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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Monitoring growth'
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Nyakwende, E. "Monitoring plant growth using image processing." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.339555.
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Gerein, Nancy M. "An evaluation of growth monitoring in Zaire." Thesis, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (University of London), 1988. http://researchonline.lshtm.ac.uk/682449/.
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Growth monitoring has become a major component of most child health programmes in developing countries over the past two decades. The rationale for this activity is discussed and examined critically in the light of the evidence from previous studies and from a detailed evaluation of three child health care programmes in rural Zaire which included growth monitoring. The monthly sessions to which mothers brought their children were observed, the health workers were interviewed, and information was obtained on programme costs, supervision, and health records in all three programmes. A survey of the knowledge and practices of 547 mothers of children under five years of age was carried out in one programme's catchment population. A total of 497 consultations were observed in the three programmes as part of the evaluation. The consultations lasted between 30 seconds and five minutes each, with a mean of two minutes. Mothers and children spent three to eight hours at the clinic in order to receive these brief consultations, ten minutes of group health education, and if necessary, immunizations. Whilst staff measured and recorded weights accurately, they failed to take any specific actions in one-third of children who had growth faltering. Similarly, no counselling was given to one-third of mothers whose children were ill and/or had growth faltering, called "at-risk" children. Generally, the quality of advice and referral for illness was more satisfactory than the nutritional advice given mothers, which consisted of brief, standard directives. The at-risk children did not always receive special consultations by better-qualified staff. A household interview survey of 547 mothers of children under five assessed their understanding of the growth charts and their knowledge and reported practices with regard to child feeding and diarrhoea. Results showed that knowledge and practices improved with increased attendance at growth monitoring sessions, after controlling for the mother's educational level, tribe, socio-economic level and parity. Since nearly two-thirds of children attending the sessions were classified as at-risk, the value of individual screening by weighing is questionable. Not all at-risk children received interventions; of those who did, the quality of the interventions was frequently inadequate. Policy and programme recommendations for growth monitoring in child health programmes are described, and research needs identified.
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Argyle, Jennifer. "Statistical analysis of child growth data." Thesis, Durham University, 2002. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/4113/.
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The study of child growth is complex. There are many clinical questions to answer but not necessarily the statistical methodology to deal with these questions. Human growth begins at conception and continues into adult life. In chapter 1 we discuss the characteristics of the growth process from conception to maturity and the purpose of growth monitoring. In chapter 2 we summarise the mathematical approaches to growth data. In chapter 3 we summarise the approaches that have been used to detect growth faltering. In this chapter we introduce the conditional gain Z-score. The data set analysed within this thesis is from the Newcastle growth and development study. In infancy we have routine weights of 3415 term infants. A sub-sample of these infants were followed-up at 7-9 years as part of a research study. These children belonged to three subgroups: cases were children that were defined as failing to thrive in infancy, controls were matched to cases and a 20% systematic sample. The school entry data of the sub-sample followed at 7-9 years were retrieved from school health records. In chapter 4 we carry out a preliminary analysis of the routine infancy weight Z-scores. The infancy data provided the opportunity to generate the correlation structure of routine weight Z-scores in infancy. In chapter 5 we develop a model for this correlation structure. In chapter 7 we explore patterns in the conditional weight gain Z-scores and also suggest some alternative criteria for identifying growth faltering in infancy. In chapters 6, 8 and 9 we analyse the anthropometric data obtained at follow-up and school entry. In childhood, the conditional gain Z-score is used to contrast height with mid-parental height and height at follow-up with height at school entry. The anthropometric data of the case and control children will be compared.
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Balmer, Richard. "MOVPE growth and optical monitoring of A1GaN films." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.289471.
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Ross, Erin Sundseth. "Early growth faltering predicts longitudinal growth failure /." Connect to full text via ProQuest. Limited to UCD Anschutz Medical Campus, 2007.
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Thesis (Ph.D. in Clinical Science) -- University of Colorado Denver, 2007.Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-146). Free to UCD affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;
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Foley, Lawrence J. (Lawrence Joseph). "Growth and optical monitoring of organometallic vapor phase epitaxy." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/41343.
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Son, Sungmin. "Precise single cell monitoring reveals principles of cell growth." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/81707.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2013.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 104-107).
Accumulation of mass is a fundamental cellular process that is associated with metabolism, signaling and regulation. Despite the wealth of knowledge in molecular processes the principles of growth in mammalian cells are poorly understood since growth has never been monitored with high precision. Development of the Suspended Microchannel Resonator (SMR), a microfluidic mass measurement system, enables femtogram cell mass resolution. With this, we developed a method to simultaneously measure molecular signals and single cell mass with high precision over multiple generations. First we investigated how cells control their size. It is known that proliferating cells govern the rate at which they build their biomass and divide, but the mechanism that is used to maintain size homeostasis remains unclear. We obtained over 1,000 hours of growth data from mouse lymphoblast and pro-B-cell lymphoid cell lines. Cell lineage analysis revealed a decrease in the growth rate variability at the G1/S phase transition, which suggests the presence of a growth rate threshold for maintaining size homeostasis. We could also identify unexpected aspects of the growth trajectory such as continuation of growth during M phase, large and switch-like drop in growth rate upon cytokinesis. We next studied the metabolic and energetic requirements necessary for cell growth by monitoring immediate single cell growth response to nutrient depletion. To this end, we developed a method to gently exchange the fluid surrounding a cell while constantly monitoring cell growth. We observed that cells immediately change the growth rate upon depletion of key nutrients such as glucose or glutamine. The growth rate change was surprisingly large but restored upon repletion of nutrients. This implies that immediate growth response integrates both loss of nutrient uptake and signaling associated with metabolism of the particular nutrient. We developed two platforms to measure single cell growth in high throughput. These advancements will broaden the application of the SMR to the study of primary cells or cancer cells.
by Sungmin Son.
Ph.D.
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Weekley, Jonathan Gardner. "Multispectral Imaging Techniques for Monitoring Vegetative Growth and Health." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/35738.
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Electromagnetic radiation reflectance increases dramatically around 700 nm for vegetation. This increase in reflectance is known as the vegetation red edge. The NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation index) is an imaging technique for quantifying red edge contrast for the identification of vegetation. This imaging technique relies on reflectance values for radiation with wavelength equal to 680 nm and 830 nm. The imaging systems required to obtain this precise reflectance data are commonly space-based; limiting the use of this technique due to satellite availability and cost.
This thesis presents a robust and inexpensive new terrestrial-based method for identifying the vegetation red edge. This new technique does not rely on precise wavelengths or narrow wavelength bands and instead applies the NDVI to the visible and NIR (near infrared) spectrums in toto.
The measurement of vegetation fluorescence has also been explored, as it is indirectly related to the efficiency of photochemistry and heat dissipation and provides a relative method for determining vegetation health.
The imaging methods presented in this thesis represent a unique solution for the real time monitoring of vegetation growth and senesces and the determination of qualitative vegetation health. A single, inexpensive system capable of field and greenhouse deployment has been developed. This system allows for the early detection of variations in plant growth and status, which will aid production of high quality horticultural crops.Master of Science
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Evans, Emily Amaya. "Ultrasonic reflectometry for monitoring biofilm growth on water treatment membranes." Diss., Connect to online resource, 2005. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/colorado/fullcit?p1427775.
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Yates, Rebecca Frances. "In-situ optical monitoring of compound semiconductor growth by MOCVD." Thesis, University of Salford, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.301577.
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Esselburn, Kathryn Marie. "Ultrasonographic Monitoring of Mammary Parenchyma Growth in Preweaned Holstein Heifers." The Ohio State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1338400504.
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Pinto, André Marques. "Monitoring 2 REINFFORCE Network arboretums. Health status, growth and phenology." Master's thesis, ISA, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/21509.
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Mestrado em Engenharia Florestal e dos Recursos Naturais / Instituto Superior de Agronomia. Universidade de LisboaClimate change is affecting plant and animal composition in forest ecosystems. Understanding how trees and insects are coping with climate change is most relevant to develop sustainable forest plantations, in the future. Using two REINFFORCE network arboretums, we aimed to analyse how different species and provenances are affected by abiotic and biotic damaging. Additionally, we also aimed to assess phenology influence on herbivory, having as model two Oak species, a native and an exotic, as well as their provenances. In general, there were significant differences in survivorship from different species. However, it did not differ between coniferous and broadleaved species (p = 0.659). It differed at genus level, such as Pinus, where we observed a higher survivorship on natives when compared to exotics. This relation was not verified in oak species. Discolouration was the main damage type verified in some species, in particular on Carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua, which suggests the presence of abiotic stressors, possibly linked to climate conditions and soil. Defoliation values were higher in two broadleaved genera, Quercus and Fagus. Lisbon arboretum had higher damaging and pests than Sintra arboretum, which might be related with the climate differences on both sites and also, the physiological and vegetative status of trees, which presented higher stamina in Sintra. Overall, herbivore damaging was lesser in exotic species than native ones. In herbivory assessment from the two studied Oak species, along Spring season, it was shown that the native species Quercus robur suffered three times more damage, than the exotic species Quercus rubra. Additionally, we showed that herbivore damaging was directly related to phenology development from provenances, thus proving this factor influence
N/A
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Hall, Angus John. "Electronic measurements of area and perimeter in ultrasonic images." Thesis, University of Leeds, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.328883.
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Faber, M. "Community-based growth monitoring in a rural area lacking health facilities." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/52737.
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Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A community-based growth monitoring (GM) project was established in a rural village in KwaZulu-Natal. The project is an example of community-based activities that were based on a participatory approach of problem assessment and analysis. The first phase of the study comprised of a situation assessment. The aim was to evaluate the nutritional status and related factors of children aged 5 years and younger. It included a cross-sectional survey (questionnaire and anthropometric measurements), focus group discussions and interviews with key informants. From a nutritional point of view, the situation assessment identified a need for regular GM of infants and small children, increased availability of foods rich in micronutrients, and nutrition education. Relevant findings of the situation assessment were used during a project planning workshop that was attended by community representatives. The community's concern about the health of the preschool children and the lack of health facilities, and the need for regular weighing of their children prompted the establishment of a community-based GM project. The GM project was run by nutrition monitors, through home-based centres (named Isizinda). Monthly activities at the Isizinda included GM, nutrition education, and recording of morbidity and mortality data. Children who were either in need of medical attention or showed growth faltering were referred to the nearest clinic. During the latter half of the study, the GM project was integrated with a household food production project and the Isizinda served as promotion and training centres for agricultural activities. Project activities were continuously monitored by reviewing the attendance register, scrutinising the Isizinda files, observation and staff meetings. Community meetings (at least twice a year) allowed for two-way feedback and addressing questions and concerns. Acceptability of the GM activities was measured in terms of attendance and maternal perceptions. The coverage of the Isizinda project was estimated at approximately 90% and at least 60% of these children were adequately covered. The Isizinda data showed an equal distribution of child contacts over the various age categories and was representative of the community. The attendance data suggest that community-based GM is a viable option to be used for screening and nutrition surveillance, and as platform for nutrition education. Most mothers comprehended the growth curve. Positive behavioural changes have been observed in the community and the Isizinda data showed a steady decline in the prevalence of diarrhoea. The Ndunakazi mothers were appreciative towards the Isizinda project because of a better understanding of the benefits of regular GM. They expressed a sense of empowerment regarding the knowledge that they have gained. The community had a strong desire for the project to continue. The Isizinda project showed that community-based GM can provide the infrastructure for developing capacity for agricultural activities within the community. Data from the household food production project showed that maternal knowledge regarding nutritional issues can be improved through nutrition education given at the GM sessions and that, when GM is integrated with agricultural activities, a significant improvement in child malnutrition can be obtained. The Isizinda project falls within the framework of the Integrated Nutrition Programme, and can bridge the gap in areas which lack health facilities.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ’n Gemeenskaps-gebaseerde groeimoniteringsprojek is tot stand gebring in ’n landelike gebied in KwaZulu-Natal. Die projek is 'n voorbeeld van gemeenskapsgebaseerde aktiwiteite wat gebaseer was op 'n deelnemende benadering van probleem bepaling en analise. Die eerste fase van die studie was a situasie analise. Die doel was om die voedingstatus en verwante faktore van kinders 5 jaar en jonger te bepaal. Dit het 'n dwarssnit opname (vraelys en antropometriese metinge), fokus groep besprekings en onderhoude met kern persone ingesluit. Uit 'n voedingsoogpunt het die situasie analise 'n behoefte vir gereelde groeimonitoring van babas en klein kinders, verhoogde beskikbaarheid van voedsels ryk in mikronutriente and voedingsvoorligting aangedui. Toepaslike bevindinge van die situasie analise was gebruik tydens ’n beplannings werkswinkel wat deur verteenwoordigers van die gemeenskap bygewoon is. Die gemeenskap se besorgdheid oor die gesondheid van voorskoolse kinders en die gebrek aan gesondheidsfasilitieite, asook hul behoefte om hul kinders gereeld te laat weeg, het aanleiding gegee tot die totstandkoming van ’n gemeenskaps-gebaseerde groeimoniteringsprojek. Die program is gedryf deur monitors deur tuisgebaseerde sentrums (genoem Isizinda). Maandelikse aktiwiteite by die Isizinda het groeimonitering, voedingvoorligting en die insameling van morbiditeit en mortaliteit inligting ingesluit. Kinders wie mediese sorg benodig het of wie groeivertraging getoon het, is na die naaste kliniek verwys. Die groeimoniteringsprojek is tydens die laaste helfte van die studie met ’n huishoudelike voedselproduksieprojek geintegreer en die Isizinda het as promosie- en opleidingsentrum vir die landbou aktiwitiete gedien. Projek aktiwiteite is deurgaans gemonitor deur die bywoningsregister en Isizinda leêrs deur te gaan, waarnemings en personeel vergaderings. Vergaderings met die gemeenskap (ten minste twee per jaar) het voorsiening gemaak vir wedersydse terugvoering en die aanspreek van vrae en besorgdhede. Die aanvaarbaarheid van die groeimoniterings aktiwiteite is gemeet in terme van bywoning en persepsies. Die Isizinda projek het ongeveer 90% van die kinders gedek, van wie ten minste 60% voldoende gemoniteer is. Die Isizinda data het ’n eweredige verspreiding van besoeke oor die verskillende oudersdomgroepe aangetoon. Die Isizinda data was ook verteenwoordigend van die gemeenskap. Die bywoningssyfers dui aan dat gemeenskapsgebaseerde groeimonitoring 'n lewensvatbare opsie is vir sifting en voeding opnames, en as 'n platform vir voedingvoorligting. Meeste moeders kon die groeikaart interpreteer. Positiewe gedragsveranderinge is in die gemeenskap waargeneem en die Isizinda data het ’n geleidelike afname in die voorkoms van diarree getoon. Die Ndunakazi moeders was waarderend teenoor die Isizinda projek as gevolg van 'n beter begrip ten opsigte van die voordele van gereelde groeimonitering. Hulle het 'n gevoel van bemagteging uitgespreek ten opsigte van hul verbeterde kennis. Hulle was mening dat die projek moes voortgaan. Die Isizinda projek het aangetoon dat gemeenskapsgebaseerde groeimonitoring die infrstruktuur kan skep vir die ontwikkeling vir kapasiteit vir landbou aktiwiteite binne die gemeenskap. Inligting van die huishoudelike voedselproduksieprojek het aangetoon dat die moeders se kennis ten opsigte van voedings verwante aspekte verbeter kan word deur voedingvoorligting wat gegee word tydens die groeimonitering sessie en dat, as groeimonitoring geintegreer is met landbou aktwiteite, 'n verbetering in die voedingstatus van die kind verkry kan word. Die Isizinda projek val binne die raamwerk van die Geintegreerde Voedingsprogram en kan die gaping dek in areas waar geen gesondheidsfasilteite is nie.
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Riordon, Jason A. "Developing Microfluidic Volume Sensors for Cell Sorting and Cell Growth Monitoring." Thèse, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/30955.
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Microfluidics has seen an explosion in growth in the past few years, providing researchers with new and exciting lab-on-chip platforms with which to perform a wide variety of biological and biochemical experiments. In this work, a volume quantification tool is developed, demonstrating the ability to measure the volume of individual cells at high resolution and while enabling microfluidic sample manipulations. Care is taken to maximise measurement sensitivity, range and accuracy, though novel use of buoyancy and dynamically tunable microchannels. This first demonstration of a microfluidic tunable volume sensor meant volume sensing over a much wider range, enabling the detection of ̴ 1 µm3 E.coli that would otherwise go undetected. Software was written that enables pressure-driven flow control on the scale of individual cells, which is used to great success in (a) sorting cells based on size measurement and (b) monitoring the growth of cells. While there are a number of macroscopic techniques capable of sorting cells, microscopic lab-on-chip equivalents have only recently started to emerge. In this work, a label-free, volume sensor operating at high resolution is used in conjunction with pressure-driven flow control to actively extract particle/cell subpopulations. Next, a microfluidic growth monitoring device is demonstrated, whereby a cell is flowed back and forth through a volume sensor. The integration of sieve valves allows cell media to be quickly exchanged. The combination of dynamic trapping and rapid media exchange is an important technological contribution to the field, one that opens the door to studies focusing on cell volumetric response to drugs and environmental stimuli. This technology was designed and fabricated in-house using soft lithography techniques readily available in most biotechnology labs. The main thesis body contains four scientific articles that detail this work (Chapters 2-5), all published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. These are preceded by an introductory chapter which provides an overview to the theory underlying this work, in particular the non-intuitive physics at the microscale and the Coulter principle.
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Li, Zhaohui. "Monitoring biological functions of cultured tissues using microdialysis." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2007. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:f8b478fa-881e-4299-9ee5-b8ee29f37fe9.
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Continuous monitoring during tissue culture is important for the success of engineered tissue development. It is also challenging due to lack of suitable established monitoring techniques. In this study, microdialysis, a sampling technique for measuring the unbound solute concentrations in the tissues and organs of the living body, was adopted to monitor functional tissue growth in a bioreactor with explanted bovine caudal intervertebral discs (IVD) as the test tissue. Apart from cell metabolic activities, cell and tissue biological functions were investigated for the development of microdialysis for monitoring purposes. Methodologies of microdialysis with large pore size membrane probes for sampling macromolecular bio-functional markers were established. The effects of pumping methods, including 'push', 'pull' or 'push-and-pull', and the effect of the resulting transmembrane pressure on the fluid balance, and the relative recovery of small molecules and of macromolecules (proteins) were experimentally studied. The validity of the internal reference in-situ calibration was examined in detail. It was concluded that a push-and-pull system was the only effective method to eliminate fluid loss or gain. The relative recovery of small solutes was hardly affected by the applied pumping methods; however the relative recovery of macromolecules was significantly influenced by them. The in situ calibration technique using Phenol Red can provide reliable results for small molecules including glucose and lactic acid. Using lOkDa and 70kDa fluorescent dextrans as the internal standard for in situ calibration of large molecules of similar size, it was found that the pull pump system did not work well but that the push-and-pull pumping method did work well. A novel bioreactor system for in vitro IVD culture with static load and microdialysis monitoring was developed. Explanted IVDs were cultured under three different loads for up to 7 days. A single microdialysis probe with 3000 kDa membrane was inserted into each of the IVDs at a defined location. The in situ calibration technique was proved valid in the experiments and membrane fouling was not significant. The tissue metabolism and extracellular matrix turnover during 7 day culture were continuously monitored to investigate the effect of different loads. Microdialysis proved to be a feasible and efficient method for multi-parameter monitoring of tissue culture. Substantial effort was directed towards the identification of functional macromolecular markers in conjunction with microdialysis sampling. Amongst several proteins sampled, chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1), a major soluble protein secreted by cultured IVD cells in alginate beads and by cultured IVD explants was identified following its successful isolation. Then it was established as a suitable functional marker. The effect of physico-chemical and mechanical stimuli (e.g. osmolarity, pH, oxygen tension and mechanical load) on secretion of CHI3L1 by cultured IVD cells and chondrocytes in alginate beads and by cultured IVD explant were investigated. CHI3L1 release was sensitive to physico-chemical stimulation. The production of CHI3L1 was directly correlated with the cell metabolism and this could be readily monitored with microdialysis.
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Lambeck, Johann. "Monitoring axonal growth in the PNS of drosophila melanogaster - time-lapse observations on growth cone dynamics in vivo." [S.l. : s.n.], 2005.
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Pinna, Rosella. "Monitoring the growth of pi-conjugated aromatic molecular wires on gold films." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.445685.
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Bily, Mollie A. "Study of composite interface strength and crack growth monitoring using carbon nanotubes." Thesis, Monterey, California : Naval Postgraduate School, 2009. http://edocs.nps.edu/npspubs/scholarly/theses/2009/Sep/09Sep%5FBily.pdf.
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Thesis (M.S. in Mechanical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, September 2009.Thesis Advisor(s): Kwon, Young W. "September 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on November 04, 2009. Author(s) subject terms: Carbon Nanotubes, CNTs, Carbon Fiber Composite, Fiberglass Composite, Crack Propagation, Mode II, Health Monitoring, Resistance Testing Includes bibliographical references (p. 77-78). Also available in print.
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Furberg, Dorothy. "Satellie Monitoring of Urban Growth and Indicator-based Assessment of Environmental Impact." Licentiate thesis, KTH, Geodesi och geoinformatik, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-157669.
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One of the major consequences of urbanization is the transformation of land surfaces from rural/natural environments to built-up land that supports diverse forms of human activity. These transformations impact the local geology, climate, hydrology, flora and fauna and human-life supporting ecosystem services in the region. Mapping and analysis of land use/land cover change in urban regions and tracking their environmental impact is therefore of vital importance for evaluating policy options for future growth and promoting sustainable urban development. The overall objective of this research is to investigate the extent of urban growth and/or sprawl and its potential environmental impact in the regions surrounding a few selected major cities in North America, Europe and Asia using landscape metrics and other environmental indicators to assess the landscape changes. The urban regions examined are the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in Canada, Stockholm region and County in Sweden and Shanghai in China. The analyses are based on classificatons of optical satellite imagery (Landsat TM/ETM+ or SPOT 1/5) between 1985 and 2010. Maximum likelihood classification (MLC) under urban/rural masks, objectbased image analysis (OBIA) with rule-based classification and support vector machines (SVM) classification methods were used with grey level cooccurrence matrix (GLCM) texture features as input to help obtain higher accuracies. Based on the classification results, landscape metrics, selected environmental indicators and indices, and ecosystem service valuation were calculated and used to estimate environmental impact of urban growth. The results show that urban areas in the GTA grew by nearly 40% between 1985 and 2005. Results from the landscape metrics and urban compactness indicators show that low-density built-up areas increased significantly in the GTA between 1985 and 2005, mainly at the expense of agricultural areas. The majority of environmentally significant areas were increasingly surrounded by urban areas between 1985 and 2005, furthering their isolation from other natural areas. Urban areas in the Stockholm region increased by 10% between 1986 and 2006. The landscape metrics indicated that natural areas became more isolated or shrank whereas new small urban patches came into being. The most noticeable changes in terms of environmental impact and urban expansion were in the east and north of the study area. Large forested areas in the northeast dropped the most in terms of environmental impact ranking, while the most improved analysis units were close to the central Stockholm area. The study comparing Shanghai and Stockholm County revealed that urban areas increased ten times as much in Shanghai as they did in Stockholm, at 120% and 12% respectively. The landscape metrics results show that fragmentation in both study regions occurred mainly due to the growth of high density built-up areas in previously more natural environments, while the expansion of low density built-up areas was for the most part in conjunction with pre-existing patches. The growth in urban areas resulted in ecosystem service value losses of approximately 445 million USD in Shanghai, mostly due to the decrease in natural coastal wetlands, while in Stockholm the value of ecosystem services changed very little. This study demonstrates the utility of urban and environmental indicators derived from remote sensing data via GIS techniques in assessing both the spatio-temporal dynamics of urban growth and its environmental impact in different metropolitan regions. High accuracy classifications of optical medium resolution remote sensing data are achieved thanks in part to the incorporation of texture features for both object- and pixel-based classification methods, and to the use of urban/rural masks with the latter. The landscape metrics calculated based on the classifications are useful in quantifying urban growth trends and potential environmental impact as well as facilitating their comparison. The environmental indicator results highlight the challenges in terms of sustainable urban growth unique to each landscape, both spatially and temporally. The next phase of this PhD research will involve finding valid methods of comparing and contrasting urban growth patterns and estimated environmental impact in different regions of the world and further exploration of how to link urbanizing landscapes to changes in ecosystem services via environmental indicators.QC 20141212
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Muharfiza. "Citrus Fruits Quality Monitoring During Growth and Storage Period Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy." Kyoto University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2433/235994.
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Milner, Michael George. "Development of molecular biological methods for monitoring the growth of Listeria monocytogenes." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.318248.
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Mambwe, Esther, and esther membwe@dealin edu au. "Teaching Zambian traditional birth attendants to monitor growth of infants." Deakin University. School of Nutrition and Public Health, 1996. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20061207.151734.
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The high infant mortality in Zambia is largely attributable to malnutrition. It is exacerbated by the inability of mothers to recognise threats to nutritional status and take corrective action. Advice in Health Centres is often inaccessible to mothers. The Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) work with pregnant women in local communities, and the purpose of this study was to develop and implement an educationprogram in growth monitoring and nutrition for the TBAs and then to evaluate its effects. Twenty five TBAs from two peri-urban areas of Kitwe were enrolled in this pilot study and eighteen completed the program.
The researcher developed and taught a program to the TBAs over ten days. A pretest was given before the teaching program to enable the researcher to obtain information about the knowledge and skills of the TBAs. Following the teaching program the TBAs were re-tested, with the same questionnaire. Focus groups were conducted to enable the TBA to provide information on the teaching materials and the education program. The TBAs then returned to their communities and put into practice the skills and knowledge they had learned for six months. Their practice was monitored by a trained Public Health Nurse. The researcher also surveyed 38 pregnant women about their knowledge of growth monitoring and nutrition before the TBAs went into the field to work with their local communities. The same questionnaire used with the pregnant women was administered to 38 new mothers with children aged 0 to 6 months to gain information of their knowledge and skills following the work of the TBAs.
The program was evaluated by assessing the extent to which TBAs knowledge and skills were increased, the knowledge and understanding of a selection of their clients and the rates of malnutrition of infants in the area under study.
The results from the research clearly indicated that the teaching program on growth monitoring and nutrition given to the selected group of TBAs had a positive effect on their knowledge and skills. It was found that the teaching developed their knowledge, practical skills, evaluative skills. That they were able to give infants mothers sound advice regarding their childrens nutrition was revealed by the mothers increased knowledge and the decrease in numbers of malnourished children in the study areas at the conclusion of the research.
The major outcomes from the study are: that Zambian TBAs can be taught to carry out an expanded role; field experience is a key factor in the teaching program; making advice available in local communities is important; and preliminary data on the Zambian experience were generated.
Recommendations are: The pilot program should be expanded with continuing support from the Health Department. Similar educational programs should be introduced into other areas of Zambia with support from the Ministry of Health.
That in administering a teaching program: Sufficient time must be allocated to practical work to allow poorly educated women to attain the basic skills needed to master the complex skills required to competently reduce faltering in their communities. The teaching materials to illustrate nutritional principles for feeding programs must be developed to suite locally available foods and conditions. Methods of teaching should suit the local area, for example, using what facilities are locally available. The timing of the teaching program should be suitable for the TBAs to attend. This may vary from area to area, for example it may be necessary to avoid times traditionally given to fetching water or working in the fields. For similar reasons, the venue for the teaching program should be suitable to the TBAs. The teachers should go into the TBAs community rather than causing disruption of the TBAs day by expecting them to go to the teacher.
Data should be collected from a larger group of TBAs and clients to enable sophisticated statistical analysis to complement data from this pilot program.
The TBAs should be given recognition for their work and achievement. This is something which they asked for. They do not ask for payment, rather acknowledgment through regular follow up and approbation.
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Johnson, William O. "The growth of Bradford infants." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2010. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/6327.
Full textAbstract:
Infant growth is a key indicator of health and a relevant component of paediatric surveillance. Certain growth characteristics are also associated with greater risk for diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. South Asian populations are known to demonstrate poor infant growth and suffer from a high prevalence of non-communicable disease. Relatively little is known about the growth of Pakistani infants, especially following migration. In the United kingdom (UK), infant growth is routinely monitored to detect poor health, and this process produces a repository of largely unutilised data. In 2009, new growth charts, which include a component of the World Health Organisation (WHO) growth standards, were introduced to routine practice. The adoption of prescriptive standards, which are based on breastfed infants living in an unconstrained environment, will have implications for the assessment of growth. To develop and assess the quality of routine growth monitoring data collected in Bradford, UK, so that it can be used to describe the differences in growth between White British and Pakistani infants in the same city. To investigate the factors that influence this growth. To assess the implications of adopting growth standards for practice. The frequency of routine growth monitoring data that are collected at prescribed age periods was assessed. Test-retest growth data were collected from 192 practitioners, and technical error of measurements were calculated. Data on 2464 (boys 51%, White British 45%) infants were submitted to multilevel modelling analysis to produce sex and ethnic specific weight-for-age, abdominal circumference-for-age, head circumference-for-age, and length-for-age growth curves between birth and nine months. Multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate factors that influence size at birth and at nine months. Growth curves were plotted against the WHO standards and the UK 1990 references, Z-scores were calculated, and the relative risks (RR) of underweight, obesity, and poor infant weight gain using the standards compared to the references were assessed. During each prescribed age period for routine growth monitoring generally only 30% to 35% of measurements were recorded. None of the technical error of measurements were excessively large, and coefficients of reliability ranged from 0.96 to 1.00. Multilevel models explained that Pakistani infants were smaller than White British infants, in the first nine months of life, for weight (-210.3g to -321.7g), abdominal circumference (-1.15cm to -0.39cm), head circumference (-0.59cm), and length (-0.32cm). Compared to the WHO standards, infants demonstrated dissimilar weight growth, but similar head circumference and length growth. The common weight growth pattern was slow growth between birth and two months, followed by rapid growth. Using the standards, infants were significantly less likely to be classified as underweight (RR at birth 0.496; 95% Confidence Interval 0.363 to 0.678) and demonstrating poor weight gain from birth to nine months (0.783; 0.644 to 0.952). Growth monitoring data are not collected at prescribed age periods, but following initial training of practitioners are reliable. Integrating research with practice has developed routine data to research calibre and has established protocols to make data more accessible. Pakistani infants were consistently smaller than White British infants, and, despite efforts, the determinants of this phenomenon have not yet been fully elucidated. Growth in weight of infants in Bradford differs significantly from that represented by the WHO standards, and without adequate training of practitioners infant growth may be incorrectly interpreted.
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Zhang, Qian. "Spatial-Temporal Patterns of Urban Growth in Shanghai, China: Monitoring, Analysis, and Simulation." Licentiate thesis, Geoinformatics Division, Department of Urban Planning and Environment, ABE, 2009. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-11868.
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Supporting huge population, megacities are definitely the hot spots of production, consumption, and waste generation. Without careful investment and planning, megacities will be overwhelmed by burgeoning negative impacts on the environment, natural resources, and human health, as well as a host of social and economic issues. The unprecedented combination of economic and population growth since the Reform and Open Policy has led China into transition from a largely rural society to a predominantly urban one. Chinese cities, without question, have not escaped the danger of the series of problems during the rapid progress of urbanization. Therefore, monitoring the spatial-temporal patterns of urban sprawl and their impact on the environment is of critical importance for urban planning and sustainable development, especially in developing Chinese cities such as Shanghai.
To date, few studies have focused on the urban trajectories of Shanghai over the past 30 years from a remote sensing perspective. Most of the studies were concentrated on the technical issues of image processing and classification. Moreover, research on spatial metrics has focused on analyzing remote sensing classification results rather than on the use of interpreting, assessing, and verifying urban simulation results. Furthermore, many researches merely focused on baseline projection and very few studies took into consideration urban growth scenarios so far. As yet there have been no reported scenario simulations of future Shanghai growth with several land-use categories within urban areas.
The overall objective of this research is to investigate the integration of remote sensing, spatial metrics, and spatial-temporal models in the monitoring, analysis, and simulation of urban growth in Shanghai, China. The specific objectives are to: 1). monitor urban dynamics over time with multi-sensor remote sensing images; 2). quantify spatial-temporal properties of urban growth and representing the urban morphological structures by means of spatial metrics; and 3). simulate the geographic extent, patterns, and detailed catalogs of urban growth under different scenarios using Markov-Cellular Automata (Markov-CA) model to support decision making for a more sustainable Shanghai.
Through this study, the combined approach using remotely sensed data with change detection techniques, spatial metrics, and a scenarios-based simulation model proved to be effective to understand, represent, and predict the spatial-temporal dynamics of urban growth. In detail, the segmented-based hierarchy classification and visual interpretation were effective methods to extract urban and industrial land with high-resolution remotely sensed images. Direct change detection using variables derived from tasseled cap transformation was efficient for monitoring impervious surface sprawl. Spatial metrics is a quick and executable way to assessing the impact of urban sprawl on landscape dynamic. Markov-CA model is a useful tool to simulate the scenarios of future urban developments and therefore provides the policy options for sustainable urban planning.
The research results of urban trajectories and impervious surface sprawl showed that Shanghai experienced high-speed urban sprawl and the rate of urban expansion, however, was not homogeneous spatially and temporally. The general annual urban expansion speed was 34.8 km2 per year; nevertheless, it reached 80.2 km2 per year recent six years from 2001 to 2007, while it touched the bottom speed around 14.3 km2 per year during 1979-1989. The expanded area in the Puxi region was 5.23 times of its original area while that of Pudong region was 19.94 times of its original area during 1979-2007. The research results of landscape analysis demonstrated that greenbelt becomes fractured while infrastructural and commercial area is more and more aggregated in the central Shanghai area, and satellite images such as SPOT Pan, XS and Landsat TM with 10-30 meter resolution are sufficient for the landscape dynamic research in central Shanghai area. The results of scenarios-based simulation indicated that built-up areas in Shanghai will increase significantly in 2025 and Shanghai will experience less urban sprawl and retain a better environment in 2025 under service-oriented center (SOC) than under baseline (NS) or manufacturing-dominant center (MDC) scenario. If favorable policy for MDC scenario is adopted, however, there will be a lot of manufacturing industries gathering in Shanghai and more agricultural lands will be encroached.
The present research focused on the analysis of physical and morphological aspects of urban growth. Urban land-use dynamics are, however, intrinsically linked with socio-economic, political, or demographic drivers. Trying to fill in the missing link between traditional urban geography and urban remote sensing & urban simulation and to improve understanding of the interactions between human and natural aspects in the urban socio-ecosystem is the major focus in the next phase of the Ph.D. research.
Keywords: Urban growth, Spatial-temporal pattern, Remote sensing, Spatial metrics, Scenarios-based simulation, Shanghai
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Song, Yu. "Modelling and analysis of plant image data for crop growth monitoring in horticulture." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2008. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/2032/.
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Plants can be characterised by a range of attributes, and measuring these attributes accurately and reliably is a major challenge for the horticulture industry. The measurement of those plant characteristics that are most relevant to a grower has previously been tackled almost exclusively by a combination of manual measurement and visual inspection. The purpose of this work is to propose an automated image analysis approach in order to provide an objective measure of plant attributes to remove subjective factors from assessment and to reduce labour requirements in the glasshouse. This thesis describes a stereopsis approach for estimating plant height, since height information cannot be easily determined from a single image. The stereopsis algorithm proposed in this thesis is efficient in terms of the running time, and is more accurate when compared with other algorithms. The estimated geometry, together with colour information from the image, are then used to build a statistical plant surface model, which represents all the information from the visible spectrum. A self-organising map approach can be adopted to model plant surface attributes, but the model can be improved by using a probabilistic model such as a mixture model formulated in a Bayesian framework. Details of both methods are discussed in this thesis. A Kalman filter is developed to track the plant model over time, extending the model to the time dimension, which enables smoothing of the noisy measurements to produce a development trend for a crop. The outcome of this work could lead to a number of potentially important applications in horticulture.
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VAN, MILLIGEN FRED JOSEPH. "IN-SITU MONITORING OF THIN FILM GROWTH USING A WIDE-BAND SCANNING MONOCHROMATOR." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/188057.
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To augment the monitoring capabilities of a Balzers 760 coating chamber, we replaced the simple, single wavelength optical monitor with a wide-band scanning monochromator system which records transmission data over the visible region of the spectrum. The system is controlled by an IBM-PC. The same computer is also interfaced to a quartz crystal monitoring system which was purchased with the Balzers chamber. The scanning monochromator system required a new brighter light source to deliver sufficient signal to the detector array through the more complex, dispersive optical train. Above the chamber the filter and the photomultiplier pair were removed, and replaced by a flat mirror which diverts the beam horizontally into the scanning monochromator system. The beam passes first through a telescope-slit configuration onto a Jobin-Yvon holographic grating, built to disperse the 400-800 nm band of which we use approximately 360 nm. This reflective grating images the spectrum of the slit onto a Fairchild CCD array, which consists of 1728 elements. These elements are then averaged into 173 data points and recorded by the IBM-PC. The 173 data points allows us a wavelength resolution of about 2 nm. The IBM incorporates a Tecmar A/D board in accepting data from both the quartz crystal monitor and the scanning monochromator system. Although the system is capable of recording data at a faster rate, it is generally stored once every three seconds. This is adequate since at normal deposition rates this gives us information every 10 - 20 Angstroms of deposited material. The system has been used in several applications which will be discussed in this dissertation. They include in situ measurements of water adsorption into a film, derivation of optical constant profiles during the film deposition, both of which may lead us to a better understanding of the growth of a thin film. The monochromator has also been used to analyze the components of a multilayer coating by monitoring the film's transmission spectra while it was sputter-etched off. The extension of the system into the ultraviolet region of the spectrum and some future applications are also considered.
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Lundström, John, and Mikael Österberg. "Nursing staff's experiences of working with childrens growth monitoring and promotion in zambia." Thesis, Örebro universitet, Institutionen för hälsovetenskaper, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-50703.
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Werner, Bo. "Growth in Sweden : surveillance of growth patterns and epidemiological monitoring of secular changes in height and weight among children and adolescents /." Stockholm, 2007. http://diss.kib.ki.se/2007/978-91-7357-148-7/.
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Pertsch, Alexander Thomas. "An intelligent stand-alone ultrasonic device for monitoring local damage growth in civil structures." Thesis, Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/31716.
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Thesis (M. S.)--Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010.Committee Chair: Jacobs, Laurence J.; Committee Co-Chair: Wang, Yang; Committee Member: Kim, Jin-Yeon. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.
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Abdou, Azaz Lotfy Kamal. "Monitoring, modelling and managing urban growth in Alexandria, Egypt using remote sensing and GIS." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10443/584.
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Alexandria is the second largest urban governorate in Egypt and has seen significant urban growth in its modern and contemporary history. This study investigates the urban growth phenomenon in Alexandria, Egypt using the integration of remote sensing and GIS. The study has revealed some significant findings that can help in understanding the current and future trends of urban growth in Alexandria. For demographic analysis, growth rates dropped off between 1976 and 1996. In the same manner, Alexandria's population decreased from 6.33% of total country in 1976 to 5.6% in 1996. Family size and crowding rates are declining as well. Moreover, the role of internal migration has changed and the city sends out more population than it receives. In addition, there is a clear decline in population density in the city's core, while city fringes have witnessed increases in their density. For physical expansion, Alexandria experienced a long history of deterioration from the end of the Roman era until the French expedition's departure in the beginning of the 19`" century. Alexandria began to revive again from the first half of the 19`n century during Mohamed Ali era up to date. The city expanded in all available directions. Therefore, the side effects of urban growth commenced to develop in some parts such as informal housing on the cultivated land in the east and southeast of the city. The urban physical expansion and change were detected using Landsat satellite images. The satellite images of years 1984 and 1993 were first georeferenced, achieving a very small RMSE that provided high accuracy data for satellite image analysis. Then, the images were classified using a tailored classification scheme with accuracy of 93.82% and 95.27% for 1984 and 1993 images respectively. This high accuracy enabled detecting land use/cover changes with high confidence using a postclassification comparison method. One of the most important findings here is the loss of cultivated land in favour of urban expansion. If the current loss rates continued, 75% of green lands would be lost by year 2191. These hazardous rates call for an urban growth management policy that can preserve such valuable resources to achieve sustainable urban development. The starting point of any management programme will be based on the modelling of the future growth. Modelling techniques can help in defining the scenarios of urban growth. In this study, the SLEUTH urban growth model was applied to predict future urban expansion in Alexandria until the year 2055. The application of this model in Alexandria of Egypt with its different environmental characteristics is the first application outside USA and Europe. The results revealed that future urban growth would continue in the edges of the current urban extent, which means the cultivated lands in the east and the southeast of the city will continue to lose more day by day from their area. To deal with this crisis, there is a serious need for a comprehensive urban growth management programme that based on the best practices in similar situations. Good urban governance, public participation, using GIS and remote sensing, and decentralisation (among others) are found to be the most important principles for such programme.
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Canese, Rossella. "Developing and validating in vivo 1H MRS methodology for monitoring tumour growth and metabolism." Thesis, Institute of Cancer Research (University Of London), 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.248783.
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Simcock, Michael Neil. "Optical monitoring of surface processes relevant to thin film growth by chemical vapour deposition." Thesis, University of Salford, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.249006.
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Rakow, Alexi Schroder. "A structural health monitoring fastener for tracking fatigue crack growth in bolted metallic joints /." May be available electronically:, 2008. http://proquest.umi.com/login?COPT=REJTPTU1MTUmSU5UPTAmVkVSPTI=&clientId=12498.
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Hasegawa, Wataru. "Relationships among Cave Micrometeorology, Speleothem Growth and Surface Environment Revealed by Cave Monitoring Studies." 京都大学 (Kyoto University), 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2433/199113.
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Dhakal, Dileep. "Growth Monitoring of Ultrathin Copper and Copper Oxide Films Deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition." Doctoral thesis, Universitätsbibliothek Chemnitz, 2017. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:ch1-qucosa-229808.
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Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of copper films is getting enormous interest. Ultrathin Cu films are applied as the seed layer for electrochemical deposition (ECD) of copper in interconnect circuits and as the non-magnetic material for the realization of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors. Particularly, Co/Cu multi-layered structures require sub 4.0 nm copper film thickness for obtaining strong GMR effects. The physical vapor deposition process for the deposition of the copper seed layers are prone to non-conformal coating and poor step coverage on side-walls and bottoms of trenches and vias, and presence of overhanging structures. This may cause failure of interconnections due to formation of voids after copper ECD. ALD is the most suitable technology for the deposition of conformal seed layers for the subsequent ECD in very high aspect ratio structures, also for the technology nodes below 20 nm. Surface chemistry during the ALD of oxides is quite well studied. However, surface chemistry during the ALD of pure metal is rather immature. This knowledge is necessary to optimize the process parameters, synthesize better precursors systems, and enhance the knowledge of existing metal ALD processes. The major goal of this work is to understand the surface chemistry of the used precursor and study the growth of ultrathin copper films using in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Copper films are deposited by ALD using the precursor mixture consisting of 99 mol% [(nBu3P)2Cu(acac)], as copper precursor and 1 mol% of Ru(η5 C7H11)(η5 C5H4SiMe3), as ruthenium precursor. The purpose in having catalytic amount of ruthenium precursor is to obtain the Ru doped Cu2O layers for subsequent reduction with formic acid at temperatures below 150 °C on arbitrary substrates. Two different approaches for the growth of ultrathin copper films have been studied in this dissertation. In the first approach, direct thermal ALD of copper has been studied by using H2 as co-reactant on Co as catalytic substrate. In the second approach, Ru-doped Cu2O is deposited by ALD using wet-O2 as co-reactant on SiO2 as non-catalytic substrate. The Ru-doped Cu2O is successfully reduced by using either formic acid or carbon-monoxide on SiO2Atomlagenabscheidung (ALD) von Kupfer steht im Fokus der ALD Gemeinschaft. Ultradünne Kupferschichten können als Keimschicht für die elektrochemische Abscheidung (ECD) von Kupfer in der Verbindungstechnologie eingesetzt werden. Sie können ebenfalls für Sensoren, welche auf den Effekt des Riesenmagnetowiderstandes (GMR) basieren, als nicht-ferromagnetische Zwischenschicht verwendet werden. Insbesondere Multischichtstrukturen aus ferromagnetische Kobalt und Kupfer erfordern Schichtdicken von weniger als 4,0 nm, um einen starken GMR-Effekt zu gewährleisten. Das derzeit verwendete physikalische Dampfabscheidungsverfahren für ultradünne Kupferschichten, ist besonders anfällig für eine nicht-konforme Abscheidung an den Seitenwänden und Böden von Strukturen mit hohem Aspektverhältnis. Des Weiteren kann es zur Bildung von Löchern und überhängenden Strukturen kommen, welche bei der anschließenden Kupfer ECD zu Kontaktlücken (Voids) führen können. Für die Abscheidung einer Kupfer-Keimschicht ist die ALD besonders gut geeignet, da sie es ermöglicht, ultradünne konforme Schichten auf strukturierten Oberflächen mit hohem Aspektverhältnis abzuscheiden. Dies macht sie zu einer der Schlüsseltechnologien für Struckturgrößen unter 20 nm. Im Gegensatz zur Oberflächenchemie rein metallischer ALD sind die Oberflächenreaktionen für oxidische ALD Schichten sehr gut untersucht. Die Kenntnis der Oberflächenchemie während eines ALD Prozesses ist essenziel für die Bestimmung von wichtigen Prozessparametern als auch für die Verbesserung der Präkursorsynthese ansich. Diese Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Untersuchung der Oberflächenchemie und Charakterisierung des Wachstums von ultradünnen Metall-Cu-Schichten mittels In-situ XPS, welche eines indirekten (Oxid) bzw. direkten Metall-ALD Prozesses abgeschieden werden, wobei die Kupfer-Oxidschichten im Anschluss einem Reduktionsprozess unterworfen werden. Hierfür wird eine Präkursormischung bestehend aus 99 mol% [(nBu3P)2Cu(acac)] und 1 mol% [Ru(η5 C7H11)(η5-C5H4SiMe3)] verwendet. Die katalytische Menge an Ru, welche in der entstehenden Cu2O Schicht verbleibt, erhöht den Effekt der Reduktion der Cu2O Schicht auf beliebigen Substraten mit Ameinsäure bei Wafertemperaturen unter 150 °C. In einem ersten Schritt wird ein direkter thermisches Kupfer ALD-Prozess, unter Verwendung von molekularem Wasserstoff als Coreaktant, auf einem Kobalt-Substrat untersucht. In einem zweiten Schritt wird ein indirekter thermischer Cu2O-ALD-Prozess, unter gleichzeitiger Verwendung von Sauerstoff und Wasserdampf als Coreaktant, mit anschließender Reduktion durch Ameinsäure oder Kohlenstoffmonoxid zu Kupfer auf den gleichen Substraten betrachtet. Die vorliegende Arbeit beschreibt das Wachstum von ultradünnen und kontinuierlichen Kupfer-Schichten mittels thermischer ALD auf inerten- SiO2 und reaktiven Kobalt-Substraten
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Constant, Stephanie Benedicte. "Spectroscopic characterisation of semiconductor laser structures for in-line monitoring in the growth industry." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2003. http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/843610/.
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We investigate the results of different spectroscopic characterisation techniques on different semiconductor laser structure pre-fabrication wafers, in view of early stage in-line monitoring in the growth industry. We report non-contact, non-destructive angle- (Q) and temperature- (T-) dependent photo-modulated reflectance (PR) studies on visible resonant-cavity light-emitting diodes (RCLEDs). We use lineshape fitting of the PR spectra, the PR "modulus", the PR "amplitude resonance", the PR "symmetry", and the "virtual DeltaSigma2 plot" techniques, to determine the energies of several quantum well (QW) transitions and the relative position of the cavity mode (CM) and the QW ground state energies. We present results of front- and edge-EL performed on a series of different visible edge-emitting laser (EEL) and vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) structures. We show the existence of a wavelength shift between the front- and TE polarised edge-EL peaks of the EELs and we demonstrate how to obtain the true absorption wavelength from the TE polarised edge-EL peaks of the VCSELs. We finally explain the potential of the edge- EL TM polarisation to determine the strain in a structure. We show that the theta-dependent reflectance (R) measurements performed on 850 nm infrared VCSELs give information about several QW transitions. Indeed, we believe that the changes in the CM dip area, its FWHM and depth are closely related to the QW dielectric function. This is corroborated by PR analyses and EL measurements. We report theta-dependent PR measurements performed on a 980 nm infrared VCSEL. We show that the "symmetry" theory must be used, rather than the "resonance" theory. We define the conditions necessary for the use of the symmetry theory and we demonstrate its potential for the characterisation of samples such as this one; it is possible to obtain the QW ground state transition energy from only two PR spectra measured at different theta. We report non-destructive electro-modulated reflectance (ER) measurements performed on 1450 nm EELs. A comprehensive analysis of the ER, including lineshape fitting, the ER "modulus" method and theoretical calculations, allows the determination of several QW transition energies and the bandgap energy of the barrier and the waveguide-core material, and the refinement of crucial parameters such as the composition of the barrier, waveguide-core and QW layers. These results are corroborated by PR and photo-luminescence measurements, as well as spontaneous emission measurements performed on corresponding devices. Finally, the strength of the built-in electric field in the structure is determined by the analysis of the Franz Keldysh Oscillations in the waveguide-core energy region and a theoretical calculation allows one to determine their origin. Finally, we investigate the effects of adding SiO2/TiO2 dielectric distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) on top of a partial AlGaAs-based DBR VCSEL structure, by performing normal incidence R measurements and simulations of prepared structures. Furthermore, the effect of increasing the thickness of the first SiO2 layer on the. CM wavelength is monitored with normal incidence R experiments and simulations.
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Kauffmann, Hans. "A digital image analysis method for monitoring crack growth in metal fatigue testing / H. Kauffmann." Thesis, North-West University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/976.
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Metal fatigue tests are an everyday occurrence that updates existing fatigue libraries, ensuring
that structures and components do not fail when in use. The American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) provides standard tests whereby certain material properties are obtained by
the exact same method for each test, providing designers the information to prevent premature
failure. The Fatigue Crack Growth Rate (FCGR) of a standard specimen provides information
for situations where a crack may exist in components. The critical size of the crack determines
when it is safe to use a component and when to discard it.
Testing methods relating to fatigue crack growth propagation rates vary with respect to
requirements and conditions. A wide variety of test methods can be utilised to find reliable data.
One such a method uses a travelling microscope. It has been extensively used with success,
but requires constant stoppages for measurements and user attention to make interval
measurements. Alternative measurement methods have solved these disadvantages but have
generally been of the contact and indirect types. Contact to the specimen may in some cases
influence the results negatively, while indirect methods generally require previously obtained
data to calibrate the results.
The presented digital image analysis method has in principle the same functioning as that of the
travelling microscope whilst eliminating constant user attention and stoppages. The process
was automated and provided a cost saving alternative to similar products available on the
market. The standard test method for measurement of fatigue crack growth rates as outlined by
ASTM E647 (2002) was employed to provide standardised results.
The designed and assembled test facility was put to test when a FCGR test was conducted.
The set-up consisted of an lnstron 1603 Electromagnetic Resonance machine, a Nikon D70 and
a PC with acquired and custom written software. The digital image analysis method provided
crack growth measurements with a difference of less than 1% from the actual values.
Furthermore, the end result provided a Paris equation for a mild steel specimen.Thesis (M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.
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Dick, Susan M. "The epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance monitoring in pigs in relation to the growth promoter avilamycin." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.407713.
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Fatoki, Oluwakemi Busayo. "Monitoring the re-growth rate of alien vegetation after fire on Agulhas Plain, South Africa." Thesis, Link to the online version, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10019/1639.
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Socher, Maria Lisa, Felix Lenk, Katja Geipel, Carolin Schott, Joachim Püschel, Christiane Haas, Christiane Grasse, Thomas Bley, and Juliane Steingroewer. "Phototrophic growth of Arthrospira platensis in a respiration activity monitoring system for shake flasks (RAMOS)." WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 2014. https://tud.qucosa.de/id/qucosa%3A30079.
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Optimising illumination is essential for optimising the growth of phototrophic cells and their production of desired metabolites and/or biomass. This requires appropriate modulation of light and other key inputs and continuous online monitoring of their metabolic activities. Powerful non-invasive systems for cultivating heterotrophic organisms include shake flasks in online monitoring units, but they are rarely used for phototrophs because they lack the appropriate illumination design and necessary illuminatory power.
This study presents the design and characterisation of a photosynthetic shake flask unit, illuminated from below by warm white light-emitting diodes with variable light intensities up to 2300 μmol m-2 s-1. The photosynthetic unit was successfully used, in combination with online monitoring of oxygen production, to cultivate Arthrospira platensis.
In phototrophic growth under continuous light and a 16 h light/8 h dark cycle (light intensity: 180 μmol m-2 s-1), the oxygen transfer rate and biomass-related oxygen production were - 1.5 mmol L-1 h-1 and 0.18 mmol O2 gx-1 h-1, respectively. The maximum specific growth rate was 0.058 h-1, during the exponential growth phase, after which the biomass concentration reached 0.75 g L-1.
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Nelson, Walker Nancy J. 1980. "Progress Monitoring in Algebra: Exploring Rates of Growth for Middle School Math Curriculum-Based Measurement." Thesis, University of Oregon, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/1794/11927.
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xvi, 136 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number.An examination of evidence-based practices for mathematics reveals that a solid grasp of key algebraic topics is essential for successful transition from concrete to abstract reasoning in mathematics. In addition, experts indicate a need to emphasize formative assessment to allow results to inform instruction. To address the dearth of technically adequate assessments designed to support data based decision making in algebra, this study examined (a) the validity of algebra and mixed computation curriculum-based measurement for predicting mid-year general math and algebra outcomes in 8th grade (b) growth rates for algebra and mixed computation CBM in the fall of 8th grade, (c) whether slope is a significant predictor of general math and algebra outcomes after controlling for initial skill, and (d) whether growth rates differ for pre-algebra and algebra students. Participants were 198 eighth grade pre-algebra ( n = 70) and algebra (n = 128) students from three middle schools in the Pacific Northwest. Results indicate moderate relationships between fall performance on mixed computation and algebra CBM and winter SAT-10 and algebra performance and significant growth across the fall. Growth was not found to predict general math and algebra outcomes after controlling for initial skill. Future studies should examine (a) growth rates over an extended period of time with a larger sample of classrooms, (b) instructional variables that may impact growth across classrooms, and (c) the impact on student performance when data gleaned from the mixed computation and algebra CBM are used to support data based decision making in middle school algebra and pre-algebra classrooms.
Committee in charge: Roland Good, Chairperson, Special Education and Clinical Sciences; Elizabeth Ham, Member, Special Education and Clinical Sciences; Leanne Ketterlin Geller, Member, Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leadership; Christopher Phillips, Outside Member, Mathematics
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Sayginer, Osman. "Modelling and simulation of novel optoacoustic sensors for monitoring crack growth in pressure vessel steels." Doctoral thesis, Università degli studi di Trento, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/11572/304021.
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The acoustic emission technique is an effective way to acquire crack information from material bodies at the microscopic level. Monitoring of the acoustic emission events provides a deeper understanding regarding the structural health status of critical constructions such as bridges, railways, pipelines, pressure vessels, etc. Thanks to the acoustic emission monitoring systems, it is possible to avoid catastrophic events and save lives, time, and money. For this reason, efforts to develop new acoustic emission sensor technologies, as well as the use of current acoustic emission sensors in new research fields, will contribute to the limited literature sources.
Optical sensing systems provide good alternatives to the existing sensing technologies because of their wide range of detection bandwidths, adaptation to harsh environments, and low sensitivity to electromagnetic interference. For this reason, the first part of this thesis demonstrates an optoacoustic sensing methodology that enables the detection of acoustic emissions by optics. This sensing system consists of thin-film optical filters (TFOF) and an elastic microcavity layer. The sensing mechanism is similar to the Fabry Perot structures and it relies on resonance shifts of the cavity when there is a change in the cavity thickness similar to the Fabry Perot structures. Thus, the design, fabrication, and demonstration steps of a Fabry Perot elastic microcavity have been presented. Throughout the fabrication efforts, a new deposition protocol was developed. This deposition technique has enabled the deposition of TFOF on flexible substrates via the RF-sputtering technique. Thus, a new sensing configuration has been developed using flexible optical components.
In the second chapter, an optical sensing methodology based on tunable spectral filters and flexible optical components is introduced. The design, fabrication, realization, and characterization of a proof-of-concept optomechanical sensor have been presented. The design step includes optical, mechanical, and optoacoustic correlation simulations using the Transfer Matrix Method, finite element analysis, and analytical models. Moreover, the fabrication part includes multilayer deposition on silica and flexible substrates using the RF-Sputtering technique and integration of these optical components into a 3D-printed housing together with electronic components. Eventually, the performance evaluation of the optomechanical sensor has been carried out and the experimental results showed that the sensor resonance frequency is around 515 Hz and the sensor is capable of detecting static loadings from 50 Pa to 235 Pa values.
In the fourth chapter, seismic vulnerability analysis of a coupled Tank-Piping System has been performed using traditional acoustic emission sensors. Real-time performance evaluation of the pipeline as well as the structural health status of the critical parts were monitored. As a result, deformation levels of each critical part were investigated, and the processing of acoustic emission signals provided a more in-depth view of damage level of the analyzed components.
Throughout the thesis, TFOFs are an integral part of this thesis. Therefore, both the design and simulation of TFOFs play a crucial role throughout this research work. The Transfer Matrix Method is used to simulate the optical performance of TFOFs.
Moreover, in the final chapter, an automated design framework is presented for the design of TFOFs using a nature-inspired machine learning approach called Genetic algorithm. This design approach enables the design of sophisticated geometric configurations with unique optical capabilities. Therefore, not only the improvement of sensor response but also the new ways in the development of novel optical systems are demonstrated in this final chapter.
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Socher, Maria Lisa, Felix Lenk, Katja Geipel, Carolin Schott, Joachim Püschel, Christiane Haas, Christiane Grasse, Thomas Bley, and Juliane Steingroewer. "Phototrophic growth of Arthrospira platensis in a respiration activity monitoring system for shake flasks (RAMOS)." Saechsische Landesbibliothek- Staats- und Universitaetsbibliothek Dresden, 2017. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa-216432.
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Optimising illumination is essential for optimising the growth of phototrophic cells and their production of desired metabolites and/or biomass. This requires appropriate modulation of light and other key inputs and continuous online monitoring of their metabolic activities. Powerful non-invasive systems for cultivating heterotrophic organisms include shake flasks in online monitoring units, but they are rarely used for phototrophs because they lack the appropriate illumination design and necessary illuminatory power.
This study presents the design and characterisation of a photosynthetic shake flask unit, illuminated from below by warm white light-emitting diodes with variable light intensities up to 2300 μmol m-2 s-1. The photosynthetic unit was successfully used, in combination with online monitoring of oxygen production, to cultivate Arthrospira platensis.
In phototrophic growth under continuous light and a 16 h light/8 h dark cycle (light intensity: 180 μmol m-2 s-1), the oxygen transfer rate and biomass-related oxygen production were - 1.5 mmol L-1 h-1 and 0.18 mmol O2 gx-1 h-1, respectively. The maximum specific growth rate was 0.058 h-1, during the exponential growth phase, after which the biomass concentration reached 0.75 g L-1.
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Ribal, Anthony James. "The Relation Between a Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance Release and Earnings Growth and External Monitoring." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2017. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/1526.
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I investigate whether management’s decision to release or maintain the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets provides incremental information regarding pretax earnings growth in the following earnings period. I classify firm-years into two categories; valuation allowance release firm-years and valuation allowance maintain firm-years. The results of this study suggest that a release of the valuation allowance in the current period is positively associated with pretax earnings growth in the following period. This paper also studies whether a release of the valuation allowance yields increased external monitoring, and finds evidence that suggests an association.
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Penchev, Radoslav Yordanov. "Monitoring crystal size and growth processes during batch crystallisation via the use of acoustic attenuation spectroscopy." Thesis, University of Leeds, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.445842.
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Koppe, Wolfgang [Verfasser], Georg [Akademischer Betreuer] Bareth, and Karl [Akademischer Betreuer] Schneider. "Crop Growth Monitoring by Hyperspectral and Microwave Remote Sensing / Wolfgang Koppe. Gutachter: Georg Bareth ; Karl Schneider." Köln : Universitäts- und Stadtbibliothek Köln, 2014. http://d-nb.info/1059085542/34.
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Kuhn, Louise. "Why growth monitoring fails : an exploratory study of child malnutrition intervention in a rural African area." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13538.
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Bibliography: leaves 199-209.This study is an exploratory one of growth monitoring in a rural African village, Thornhill. Growth monitoring is a primary health care approach to prevent child malnutrition in under-developed areas promoted by a variety of development agencies, particularly UNICEF, as a part of the "child survival revolution." It involves weighing children regularly and plotting their weights on a growth chart retained by the child's mother. Growth charts provide a visual display of a child's growth to allow health workers and mothers to identify early signs of growth faltering in order to facilitate ameliorative action (usually food supplementation or nutrition education) to prevent malnutrition. It also aims to facilitate the active participation of mothers in ensuring their child's continual good growth. The history of growth monitoring and its use in the South African context is discussed. The underlying rationale and component processes needed to implement it effectively are identified in a review of process evaluation studies of growth monitoring. Thornhill is an impoverished African rural area in the Ciskei in which malnutrition is a serious health problem and growth monitoring has been systematically implemented. However, although the health service had a demonstrated capacity for successful health interventions it had been unable to improve nutritional status. Background information and previous research in the area is presented. The study aimed to explore why growth monitoring had failed to improve nutritional status in Thornhill by investigating the way in which the component objectives of growth monitoring in terms of making growth visible, facilitating nutrition intervention and facilitating mothers' participation in their children's care were perceived by mothers and health workers.
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Mariana, Frida. "Chip-Calorimetric Monitoring and Biothermodynamic Analysis of Biofilm Growth and Interactions with Chemical and Biological Agents." Doctoral thesis, Saechsische Landesbibliothek- Staats- und Universitaetsbibliothek Dresden, 2016. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa-191577.
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Over the last years, varieties of technologies for biofilm analysis were developed and established. They work on different principles and deliver information about biofilms on different information levels. In this work, chip-calorimetry was applied as an analytical tool that measures heat produced from biofilms. Any change of metabolism in biofilms is reflected by a changed heat flow. The heat, which is the integral of the heat flow vs. time, is quantitatively related to the growth stoichiometry of the biofilm, as described by the Hess’ Law. The heat flow is related to the growth kinetics with the reaction heat as proportionality factor. The results from the calorimetric measurement thus, deliver general information about growth stoichiometry and kinetics.
The other interpretation of calorimetric results bases on the assumed proportionality between heat flow and oxygen consumption rate (- 460 kJ/mol ). This ratio is called oxycaloric equivalent. Because in case of aerobic growth the majority of oxygen is consumed in catabolic processes during the electron transport phosphorylation, calorimetry is assumed to provide information about the catabolic side of the metabolism.
The newly developed chip-calorimeter applied in this work is much more suitable for biofilm studies compared to conventional microcalorimeters due to the flow-through design of the calorimetric chamber. The measurement of undisturbed growing biofilms and the comparison with conventional biofilm analysis tools (i.e. plate counts, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and the determination of intermediates’ concentrations (e.g. ATP)) demonstrate the proper functionality of the calorimetric method and the related cultivation procedure by delivering measurement results in the range of literature values.
However, when the biofilms were challenged with antimicrobial agents i.e. antibiotics, bacteriophage, and predatory bacteria, the calorimetric results surprisingly deviated from the reference analyses. By combining the results of the calorimetric and reference analyses, additional information about the antimicrobial effects on biofilms can be acquired. Combination of heat measurement and plate counts, which is one of the most conventional approaches, demonstrated that antimicrobials (especially the bactericidal acting kanamycin) could cause the loss of culturability while the cells were still metabolically active. The measurement of ATP content resulted in values out of the typical range, which indicated that antimicrobial treatments disturbed the cellular ATP regulation and the ATP concentration was no longer linearly correlated to the cell number. ATP measurements are therefore not suitable for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
The comparison of heat profiles with the biovolume determined by quantification of microscopic images shows an elevated cell specific heat production rate after the introduction of some antimicrobials (antibiotics and bacteriophage). In case of antibiotics, this can be explained as a consequence of the bacterial defense mechanisms. Most of the described defense mechanisms against antibiotics need biological energy and therefore drive the electron transport phosphorylation (ETP). In case of biofilm treatments with bacteriophage, the trigger of increasing ETP might be the synthesis of phage proteins, hull material, and genetic information molecules. In aerobic conditions, oxygen is used as terminal electron acceptor. Elevated ETP leads therefore to an increase in oxygen consumption, which correlates to the heat production using oxycaloric equivalent as a factor. These correlations explain the increase of cell specific heat productions as biofilms were challenged by antibiotics and bacteriophage. However, also a decrease of specific heat production was observed (in case of predatory bacteria). Here, the predatory bacteria activity caused various damages in host cells, including the interruption of ETP.
With these experiments, chip-calorimetry was demonstrated as a promising complementary tool in biofilm research, which provides deeper insights about metabolic activity and alterations. It benefits from the noninvasive handling and the online, real-time measurement that allow the method to be applied for monitoring purposes. Furthermore, its miniaturized dimension allows easy integration in more complex analytic systems and also reduces experiment costs with minimal media/chemical consumption.
This thesis also demonstrates the potential development of chip-calorimetry to be more suitable for routine analyses. The use of superparamagnetic beads as matrix to grow biofilms allows regulated transfer of biofilm samples into and from the measurement chamber. This was an initial step towards automation and higher-throughput analysis.
One further outcome of the thesis is based on the highly interesting fact about the elevated heat production rate of the host cells induced by the phage infection observed in the chip- calorimetric experiments. The volume specific detection limit of the chip-calorimeter is lower compared to a commercial microcalorimeter. Thus, the infection effect of phages was additionally measured in microcalorimeter to get better quantitative information about the thermal effect of the infection. The results showed that the immediate heat increase after the addition of phage into the solution of the host cells appeared to be quantitatively related to the infection factor, MOI (Multiplicity of Infection).
Unfortunately, microcalorimetric measurements in closed ampoules are often subjected to the oxygen limitation. Thus, this problem of microcalorimetric measurement has been addressed. The combination of experimental results and mathematical modeling showed that the rate of metabolism in the static ampoules is defined by the diffusion rate of oxygen into media. This factor has to be considered while designing biological experiments in closed calorimetric measuring chambers and interpreting the calorimetric results for their biological meaning. Some possible solutions to overcome the oxygen bioavailability problem are e.g. to design the experiments with low biomass, or by using media with elevated density to float the biomass at the interface to air and thus to reduce the diffusion path.
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Wiese, Benjamin. "Control and Modeling of Plant Growth : A versatile system for mineral nutrient addition and feed-back monitoring." Thesis, KTH, Reglerteknik, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-104617.
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Studying plants under controlled environmental conditions is a key component of current research. This thesis concentrates on the study of plant growth under nutrient-limiting conditions. The first objective is the design and construction of a prototype of a system which is able to supply nutrient solutions of prescribed time-dependent concentration to laboratory plants. The system, once configured via a PC, operates fully automatically without the need for human interference. The hardware setup is made of basic electric components, solenoid pinch valves, mixing pumps and metering pumps while the software is implemented in NI LabVIEW. In addition a dynamic model of plant growth is deployed for investigating possible influence on growth with help of the designed system. The focus hereby lies on investigating effects on RGR and steady-state growth during the exponential phase of plant growth.