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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'In-Medium effects'
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Rust, Felix. "In-medium effects in the holographic quark-gluon plasma." Diss., lmu, 2009. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:19-104729.
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Wilkinson, David P. "Proton donor and medium effects in electrochemical proton discharge." Thesis, University of Ottawa (Canada), 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/21311.
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Romanel, Celso 1952. "DYNAMIC SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTION IN A LAYERED MEDIUM." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/276511.
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The most popular method in dynamic soil-structure interaction analysis is the finite element method. The versatility in problems involving different materials and complex geometries is its main advantage, yet FEM can not simulate unbounded domains completely. A hybrid method is proposed in this research, which models the near field (structure and surrounding soil) by finite elements and the far field by a continuum approach. The system is excited by monochromatic body waves (P and SV) propagating with oblique incidence and harmonic time dependence. The far field problem is solved using Thomson-Haskell formulation associated with the delta matrix technique. The soil profile does not contain any soft layer and the layers are assumed to be linearly elastic, isotropic, homogeneous and perfectly bonded at the interfaces. Two-dimensional (in-plane) formulation is considered and the analysis is performed on both k- and o-planes through time and spatial Fourier transforms of the field equations and boundary conditions. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)
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Bolin, Jennifer A. "Comparative analysis of selected radiation effects in Medium Earth Orbits." Thesis, Monterey, Calif. : Springfield, Va. : Naval Postgraduate School ; Available from National Technical Information Service, 1997. http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA341085.
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Thesis (M.S. in Astronautical Engineering) Naval Postgraduate School, December 1997."December 1997." Thesis advisor(s): Vicente Garcia, Brij Agrawal. Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-99). Also available online.
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Campo, Rubens Jose. "Residual effects of aluminium on Bradyrhizobium japonicum in defined medium and soil solutions." Thesis, University of Reading, 1995. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.283634.
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Castillo, Martín Miriam. "Vitrification of in vitro produced porcine blastocysts: the effects of culture medium and antioxidants." Doctoral thesis, Universitat de Girona, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/276875.
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In the present Thesis, we observed that vitrifying-warming porcine embryos had detrimental effects. Indeed, vitrification and warming were seen to reduce developmental ability and quality of in vitro produced porcine blastocysts, with increased levels of DNA fragmentation, raised levels of reactive oxygen species and alterations in the expression of pluripotency and thermal shock-related genes. This suggested that establishing effective cryopreservation methods was required. Following this, we found that embryo cryotolerance did not only depend on the cryopreservation procedures but also on the composition of the culture medium. On the other hand, beneficial effects were also obtained from exposing embryos to antioxidants. Specifically, L-ascorbic acid addition during culture and/or vitrification and warming enhanced embryo survival, redox status and thermal stress responseEn aquesta tesi s’ha observat que els processos de vitrificació i escalfament sotmeten els embrions porcins produïts in vitro a situacions d’estrès. Els resultats obtinguts quant a la capacitat dels embrions a l’hora de sobreviure a la criopreservació i a la qualitat dels embrions vitrificats, amb augments en els nivells de fragmentació del DNA i en les espècies reactives d’oxigen i amb alteracions en el perfil d’expressió de gens involucrats en la pluripotencialitat i en la resposta al xoc tèrmic, suggereixen la necessitat d’incrementar l’efectivitat dels mètodes de criopreservació. S’ha determinat, a més, que la criotolerància embrionària no només depèn dels processos de criopreservació sinó també de la composició dels medis de cultiu. Finalment, s’ha observat que l’exposició dels embrions a molècules antioxidants desencadena efectes beneficiosos. Concretament, l’addició d’àcid ascòrbic en els medis de cultiu i vitrificació-escalfament millora la supervivència, l’estat d’oxidació/reducció i la resposta a l’estrès tèrmic
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Alexopoulos, Aris. "An investigation of the effects of 2-body interactions in an effective medium theory." Monash University, Dept. of Physics, 2004. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/9717.
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Youd, Stephen John. "The effects of crosslinking in the fracture properties of high and medium density polyethylene." Thesis, Manchester Metropolitan University, 1991. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.306251.
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Alvarez, Martinez José Manuel. "Foam-flow behavior in porous media : effects of flow regime and porous-medium heterogeneity /." Digital version accessible at:, 1998. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/utexas/main.
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Oh, Kyunghui. "Use of Reading Strategy to Assess Reading Medium Effectiveness: Application to Determine the Effects of Reading Medium and Generation in an Active Reading Task." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/51227.
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Advances in computer technology have hastened the development and dissemination of a wide range of electronic media into the workplace and educational settings. Electronic media offer many advantages, including quicker access to information and easier information sharing among professions. However, electronic reading media have still not been well integrated into these settings, especially for non-routine cognitive tasks like active reading. Conflicting results from different measures (e.g., performance, preference) have been reported regarding their efficacy. Despite the fact that there are no significant performance differences between reading from paper and reading from electronic media, people still show a preference for reading from paper and resist changes in the workplace, which often results in the abandonment of electronic reading media. Therefore, in order to maximize the potential benefits from electronic reading media, researchers and designers need more valid ways to assess the effectiveness of electronic reading media than relying on existing methods using outcome-based measures of reading. Although the act of reading is primarily a cognitive process, there are relatively few comprehensive empirical reports on how the use of different reading media impacts cognitive processes like reading strategies. Moreover, researchers have rarely considered generational differences, even though generation-specific reading practices could significantly affect readers\' current reading practices using different media.
Therefore, the overall objective of this research was to develop and evaluate a new method to test the effectiveness of reading medium in terms of supporting design and evaluation. Specifically, this research examined how reading strategies can be used as a process measure. The research consisted of three parts: (1) investigating readers\' use of reading strategies using different types of media, (2) identifying the relationship between readers\' use of reading strategies and their performance and subjective response, and (3) identifying the relationship between readers\' use of reading strategies and cognitive load. Resultant findings are expected to improve how we measure the effectiveness of electronic reading media.
First, readers\' use of reading strategies for different types of media was examined and associated generational differences were investigated. A laboratory experiment was conducted in which three generations of participants (Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y) were asked to perform an active reading task (a simulated work-related reading task) with three types of media (paper, computer, and iPad). Readers\' uses of reading strategies were identified from task observation and Retrospective Think Aloud (RTA) sessions. Quantitative analyses revealed significant differences in readers\' use of reading strategies, and which depended on both the type of media and individual attributes (generation). Detailed qualitative analyses were conducted to help explain the underlying reasons for these differences in the use of reading strategies.
Second, based on the identified reading strategies, the relationships between readers\' use of reading strategies and their performance and subjective responses were examined. Such outcome measures have traditionally been used to assess the efficacy of different reading media. However, previous studies have generated conflicting results and did not clearly demonstrate the underlying aspects that influence readers\' performance and subjective responses. The results of this study showed a clear association between readers\' use of reading strategies and their performance and subjective responses. Accordingly, it was revealed that participants who used the reading strategies they developed in their formative period exhibited higher subjective responses.
Third, again based on the identified reading strategies, the association between readers\' use of reading strategies and cognitive load was examined. Reading from electronic media has been regarded as requiring more cognitive resources than reading from paper. However, it has not been well understood precisely which aspects of reading from different media actually influence cognitive load in terms of cognitive and metacognitive perspectives. The results reported herein showed an association between reading strategies and cognitive load. Therefore, this study revealed that the use of reading strategies was critical to their cognitive load.
Overall, this research demonstrated how reading strategies could be used as process measures to assess the effectiveness of specific media for active reading activities. The way in which people interact with a text (readers\' use of reading strategies) was affected by the medium, as well as by generation-specific reading practices. The extent to which reading strategies can explain reading differences was confirmed, by investigating the associations between readers\' use of reading strategies and other measures. These findings can contribute to the design of reading media and help to determine the most suitable reading media for active reading activities (e.g., work-related reading activities). In addition, the findings also support the importance of culturally situated experience for non-routine cognitive activities and the use of an integrated approach that takes into account both cognitive and cultural aspects in designing human-computer interaction for non-routine cognitive activities.
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Chan, Wing-sze. "Age and medium effects on the production of conjunctions in narratives by Cantonese-speaking children." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 2002. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B3620819X.
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Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 2002."A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, May 10, 2002." Also available in print.
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Shum, Pui-shan Susana, and 岑佩珊. "Effects of a late change in the medium of instruction on students' approaches to learning." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2004. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B30330816.
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Hein, Eckhard. "Shareholder value orientation, distribution and growth - short- and medium-run effects in a Kaleckian model." Inst. für Volkswirtschaftstheorie und -politik, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, 2008. http://epub.wu.ac.at/930/1/document.pdf.
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We discuss the effects of rising shareholder power on distribution and capital accumulation in a Kaleckian model. Increasing shareholder power is associated with decreasing managements' animal spirits, on the one hand, and increasing dividends distributed to shareholders, on the other hand. In the short run, increasing shareholder power may either have positive ('finance-led'), negative ('normal') or intermediate ('profits without investment') effects on capacity utilisation, profits and capital accumulation. In the medium run, the positive ('finance-led') effects may be maintained in a stable environment under very special conditions, whereas the negative ('normal') and the intermediate ('profits without investment') effects turn into cumulative disequilibrium processes with falling rates of capacity utilisation, profits and capital accumulation and rising debt- and rentiers' equity-capital-ratios. (author´s abstract)Series: Department of Economics Working Paper Series
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Peet, Verity. "A multi-modal investigation of the effects of technological medium on gameplay in live interaction." Thesis, Ulster University, 2014. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.654098.
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This thesis examines the impact of new media technologies on interaction, focusing on pervasive experiences. It considers what happens when participants engage in mediated gameplay activity within a live setting. As such it explores the effects of technology on the framing of experience and relationships between participants. Its hypothesis is that simultaneous engagement in multiple situations of co-presence leads to a new state of being, termed 'co-co-presence', in which what happens in one situation pervades another. It reports on a series of small-scale iterative experiments, using a specially designed game that was devised to engender co-co-presence and isolate selected variables in controlled conditions. The experiments compared the experience of new media technology (texting) with old media (paper notes) and found no significant difference in either the creation of, or effects of, co-co-presence. The evidence from these experiments suggests that what happened in the game (one situation of co-presence) affected what happened outside the game (another situation of co-presence) and vice-versa, confirming the hypothesis. The data also showed that social framing factors had the greatest influence on participant behaviour. In conclusion, while this study found that engaging in multiple states of co-presence, or 'coco- presence', did create pervasive effects, that pervasiveness was not dependent on the use of new media technologies but appears to relate more to the structure of the technological medium and social framing factors.
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Sheffield, James. "The effects of bargaining orientation and communication medium on negotiations in the Bilateral Monopoly Task." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/184682.
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Discussions via electronic mail are becoming commonplace to support decision-making and coordinating activities. Users of these technologies are usually dispersed either in a geographical and/or a temporal sense. Thus, unlike participants in face-to-face meetings, participants in electronic text discussions cannot speak to each other nor can they see each other. Unfortunately, few guidelines exist which identify the tasks for which electronic text and face-to-face meetings are effective. This study examines how communication via electronic text impacts the processes and outcomes of negotiation in dyads. Electronic and face-to-face discussions are characterized by the efficiency of the communication media supported by each, and by media richness, the ability of those media to convey social and emotional information. These communication media will be compared and contrasted on the ability of each to support a negotiation task which requires two participants to simultaneously solve a logical problem and resolve conflicting objectives. In a controlled laboratory experiment, pairs of subjects with either a competitive or an integrative bargaining orientation completed the Bilateral Monopoly Task in one of four communication media (text-only, text-plus-visual-access, audio-only, audio-plus-visual-access). As hypothesized, an integrative bargaining orientation and/or the relatively efficient audio mode of communication lead to a higher joint outcome. In addition, visual access (which conveys a rich array of social and emotional information) resulted in a higher joint outcome for subjects with integrative bargaining orientations, but lower joint outcomes for those with competitive orientations. The results indicate that bargaining orientation and communication medium have a marked impact on negotiation processes and outcomes. An efficient communication media is required to closely examine negotiation issues, and to reduce uncertainty about the constraints inherent to the negotiation task itself. Media richness strongly moderates the effect of bargaining orientation. A rich media enhances both the predisposition of an integrative bargainer to trust, and a competitive bargainer to dominate, the other party. Uncertainty regarding the logical structure of the task was reduced only via verbal communication, while equivocality regarding the bargaining orientation of the negotiating parties was reduced only via visual communication.
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OLIVO, MATTEO. "Efficient Methods for the Study of Eddy-Currents Effects in Medium-Voltage Rotating Electrical Machines." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Trieste, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/11368/2960316.
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Lo scopo di questa tesi è presentare alcuni metodi efficienti (dal punto di vista computazionale) per il calcolo degli effetti dovuti alle correnti parassite (eddy currents) in macchine elettriche rotanti in media tensione. Due applicazioni in particolare sono state considerate nel dettaglio.
Inizialmente viene analizzato il fenomeno delle correnti parassite indotte nell'albero di motori asincroni a due poli e il conseguente effetto sulle prestazioni della macchina, focalizzandosi in particolare sul fattore di potenza. La seconda parte della tesi concentra la sua attenzione sullo studio dell'avviamento da rete di motori sincroni con rotore massiccio.
Per ciascuna applicazione vengono introdotte alcune procedure di calcolo, facenti uso di opportuni modelli numerici basati sul metodo degli elementi finiti, per mezzo delle quali vengono adeguatamente calcolati i parametri dei circuiti equivalenti di macchina, tenendo conto degli effetti legati alle correnti parassite. I modelli numerici sono opportunamente definiti, in modo tale da ridurre al massimo la complessità delle geometrie e il conseguente onere computazionale.
I risultati delle procedure innovative qui proposte sono confrontati con i dati provenienti da prove sperimentali sulle macchine oggetto di studio e con analoghi risultati di calcolo dedotti tramite le procedure comunemente utilizzate. Il confronto fra questi dati ha dimostrato che gli approcci di calcolo introdotti in questa tesi permettono di ottenere risultati con un elevato livello di accuratezza e una netta riduzione dell'onere computazionale.The efficient computation of eddy-current effects in medium voltage electric machines is discussed in this dissertation. Two particular cases are considered. Firstly, the effects of shaft eddy-currents on two-pole induction motor performance is addressed, with special focus on the power factor. In the second part of the thesis the start-up calculation of a large synchronous motor with solid rotor is analyzed. For each application a special calculation procedure is introduced. These procedures adopt a set of suitable finite-element models to properly compute the machine equivalent circuit parameters that are mainly influenced by eddy-current-related phenomena. By suitably choosing finite-element models boundary conditions and excitations their geometry is simplified to the maximum possible extent, in order to reduce the computational burden. The results of the new calculation methods are compared with experimental data and with analogous results obtained from commonly-adopted calculation procedures. The comparison proves that the proposed approaches can lead to high accuracy levels with very remarkable computational savings.
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Bernier, Bethany A. "Antimicrobial Effects of Blueberry Products Against Escherichia Coli O157:H7 in Liquid Medium and in Ground Beef." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 2005. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/BernierBA2005.pdf.
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Perala, Chuck H. "Effects of display type and steering force feedback on performance in a medium-fidelity driving simulator." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/32253.
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Research has shown that head-mounted displays can produce greater presence in a virtual environment than direct-view displays. It has also been shown that after vision, haptic response is one of the most important inputs for humans in a simulated environment. This research was designed primarily to determine the performance differences associated with different display types, levels of steering force feedback, and the interaction between these two factors in a low-to-medium fidelity, PC-based driving simulator. Participants drove on a simulated driving course during which both objective driving performance data were collected (lane deviation, speed control, steering wheel angle variance, and time to the complete course) as well as subjective self-report measures including questionnaires designed to tap immersive tendencies and perceived levels of presence.
Results of the research show that the use of a head-mounted display can significantly impact driving performance in terms of speed control and lane deviation. Speed control was significantly improved (increased) and lane deviation was significantly improved (decreased) in three of the four roadway segments with the use of an HMD. Results for active steering force feedback, however, showed a significantly negative effect on driving performance with an increase in average lane deviation. Descriptive statistics showed that participants preferred the HMD and D-V equally and all but one participant preferred active steering force feedback.Master of Science
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Rogier, Dawn. "The effects of English-medium instruction on language proficiency of students enrolled in higher education in the UAE." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10036/4482.
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This research seeks to discover what happens to students’ English language skills while studying in English-medium classes in UAE universities, and to look at how this compares with what instructors and students think happens to students’ English proficiency during the four years of study. This is explored through a retrospective panel study using a test/retest method to investigate score gains on the IELTS exam after four years of undergraduate study. Student and teacher beliefs about how English-medium instruction (EMI) affects language proficiency, the need for language support after admission, and the selection and delivery of course materials are discussed in conjunction with the research findings, leading to recommendations for institutions whose primary goal in using EMI is to increase proficiency. This research continues the exploratory research of Elder and O’Loughlin (2003) and O’Loughlin and Arkoudis (2009) regarding score gains in IELTS after a course of study, but this study is situated in a society where the language of instruction is not the language of communication for the students outside the university and at home. The research findings indicate that there is a statistically significant score gain in all four of the English-language skill areas that are tested by the IELTS exam after four years of EMI for the participants in this study. The most gain occurred in the area of speaking, followed by reading, writing and then listening. Results from questionnaires and interviews indicate that students and teachers have different perceptions regarding language ability and the problems associated with the use of English for instruction. Students generally do not feel that studying in English causes problems for them, and they rate their ability in listening, reading, writing and speaking as good to excellent. On the other hand, teachers do not feel their students’ language ability meets expectations for students studying in an English-medium environment and think that their students are especially weak in the areas of writing and listening. Teachers feel that they must make adaptations to course content and assessment criteria due to students’ language ability. The research indicates that institutions whose goal it is to increase language proficiency through EMI need to have clear instructional goals in place for language development along with support systems for teachers and learners throughout the entire educational experience and not just in pre-academic support programs.
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Swankie, William. "Effects of Temperature on the Emission Rate of Formaldehyde from Medium Density Fiberboard in a Controlled Chamber." Scholar Commons, 2017. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6960.
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Formaldehyde is a colorless gas that is found naturally in the environment. It is a popular additive in many consumer products including composite wood products. Composite wood products are engineered wood panels produced from pressing pieces, chips, particles, or fibers of wood together at high temperatures held together with a bonding agent. This bonding agent is often formaldehyde-containing resins that are known to release formaldehyde over time. This is concerning because of the carcinogenic classification of formaldehyde, the wide spread application of composite wood products, and the increasing amount of time spent in the indoor environment.
In a controlled 0.53 m3 chamber, a panel of medium density fiberboard (MDF) with a surface area of 4.49 m2 was subjected to multiple temperatures to measure formaldehyde emissions. The panels were allowed to acclimate for 48 hours followed by a 72 hour sample period using passive diffusive monitors at temperatures: 26.1, 29.3, 34.1, and 38.9 °C. The results of the study found a strong relationship (R2 = 0.9954) between the emission rate of formaldehyde from MDF and temperature. The emission rate increased 192% between 26.1 °C and 38.9 °C. The results of the study indicate that as temperature increases, the amount of formaldehyde emitted from a panel of MDF also increases. This results in higher airborne concentrations of formaldehyde in environments where the panels are present.
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Ho, Chi-chung. "An evaluation of the effects of changing the medium of instruction in a Hong Kong secondary school." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 1989. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/HKUTO/record/B38626536.
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Au, Kwan-cheung, and 區鈞祥. "The effects of adopting Chinese-medium instruction on teachers' classroom practice in a Hong Kong secondary school." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1999. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31960649.
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Ho, Chi-chung, and 何治中. "An evaluation of the effects of changing the medium of instruction in a Hong Kong secondary school." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1989. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B38626536.
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Weiss, David. "Effects of location variables on open innovation activity in UK high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2015. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.708778.
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Oniku, Ayodele Christopher. "Moderating effects of market orientation on the performance of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria." Thesis, University of East London, 2009. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.532982.
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This dissertation investigates the moderating effects of market orientation application on performance among SMEs in Nigeria. It examines the most pertinent factors and dimensions emerging from a review of previous related work. This provides a base for the study to examine the dimensions and antecedents of market orientation, the effects on SMEs operations, and importantly, on market offerings and customer satisfaction under the government economic/market reforms in the economy. Market orientation focuses on, and entrenches the use of market intelligence and information to determine market offerings to meet customer satisfaction. MARKOR scale, the dominant methodology for measuring market orientation, emphasises application of intelligence generation, intelligence dissemination and responsiveness among firms to meet and improve customer satisfaction in operations. The research is important in that it provides an holistic overview of MARKOR scale application by examining the implication and effects of the dimensions in the light of SMEs operations in a developing economy like Nigeria. Importantly, the study examines market orientation implementation with reference to ongoing economic and market reforms in the economy. The underlying research approach used was quantitative technique. This was employed to give adequate interpretation and meaning to the causal relationships that exist among variables as they interacted in the operations and decision processes. This resulted in development and testing of hypotheses and application of relevant statistical instruments that are appropriate for the study. The hypotheses were related to the dimensions of market orientation and other themes that the study covered. The use of SPSS 10.1 was employed for data analysis, and application of Cronbach alpha for reliability and internal consistency of data. A total sample of 234 respondents was drawn from specific states across the six geo-political zones of the economy. The statutory definition of SMEs guided the sampling process. As a part of method/data triangulation procedure, the qualitative technique was also employed to give adequate information and meaning to analysis and finding. The main finding of the research was a mixture of confirmation of existing findings on market orientation application in businesses, and new developments in relation to the operation of SMEs in Nigerian economy. The new developments were found in terms of the effects on performance (financial and non-financial categories), responsiveness and managerial representation, internal management, reward systems and effects under economic reforms. For example, the cross-functional and multi functional of staff to strengthen market oriented behaviours, and higher consumer representation or information among SMEs. By and large, the study shows the applicability of market orientation and the usage of MARKOR scale among SMEs in Nigerian economy; hence, they provide a basis to understand developments in the market and areas of improvement to enrich customer satisfaction.
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Au, Kwan-cheung. "The effects of adopting Chinese-medium instruction on teachers' classroom practice in a Hong Kong secondary school." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 1999. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B21183624.
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Taiwo, Olusade. "Evaluation of the effects of micro, small and medium enterprises finance policy on job creation in Nigeria." University of the Western Cape, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/6956.
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Philosophiae Doctor - PhDThe researcher attempted to assess the effectiveness of Bank of Agriculture (BOA) microloan scheme on job creation among micro and small enterprises. This is in view of the unprecedented rise in the unemployment rate in Nigeria and the widely perceived belief that among other policies, harnessing the financial capacity of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) may possibly dictate the pace of the country’s achievement of job creation. Despite a wide array of studies on MSME growth, only a handful of rigorous studies are available to provide evidence of the effect of finance on labour market outcomes in the sector, as well as on the use of more relevant assessment techniques on the performance of public policies and interventions related to MSME financing. Through the use of mixed methods including questionnaire administration, key informant interviews, focused group discussions and desk research, this research undertook a theory of change-based assessment of Bank of Agriculture microfinance scheme, to assess the extent to which the scheme is effective in contributing to the achievement of the MSME Policy’s fundamental objective of job creation. Descriptive statistics using frequency tables and graphs as well as OECD COTE (Coherence, Objectives, Targets and Evaluation) Framework for policy formulation were applied as methods of analysis. The findings show a fundamental flaw in relation to the lack of strategic alignment of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) operations with the MSME Policy. The Bank is seen to be operating in a silo as the strategic direction the MSME tilt does not seem to derive from the overall MSME Policy. BOA is also not seen to be positioned to engage the practice of performance measurement and reporting generally and in particular of the fundamental objective of job creation, as stipulated in the MSME Financing Policy of government. It was also revealed that a majority of enterprises that took BOA microloans loans were not able to create jobs as many of them were operating as “survivalists”. Although the BOA microloan scheme is potentially capable of supporting targeted growth-oriented microenterprises in specific trades to create jobs, given the attractive concessional terms, the Bank is not achieving this objective in its present state and form neither is it seen to be positioned to do so due to several supply and demand side factors. An ongoing reform process in the Bank during this research period may be able to address part of this concern if more strategic steps are taken to surmount the constraints. Furthermore, BOA does not have a functional performance measurement framework and monitoring and evaluation system that can be used as the basis for measuring goal attainment such as the goal of job creation, especially in relation to the outcomes of the provision of financial services to the MSME sector. For BOA to be successful and truly developmental in focus especially in relation to its contribution to the strategic objective of job creation, the study therefore recommended the key thrust of a new framework for addressing the current unemployment situation to include an effective alignment of macro, meso (sectoral) and micro policies. At the (micro) institutional level, it is recommended that BOA should: • improve its governance and management system as well as the integration of development impact considerations and measurement; • create innovative financing products for growth-oriented microenterprises especially through cluster financing and cluster-based development; • increase wholesale lending through the provision of on-lending products to performing microfinance institutions (MFIs); • engage the services of BDS organisations to source for credible clients and build clients’ entrepreneurial capacity including assisting them to access markets. In line with the need to integrate development impact considerations and measurement into its entire operations, the researcher designed a monitoring and evaluation framework that can enhance the tracking of the attainment of job creation policy goal in BOA microloan scheme. In this vein, the institution is to adopt formal “lessons learnt” mechanisms to integrate evaluation findings into future activities and “put development back into development banking” (Smallridge, 2017). At the meso level in the study context, horizontal cooperation is recommended where all relevant institutions are aligned and the impact of various policy measures on entrepreneurship and job creation are taken into account. Lastly, an employment – sensitive macro-economic framework must pursue: the relaxation of monetary and credit conditions that are supportive of employment creation in the economy; fiscal prudence in the context of exploiting fiscal space to accommodate investments with high employment potentials; use of legislative mechanisms for ensuring full and effective implementation of annual budgets, program and projects at all levels and development and effective use of computerised Labour Market Information System (LMIS) for Nigeria.
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AlBakri, Saousan. "Effects of English medium instruction on students' learning experiences and quality of education in content courses in a public college in Oman." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/27743.
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This study critically explores the perceptions of students on the implementation of the English as a medium of instruction (EMI) policy at a public higher education institution in Oman and its effect on the quality of their learning experiences and academic performance. Although the Gulf has recently witnessed an increase in research on EMI, such research is rather scarce in Oman in particular from a critical approach. Through the focus on students’ perspectives, the study gives a voice to otherwise voiceless students whose insights have been largely ignored by language policy planners. For the study, a critical exploratory methodology was adopted where in-depth qualitative data were collected through a two-phase sequential mixed methods approach that consisted of a questionnaire distributed among 328 students studying in seven different faculties, 14 classroom observations and 14 students’ interviews. The findings suggest that the majority of participants either supported or accepted the EMI policy for pragmatic reasons based on the utilitarian function of English as a lingua franca in Oman and its requirement for future jobs. However, the participants acknowledged that they faced great difficulties in their study which was mainly caused by their insufficient language competence. It was also acknowledged that Arabic as a medium of instruction (AMI) would lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and would most probably lead to better academic performance. Few participants found that the endorsement of EMI negatively influenced their ability to use Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and marginalised the role of Arabic in their society. Overall, the implementation of EMI had a disempowering effect on students with low English language proficiency and had a negative psychological impact on them. Based on the findings, the EMI policy has been contested since it does not provide students with equal opportunities to study at tertiary level. In addition, the quality of education has been compromised in response to assumed market forces. Also, a strict EMI policy does not allow students to enhance their Arabic competence which is relevant for future employment. The pedagogic competence of teachers has also been questioned and gaps in the support system for students with language deficiencies have been identified. The study makes several recommendations that are expected to improve the learning conditions of students studying at tertiary level through EMI. The recommendations include the enhancement of English language teaching (ELT) in schools to better prepare students for their academic study in English. In addition, AMI courses should be offered in all faculties due to its support in gaining profound comprehension of the subject matter and its relevance for students’ future jobs. Teachers should be given the opportunity to develop their pedagogic competence that would allow them to use a student-centred approach in teaching through EMI or AMI. Finally, the college should increase students’ support in their study especially in EMI through creating support centres where they could resort to in case they face any difficulties in their study.
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Gao, Peng. "Effects of grain size, strain rate and temperature on the mechanical properties and microstructures of CrCoNi medium-entropy alloys." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2021. https://hdl.handle.net/2123/25042.
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In conventional alloys, a single metallic element is used as the dominant constituent. For example, Fe is the major constituent of steels. Further alloying with small amounts of other elements is a common way to obtain different mechanical properties. About two decades ago, high-entropy alloys (HEAs) were introduced as a new class of alloys. It is believed that mixing multi-principal elements with different crystallographic structures and atomic sizes to a high degree can achieve single crystallographic structures. For example, one of the most commonly studied HEAs, CrMnFeCoNi, contains five equimolar constituents and shows a single face-centred-cubic (FCC) structure. As a new class of alloys, HEAs show promise in achieving outstanding mechanical properties. In 2014, a CrMnFeCoNi alloy with an exceptional combination of strength and fracture toughness was reported. Its ductility is higher at 77 K than at room temperature due to extensive deformation twinning activity. Then, in 2016, a medium-entropy alloy (MEA), CrCoNi, was reported to exhibit even better strength and ductility at cryogenic temperatures than HEAs. Deformation twinning also plays an important role in its exceptional mechanical properties. Since then, CrCoNi alloys have been studied with great interest.
Although the ductility of MEAs is outstanding at ambient and cryogenic temperatures, their yield strengths are relatively low, being ~ 450 MPa at room temperature and ~ 700 MPa at 77 K. Grain refinement is arguably the most effective way to further improve strength. It has been reported that nanocrystalline structures in MEAs can provide outstanding strength while maintaining reasonably good plasticity.
Mechanical properties are influenced not only by grain size but also by temperature and deformation strain rate. However, there are very few reports on the dynamic mechanical behaviours of MEAs, with most previous studies having focused on dynamic deformation at room temperature. Their strength and ductility at cryogenic temperatures are largely unknown.
In this study, CrCoNi MEAs with nanocrystalline structures are used as model materials to investigate their outstanding overall mechanical properties. The mechanical performance of bulk CrCoNi alloys is explored at cryogenic temperatures and high strain rate. Microstructural evolution at various strain rates and temperatures is characterised.
Chapter 1 provides a background to H/MEAs. Key aspects of these alloys are reviewed, including their classification, core features and major alloying elements. The main synthesis methods are introduced. Factors that influence mechanical properties are reviewed, such as grain size, twinning, temperature and strain rate. Research gaps and goals related to CrCoNi alloys are identified based on the literature review.
Chapter 2 presents the main experimental principles and detailed procedures used in this thesis, including material synthesis and preparation, mechanical tests and microstructural characterisation. Nano-structured samples made with a sputtering magnetron were tested via in-situ compression. Bulk samples with coarse grains were tested at dynamic strain rates and cryogenic temperatures.
Chapter 3 reports on an ultra-strong CrCoNi MEA with a columnar nanostructure. The mechanical behaviours of the alloy were explored by compression tests of micro-pillars in different directions. Pillars compressed at 90° to the grain-growth direction presented an exceptional yield strength of 5 ± 0.5 GPa, which is the highest reported among FCC pillars. This record high strength is mainly ascribed to the presence of nanotwins and columnar grain boundaries.
Chapter 4 describes a coarse-grained CrCoNi alloy possessing a combination of superior strength and ductility at a high strain rate and cryogenic temperatures. While its strength was dramatically enhanced at a higher strain rate and lower temperatures, its ductility also increased. At 77 K, the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and true strain reached 872 MPa, 1,809 MPa and 54%, respectively. This alloy exhibits the best cryogenic dynamic mechanical properties ever reported.
Chapter 5 describes microstructural evolution in CrCoNi alloys at various temperatures and strain rates. There was a combined positive effect of strain rate and cryogenic temperature on twin formation. The density of twins at a temperature of 77 K and strain rate of 2000 s-1 was significantly higher than that at room temperature under quasi-static testing. In addition to extensive twinning, there was significant grain refinement in fracture areas due to dislocation slip and dynamic recrystallisation.
Chapter 6 presents the conclusions of this thesis and summarises important future tasks.
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Snæbjörnsson, Jónas Thór. "Full- and Model Scale Study of Wind Effects on a medium-rise Building in a built up Area." Doctoral thesis, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Fakultet for ingeniørvitenskap og teknologi, 2002. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-173.
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The present study deals with full- and model scale study of wind effects on a medium-rise building in a built up area. Most low-rise building experiments have been based on an isolated building placed in a relatively uniform terrain. Similarly, the very tall buildings often extend out from their environment in a similar fashion. However, buildings are constructed in various shapes and placed in different types of terrain and topography. Therefore, despite a number of studies made in the past, there are still problems that remain unsolved. As the majority of office- and residential buildings in populated areas fall in the intermediate height category, it should be of interest to examine the wind effects acting upon such a building, as well as its dynamic response. For this purpose, an experimental program was initiated utilising a combination of full-scale measurements and wind tunnel studies, where the fluctuating wind actions are evaluated from recorded simultaneous point pressure fluctuations. Recent improvements in experimental techniques and data handling enable a more detailed information gathering that should eventually lead to an improved understanding of the pressure field around buildings. The investigation studies, experimentally, the wind induced dynamic loading and response of a multi-story building of intermediate height. The presented work evolves on one hand around experimental data acquisition in both full- and model scale, whereas on the other it evolves around basic data reduction, understanding and interpretation of the acquired data. The objective of the study is, in a way, to attempt to provide a sound wind loading chain a la Davenport [29], in the form of data that would facilitate the study of the links connecting the main parameters i.e. Wind – Load – Response. This entails the definition of the relevant wind parameters, the description of the aerodynamic loading process, such as the time-dependent variations of pressure fluctuations on the building surface, and an investigation of the wind induced response of a medium-rise building. Information on the study-building and the experimental setup and procedures is given, for both full-scale and model scale. The full-scale and model scale data are systematically compared through the evaluation of descriptive parameters of both wind turbulence and surface pressures. In general, the evaluated full-scale parameters are found to be in qualitatively good agreement with the model scale parameters. However, the investigation revealed some characteristic differences between full-scale and model scale behaviour. These differences are largely related to the fact that significant variability is found to be inherent in the fullscale data, whereas considerably less variability seems to be associated with the wind tunnel data.
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Priambodo, Taufiq Wisnu [Verfasser]. "Effects of medium-chain fatty acids and ration type on in vitro ruminal methane production / Taufiq Wisnu Priambodo." Bonn : Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Bonn, 2015. http://d-nb.info/1077269234/34.
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Nerur, Radhakrishnan Ganapathy Subramaniam. "Effects of IT Infrastructure services on business process implementation-Focus on small and medium enterprises in emerging markets." Thesis, Högskolan i Borås, Institutionen Handels- och IT-högskolan, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-20450.
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An organization’s information technology (IT) infrastructure capability is increasinglyrealized as a critical part to business effectiveness and efficiency. IT infrastructure servicesare particularly important for organizations looking to deploy business processes indeveloping markets. There has also been an interest from many small and medium sizedorganizations whose core business is not in IT to outsource and manage these servicesthrough third party service providers. However there is a need to create an understanding forthese organizations to deploy the right infrastructure services in order to enable easierimplementation or reengineering of the business process. There has been little researchfocusing on the patterns of the IT infrastructure capabilities in the small and medium sizedorganizations in the developing markets.The research aims for a comprehensive coverage by analyzing the requirements in thedeveloping markets and proposing a selection model for the organizations to choose ITservice provider in case they decide to outsource the infrastructure services. The effect of theIT infrastructure services on the business process implementation is presented with anemphasis on the boundary crossing services. Using empirical case study, the research analysesa firm in developing markets and compares it against four strategically similar organizationsfrom different industries. Data collection was primarily qualitative and ably supported bysecondary data.The requirements in developing markets reflect the same as in mature markets. The pricing isseen to play a major role in the selection of the service providers with service security notvery much organization’s priority. The number of boundary crossing services effectivelyenables information sharing and control. These services are the drivers in simplifying thebusiness process implementation. The findings have implications for both business andtechnical managers in regard to planning the IT strategy in the long term and developingappropriate infrastructure according to the process needs.Program: Magisterutbildning i informatik
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Caballé, Serrano Jordi. "In vitro study of osteoclastogenesis under simulated bone augmentation: The effects of bone-conditioned medium and saliva on osteoclastogenesis." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/311633.
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The present PhD thesis is a compendium of four publications broadening the knowledge on osteoclastogenesis under simulated bone augmentation, more especially about the effects of saliva and bone-conditioned medium on osteoclastogenesis. Resorption of bone grafts and host bone, can be a challenge especially when a bonny defect has to be regenerated or there is a lack of host bone due to a trauma, pathology, aging or tooth extraction among others. In the oral cavity, saliva is present and can reach mineralized surfaces, however, the relationship between saliva and bone resorption is yet unknown. Herein, we examined whether saliva affects the process of osteoclastogenesis in vitro, possibly affecting bone healing and bone regeneration. Bone regeneration is a common procedure in traumatology, periodontology, oral and maxillofacial surgery that involves the use of bone fillers. Bone autograft is considered to be the gold standard bone substitute due to its trinity of properties: osteoinductivity, osteoconductivity and osteogenesis. Paracrine factors released from bone autografts might contribute to the overall process of graft consolidation, however the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here, we determined the protein spectrum released from porcine bone chips into the conditioned medium (BCM) to mimic the paracrine environment of cortical bone grafts. Some of the factors released by bone autografts could maybe influence on the autograft resorption and therefore explain why osteoclasts rapidly form on the surface of bone chips at augmentation sites. The underlying molecular mechanism, however, is unclear. Soluble factors released from bone chips in vitro have a robust impact on mesenchymal cell differentiation. Here we determined whether these soluble factors change the differentiation of hematopoietic cells into osteoclasts, still unknown.
Based on the in vitro results here presented, it can be observed that saliva suppresses osteoclastogenesis and leads to the development of a phagocytic cell phenotype, therefore affecting function of osteoclasts, the bone resorbing cells. Resorption of bone autografts could be attributed to some of the proteins detected on the secretions of bone autografts, termed bone conditioned medium (BCM). Proteomic analysis showed that BCM contains more than 150 proteins, among which, 43 were categorized into “secreted” and “extracellular matrix”. We discovered growth factors that are not only detectable in BCM, but potentially also target cellular processes involved in bone regeneration e.g. pleiotrophin, galectin-1, TGF-β-induced gene (TGFBI), latency-associated peptide forming a complex with TGF-β1, and TGF-β2. Results here presented on the influence of BCM on osteoclastogenesis demonstrated that activated BCM by heat is able to stimulate
osteoclastogenesis in vitro. These in vitro results support the notion that the resorption of autografts may be supported by as yet less defined regulatory mechanisms. Moreover the presented protocols on the use of BCM should encourage to further reveal the paracrine effects of bone grafts during bone regeneration and open a path for translational research in the broad field of reconstructive surgery.
Taking everything together, it can be concluded that saliva affects bone resorption towards the development of a phagocytic cell line, and that not only saliva affects bone resorption but also the secretions from autologous bone grafts. There is enough evidence to conclude that bone autografts not only have three properties, but one more: a regulation property, the fourth dimension of autologous bone grafts.La present tesis doctoral és un compendi de quatre publicacions ampliant el coneixement de l’osteoclastogènesis en les regeneracions òssies, més especialment sobre els efectes de la saliva i el medi condicionat ossi en l’osteoclastogènesis. La reabsorció dels empelts ossis i de l’os de l’hoste, pot ser un repte especialment quan un defecte ossi ha de ser regenerat en condicions desfavorables o grans atròfies com per exemple després de traumatismes, diverses patologies, edat avançada o extraccions múlti¬ples. En la cavitat oral, la saliva pot entrar en contacte amb superfícies mineralitzades, tot i això la relació entre saliva i reabsorció òssia és encara desconeguda. En la present tesis hem examinat si la saliva afecta el procés de l’osteoclastogènesis in vitro, possiblement afectant a la regeneració i cicatrització òssia. La regeneració òssia és un procés comú en traumatolo¬gia, periodòncia, cirurgia oral i maxil•lofacial que involucra l’ús de substituts ossis. Els empelts d’os autòleg són considerats l’estàndard d’or dels sub¬stituts ossis degut a la seva trinitat de propietats: osteoconductivitat, oste¬oinducció i osteogènesis. Els factors paracrins alliberats pels empelts d’os autòleg podrien contribuir en el conjunt de processos que donen com a re-sultat la consolidació del empelts, tanmateix els mecanismes que regeixen aquest processos no són coneguts. En el present treball hem pogut carac¬teritzar un conjunt de proteïnes alliberades per partícules d’os cortical porcí en el medi condicionat ossi (BCM) per imitar l’ambient paracrí dels em¬pelts d’os cortical. Alguns dels factors alliberats pels empelts d’os autòleg podrien influenciar la reabsorció òssia explicant per què els osteoclasts es formen ràpidament a la superfície de les partícules d’os autòleg en els llocs regenerats. Tot i això els mecanismes moleculars que regeixen aquest pro¬cés, encara son desconeguts. Factors solubles alliberats pels empelts d’os autòleg in vitro tenen un impacte robust a la diferenciació de cèl•lules mes¬enquimals. En la present tesis doctoral, hem determinat si aquests factors solubles son capaços de canviar la diferenciació de cèl•lules mare hemat¬opoètiques a osteoclasts, desconegut abans de realitzar els estudis aquí presentats. Basant-nos en els resultats in vitro aquí presentats, es pot observar que la saliva suprimeix l’osteoclastogènesis i promociona el desenvolupament de cèl•lules amb un fenotip fagocític, afectant a la funció dels osteoclasts, les cèl•lules encarregades de reabsorbir l’os. La reabsorció dels empelts d’os autòleg es pot atribuir a l’efecte d’algunes de les proteïnes detecta¬des en les secrecions dels auto-empelts, anomenant aquestes secrecions Medi Condicionat d’Os (BCM). Un estudi proteòmic del BCM va mostrar que aquest medi condicionat conté més de 150 proteïnes, de les quals 43 es van caracteritzar com “secretades” i presents en la matriu extracel•lular. Vàrem descobrir que alguns dels factors continguts en el BCM com per exemple pleiotropina, galectina-1 o TGF-β1 poden afectar processos cel•lulars involucrats en la regeneració òssia. El resultats presentats en aquesta tesis sobre l’influencia del BCM en l’osteoclastogènesis demostra que el BCM termo-activat és capaç d’estimular l’osteoclastogènesis in vitro. Aquests resultats in vitro suporten la noció que la reabsorció dels auto-empelts ossis pot ser que estigui estimulada per mecanismes reguladors encara no definits. En aquesta línia, els protocols presentats sobre l’ús del BCM haurien d’animar a revelar els efectes paracrins dels empelts d’os autòleg durant el procés de regeneració òssia i obrir nous camins a investi¬gacions translacionals en l’ampli camp de la cirurgia reconstructora. Resumint-ho tot, podem concloure que la saliva afecta la reabsorció òssia promocionant el desenvolupament de cèl•lules amb un fenotip fagocític, i que no només la saliva pot afectar a la reabsorció òssia, sinó que també les se¬crecions dels injerts d’os autòleg. En aquest punt, hi ha suficient evidencia per concloure que els auto-empelts d’os no només tenen tres propietats, sinó una més: la propietat reguladora, la quarta dimensió dels empelts d’os autòleg.
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Matiso, Khayalethu Goodman. "The effects of the Labour Relations Act on small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME's) in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan." Thesis, Port Elizabeth Technikon, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/123.
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The society in which we live is economically based and the greater part of our activities centres in the economy. Within this context, the Department of Trade and Industry recognized that small business development was an important area for government intervention. A long process of highlighting the importance of this sector and creating the right environment in which small businesses could grow and flourish was initiated at the level of policy and legislation. In the Labour Relations field, an attempt at achieving some measure of certainty in previously disputed areas was made through the passing of the Labour Relations Act of 1995. This study aims at exploring the effects of this Act on the growth and development of the small business sector in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. In fulfilling this aim, the focus was restricted to factors such as dismissal of workers, strikes and lock-outs, freedom of association and dispute resolution. The theory pertaining to Labour Legislation and small business development was obtained by means of conducting a comprehensive literature study. The literature study included all relevant perspectives on the Labour Relations Act and Government Policy on small businesses. From the study, a questionnaire was developed to test the impact of the Act on the growth and development of the small business sector in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The empirical results, in general, indicated non-compliance with the Labour Relations Act and negative views on the value of the Act on the growth and development of the small business sector in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. From the literature study and the findings of the research questionnaire, it became apparent that: · A comprehensive audit of the small business sector in the Nelson Mandela Metropole is needed. The aim of the audit would be to review the current operations of the small business sector in the Metropole. This outcome will indicate the extent of understanding and compliance with the various aspects of the Labour Relations Act. · The acquisition of industrial relations knowledge and skills by owners and leaders in the sector is vital for the development of the sector. The Skills Development Act provides a funding framework for skills training that is relevant to a specific industry. The small business sector could benefit significantly from the provision of this piece of legislation. · A comprehensive support programme for SMME’s is a necessary prerequisite for the growth and development of the sector. The support system could include tax incentives, flexible labour legislation and training as indicated in the above paragraph.
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Kulondi, Muela Arthur Claude. "Effects of outsourcing on the logistics performance of selected small and medium manufacturing enterprises in Cape Town, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2786.
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Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.South Africa for more than three decades has been described as the economic capital of Africa because of its level of industrialization, production, interactions and business transactions with other companies locally, nationally, regionally and globally. This situation goes hand in hand with the continual emergence in South Africa of business organizations, notably major international groups or their subsidiaries, other foreign or national large corporations, as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The SME sector has significantly emerged in industries such as retail and manufacturing that produce a wide variety of consumer goods and related services. They produce services and goods that are destined for both local and international consumption. Similarly, they are also sourcing goods and services from local or international suppliers. Consequently, SMEs are involved in a complex supply chain management challenges and are exposed to the chain’s intense logistics activities. The main objective of this study was to determine how outsourcing can improve effectively the logistics performance of wine producing SMEs in the manufacturing sector. The findings from the interviews conducted with 16 personnel responsible for logistics performance from selected small and medium wine producers in Constantia, Stellenbosch, and Paarl, offer support for the assumption that outsourcing is a key to logistics performance in SMEs. The general outcome of the study suggests that logistics performance of SMEs is dependent on their ability to manage outsourcing of logistics services. Thus, knowing beforehand the “what for” of outsourcing is very important determinant for driving logistics performance, especially defining, assessing and measuring the performance objectives the SMEs expect from outsourcing and choosing logistics partners that can meet these objectives.
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Penhallegon, William James. "Effects of display type, age, and gender on driving performance and simulator-induced sickness in a medium-fidelity driving simulator." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/43717.
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This study investigated the link between age and gender susceptibility to simulator-induced sickness in conjunction with display type. Simulator-induced sickness and ataxia were measured before and after exposure to a medium-fidelity driving simulator. Participants in four age and gender categories (older and younger males and females) operated the simulator with a consumer-grade head-mounted display (HMD), and then with a large screen, direct-view plasma display.
This study set out to recommend a particular display type that would be appropriate for use with particular age/gender groups in a general-purpose driving simulator. Unfortunately, practice effects affected the simulator-induced sickness and driving performance results for display type, which precludes making recommendations regarding the appropriate use of each display. Despite this, several important discoveries were made, including: 1) older participants did experience significantly increased simulator-induced sickness discomfort than the younger participants - regardless of display type; and 2) there was no significant difference found between genders in either simulator-induced sickness or driving performance; although females generally expressed a subjective preference for the direct-view display.
Display type was not found to affect the degree of ataxia experienced by participants; however, this study did find that although older participants exhibited significantly higher rates of simulator-induced sickness discomfort than the younger participants, they recovered their postural equilibrium significantly faster. This indicates that the older participants had greater difficulty adapting to the simulation environment than younger persons. It also suggests that younger persons are at greater risk during immediate post-simulation activities such as driving. Although it is likely that this effect would disappear over time, it has implications for agencies such as the Department of Motor Vehicles or drivers education schools that are considering the use of a driving simulator device before an on-road skills test.
Master of Science
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Roynette, Catherine E. "Effects of a functional oil rich in medium chain triglycerides and phytosterols on plasma lipid profiles and body composition in hypercholesterolemic, overweight men." Thesis, McGill University, 2005. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=84069.
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Localised accumulation of body fat significantly influences the development of obesity related co-morbidities and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) have been suggested to modulate body fat distribution. Phytosterols (PS) have demonstrated unequivocal cholesterol-lowering effects. A healthy dietary solution combining MCT and PS could thus become first-line obesity and CVD prevention. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effects of a functional oil (FctO) rich in MCT and PS on blood lipid levels and body adiposity, compared to olive oil. Twenty-three hypercholesterolemic, overweight men, were randomly assigned, in a single-blind crossover study, to consume a FctO, or olive oil, incorporated into a 40% fat diet for 6 wks. Blood lipid levels were measured and body composition was assessed. Total and LDL cholesterol were significantly reduced in subjects consuming the FctO versus the control oil. No significant differences for weight or adiposity loss of subjects were observed between the two oils. Results support the cardio-protective role of this FctO.
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Gannon, Justine. "Aggregated beta-amyloid and 7PA2 conditioned medium in an animal model of alzheimer's disease and the effects of putative therapeutic interventions." Thesis, Ulster University, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.529531.
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Kritzinger, Magdel. "Alternatives to replace antibiotics in broiler diets : effects on protein utilization and production performance." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/16396.
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Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2008.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Different substances were evaluated and compared to an antibiotic, in terms of their effect on nitrogen - and amino acid digestibilities. Two digestibility trials and one performance trial were conducted. Trials one and two apparent nitrogen (AND)- and amino acid (AAD) digestibilities were determined from digesta collected at the terminal ileum (ileal digestibility method). In Trial 3 the substances were evaluated in terms of their potential to improve production performance. Broilers were fed a maizesoya based diet throughout the three trails. In the first trial, garlic and a commercial prebiotic (Bio-Mos®), were tested and compared in terms of AND and AAD, to an antibiotic (doxycyclin, Doxyvete-SOS). A starter and finisher diet were fed as either mash or pellets. The garlic was included at 8g/kg, 13g/kg and 18g/kg to the starter and finisher diets. Bio-Mos® was added at 1g/kg, 2g/kg and 3g/kg to the starter diet, and 0.5g/kg, 1g/kg and 1.5g/kg to the finisher diet. The doxycyclin was added at 0.3 g/kg. None of the treatments had any beneficial effects in terms of AND. Feeding a pellet seem to have some negative effects in terms of AND. In general most of the treatments did not show any improvement in AAD at any determination period (day 21, 28 or 35). At day 21 and day 35, the mash diet supplemented with 18g/kg garlic had a negative effect on AAD, when compared to the negative and positive control. It doesn’t seem that feeding either a mash or a pellet had an influence on the effects exerted by the different treatments. In the second trial the influence of Bio-Mos®, a blend of organic acids, probiotics and electrolytes (Acid-Pak 4-way®) and a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) were evaluated and compared in terms of AAD and AND, to the effect of an antibiotic, doxycyclin. The starter and finisher diets were fed as a mash. Bio-Mos® was included at 1g/kg, 2g/kg, and 3g/kg in the starter diet, and at 0.5g/kg, 1g/kg, 1.5g/kg in the finisher diet, respectively. Acid-Pak 4-way® was included at 0.4g/kg, 1g/kg and 1.6g/kg for both the starter and finisher diets. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) were allocated at 3g/kg, 3.6g/kg, 4.2g/kg for the starter diet, and 2.1g/kg, 2.7g/kg and 3.4g/kg for the finisher diet. An antibiotic, doxycyclin, was included at 0.3 g/kg. With AND, no treatment had any significant effect for the entire experimental period. At day 21, the treatment supplemented with MCT (3.4g/kg) had the most significant beneficial effect on AAD, when compared to the negative- and positive controls, as it increased AAD for the majority of the amino acids. The treatment with Acid-Pak 4-way® (1g/kg) had the most significant negative effect on AAD when compared to the positive control. At day 28, the treatments with Bio-Mos® (0.5g/kg and 1.5g/kg) and Acid-Pak 4-way® (0.4g/kg) had the most significant beneficial effect on AAD when compared to the positive control. It increased AAD for more than half of the 17 amino acids evaluated. The treatment supplemented with MCT (2.7g/kg) has shown the most significant negative effect on AAD, when compared to the positive control. In the third trial the effect of Bio-Mos®, Acid-Pak 4-way® and MCT on production performance was evaluated, and compared to the effects of the presence or absence of doxycyclin. Body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. The starter and finisher diets were fed as a mash. Bio-Mos®, MCT and Acid-Pak 4-way® were included at 3.0g/kg, 4.2g/kg and 1.6g/kg, respectively in the starter and finisher diets. Birds were weighed (per pen) on arrival and on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35. Feed intake (FI) per pen was measured at days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35, and mortality was recorded daily. In terms of BWG, Acid-Pak 4-way® had a higher BWG, when compared to the negative control, Bio-Mos® and MCT. It can be concluded that Bio-Mos®, Acid-Pak 4-way®, as well as MCT can be a possible alternatives to antibiotic supplementation. These three treatments did not necessary prove to be more effective than antibiotics, but are definitely competitive alternatives.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verskillende behandelings is geëvalueer en vergelyk met ‘n antimikrobiese produk, in terme van hul uitwerking op stikstof - en aminosuur verteerbaarhede. Twee verteringstudies en produksieprestasie studie is uitgevoer. In die eerste twee studies is die skynbare stikstof (AND)- en aminosuur (AAD) verteringskoöeffisiënte bepaal deur gebruik te maak van digesta wat by die terminale ileum ingesamel is (ileale verteringsmetode). In die derde studie is die produksie prestasie van braaikuikens op ‘n gebalanseerde metaboliseerbare energie (AME) rantsoen, soos beïnvloed deur die verskillende behandelings, geëvalueer. In die eerste studie is knoffel en ‘n kommersiële prebiotikum (Bio-Mos®) geëvalueer en met ‘n antibiotikum (doksisiklien, Doxyveto-SOS) in terme van AND en AAD vergelyk. Beginner- en afrondingsrantsoene is as ‘n meel of pille gevoer. Die knoffel is teen 8g/kg, 13g/kg en 18g/kg in die rantsoen ingesluit. Bio-Mos® is teen 1g/kg, 2g/kg en 3g/kg in die beginner rantsoen en teen 0.5g/kg, 1g/kg en 1.5g/kg in die afrondingsrantsoen, ingesluit. Die antibiotikum is teen 0.3g/kg in beide rantsoene ingesluit. Geen van die behandelings het enige positiewe invloed op AND gehad nie. Deur ‘n verpilde rantsoen te voer het sekere negatiewe invloed op AND gehad. Oor die algemeen het geen behandelings enige positiewe invloed op AAD gehad nie. Op dag 21 en 35 het die insluiting van knoffel teen 18g/kg in ’n meel rantsoen ’n negatiewe invloed op AAD gehad, wanneer dit met die negatiewe- en positiewe kontroles vergelyk is. Dit blyk nie dat om ‘n pil of meel te voer enige invloed op die invloede van die verskillende behandelings gehad het nie. In die tweede studie is Bio-Mos®, ‘n organiese suur (Acid-Pak 4-way®) en ‘n medium-ketting trigliseried (MCT) geëvalueer en met ‘n antbiotikum, doksisiklien (Doxyveto-SOS) in terme van AND en AAD, vergelyk. Beginner- en afrondingsrantsoene is gevoer as ‘n meel. Bio-Mos® is teen 1g/kg, 2g/kg, and 3g/kg in die beginner rantsoen en teen 0.5g/kg, 1g/kg, 1.5g/kg in die afrondingsrantsoen, ingesluit. Acid-Pak 4-way® is teen 0.4g/kg, 1g/kg en 1.6g/kg vir die beginner –en afrondingsrantsoene ingesluit. Die MCT is teen 3g/kg, 3.6g/kg, 4.2g/kg in die beginner rantsoen en teen 2.1g/kg, 2.7g/kg en 3.4g/kg in die afrondingsrantsoen ingesluit. Die antibiotikum is ingesluit teen 0.3g/kg. Geen behandelings het enige betekenisvolle invloed in terme van AND gehad nie. Op dag 21 het MCT (3.4g/kg), in vergelyking met die negatiewe- en positiewe kontrole, die grootste positiewe invloed op AAD gehad. Acid-Pak 4-way® (1g/kg) het, in vergelyking met die positiewe kontrole, ‘n positiewe invloed gehad op AAD. Op dag 28, het Bio-Mos® (0.5g/kg en 1.5g/kg) en Acid-Pak 4-way® (0.4g/kg) die grootste positiewe invloed op AAD gehad. Die behandeling met MCT (2.7g/kg) het die mees negatiewe invloed op AAD gehad. In die derde studie is die insluiting van Bio-Mos®, Acid-Pak 4-way® en MCT getoets om die invloed op braaikuiken produksie prestasie te evalueer, en te vergelyk met die invloed van die insluiting of afwesigheid van ‘n antibiotikum. Liggaamsmassa (BW), liggaamsmassa toename (BWG), voerinname (FI) en voeromsetverhouding (FCR) is gemeet. Beginner- en afrondings rantsoene is gevoer as ‘n meel. Bio-Mos®, MCT en Acid-Pak 4-way® is onderskeidelik teen 3.0g/kg, 4,2g/kg en 1.6g/kg in die rantsoen ingesluit. Die kuikens is met aankoms (per hok) geweeg, asook op dae 7, 14, 21, 28, 35. Voerinname per hok is gemeet op dae 7, 14, 21, 28 en 35. Mortaliteite is daagliks aangeteken. Die insluiting van Acid-Pak 4-way® het in vergelyking met die negatiewe kontrole, Bio-Mos® en MCT insluiting ‘n hoër BWG tot gevolg gehad. Die gevolgtrekking wat gemaak kan word is dat Bio-Mos®, Acid-Pak 4-way® en MCT gebruik kan word as ‘n moontlike alternatief vir antibiotika insluiting. Hierdie drie behandelings was nie noodwending meer effektief as die antibiotika nie, maar het wel bewys dat dit kompeterende alternatiewe is.
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Malfait, Wim Jan. "Short- and medium-range order in silicate glasses and melts insights from Raman and NMR spectroscopy and effects on bulk melt properties /." lizenzfrei, 2007. http://e-collection.ethbib.ethz.ch/view/eth:29970.
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Antecki, Thorsten [Verfasser], Reinhard [Gutachter] Schlickeiser, and Horst [Gutachter] Fichtner. "Effects of a finite downstream medium in diffusive cosmic ray acceleration at relativistic shock waves / Thorsten Antecki. Gutachter: Reinhard Schlickeiser ; Horst Fichtner." Bochum : Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 2016. http://d-nb.info/110905159X/34.
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Johnson, Matthew Phillip [Verfasser], and Stefan [Akademischer Betreuer] Schaltegger. "Sustainability Knowledge Management in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Investigating the Effects of Sustainability Management Tools / Matthew Phillip Johnson. Betreuer: Stefan Schaltegger." Lüneburg : Universitätsbibliothek der Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, 2015. http://d-nb.info/1074758390/34.
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Abdelhamid, Mohamed Farouk Aly. "The short and medium term effects of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) on coagulation, fibrinolysis and renal function in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2017. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/7581/.
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Background: Previous reports described activation of the haemostatic mechanism in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Both open and endovascular repair of AAA affect the haemostatic markers. Cystatin C is sensitive endogenous marker of renal function that is strongly associated with cardiovascular outcomes. Aim: To establish the medium-term effects of endovascular and open aneurysm repair on coagulation, fibrinolysis and renal function. Patients and Methods: Twenty-nine patients completed twelve months follow-up after EVAR, eleven patients were recruited after they had open aneurysm repair and eight age-matched control were recruited. Patients were tested for markers of coagulation, fibrinolysis and renal function pre-operatively and at 1, 6 and 12 months post-operatively. Results: Pre-operatively, PF1+2 levels were significantly higher in patients with AAA. PF1+2 levels post-EVAR and post-OAR were significantly lower than pre-operative values and similar to AMC. There was no significant difference in TAT, PAI, or t-PA between AMC, AAA preoperatively, and post-EVAR. Post-OAR, PAI activity was significantly higher than pre-operatively. 24 hours after procedure, a significant increase in Cystatin C and serum creatinine (sCr) and significant decrease in eGFR were seen. Cystatin C increased significantly at 1, 6 and 12 months. Conclusion: AAA is associated with increased thrombin generation without up-regulation of fibrinolysis. The pro-thrombotic, hypo-fibrinolytic diathesis returns toward normal in the medium term after EVAR and OAR. EVAR is associated with a significant increase in Cystatin C 24 hours after the procedure and is maintained for 12 months. sCr and eGFR show significant change at 24 hours.
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GALLANA, LUCA. "Statistical analysis of inhomogeneous fluctuation fields. Scalar transport in shearless turbulent mixing, effects of stratification, solar wind and solar wind-interstellar medium interaction." Doctoral thesis, Politecnico di Torino, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11583/2653026.
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Turbulence is a condition that can occur in a broad range of fluids, which may belong to very different physical environments, each with their own unique characteristics. Mathematical and analytical studies are generally limited by the high degree of complexity of the system, therefore, numerical/laboratory experiments and in-situ measurements play a fundamental role in the study of these phenomena.
An analysis on two different anisotropic fluctuating fluid fields has been performed: both flows, while belonging to different physical contexts, are characterized by the presence of multiscale inhomogeneous fluctuations, to which is associated a strong anisotropy, and by the presence of effects related to stratification / mixing.
The first is one of the most simple anisotropic turbulent flow, namely the shearless turbulent mixing, and it has been studied by means of direct numerical simulation of Navier-Stokes equations, with the aim of characterize the passive scalar transport and the effects related to the presence of a thermal stratification. The second is a more complex fluid field, that is the solar wind, which belong to magnetohydrodynamic flows; the analysis on solar wind have been performed taking advantage of in-situ measurement of the Voyager 2 spacecraft, trying to provide a statistical and spectral characterization despite the presence of gaps in the recorded time-series.
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Olivier, Johanna M. "Investigating literacy development among learners with a second language as medium of education : the effects of an emergent literacy stimulation program in Grade R." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1238.
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Thesis (DPhil (General Linguistics))—University of Stellenbosch, 2009.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Addressing the low literacy rates in South Africa poses a mountainous challenge. However, identifying children at risk for reading difficulties and providing timely and preventative intervention might be a good starting point to addressing this challenge. This study aimed at making a contribution to the existing body of literature on emergent literacy skills of learners who are educated in a second or additional language. The study investigated English Language Learners’ (ELLs) emergent literacy skills prior to entering Grade 1 and evaluated the effectiveness of an evidence-based stimulation program in the South African context. The main research question this study attempted to answer was: “What is the effect of a stimulation program for emergent literacy skills in Grade R on the development of literacy of English Language Learners in Grade 1?” In a quasiexperimental design, ELLs’ emergent literacy skills were assessed with an adapted version of the Emergent Literacy Assessment battery (Willenberg 2004) and were compared to those of English first language (L1) and of ELL control groups, both prior to and after an 8-week purpose-designed stimulation program. Results indicated that while learners showed significant improvement on six out of the eight subtests, the particular intervention program did not significantly improve ELLs’ emergent literacy skills (those pertaining to alphabet knowledge, phoneme awareness, print awareness and oral language skills, amongst others) when compared to learners in the respective control groups. When controlling for receptive language abilities, English L1 learners did not perform any better than their L2 peers on any of the eight measures of emergent literacy prior to intervention. Furthermore, upon entering Grade 1, there was no statistical significant difference in the performance of the English L1 learners and ELLs on any of the eight subtests after intervention. Possible independent variables contributing to the dearth of intervention effect included socio-economic status, learners’ L1, and teacher and classroom specific characteristics. These variables were addressed, and clinical implications for speech-language therapists with regards to assessment, intervention, service delivery and outcome measures were highlighted.
AFRIKAANS OPSOMMING: Die aanspreek van Suid-Afrika se geletterdheidsvraagstuk is ‘n reuse uitdaging. Die vroeë identifisering van kinders met ‘n hoë risiko vir leesprobleme en die verskaffing van tydige en voorkomende intervensie mag egter ‘n goeie beginpunt wees in die aanspreek van hierdie uitdaging. Hierdie studie het gepoog om ‘n bydrae te lewer tot die bestaande literatuur oor ontluikende geletterdheidsvaardighede van kinders wat in ‘n tweede of addisionele taal onderrig word. Die studie het die ontluikende geletterheidsvaardighede ondersoek van Graad R-leerders wat in Engels onderrig word, maar vir wie Engels nie hul eerste taal is nie, asook die effektiwiteit van ‘n navorsingsgebaseerde stimulasieprogram binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. Die hoof navorsingsvraag van die studie was: “Wat is die effek van ‘n stimulasieprogram vir ontluikende geletterheidsvaardighede in Graad R op die ontwikkeling van geletterdheid van Engels tweede taal (T2)-leerders in Graad 1?” In ‘n kwasieksperimentele ontwerp is Engels T2-leerders se ontluikende geletterheidsvaardighede met ‘n aangepaste weergawe van die Emergent Literacy Assessment Battery (Willenberg 2004) geëvalueer, en voor en na ‘n 8-week doelgerigte stimulasieprogram vergelyk met die vaardighede van kontrolegroepe wat bestaan het uit Engels eerste taal (T1)-leerders en Engels T2-leerders onderskeidelik. Alhoewel leerders ‘n beduidende verbetering in ses van die agt subtoetse getoon het, het die spesifieke intervensieprogram nie T2-leerders in die eksperimentele groepe se ontluikende geletterdheidsvaardighede beduidend verbeter in vergelyking met leerders in die twee kontrole groepe nie (dit sluit in onder andere alfabetkennis, foneembewustheid, drukbewustheid en orale taalvaardighede). Wanneer daar vir reseptiewe taalvaardighede gekontroleer is, het die T1-leerders nie beduidend beter gevaar as hul T2-portuurgroep op enige van die agt subtoetse van ontluikende geletterdheid nie, en met toetrede tot Graad 1 was daar gevolglik geen statisties beduidende verskil tussen die T1- en T2-groepe ten opsigte van enige van die agt subtoetse nie. Moontlike onafhanklike veranderlikes wat tot hierdie gebrek aan intervensie-effek kon bydra, sluit sosio-ekonomiese status, leerders se T1 en onderwyseren klaskamer-spesifieke eienskappe in. Hierdie veranderlikes is aangespreek, en die kliniese implikasies vir spraak-taalterapeute met betrekking tot evaluasie, intervensie, dienslewering en die noukeurige meting van uitkomste is toegelig.
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Zaongo, Silvere Dieudonne, and 曹士偉. "Medium effects and Non-Neuronal Cholinergic System in Naegleria fowleri." Thesis, 2018. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/zjm6pc.
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博士國立陽明大學
公共衛生研究所
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Public Health is a multidisciplinary field aiming to promote populations health trough organized community efforts. Through such efforts, many infectious diseases that were huge burdens are nowadays under control. The Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) is, for the most of communities, an unknown thus neglected infectious disease caused by the brain eating amoeba: Naegleria fowleri. Like the disease it causes, this single cell free-living amoeba is not well known; especially in ecological and biological fields. Herein, we (1) investigated the nutrient-related and temperature-related effects on N. fowleri. The growth profiles of N. fowleri using liquid media with different ingredient compositions at different range of temperature were established. Secondarily, we (2) investigated the presence of essential non-neuronal cholinergic system genes and the ability of N. fowleri to produce acetylcholine. Subsequently, we evaluated the role of acetylcholine in N. fowleri trophozoites migration, proliferation and morphology. From the first part of this thesis, we demonstrated that supplementation with peptone promotes the parasites growth at 25, 37 and 43°C. Besides, yeast extract had an inhibitory effect and was able to swamp the growth promoting effect of peptone. In the second part of the thesis, we found that N. fowleri LDL possesses and expressed mAChR, AChE and CLT genes. However, no significant nucleotides sequence of ChAT was discovered. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the parasite was producing ACh with extracellular accumulation. Thus, we noted that ACh was (a) involved in the parasite migration, (b) keeping the trophozoites alive in non-growth promoting medium, and (c) involved in the transformation of trophozoites in cysts. Overall, we believe that populations should avoid diving in waters especially if they contain organic debris like peptone promoting the parasite growth. Moreover, we suggest that a better prevention or treatment of PAM requires the development of anticholinergic drugs.
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Rust, Felix [Verfasser]. "In-medium effects in the holographic quark gluon plasma / by Felix Rust." 2009. http://d-nb.info/996646221/34.
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Mirembo, Jose C. F. "Respirable dust and quartz in medium sized maize and root plant farming in southern Mozambique." Thesis, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/12300.
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INTRODUCTION
According to ILO (2000), in developing countries about 59 per cent of labour force belongs to the agriculture sector. This is a particularly serious concern from the viewpoint of promoting the health of a population and reduction of social vulnerability in a country like Mozambique where more than half of the population depends on agriculture as their means of survival and wage earning.
The current study attempts to address the agriculture mineral dust as occupational hygiene and health risk factors among agriculture workers, taking into account that dust that is breathed in may contain quartz, known as a carcinogenic and pathogenic agent.
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The study aims to pinpoint risk potential to health that may be caused by mineral dust through assessing occupational exposure doses to respirable dust and quartz during plowing, and primary and secondary tilling operations identified in the study, as the major dust risk operations; and the more prevailing operations in maize and root plant on medium sized farms‟ production cycle.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sampling of dust was conducted on 2 medium sized farms selected by convenience in the district of Boane (study setting) based on geological map soil characterisation of the study area. Full-time period dust samples were collected from 4 different tractor operators. The tractor operators were identified as the risky group. In total were taken seventy valid samples; thirty-nine from maize and thirty-one from root plant. Three tractor operators were fully engaged in maize cultivation and 1 was engaged in root plant during the period of the study data collection. In all occasions, the „open-cabbed‟ tractor machines were observed and used by tractor operators. The involved sampling subjects‟ operators were informed in advance about the study purpose and they accepted participation in the research. Nineteen dust samples were randomly selected for determination of the quartz fraction using the MDHS 101 Infrared Spectrophotometer Method. Active dust sampling MDHS 14/3 HD-cyclone method was applied with GLA 5000 filter type. All quality control procedures applied in active dust sampling method and gravimetric determination of concentration were checked in order to accept or reject samples for further analysis and determination of exposure concentration. RESULTS
Standard statistical procedures and sampling strategy data analysis and interpretation procedures, including the SPSS software version 11.5 were used to produce valid results and findings. In the specific case of the agriculture sector, workers are found in changeable conditions and working time, therefore the effective working time distribution was estimated varying at a level of 311.6 min., 95 per cent CI (294-329.7). The observed minimal and maximal values were 179 and 500 min., respectively.
The filter medium potential contamination was checked out through determination of the mass variation of the blank samples. The filter contamination was assumed possible through absorption and/or adsorption of humidity at level of minus 0.00407 mg with lower limit of minus 0.01 and upper limit of 0.00183 mg. The results on exposure indicate high exposure dose in maize crop cultivation in contrast to root plant crop cultivation.
The findings show that in medium-sized farming, the average exposure to respirable dust is 0.702 (SD 0.571) and the average exposure for respirable quartz is 0.074 (SD 0.06). About 96 per cent of respirable dust exposure measurements were found in compliance with the South Africa standard for respirable dust; and for respirable quartz 74 per cent, 45 per cent and 17 per cent of exposure measurements were in compliance with the SA, NIOSH and ACGIH occupational exposure limits respectively. Each tractor operator‟s measurements showed a significant variation of the exposure concentration, probably due to the intraday and interday variation. The exposure measurements geometric standard deviation (GSD) was found equal or above 2.0 for both maize and root plant measurements and this indicates the influence of environmental factors in the exposure profile variation.
CONCLUSION
The research is supportive of some international published studies in which respirable quartz exposure in agriculture sector, although highly variable, has potential significance for over-exposure. The measurements of exposure to respirable quartz have shown over-exposure scenarios. However some were found below the permitted exposure limits.
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Onan, Gary William. "Effects of medium composition and conditioning on adipose development in vitro." 1985. http://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/12259289.html.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1985.Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 163-172).
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Banerjee, Sarajit. "A Study of High Frequency Voltage Effects in Medium Voltage Cable Terminations." Thesis, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10012/3729.
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High-power voltage sourced converters(VSC’s) are becoming increasingly prevalent in modern transmission systems. These systems primarily use switching schemes generating kHz range harmonics, which may be magnified by one or more system resonances. Despite the high frequency harmonics, VSC systems widely use insulated equipment designed for operation at power frequencies; this includes critical substation components such as medium voltage polymeric cables and terminations. The stress grading systems of non-geometric (compact) cable terminations are susceptible to insulation degradation and eventual flashover failure, under high frequency harmonic stresses. As such, the present work studies high frequency voltage effects in cross-linked polyethylene cable terminations, and their relationship to stress grading (SG) design and material properties. Finite element modeling (FEM) has been used to analyze electric field and resistive heating in termination designs, in response to parametric variations in SG material properties. Experimental studies investigate thermal behaviour in a variety of commercial termination designs, using a high voltage, high frequency test setup developed to replicate conditions of high frequency harmonic resonance in a VSC system.
The study results show that high frequency voltage application increases the electric field, resistive heating, and surface temperature rise, in non-geometric (compact) termination designs using field-dependant stress grading materials. Geometric (stress cone) designs are insensitive to high frequency harmonics; however, they have disadvantages compared to compact designs, making them a less practical long-term solution for high frequency applications. Among non-geometric designs, the field-dependent electrical conductivity σ (E), the permittivity ε, and the temperature dependencies of σ (E) and ε strongly influence the termination electrical and thermal behaviour under high frequency stress. Since thermal hotspots in cable termination SG areas may lead to material degradation and eventual failure, recommendations are made for an optimal non-geometric stress grading design, for terminations operating in environments where high frequency harmonics may be present.