fadi Easa. "Optimized and integrated alignment system for functional proton radiosurgery." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2007. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/3258.
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In this thesis work, a system for proton beam alignment was studied and optimized in many of its functional areas. The resulting system was named Positioning Alignment Control System (PACS). The PACS system is an integrated and efficient system as a result of the work done on it in the course of this thesis work.