Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Quantitative index of dissimilarity'

The EC directive REACH (EC1907/2006) sets, amongst others, the need for all the chemicals to be tested for their carcinogenic potential. In vitro assays can provide a fast and reliable tool for screening purposes. The Cell Transformation Assay (CTA) is one of the in vitro assays in the most advanced phase of the validation process and the only one able to evaluate both the genotoxic and the non-genotoxic potentials. The evaluation of results of the CTA is based on the scoring of transformed colonies (foci) by a trained expert on the basis of their morphological features. Levels of cell packing and multilayered growth, as well as fibroblastic shape of cells, criss-crossing and invasion of the surrounding monolayer features are evaluated for classification. While the decision making process is based on standard criteria, their interpretation is potentially biased, especially in borderline cases, due to a certain degree of subjectivism inherent in the evaluation of qualitative features. This aspect is critical towards the international validation of the CTA assay: subjectivity driven error might in fact result in under or over estimation of the carcinogenic potential of tested compounds. In this work, different approaches were used to develop an objective method to give decisional support to the operator in the classification procedure. Biological markers related to the transformation process (p53, cx43), and to a general cell stress (Hsp70) were analyzed. A novel technique for the in focus localization of biological markers of transformation was developed. RNA whole genome screening was used to set the conditions for future molecular characterization of foci-derived cell lines. A novel, Quantitative Index of Dissimilarity has been obtained by statistical descriptors capturing morphological features and employing an unsupervised image analysis approach, in order to help the operator in the decisional process of scoring the borderline cases.

Organizations in Jamaica have been impacted by globalization and the opportunities and challenges of cultural incompatibilities. Most previous studies on cultural incompatibilities have focused on the impact on expatriates leaving a gap in the literature with respect to the implications for host country nationals, and specifically Jamaicans. This quantitative study focused on employees of 2 companies in Jamaica, an energy company and a hospitality company. It examined cultural dissimilarity with respect to host country nationals and expatriates, and its effect on the productivity, job satisfaction, affective commitment, and normative commitment of these employees (N = 110). In addition to the above variables, the study also identified the role that gender, age, and tenure played in these relationships. Diversity theory, social exchange theory, homophily, and repulsion hypothesis formed the theoretical framework for this study, and multiple regression and correlation were utilized in the analysis of the data collected. The results of the study indicated correlation and predictive relationships between/among: culture and job satisfaction; age, gender, and experience in relation to job satisfaction; age, gender, and experience in relation to affective commitment; and culture, age, gender, and experience in relation to affective commitment. Social change implications for this study include the development of country-specific culture awareness training programs for both host country nationals and expatriates. It is further expected that the findings of this study will increase knowledge on the subject and help in the development of human resource management policies and procedures. These policies should aid in improved job attitudes and productivity for host country nationals.

This thesis proposes four contributions to the literature on index-linked catastrophe instrument valuation. Invariably, any exercise to find index-linked catastrophe instrument prices involves three key steps: construct a suitable arbitrage-free valuation model, estimate the parameters for the underlying loss process and simulate the instrument prices. Chapters 3 to 5 of this thesis loosely follow this process. In Chapter 3 we propose an index-linked catastrophe bond pricing model, which pervades in subsequent chapters. We furthermore show how, under certain assumptions, our model can use real-world catastrophe loss-data to find arbitrage-free, index-linked catastrophe bond prices. Chapter 4 demonstrates how we estimate parameters for the catastrophe-related insuranceloss process on which our pricing model relies. In practice, data from such insurance-loss processes is both left-truncated and heavy tailed. We build on ? ]’s procedure for modelling left-truncated data via a compound non-homogeneous Poisson process, and modify their fitting process so that it becomes systematically applicable in the context of heavy-tailed data. We close this chapter by presenting an importance sampling technique for simulating index-linked catastrophe bond prices. Chapter 5 treats the new problem of finding simple, closed-form expressions for indexlinked catastrophe bond prices. By using the weak convergence of compound renewal processes to α-stable Levy motion, we derive weak approximations to these catastrophe bond prices. ´ Their applicability is then highlighted in the context of our catastrophe-bond pricing model. Chapter 6 deviates from the ambit of catastrophe bond pricing, and considers a new type of insurance-linked security, namely the contingent convertible catastrophe bond. Our foremost contribution is that we comprehensively formalise the design and features of this instrument. Subsequently, we derive analytical valuation formulae for index-linked contingent-convertible catastrophe bonds. Using selected parameter values in line with earlier research, we empirically analyse our valuation formulae for index-linked contingent-convertible catastrophe bonds.

Segregationen i Sverige har ökat de senaste åren vilket skapat ett allt större samhällsproblem. Det är därför viktigt att kommunerna i ett tidigt stadie aktivt börjar arbeta mot segregation och för social hållbarhet. Med denna studie och dess metodutveckling vill vi främja arbetet för mindre svenska tätorter genom att ta fram och testa en metod som kommuner kan använda vid en kartläggning av segregation. För att kunna hantera segregationens mångsidiga problemställning har flera metodsteg använts. En litteraturgenomgång resulterade i sex variabler som alla har betydande påverkan på segregationen. Dessa var fastighetsbestånd, förvärvsfrekvens, inrikes- och utrikesfödda, trångboddhet, utbildning och ålder. En enkätundersökning genomfördes sedan med 14 samhällsplanerare för att rangordna de variabler som litteraturgenomgången påvisade. Rangordningen användes sedan i metoden rank sum weights, som sedermera ledde fram till en multikriterieanalys (MKA) baserad på en linjär additiv metod. Målet med studien är att kunna presentera en kartläggning för segregationen i Bollnäs tätort utifrån den metod vi har utvecklat. Resultatet från studien visar att Bollnäs tätort har fyra områden som klassas som “mest segregerade” och tre områden som klassas som “minst segregerade”. Dessa resultat har testats med tre validitets- och reliabilitetsmetoder vilka var Index of Dissimilarity, intervju, samt känslighetsanalys. Resultatet från de tre testerna påvisar tydliga tendenser och snarlika resultat från vår metod, vilket indikerar att vår metod är robust och trovärdig. Behovet av ordentliga kartläggningar likt vår studie framkommer bland annat i intervjun där en planerare från Bollnäs kommun fick peka ut de fem områden personen ansåg vara mest segregerade. För dessa fem områden pekade planeraren ut ett område som enligt vår studie var minst segregerat, vilket påvisar svårigheten kring segregationsfrågan. Vår förhoppning med denna studie är att skapa en metod som främjar kommuners arbete med social hållbarhet.<br>Segregation in Sweden has been rising in recent years, which has lead to an increase in social problems. It is therefore important that municipalities, in an early stage, actively begin to work against segregation and towards social sustainability. With this study and its methodology we want to encourage smaller Swedish cities by developing and testing a method that municipalities can use in mapping of segregation. To handle segregation's complex problems, several of method steps have been applied. A literature review resulted in six variables, all of which have a significant impact on segregation. The variables were: housing tenure, employment rates, domestic/foreign-born, overcrowding, education and age. A survey was then conducted with 14 experts in the urban planning sector. The planners were asked to rank the variables that the literature review highlighted. The rankings were then used to create rank sum weights, which later led to a multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) based on a linear additive method. The aim of the study is to present a mapping of the segregation in Bollnäs urban area based on the method we have developed. The result of the study shows that out of 15 areas in Bollnäs urban area, four were classified as "most segregated" and three areas classified as "least segregated". These results have been tested using three validity and reliability methods: The Index of Dissimilarity, interview and sensitivity analysis. The results of the three tests demonstrate clear trends and similar results compared with our method, which indicates that our method is robust and trustworthy. The necessity for proper mapping of segregation is demonstrated by the interview where a planner from Bollnäs municipality was given the chance to pinpoint five areas the person considered to be most segregated. For these five areas, the planner pointed out one area that according to our study was least segregated, which proves the difficulty of identifying segregation. Our hope with this study is to create a method that support municipalities work with social sustainability.

This paper deals with some of the issues that affect the understanding and functioning of descriptive psychopathology (DP). The latter remains the language of description in psychiatry and the basis for her nosological constructs. DP makes assumptions concerning the nature of its object and its underlying causes (i.e. makes use of the medical model). DP needs historical, clinical and numerical recalibration. It is suggested that in some cases, and against traditional psychometric principles, some instruments will have to be constructed that show flexibility and can be varied according to the descriptive needs presented by individual cases.<br>En el presente artículo se discuten algunos aspectos que afectan a la comprensión y al funcionamiento de la psicopatología descriptiva (PD), la cual proporciona un lenguaje descriptivo a la psiquiatría y las bases para sus constructos nosológicos. La PD formula postulados sobre la naturaleza de su objeto de estudio y sus causas subyacentes (haciendo uso del modelo médico). Se propone que la PD necesita una recalibración histórica, clínica y numérica. En relación a esto, se sugiere que en algunos casos, en contra de los principios psicométricos tradicionales, ciertos instrumentos deberán ser construidos de un modo flexible que permita que varíen de acuerdo a las necesidades descriptivas que presenten casos individuales.

Immigration to Sweden has increased since Second World War. The immigra-tion pattern has also shifted from labor immigration to refugee immigration. The relative labor market performance of immigrants began to worsen at the end of 1970s. The employment rate among foreign born persons is considera-bly lower than it is among Swedish born persons.Integration of foreign born persons in the areas of education, income and em-ployment varies among FA-regions in Sweden. FA-region means functional analysis region, where you can live and work without having time-wasting trips.The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the relationship between labor market participation of immigrants and segregation on the regional level.Three indices (Dissimilarity, Isolation and Gini) of segregation are used in or-der to investigate the relationship between segregation and employment level among immigrants. The results show that there exists a negative relationship between these variables. In FA-regions of metropolitan regions in spite of high segregation rate the relationship between segregation and employment rate is slightly weaker, than it is among FA-regions of large city regions. The main conclusion of this study is the regional perspective, the necessity of making this kind of analysis on regional level, not country level.

Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Behandlungsqualität und Behandlungsdauer der Kiefer- orthopädischen Abteilung einer Universitätsklinik zu bestimmen. Dazu wurden die Behandlungsmodelle vor und nach der Behandlung mit Hilfe des PAR (Peer Assess- ment Rating)-Indexes beurteilt. Weiterhin wurden mögliche Einflußgrößen auf die Behandlungsqualität und Behandlungsdauer untersucht. Die Behandlungsunterlagen von 100 fortlaufend abgeschlossenen Patienten (62 weiblich, 38 männlich) wurden retrospektiv ausgewertet. Das durchschnittliche Alter bei Behandlungsbeginn lag bei 14,9 Jahren (7,4 - 42,2 Jahre). Am häufigsten wurde die Behandlung im Alter von 9 oder 10 Jahren begonnen, 24 Patienten waren er- wachsen. Die Angle-Klasse II (71%) war am zahlreichsten vertreten, gefolgt von der Angle-Klasse I (21%) und der Klasse III (8%). 77 Patienten versäumten vereinbarte Termine, 38 Patienten mußten wegen ungenügender Mitarbeit ermahnt werden. Es kam ein breites Spektrum kieferorthopädischer Behandlungsgeräte zum Einsatz. Bei 95 Patienten wurde eine festsitzende Apparatur verwendet. Bei 52 Patienten er- folgte die Behandlung ausnahmslos mit dieser Apparatur, 33 Patienten wurden auf- einanderfolgend mit herausnehmbaren und festsitzenden Geräten behandelt und 10 Patienten kombiniert kieferorthopädisch und kieferchirurgisch. Nur 5 Patienten wur- den ausschließlich mit herausnehmbaren funktionskieferorthopädischen Geräten the- rapiert. Bei 31 Patienten wurden während der kieferorthopädischen Behandlung Zähne extrahiert. Der PAR Wert vor Behandlungsbeginn lag für die Gesamtgruppe bei durchschnittlich 23,9 Punkten. Der PAR Wert nach Behandlungsende lag bei 5,2. Die prozentuale Verbesserung betrug 75,6%. 65 Patienten hatten nach Behandlungsende einen PAR Wert ? 5 und 89 Patienten einen PAR Wert ? 10. Nur 4 Patienten erreichten einen PAR Wert von null. Die Verteilung der Patienten auf die einzelnen Verbesserungs- Kategorien lautete: greatly improved" 33 Patienten, improved" 65 Patienten, worse - no different" 2 Patienten. Auf die Behandlungsqualität hatte keiner der untersuchten Faktoren (Behandlungsmittel, Extraktion/Nichtanlage, Angle-Klasse, Mitarbeit und Geschlecht) einen signifikanten Einfluß. Die mittlere Behandlungsdauer aller Patienten betrug 39,1 Monate (8 - 85 Monate). Auf die Behandlungsdauer hatten von den untersuchten Faktoren (PAR Anfangswert, Behandlungsmittel, Extraktion/Nichtanlage, Angle-Klasse, Mitarbeit, Geschlecht und Alter bei Behandlungsbeginn) der PAR Anfangswert bei festsitzender Behandlung, die Behandlungsmittel, die Mitarbeit und das Alter bei Behandlungsbeginn einen signifikanten Einfluß. Die Behandlung mit herausnehmbaren und anschließend fest- sitzenden Apparaturen dauerte mit durchschnittlich 56,2 Monaten erwartungsgemäß am längsten. Die alleinige Behandlung mit festsitzenden Apparaturen benötigte im Schnitt 30,3 Monate, eine kieferorthopädisch-kieferchirurgische Kombinationsthera- pie beanspruchte 27,1 Monate. Extraktionen und/oder Nichtanlagen zeigten Tenden- zen zu längeren Behandlungszeiten. Jüngere Patienten benötigten eine signifikant längere Behandlungszeit.<br>The aim of this study was to assess the treatment standards and treatment time in a university clinic. Pre-treatment and post-treatment study casts were assessed by the PAR (Peer Assessment Rating) Index. The influence of various factors upon treat- ment quality and treatment duration was analysed. The treatment records of 100 consecutively finished patients (62 females and 38 males) were evaluated retrospectively. The mean age was 14.9 years (7.4 42.2 years) at the pre-treatment stage. Most of the patients were between the ages of 9 and 10 years old, 24 patients were over the age of 18. At the start of treatment, 71 patients had an Angle Class II, 21 an Angle Class I and 8 patients an Angle Class III. There were 77 patients who failed at least once to show up for their appointments and 38 patients had negative chart entries regarding appliance wear. There was a wide range of appliance types used in this sample. The treatment involved fixed appliances for 95 patients. 52 patients were treated only with this type of appliance, 33 were treated with removable and fixed appliances successively and 5 patients were treated solely with removable functional appliances. 10 patients received combined orthodontic treatment and orthognatic surgery. 31 patients had extractions of permanent teeth as part of their treatment. The average pre- and post-treatment PAR scores were 23.9 and 5.2, repectively. The mean percentage reduction in PAR score was 75.6%. Post-treatment, 65 patients fell in the 0-5 PAR score group and 89 patients had a PAR score of 10 or less. However, only 4 patients scored 0 at the end of treatment. 33 patients have been "greatly im- proved", 65 patients "improved" and 2 ranked "worse or no different". Of all the fac- tors examined (type of therapy, extractions/agenesis, Angle Classes, compliance and gender) none showed a significant influence on post-treatment PAR scores. The mean treatment duration was 39.1 months (8 - 85 months). When treatment time was analysed, with all the factors examined (pre-treatment PAR score, type of treat- ment, extractions/agenesis, Angle Classes, compliance, gender and age at treatment start) only pre-treatment PAR score in the fixed appliance group, type of treatment, compliance and age at treatment start, were significantly related. As expected, the sequence of removable and fixed appliances required the longest treatment time (56.2 months). Fixed appliance therapy alone took 30.3 months, a combination of orthodontics and orthognatic surgery lasted for 27.1 months on average. Extractions and/or congenitally missing permanent teeth showed a tendency to higher treatment times. Inadequate compliance did significantly prolong treatment duration. Younger patients required longer treatment times.

In recent years, the responsibility for the desegregation of American public schools has transitioned from federal court mandates to school board programs and policies. There is widespread belief that this has resulted in the resegregation of schools across the country. One popular policy that is purported to provide the opportunity for voluntary integration, along with accountability for academic quality, is school choice. The purpose of this study was to consider the implications of such a policy in one large school district. There is an extensive body of research exploring who participates in school choice, how they make their choices, and why they choose the schools their children attend. In contrast, this study was designed to investigate the actual choices made by parents and the impact of those choices on the elementary schools in the district. This quantitative descriptive study examined the racial and socioeconomic composition of students in one district’s elementary schools during the 2009-2010 school year, and explored the extent to which the student populations in these schools would differ if all students had attended their attendance area schools, rather than participating in the district’s voluntary choice plan. The actual 2009-2010 demographics were compared to “counterfactual” demographics for each school. The researcher generated the counterfactual data by removing the students who chose to attend the school and adding back the students who chose to exit the school. These actual and counterfactual demographics for each school were used to compare dissimilarity indices calculated for the district’s elementary schools as they actually were, and as they theoretically would have been without the school choice program. Additionally, the quality of the schools parents chose was investigated. The results showed that, in this district, the school choice plan did not impact the level of integration in the elementary schools. The schools were moderately segregated with the school choice plan in place, but were also moderately segregated based on the counterfactual demographics that represented the district without school choice. Most parents (60%) chose high quality schools, as identified by the state’s accountability plan. However, parents who chose low achieving schools were disproportionately black and poor. Further research is warranted to determine if the mechanics of the school choice plan could be manipulated to improve the level of integration in the district, and to better understand the decisions made by some parents to send their children to low performing schools.

The essay discusses the criteria available in Peru’s environmental impact assessment regime for mandatory modification of environmental impact studies as a result of the modification of the underlying project. The paper identifies the gaps in the cross-sector legislation on environmental impact assessment, and the deficiencies of sector-specific legislation on environmental impact assessment, which have privileged quantitative criteria associated to the size of the project, over qualitative criteria associated to the real impact of the amendment of the project.<br>El ensayo analiza los criterios previstos en el régimen de evaluación de impacto ambiental peruano para determinar la obligatoriedad de la modificación de los estudios de impacto ambiental como consecuencia de la modificación de los proyectos. Identifica los vacíos existentes en la legislación transectorial y las deficiencias de los regímenes sectoriales, los que han privilegiado criterios de determinación fundamentalmente cuantitativos asociados a la magnitud del proyecto, sobre criterios cualitativos asociados al real impacto de la modificación.

Modern society is faced with the complex and intractable challenge of global warming, along with other environmental issues that could potentially alter our way of life if not managed properly. Is it possible that financial markets and equity investors could have a huge part to play in the transformation towards a greener and more sustainable world? Previous studies about investment strategies regarding sustainability have for the most part been centered around possibly less objective ESG-scores or around carbon and GHG-emissions only, with little or no consideration for water usage and waste management. This thesis aims to amend to the previous work on carbon reducing strategies and ESG-investing with the addition of water usage and waste management, especically using raw data of these measures instead of ESG-ratings. Index replicating portfolios have become more and more popular as it proves harder and harder to beat the index, offering good returns along with cheap and uncomplicated portfolio construction and management. In a trending market, the fear of missing out and the demand for market return can make an index replicating strategy a way for investors to have market exposure but still remain diversied and without confusion about which horses to bet on. This thesis studies the relationship between tracking-error and the increase of sustainability in a portfolio through reduction of the intensity of carbon emissions, water usages and poor waste management. To be able to make a fair comparison, these measures are normalized by dividing each measure by the reported annual revenue. These three obtained intensities are then implemented individually, as well as all together into index replicating portfolios in order to study the effect from decreasing them. First and foremost we study the effect on the tracking-error, but also the effects on returns and volatility. We also study the effect on liquidity and turnover in the portfolios to show that it is possible to implement extensive sustainability increasing methods into an index replication equity portfolio. We follow the UCITS-directory to avoid overweightin specic companies and only allow the portfolios to overweight a sector with maximum 2%, in order to avoid an unwanted exposure to sectors with naturally lower intensities. The portfolios are obtained by using a multi-factor risk model to predict the expected statistical behaviour in relation to the chosen factors. Followed by applying Markowitz Modern Portfolio Theory through a convex optimization problem with the objective function to minimize tracking-error. All displayed portfolios had stable and convex optimization and were compliant with the UCITS-directory. We limited our study to only North American stocks and chose the index "MCSI NA" to replicate. Only stocks that were a part of the index were allowed to invest in and we did not allow negative weights for any stocks. The portfolios were constructed and backtested for the period 2014-12-01 until 2019-03-01 with rebalancing quarterly at the same points in time that the index is rebalanced by MCSI. We found that it was possible to implement extensive sustainability considerations into the portfolios and still keep a high correlation with the index whilst keeping low tracking-errors. We believe that most index replicating investors should be able to implement reductions of above mentioned intensities of about 40-60% without compromising tracking-errors,returns and volatility too much. We found evidence that during this time and in this market our low-intensities portfolios would have overperformed the index. We also found that returns increased and volatility decreased as we increased the reduction of each individual measure and all three collectively. Reducing carbon intensity seemed to drive positive returns and lower volatility the most, but we also observed apositive effect from reduction of all intensities. Our belief before conducting this study was that sustainability should have a negative effect on returns due to the limitation of the feasible area of investing. This motivated us to build portfolios with intent to makeup for these lesser returns and hopefully "beat the index". This failed in almost all cases and the only way we were able to beat the index were through implementing sustainability in our portfolios.

This paper reviews the history of conceptual relations between theoretical and quantitative psychology. The concepts of mathematical psychology, psychometry, and their links to psychological structuralisms and functionalisms are reviewed. This work stresses the need of giving a psychological theoretical background to the quantitative point of view in psychology. Spearman's theory of intelligence is proposed as a model of synthesis between theoretical and quantitative psychology; it is proposed also to integrare psychometry with experimental psychology to proof psychological hyphotesis derived of psychomarhematical and psychostatistical frames.<br>Este artículo presenta una revisión de la historia de las relaciones conceptuales entre psicología teórica y psicología cuantitativa. Se revisan los conceptos de psicología matemática y psicometría, así como los vínculos epistemológicos que estas áreas tienen con los estructuralismos y funcionalismos psicológicos. El trabajo resalta la necesidad de dotar a los puntos de vista cuantitativos en psicología con herramientas conceptuales propiamente psicológicas. Se propone la teoría de la inteligencia de Spearman como un modelo de integración de psicología teórica y psicología cuantitativa; también se propone la integración de la psicometría con la psicología experimental en el terreno de las pruebas de hipótesis derivadas de marcos psicomatemáticos y psicoestadísticos.

The city of Richmond has practiced mixed land-use policies to encourage non-private-vehicle commuting for decades based on the successful examples or the empirical evidence of other cities. However, the idea violates one of common logical fallacy—“all things are equal.” Using the indices of land-use diversity, this study explores the correlation between land-use mixture and home-based trip for the city of Richmond. This paper calculates two common indices of land-use mixture—entropy, and dissimilarity. The results indicate that although Richmond’s land-use mixture and home-based trip do have a correlation, the correlation is weak. One possible reason is that socioeconomic actors have a stronger influence on transportation than land-use mixture. However, this assumption still needs further analysis in order to be verified.

<p>Traditional theories, models, and methods often address a general view of the environment including sociocultural, technological, political, and economic factors. However, there is a lack in infrastructural attention in these concepts which this thesis intends to contribute with by analyzing how regional specific infrastructural variables can be aggregated to one comparative measure and what that measure’s scope of use could be in the market analysis? Hence, the purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the strategic planning process research with a supporting quantitative tool, based on statistical metrics, for determining the market potential.</p><p>This thesis has an inductive approach and is primary based on documentary secondary data and the strategic planning process is the main theory of concern when evaluating the possibilities of infrastructural assessment. As a complement, the infrastructural concerns in the economics are also dealt with.</p><p>The empirics are compiled and calculated in a manner which allows an indexing and the finalized result is presented as an Infrastructural Status Index (InfraStat Index). Some of the utilities of this index are that it can be a complementary part of the PEST- and SWOT-models and a supporting tool in companies’ strategic planning processes. The index has both business and macroeconomic scopes of use and one of the summarizing conclusions is that further research within this concept should incorporate more variables in order to retrieve a more comprehensive result.</p>

INTRODUCTION: Preterm birth (PTB) remains a major contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality being the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age. The rate of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) still accounts for approximately 5%-12% in USA and in most developing countries. Cervical length (CL) <25 mm measured with transvaginal ultrasound at mid-gestation is a known risk factor for sPTB. However, its value for screening a whole pregnant population consisting mainly of women without risk factors for sPTB remains controversial because of the low sensitivity of short CL in low-risk women. MAIN OBJECTIVE: To improve the identification of women at increased risk of sPTB in low and high sPTB risk asymptomatic pregnancies during mid-gestation with two innovative transvaginal ultrasound techniques, the Cervical Consistency Index (CCI) and the Quantitative Cervical Texture Analysis (CTx). The CCI is an ultrasound measurement that aims to estimate cervical softness by measuring maximal tissue compressibility with a vaginal ultrasound probe. The CTx, extracts information from the speckle pattern of the ultrasound image and identifies the patterns associated with SPTB. METHODS: Articles 1 and 2 are prospective cohort studies that compare the predictive capacity of the ICC with that of the CL. Article 3 is a cross-sectional study that analyzes the cervical texture along a term gestation. Article 4 is a case-control study, in which a CTx-score is obtained, which is compared with the CL. RESULTS: STUDY 1. Mid-trimester sonographic cervical consistency index to predict spontaneous preterm birth in a low-risk population: The cervix was significantly shorter (median CL 39.8 mm vs. 36.2 mm, p=0.004) and the CCI was significantly lower (median 73.0% vs. 58.1%, p<0.001) in the sPTB group. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for CCI with regard to predicting sPTB <37+0 weeks was 0.84 (95% CI 0.75-0.93) and that for CL 0.68 (95% CI 0.56-0.81), P = 0.03. STUDY 2. Mid-trimester sonographic cervical consistency index to predict spontaneous preterm birth in a high-risk population: The CCI (%) was significantly inferior in women who had a preterm delivery compared to the term group. CCI adjusted OR, 0.91 (95% CI, 0.83-0.99; P=0.03). The AUC of the CCI to predict sPTB <37+0 weeks was 0.73 (95% CI, 0.61-0.85) while that of CL was 0.51 (95% CI, 0.35-0.67), P=0.03. STUDY 3. Quantitative Analysis of the Cervical Texture by Ultrasound and Correlation with Gestational Age: The correlation between the gestational age at which the images were obtained and the estimated gestational age by quantitative analysis of the cervical texture was R=0.88. Ce STUDY 4. Quantitative analysis of the cervical texture by ultrasound in the mid-pregnancy is associated with spontaneous preterm birth: The median CTx-based score obtained was significantly lower in cases compared to controls. The CTx-based crude OR 0.31 (95% CI 0.17-0.56; P<0.001) vs. adjusted OR 0.37 (95% CI 0.19-0.64; P=0.001). The AUC for the CTx-based score to identify women delivering < 37+0 weeks was higher (0.77; 95% CI 0.66-0.87) than for CL (0.60; 95% CI 0.47-0.72), P=0.02. DISCUSSION: The CCI and CTx have the potential to improve the identification of women at increased risk of sPTB compared to CL. The large number of scenarios in which these tools could be applied have demonstrated their potential impact on the current management of a large number of pregnancies. Cervical assessment is required in a wide range of clinical situations and the main reason why it is not yet universally implemented is the limited performance of the current cervical assessment techniques. Therefore, it is a healthcare priority to develop sPTB predictive tools with sufficiently improved performance to be used as screening tools.<br>INTRODUCCIÓN: El parto prematuro representa la segunda causa de morbimortalidad infantil a nivel mundial. Las estrategias actuales de detección de las mujeres con un riesgo aumentado de parto prematuro espontáneo (SPTB), han demostrado ser insuficientes y el desarrollo de nuevas herramientas predictivas es una prioridad en el campo de la medicina materno-fetal. OBJETIVOS: Mejorar la identificación de las mujeres con riesgo de SPTB en el segundo trimestre, evaluando dos nuevas herramientas ecográficas: el Índice de Consistencia Cervical (CCI) y el análisis cuantitativo de la textura cervical (CTx). MÉTODOS: El CCI, evalúa la máxima compresibilidad del cuello del útero. El CTx, extrae información del patrón de moteado de la imagen ecográfica e identifica los patrones asociados con SPTB. Los artículos 1 y 2, son estudios prospectivos de cohortes que comparan la capacidad predictiva del CCI con la de la CL. El artículo 3 es un estudio transversal que analiza la textura cervical a lo largo de una gestación a término. El artículo 4 es un estudio de casos y controles, en el cual se obtiene un CTx-score, que se compara con la CL. RESULTADOS: Las curvas ROC para la predicción de SPTB <37 y <34 semanas del CCI (0.84 y 0.73), son significativamente mejores que las de la CL (0.68 y 0.51). El CTx-score en los casos de SPTB es significativamente inferior que en los controles. La curva ROC del CTx-score es mejor en comparación con la de la CL (0.77 vs 0.60). CONCLUSIONES: Los artículos 1 y 2, demuestran que el CCI es mejor predictor de SPTB que la CL en poblaciones de bajo y alto riesgo de prematuridad. El artículo 3 demuestra que la CTx puede identificar cambios a lo largo de la gestación normal. El artículo 4 demuestra que el CTx-score obtenido en casos y controles, se relaciona con el SPTB.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2008.<br>Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 85 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-65).

Power transformers play a very important role in electrical power networks and are frequently operated longer than their expected design life. Therefore, to ensure their best operating performance in a transmission network, the fault condition of each transformer must be assessed regularly. For an accurate fault diagnosis, it is important to have maximum information about an individual transformer based on unbiased measurements. This can best be achieved using artificial intelligence (AI) that can systematically analyse the complex features of diagnostic measurements. Clustering techniques are a form of AI that is particularly well suited to fault diagnosis. To provide an assessment of transformers, a hybrid k-means algorithm, and probabilistic Parzen window estimation are used in this research. The clusters they form are representative of a single or multiple fault categories. The proposed technique computes the maximum probability of transformers in each cluster to determine their fault categories. The main focus of this research is to determine a quantitative health index (HI) to characterize the operating condition of transformers. Condition assessment tries to detect incipient faults before they become too serious, which requires a sensitive and quantified approach. Therefore, the HI needs to come from a proportionate system that can estimate health condition of transformers over time. To quantify this condition, the General Regression Neural Network (GRNN), a type of AI, has been chosen in this research. The GRNN works well with small sets of training data and avoids the needs to estimate large sets of model parameters, following a largely non-parametric approach. The methodology used here regards transformers as a collection of subsystems and summarizes their individual condition into a quantified HI based on the existing agreed benchmarks drawn from IEEE and CIGRE standards. To better calibrate the HI, it may be mapped to a failure probability estimate for each transformer over the coming year. Experimental results of the research show that the proposed methods are more effective than previously published approaches when diagnosing critical faults. Moreover, this novel HI approach can provide a comprehensive assessment of transformers based on the actual condition of their individual subsystems.

Sustainability science primarily emerged from the severe global events that had and were unfolding approximately a quarter century ago; evidence from the literature review conducted in Chapter 1 exemplifies this point. From this situation surfaced a number of concepts and techniques that have been tested and continue to be assessed. The first step of the methodology is the literature review in which the overall picture of the discipline is established and what direction sustainability related science is headed. The literature review found that the forefront of this research endeavours to adapt quantitative sustainability concepts into a method that can assess and analyse a geographical area. To undertake this challenge, the index of sustainable functionality (ISF) model is used via a quantitative multi-criteria method. This method of sustainability assessment establishes a historical and current state of functionality within a geographical area by producing a trend-like record. In sustainability terms, the ISF model uses an approach that calculates the adaptive quantitative results of a geographical area over a record period of time; the methodology in Chapter 2 describes the model’s concept of assessment by way of actions via societal performance and ranking. The structure of the model is based on an engineering viewpoint; its key components umbrella a societal framework that encompasses an intertwined relationship using a triple bottom line (TBL) approach. The formation of this model is founded on a number of aspects, ideas and methodologies based on initial models of sustainability assessment. These initial forms – to mention a few include environmental accounting, integrated assessment and ecological footprint – have helped to establish the current settings of the discipline of sustainability science and the significance of related research. The methodology is broken down into two main components: (1) structure methodology which is framed around five steps that identify and define variables and (2) mathematical formulation which is used to calculate ISF records. An examination of the formulae used, also shows evidence that the principal ideas can be linked to a redefinition of sustainability; this is not the intention of this study, though in a quantitative sense the use of an action being functional or dysfunctional within society can be interpreted in this way. Actions include perspectives, functions and indicators, and sub-indicator(s); the analysis process is limited to the use of two types of data: datasets based on indicators and sub-indicator(s) used to formulate functions and data from the weightings process, that being, from the expert panel and the community telephone questionnaires. The data from the weightings process utilises the formulated functions and is the basis for the formulation of the system- vi perspective cross-reference matrix. This design is a stepladder process methodology and is the fundamental concept of the ISF’s multi-criteria assessment. This report has two applications that examine the Australian regions of South East Queensland (SEQ) and the State of Queensland; the proposed index-based model is tested over a time span of 25 years from 1980 to 2005. The primary focus of the methodology is aimed at the SEQ region, acting as the model’s core focus for its experimentation and development. The SEQ region is broken down into four sub-regions which encompass a total of eighteen councils using the council structure from pre- 15 March 2008. For these regions ISF records are developed and analytically discussed as results in Chapter 3. The results, once merged, form the ISF of SEQ and detail a slow-to-moderate increase in level of functionality. The result in sustainability terms formulate an increase in functional growth rate of 15.38%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 0.62%. For the span of the study this is positive result, showing evidence of a growth in knowledge and awareness of sound TBL measures region-wide. As an extension to the SEQ study, an ISF application of the entire State of Queensland is conducted in Chapter 4. The ISF of the State of Queensland is a case study that uses similar methodology and structure to the SEQ project and demonstrates the applicability and scalability of the model at large. For the State of Queensland, the ISF result closely mirrors its smaller SEQ corner; it is inferred that since SEQ is partially the concluding ISF result of the State application, similar ISF records would be produced. In addition to the main report, there are six annexes that further detail, support and explain subject matter and findings throughout the dissertation (Annex 1 thru 6). Due to the length of the annexes they have been included as supplementary material. As the key contributing factor of this report, the development of an ISF model, using a quantitative multi-criteria method, reveals a transposable approach to assessing other areas within Australia and internationally. It is this transposability via produced traceable records that current and future generations may better utilise decision-making and managerial planning when considering the sustainable development crisis. The intentions of this report is not to produce a solution to this crisis, it is aimed at adding to the knowledge base of the sustainability science and promoting a cleaner, safer society with sustainable higher standards of living that support future generations. From this standpoint, it is hopeful that the methodologies utilised in this report can further the interdisciplinary work and help bring together technical, communicative innovation in a vital field of research.<br>Thesis (PhD Doctorate)<br>Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)<br>School of Engineering<br>Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology<br>Full Text

Mangrove forests provide wide ranges of roles supporting aquatic and terrestrial biota and providing ecosystem services to humans. Over the past century, mangroves have been impacted by human activities, leading to widespread habitat loss and degradation, while efforts to restorator and rehabilitate were not very successful in most projects. However, it will always be more effective to ensure the conservation of existing mangrove habitats. Accordingly, an adequate assessment method with appropriate evaluation components is required to monitor the habitat status. The current assessment approaches more often address the structural conditions of trees and mangrove ‘forests’ which are too insensitive to pressures. There are other indicator variables that describe processes and attributes that underpin mangroves’ structures and functions. These indicator variables are likely to be more sensitive to the impacts resulted by human activities. They can therefore be used to trigger a warning and management process when conditions inside the habitat start to go wrong. The approach in this thesis was to develop an assessment method which used quantitative indicators, as indicator-based approaches and measurable information interest the stakeholders who are managing and reporting habitat status more than purely descriptive assessments. This approach initially started from a literature review and was supplemented with the use of systematic expert judgments. During this process, the competence of a suite of potential indicator variables was obtained. This competency included the variables’ ability to reflect mangrove health and their capacity for delivering ecosystem services. I also considered other criteria such as ecosystem integrity, easy, fast and cost-effectiveness of measurement as well as the time scale for the indicators to respond the pressures impacts (Chapter 2). The indicator variables must be sensitive to anthropogenic pressures, which is another critical criterion to be considered. To address this, there was a need for a scale representing the degree of human pressure / influence. This was dealt by quantifying human activities as proxies of human pressures. They were measured in Pressure Groups (PG) including land-use, hydro-morphology alteration and water quality. This method was implemented in a case study of the Moreton Bay, South East Queensland, Australia. The results reported in Chapter 3 are dimensionless quantified pressure data providing an early detection of vulnerability in mangrove communities. The results can be also used for the calibration of assessment models in future studies concerning how biotic and abiotic indicators are reflecting the pressures. In Chapter 4, the sensitivities of the competent potential indicator variables (using the results of Chapter 2) were tested against the quantified human activities (using the results of Chapter 3). I provided a set of sites ranging from the least to the highest level of anthropogenic pressure in the Moreton Bay study area. The values of the potential variables to different levels of human activities assist the selection of sensitive mangrove health metrics. The habitat characteristics such as vegetation indices in canopy level, and sediment features i.e. metals, nutrients and Chl-a showed a degree of sensitivity to human activities and accordingly were identified as capable variables for an early warning process. Identifying the appropriate health metrics may lead to the development of an Index of Mangrove Ecosystem Integrity (IMEI); this is discussed in Chapter 5. The identified indicator/field variables may be amongst the most sensitive variables to human activities. This is because the field data collection was done in those mangrove forests which are still quite stable (see Chapter 4). A higher number of variables could be included in models by extending this field work to more degraded habitats and in areas with larger magnitude of human activities. Consequently, other field variables may be discovered with lower levels of sensitivity to human activities. These sets of variables can be used as higher levels of warning process. These health metrics will assist in developing IMEI.<br>Thesis (PhD Doctorate)<br>Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)<br>School of Environment and Sc<br>Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology<br>Full Text

Det som ofta faller bort i den offentliga debatten är att segregationens innebörd anspelar på åtskillnader av olika grupper, inte enbart de ”utsatta” utan även de socioekonomiskt starkare grupperna. Denna studie kommer att undersöka hur segregationen ser ut inom Sundsvalls tätortsområden och vilka faktorerna är som har störst påverkan till de skillnader som finns. Studien baseras på att urskilja den relativa segregationen, d.v.s. fördelningen av segregationspåverkande faktorer, i positiv och negativ riktning. Syftet i studien är sedan att jämföra två olika geografiska indelningssystem. Det ena är det kommunala nyckelkodssystemet (NYKO) och det andra är Statistiska centralbyråns regionala indelningssystem, demografiska statistikområden (DeSO). I metoden har två olika index använts för att mäta fördelningen av segregationsfaktorer genom en multikriterieanalys (MKA). Den första mätningen har skett genom en nyutvecklad segregationsindex och den andra mätningen genom index of dissimilarity. Studien har visat att det finns svårigheter kring att använda ett indelningssystem som kan verka funktionellt i alla avseenden. Beroende på vad studien syftar till att mäta så spelar olika zon- och skalindelningar en stor roll i hur resultatet framställs. Resultatet visar att segregationen utspelar sig inom både de socioekonomiskt svaga och starka områdena. Det finns däremot svårigheter med att bedöma vilken områdesindelning som är mest användbar då de verkar på olika grunder. Genom att jämföra DeSO och NYKO har resultaten av studien visat att befolkningsantalet och storleken på den geografiska områdesindelningen har en stor betydelse för hur pålitlig en studie kan bli.<br>What often falls away in the public debate is that the meaning of the segregation alludes to the separation of different groups, not just the "vulnerable" but also the socio-economically stronger groups. This study will investigate how the segregation plays out within Sundsvall's urban areas and which factors have the greatest impact on the differences that exist. The study is based on distinguishing the relative segregation, i. e. the distribution of factors affecting segregation, in a positive and negative direction. The purpose of the study is then to compare two different geographical area systems. One is the municipal key code system (NYKO) and the other is the state regional area system, demographic statistics areas (DeSO). In the method, two different indexes have been used to measure the distribution of segregation factors through a multi-criteria decision analysis (MKA). The first measurement has been made by a newly developed segregation index and the second measurement by the index of dissimilarity. The study has shown that there are difficulties in finding an area system that can function efficiently for all purposes. Depending on what the study aims to measure, the different zone and scale configurations play a major role in how the result is produced. The result of the study shows that the segregation takes place in both the socio-economically weak and strong areas. There are, on the other hand, difficulties in assessing which of the two area systems that is the most practical since they both operate on different grounds. By comparing DeSO and NYKO, the results of the study have shown that the population and size of the geographical area unit are of great importance for how reliable a study can be.

Originally Published in: Kazuya Tanimura, Susumu Sato, Yoshinori Fuseya, Koichi Hasegawa, Kiyoshi Uemasu, Atsuyasu Sato, Tsuyoshi Oguma, Toyohiro Hirai, Michiaki Mishima and Shigeo Muro. Quantitative Assessment of Erector Spinae Muscles in Patients with COPD: Novel Chest CT-derived Index for Prognosis. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. [Year];[Volume]:[Pages]. DOI: [Number] Copyright© 2015 by the American Thoracic Society The final publication is available at http://www.atsjournals.org/journal/annalsats/<br>Kyoto University (京都大学)<br>0048<br>新制・課程博士<br>博士(医学)<br>甲第19621号<br>医博第4128号<br>新制||医||1015(附属図書館)<br>32657<br>京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻<br>(主査)教授 福原 俊一, 教授 今中 雄一, 教授 松田 秀一<br>学位規則第4条第1項該当

Corporate colonial behaviour of fashion companies has left the Rana Plaza in ruins and paved the garment industry with catastrophic deaths, casualties, and hypocrisies. As a consequence, the industry is being scrutinized, especially the cheap brands. This paper is an examination of the sustainability of clothes in relation to price and an exploration of the differences between price segments. Quantitative data in the form of price and country of manufacture of 173 t-shirts from different brands were collected and analysed by using the Sustainable Society Index. The results indicate that the social sustainability level of the country of manufacture accounts for roughly 20% of the differences in t-shirt prices. Clothes made in more socially sustainable countries indeed tend to have higher prices. However, the difference in social sustainability is not significant between the high-priced and the luxury segments. Environmental and economic sustainability have little influence on clothing prices. The limitations and implications of assessing product sustainability through the lens of the country of manufacture are addressed.

[EN] The first part of this work reviews the potential applications of satellite remote sensing to regional science research in urban settings. The availability of satellite remote sensing data has increased significantly in the last two decades. The increasing spatial resolution of commercial satellite imagery has influenced the emergence of new research and applications of regional science in urban settlements because it is now possible to identify individual objects of the urban fabric. The most common applications found in the literature are the detection of urban deprivation hot spots, quality of life index assessment, urban growth analysis, house value estimation, urban population estimation, urban social vulnerability assessment, and the variability of intra-urban crime rates. The satellite remote sensing imagery used in these applications has medium, high or very high spatial resolution (Landsat MSS, Landsat TM and ETM+, SPOT, ASTER, IRS, Ikonos and QuickBird). Consistent relationships between socio-economic variables derived from censuses and field surveys and proxy variables of vegetation coverage measured from satellite remote sensing data have been found in several cities in the US. Different approaches and techniques have been applied successfully around the world, but local research is always needed to account for the unique elements of each place. Spectral mixture analysis, object-oriented classifications and image texture measures are some of the techniques of image processing that have been implemented with good results. This work contributes empirical evidence about the usefulness of remote sensing imagery to quantify the degree of poverty at the intra-urban scale. This concept is based on two premises: first, that the physical appearance of an urban settlement is a reflection of the society; and second, that the people who reside in urban areas with similar physical housing conditions have similar social and demo- graphic characteristics. We evaluate the potential of the image-derived urban fabric descriptors to explain a measure of poverty known as the Slum Index. We found that these variables explain up to 59% of the variability in the Slum Index. Similar approaches could be used to lower the cost of socioeconomic surveys by developing an econometric model from a sample and applying that model to the rest of the city and to perform intercensal or intersurvey estimates of intra-urban Slum Index maps. The last part of this work analyzes the relation between the urban layout and crime. The link between place and crime is at the base of social ecology theories of crime that focus in the relationship of the characteristics of geographical areas and crime rates. The broken windows theory states that visible cues of physical and social disorder in a neighborhood can lead to an increase in more serious crime. Based on the premise that a settlement's appearance is a reflection of the society, we ask whether a neighbor- hood's design has a quantifiable imprint when seen from space using urban fabric descriptors computed from VHR imagery. The percentage of impervious surfaces other than clay roofs, the fraction of clay roofs to impervious surfaces, two structure descriptors related to the homogeneity of the urban layout, and the uniformity texture descriptor were all statistically significant. Areas with higher homicide rates tended to have higher local variation and less general homogeneity; that is, the urban layouts were more crowded and cluttered, with small dwellings with different roofing materials located in close proximity to one another, and these regions often lacked other homogeneous surfaces such as open green spaces, wide roads, or large facilities. These results seem to be in agreement with the broken windows theory and CPTED in the sense that more heterogeneous and disordered urban layouts are associated with higher homicide rates.<br>[ES] La primera parte aporta una revisión de las aplicaciones de la teledetección satelital en la investigación de ciencia regional en entornos urbanos. La disponibilidad de imágenes satelitales se ha incrementado significativamente en las dos últimas décadas, al tiempo que la resolución espacial ha venido aumentando, lo que ha influenciado el surgimiento de investigaciones y aplicaciones de ciencia regional en zonas urbanas. Las aplicaciones más comunes son la detección de hot spots de pobreza urbana, la evaluación de índices de calidad de vida, el análisis del crecimiento urbano, la estimación de valores de vivienda, la estimación de población urbana, la evaluación de la vulnerabilidad social y las variaciones intra-urbanas en tasas de crimen. Las imágenes satelitales usadas tienen resolución espacial media, alta o muy alta (Landsat MSS, Landsat TM y ETM+, SPOT, ASTER, IRS, Ikonos y Quickbird). Se han encontrado relaciones consistentes entre variables socio-económicas obtenidas de censos y encuestas y variables de la cobertura de vegetación en varias ciudades de Estados Unidos. Algunas de las técnicas que se han implementado y obtenido buenos resultados son el análisis de mezcla espectral, las clasificaciones orientadas a objetos y las medidas de textura de la imagen. Se aporta evidencia empírica acerca de la utilidad de las imágenes satelitales para cuantificar el grado de pobreza a escala intra-urbana. Se basa en dos premisas: primero, que la apariencia física de un asentamiento urbano es un reflejo de la sociedad que lo habita; y segundo, que la población de áreas urbanas con condiciones físicas de vivienda parecidas tiene características sociales y demográficas similares. Evaluamos el potencial de los descriptores del tejido urbano extraídos de la imagen para explicar una medida de pobreza conocida como el índice Slum. Encontramos que esas variables explican hasta un 59% de la variabilidad en el índice Slum. Aproximaciones similares a esta podrían usarse para disminuir el costo de encuestas socioeconómicas por medio del desarrollo de un modelo econométrico usando una muestra y luego aplicando el modelo al resto de la ciudad, y para elaborar estimaciones inter-censales o inter-encuestas de mapas intra-urbanos del índice Slum. La última parte analiza la relación entre el trazado urbano y crimen. El enlace entre el lugar y el crimen está en la base de las teorías socio-ecológicas de crimen que se enfocan en la relación de las características de las áreas geográficas y las tasas de crimen. La teoría de las ventanas rotas afirma que las evidencias visibles de desorden físico y social en un barrio pueden llevar al incremento de crímenes más serios. Con base en la premisa de que la apariencia de un asentamiento es un reflejo de la sociedad, nos preguntamos si el diseño del barrio tiene un impacto cuantificable cuando se observa desde el espacio usando descriptores del tejido urbano obtenidos de imágenes de muy alta resolución. El porcentaje de superficies impermeables diferentes a los techos de arcilla, la fracción de techos de arcilla sobre las superficies impermeables, dos variables de estructura relacionadas con la homogeneidad del trazado urbano y la variable de textura uniformidad resultaron estadísticamente significativas. Las áreas con tasas de homicidio más altas tienden a tener mayor variación local y menor homogeneidad general; esto es, los trazados urbanos son más desordenados y hacinados, con pequeñas viviendas que tienen materiales diferentes en sus techos localizadas muy cerca unas de otras, y estas áreas carecen a menudo de otras superficies homogéneas tales como espacios verdes abiertos, vías amplias y grandes construcciones industriales o institucionales. Estos resultados parecen estar en acuerdo con la teoría de las ventanas rotas y CPTED en el sentido de que los trazados urbanos más desordenados y heterogéneos están asociados con tasas de homicid<br>[CAT] La primera part aporta una revisió de les potencials aplicacions de la teledetecció espacial a la investigació en ciència regional en entorns urbans. La disponibilitat de dades de percepció remota des de satèl·lits s'ha incrementat significativament a les dues últimes dècades. La resolució espacial de les imatges de satèl·lit comercials també han anat augmentant i això, ha influït en l'aparició de investigacions i aplicacions a la ciència regional en assentaments urbans. Les aplicacions més comunes trobades a la literatura són la detecció de punts calents de pobresa urbana, l'avaluació dels índex de qualitat de vida, les anàlisis de creixement urbà, l'avaluació de la vulnerabilitat social i les variacions intraurbanes de les taxes de crims. Les imatges de satèl·lit emprades tenen resolució espacial mitjana, alta o molt alta (Landsat MSS, Landsat TM i ETM+, SPOT, ASTER, IRS, Ikonos y Quickbird). S'han torbat relacions consistents entre variables socioeconòmiques obtingudes de censos i enquestes i variables de la cobertura de vegetació en varies ciutats del Estats Units. Algunes de les tècniques que s'han implementat i han donat bons resultats són l'anàlisi de mescla espectral, les classificacions orientades a objecte i les mesures de textura de les imatges. Es aporta evidència empírica sobre la utilitat de les imatges de satèl·lit per quantificar el grau de pobresa a escala intraurbana. Es bassa en dues premisses: primer, que l'aparença física d'un assentament urbà n'és un reflex de la societat que l'habita; i segon, que les persones que resideixen en àrees urbanes amb condicions físiques de vivenda paregudes tenen també característiques socials i demogràfiques similars. Avaluem el potencial dels descriptors del teixit urbà extrets de la imatge per explicar una mesura de pobresa coneguda com index Slum. Trobem que aquestes variables expliquen fins un 59% de la variabilitat de l'índex Slum. Aproximacions semblants a aquesta es podrien emprar per a disminuir el cost de les enquestes socioeconòmiques mitjançant el desenvolupament d'un model economètric utilitzant una mostra i després aplicant el model a la resta de la ciutat, i per elaborar estimacions inter-censals o inter-enquestes de mapes intraurbans de l'índex Slum. La darrera part analitza la relació entre el traçat urbà i el crim. L'enllaç entre el lloc i el crim està a la base de les teories socio-ecològiques del crim que es centren en la relació de les característiques de les àrees geogràfiques i les taxes de crims. La teoria de les finestres trencades afirma que les evidències visibles de desordre físic i social d'un barri pot portar a l'augment de crims més greus. Basant-se en la premissa de que l'aparença d'un assentament n'és el reflex de la societat, ens hi preguntem si el disseny del barri té un impacte quantificable quan s'observa des de el espai, utilitzant descriptors del teixit urbà obtinguts de imatges de molt alta resolució. Han resultat estadísticament significatius el percentatge de superfícies impermeables diferents a les teulades de argila, la fracció de teulades d'argila sobre les superfícies impermeables, dues variables d'estructura relacionades amb la homogeneïtat del traçat urbà i la variable de textura de uniformitat. Les àrees amb taxes d'homicidi més altes tendeixen a presentar una major variació local i una menor homogeneïtat general; és a dir, el traçats urbans són més desordenats i amuntonats, amb petites vivendes que tenen materials diferents a les seues teulades localitzades molt prop unes d'altres, i aquestes àrees manquen sovint d'altres superfícies homogènies, com ara espais verds oberts, vies amplies i grans construccions industrials o institucionals. Aquests resultats pareixen estar-hi d'acord amb la teoria de les finestres trencades i CPTED en el sentit de que els traçats urbans més desordenats i heterogenis estan associats amb taxes d'homicides m<br>Patiño Quinchía, JE. (2015). Cityscape, poverty and crime: a quantitative assessment using VHR imagery [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/59453<br>TESIS

One of the key factors in the site classification of the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification is soil nutrient regime. Soil nutrient regime (SNR) represents the amount of essential soil nutrients available to plants over a period of several years. SNRs classes are assessed based on field identifiable (qualitative) criteria, not using quantitative measures. There have been several studies that attempted to quantitatively characterize regional soil nutrient gradients in the Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH) zone. In the study summarized here, the soils are influenced by a perhumid cool mesothermal climate. The objective of the study was to examine relationships between soil chemical properties and field-estimated SNRs.

Among the top Fortune 100 U.S. companies, 97% claim to be global business citizens, primarily based on self-evaluated qualitative criteria. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional survey design study was to develop a self-administered survey and apply it to calculate a composite index rating that assesses the maturity level a company has attained toward becoming a global business citizen. The theoretical framework underpinning the research was based on the theory of global business citizenship (GBC) and accompanying four-step implementation process. The GBC theory was utilized to develop the research survey consisting of 1 qualifying question and 22 Likert-type questions. The survey was administered to a qualified random sample of business executives in the United States with 172 usable responses received. These survey questions were then rationalized via exploratory factor analysis (EFA). EFA identified ten key questions with strong eigenvalues and grouped the interrelated items into three factors. Subsequently, the EFA-computed eigenvalues were used to develop a composite index formula. The key findings revealed that only three factors explained 70% of the variance and were named VALUE, IMPLEMENT, and LEARN, as proposed in the GBC theory itself. Questions related to the ANALY step of the GBC theory were not significant. Social change benefits include providing business leaders with a quantitative tool to help communicate to their stakeholders the steps they have achieved toward becoming a global business citizen.

Mestrado em Gestão de Recursos Humanos<br>A participação crescente das mulheres no mercado de trabalho é considerada como dos fatores que mais tem determinado as recomposições profissionais e sociais verificadas nas últimas décadas em Portugal. No entanto, persistem fenómenos de segregação sexual (Ferreira, 2010; Casaca, 2012), como esta dissertação permite evidenciar. O estudo realizado foca-se na realidade laboral portuguesa abordando em particular a segregação sexual horizontal, a partir de diversos dados estatísticos solicitados a fontes oficiais. Depois de uma caracterização da situação das mulheres e dos homens no mercado de trabalho em Portugal, procedeu-se ao cálculo do Índice de Dissemelhança, procurando assim consolidar o conhecimento produzido no domínio das (des)igualdades de género no mercado de trabalho. Por fim, equacionam-se também algumas propostas de superação da segregação sexual no mercado de trabalho no contexto da GRH, no sentido de gerar um maior equilíbrio entre ambos os sexos no mercado de trabalho.<br>The increasing participation of women in the labour market is considered as one of the most important factors contributing to the social and occupational changes that have taken place in Portugal over the last decades (Ferreira, 2010; Casaca, 2012). However, as this dissertation is intended to put in evidence, sexual segregation is still a prevalent phenomenon. This study is focused on the Portuguese labour context, particularly addressing the issue of horizontal sexual segregation, based on several statistical data requested from official sources. After characterizing women?s and men's statuses in the labour market in Portugal, the Index of Dissemination is calculated in order to reinforce the produced knowledge in the field of gender (in)equalities in the labour market. Finally, the study addresses the role of HRM in tackling gender-based segregation and contributing to a better balance between both genders in the labour market.<br>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

<p>There is evidence that globalization, economic assimilation and integration among countries and their financial markets have increased correlation among stock markets and the correlation may in turn impact investors’ allocation of their assets and economic policies. We have conducted a quantitative study with daily stock index quotes for the period January 2000 and December 2009 in order to measure the eventual correlation between the markets of ASEAN+3. This economic integration consists of; Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, China, Japan and South Korea. Our problem formulation is:Are the stock markets of ASEAN+3 correlated?Does the eventual correlation change under turbulent market conditions?In terms of the eventual correlation, discuss: is it possible to diversify an investment portfolio within this area?The purpose of the study is to conduct a research that will provide investors with information about stock market correlation within the chosen market. We have conducted the study with a positivistic view and a deductive approach with some theories as our starting point. The main theories discussed are; market efficiency, risk and return, Modern Portfolio Theory, correlation and international investments. By using the financial datatbase, DataStream, we have been able to collect the necessary data for our study. The data has been processed in the statistical program SPSS by using Pearson correlation.From the empirical findings and our analysis we were able to draw some main conclusions about our study. We found that most of the ASEAN+3 countries were strongly correlated with each other. Japan showed lower correlation with all of the other countries. Based on this we concluded that economic integration seems to increase correlation between stock markets. When looking at the economic downturn in 2007-2009, we found that the correlation between ASEAN+3 became stronger and positive for all of the countries. The results also showed that the correlation varies over time. We concluded that it is, to a small extent, possible to diversify an investment portfolio across these markets.</p>

Short-selling allows investors to profit from asset declines. In the events of market uncertainty, short sellers are frequently accused of abusing the increasingly volatile market by betting on declining stock prices. To prevent further market downturns and calm the volatile markets, regulators around the world have put constraints on the ability to sell short. During the financial crisis (2008) and Covid-19 crisis (2020), the restriction became a popular method amongst economies to stabilise volatile stock markets, with South Korea holding the most extensive ban during both crises. Although commonly used, the policy has been questioned for its effectiveness. This thesis studies the effectivness of the ban by observing the correlation between the existence of ban and price volatility of South Korea's biggest index, KOSPI200. We use an ordinary least squares (OLS) method and apply these in a two-stage analysis to disentangle the effects of crisis and ban. By doing this, enabling to isolate the effect of the ban. We find evidence contradicting regulators incentive to ban short-selling as the effect of the ban is not strong enough to compensate for the effect of the crisis.

Site classification of the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification system is based on climatic regime (expressed by biogeoclimatic subzone), soil moisture regime (SMR), and soil nutrient regime (SNR). A SNR represents a segment of a regional soil nutrient gradient, i.e., a population of soils which provide similar levels of plant-available nutrients over a long period. SNR is identified in the field using a number of easily observable soil morphological properties and indicator plant species. However, we do not know the extent to which soil nutrient properties are supported by these indirect field-estimates. There have been several studies that quantitatively characterized regional soil nutrient gradients in different climatic regions (see Sciencia Silvica Number 21 for subalpine coastal forests), but this has not been done in the subalpine interior forest (Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir (ESSF) zone) where soils are influenced by a continental subalpine boreal climate. In the study summarized here, relationships between soil chemical properties and field-estimated SNRs are examined and soil chemical properties and field-identified SNRs are related to the site index of subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Dougl. ex Loud.) Forbes) and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelmann) - two major timber crop species in the ESSF zone.

The aim of this thesis is to show how the unconventional monetary policy rounds of Quantitative Easing introduced in the United States between 2008 and 2014 have led to an increase in wealth inequality. The need for the thesis arises due to the uncharted nature of QE and because of more and more information is surfacing to light which points to this connection. By analysing the distribution of these funds and adding it to the then base distribution of money supply, this study was able to determine a significant 10 % increase in the Gini Index. Furthermore it highlights how a large portion of wealth was transferred from the middle class over to the top 5 % income households. Starting from a set of assumptions the calculation is performed by extrapolating the data required and by isolating the system from any external variables. The result is a theoretical model meant to describe the mechanism that links Quantitative Easing to wealth inequality. Moreover a detailed comparison is provided with the effect of a conventional monetary policy such as Open-Market Operations. Finally solutions to this issue are being discussed from economical, political and fiscal standpoints.

This paper explores two important topics among the political parties and party system literature in Peru: The strength and stability of the political party system in the 80’s and the decade of the 90’s, better known as the «decade of the antipolitics». The contrast between the literature reviewed and the quantitative data from the 7 Municipal Elections, that took place among this time period, attempts to find if this phenomena occurred also at the subnational level. In the decade of the 80’s, the political party system stayed stable with rule of the four most important political parties (APRA, Acción Popular, Izquierda Unida y PPC); however, individually these political parties did not have the same performance. In the decade of the 90’s, the concept «in- dependent» did not fit equally among all the cases and together with the fujimorismo depicted the political scenario of the 90’s.<br>El presente artículo explora dos temas importantes en la literatura sobre partidos políticos y sistema de partidos en el Perú: la fortaleza y estabilidad del sistema de partidos en la década de los 80 y la década de los 90, más conocida como la «década de la antipolítica». El contraste entre la literatura revisada y los datos cuantitativos de las 7 elecciones municipales que tuvieron lugar a lo largo de este período de tiempo, propone buscar si dichos fenómenos se presentaron también en el nivel subnacional. En la década de los 80, el sistema de partidos políticos se mantuvo estable con el dominio de los cuatro grandes partidos (APRA, Acción Popular, Izquierda Unida y PPC); sin embargo, individualmente estos no tuvieron el mismo desempeño. En la década de los 90, la definición de «independiente» no encajó igualmente en todos los casos y junto con el fujimorismo caracterizaron el escenario político de los 90.

Site classification in the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification system is based on three differentiating properties: climatic regimes (expressed by biogeoclimatic subzones or variants), soil moisture regimes (SMRs), and soil nutrient regimes (SNRs). A SNR represents a segment of a regional soil nutrient gradient, i.e., soils which provide similar levels of plant-available nutrients over a long period. SNRs are identified in the field using a number of easily observable soil morphological properties and indicator plant species. However, we need to know to what extent soil nutrient properties support these indirect field-estimates. There have been several studies that quantitatively characterize regional soil nutrient gradients in different climatic regions, but no study has yet been done in the subalpine coastal forest (Mountain Hemlock zone). Influenced by a maritime subalpine boreal climate, high-elevation coastal soils differ from low-elevation soils by having a thicker forest floor and a higher organic matter content. In the study summarized here, relationships between soil chemical properties and field-estimated SNRs are examined and soil chemical properties and field-identified SNRs are related to the site index of Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis (Dougl. ex Loud.) Forbes) - one of the major timber crop species in the Coastal Western Hemlock and Mountain Hemlock zones.

Esta dissertação é formada dois ensaios com temas vinculados à educação. O primeiro ensaio investiga a evolução das desigualdades de oportunidades educacionais no Brasil sob o prisma das etnias e dos gêneros, com base na concepção de John Roemer (1998) de Igualdade de Oportunidades. Para quantificar a desigualdade são utilizados os índices de dissimilaridade de Yalonetzky (2010) aplicados aos microdados da PNAD de 2011. Para a amostra estudada, os resultados apontaram para a redução da desigualdade de oportunidades educacionais na dimensão étnica e para seu aumento, no âmbito dos gêneros, ao longo dos anos. O segundo ensaio busca avaliar o impacto da universidade pública sobre o seu egresso, medido principalmente sob a forma de rendimentos do trabalho. Através de modelos baseados na Equação de Mincer (1974), buscou-se verificar os principais determinantes da renda do egresso, utilizando-se, para tanto, uma amostra de dados de egressos da UFRGS. A análise apontou para conclusões que levam a crer que o diploma da universidade pública não é suficiente para, em termos de rendimento, compensar discriminações existentes no mercado de trabalho analisado. Outra contribuição do ensaio foi apontar, para algumas áreas do conhecimento, a remuneração média, a incidência de desemprego, a relevância atribuída pelo egresso à formação recebida e seu vínculo à atividade profissional exercida.<br>This dissertation is composed by two essays whose subjects are linked with education. The first one investigates evolution of the inequalities of opportunities of education in Brazil, through ethnical and genre prism, using the Opportunities Equality framework proposed by Roemer (1998). To quantify inequality, the dissimilarities indexes are used on PNAD 2011 data. The results pointed to a reduction of opportunity inequality in ethnical types, while it detected an increase in inequality for the gender types. The second essay aims to assess the impact of the public university in Brazil on its graduated, understood mainly as his wage. Using econometric specifications based on Mincer (1974), the study tried to find out the main determinants of graduated earnings, using a sample of graduated from UFRGS. The analysis suggested that the public university's diploma is not enough to compensate the discrimination existing in the studied labor market. Another contribution of this essay was to point, for some knowledge areas, the mean earnings, the unemployment rates, the relevance attributed by the graduated to the received education and its links with his professional career.

Abstract The rationale for automatically monitoring anesthetic drug effects on the central nervous system (CNS) is to improve possibilities to gain objective information on a patient's state and to adjust the medication individually. Although monitors have shown their usefulness in practice, there are still a number of unclear issues, especially with respect to the scientific foundations and validity of CNS monitoring techniques, and in monitoring the light hypnotic levels. Current monitors are, for example, often based on heuristics and ad hoc solutions. However, a quantitative index for anesthetic drug effect should have a sound relationship with observations and with the selected control variable. The research objectives are: (1) to explore propofol anesthetic related neurophysiological phenomena that can be applied in the automatic assessment of CNS suppression; (2) to develop a valid control variable for this purpose; (3) by means of digital signal processing and mathematical modeling, to design and to evaluate the performance of an index that correlates with the control variable. This dissertation introduces potentially useful neurophysiological phenomena, such as changes in phase synchronization between different EEG channels due to anesthesia, and painful stimulus evoked responses during the burst suppression. Furthermore, it refines the progression of the time-frequency patterns during the induction of anesthesia and shows their relation to the instant of unresponsiveness. The presented spontaneous and evoked EEG phenomena provide complementary information about the CNS functional suppression. Most significantly, the dissertation proposes a continuous and observation based control variable (r scale) and the means to predict its values by using EEG data. The definition of the scale provides a basis for anticipating the instant of the loss of consciousness. Additionally, the phase synchronization index as an indicator of drug effect is introduced. The approximate entropy descriptor performance is evaluated and optimised with a non-stationary signal recorded during the induction of anesthesia. The results open up opportunities to improve the preciseness, scientific validity and the interpretation of information on the anesthetic effects on CNS, and therefore, to increase the reliability of the anesthesia monitoring. Further work is needed to extend and verify the results in deep anesthesia.

Dissertation (Ph. D.)--University of Akron, Dept. of Urban Studies and Public Affairs, 2005.<br>"August, 2005." Title from electronic dissertation title page (viewed 01/14/2006) Advisor, Ashok K. Dutt; Committee members, Peter Leahy, Nancy Grant, Lathardus Goggins, Helen Liggett, Carolyn Behrman; Department Chair, Raymond Cox; Dean of the College, Charles B. Monroe; Dean of the Graduate School, George R. Newkome. Includes bibliographical references.

Background School meals have been seen to promote healthy dietary habits and social equality, in children, if parents are involved. The positive effects in the design of a sustainable school food service system come from a two-way communication between Food Service Professionals (FSP), and parents.  Objective The purpose of the study was to compare what aspects of the school meal FSP, and parents find important, and to see if there are differences, or similarities, that could have implications for how service quality is perceived (by the parents). Method Web-based questionnaire completed by 227 FSP, and 153 parents for children 6-16 years old. Individuals’ expectations were explored using a Food Service Quality Index. Groups were compared with Mann‐Whitney U‐test, and Chi2-test with a set significance level of p-value &lt;0.05. Results High expectations were reported on the Servicescape (physical meal setting), and the Service meeting, by both the FSP, and the parents. The school canteen atmosphere, and a welcoming attitude was rated as extremely important, by both the FSP, and the parents. Expectations on school food service quality were high among parents with high education. Comments from the respondents were primary related to normative values about food quality, and culinary aspects.  Conclusion The expectations were related to hospitality and service, in the Servicescape, with an “inviting school canteen”, “to feel welcome”, and “to answer children’s questions” in the school canteen, for the majority of the FSP and the parents. The findings of this study suggest future research in how cooperation with parents could be implemented through parental representations in school food councils, and digital platforms.<br>Bakgrund Skolmåltider har visat sig främja hälsosamma kostvanor, och social jämlikhet hos barn, om de utformas i samverkan med föräldrar. Positiva effekter kan ses vid en tvåvägskommunikation mellan personal och föräldrar.  Syfte Syftet med studien var att jämföra vilka aspekter av skolmåltiden som föräldrar, och måltidspersonal anser som viktiga, och att se om det finns skillnader, eller likheter som kan påverka hur servicekvaliteten uppfattas (av föräldrarna). Metod Webbaserat frågeformulär ifyllt av 227 måltidspersonal, och 153 föräldrar till barn,6 – 16 år, inom måltidsservice. Deltagarnas förväntningar undersöktes med hjälp av ett Food Service Quality Index (FSQI). Grupper jämfördes med Mann-Whitney U-test, och Chi2-test med en signifikansnivå p &lt;0.05. Resultat Höga förväntningar rapporterades gällande den fysiska måltidsmiljön (the Servicescape), och servicemötet (The Service meeting), både av måltidspersonalen och föräldrarna. Skolmatsalens atmosfär och en välkomnande attityd beskrevs som extremt viktigt, både för måltidspersonalen och föräldrarna. Förväntningarna på skolmåltidskvaliteten var hög bland föräldrar med hög utbildning. Kommentarerna från respondenterna var primärt relaterade till normativa värden om livsmedelskvalitet, och kulinariska aspekter. Slutsats Förväntningarna var relaterade till gästfrihet och service, i servicelandskapet (Servicescape), med "en inbjudande skolmatsal", "att känna sig välkommen" och "att svara på barns frågor" i skolmatsalen, för majoriteten av FSP och föräldrarna. Resultaten av denna studie kan ligga till grund för ytterligare forskning kring hur samarbete med föräldrar kan implementeras genom föräldrarepresentanter i skolmatråd och digitala plattformar.

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide and type 2 diabetes is reaching a global epidemic. Epidemiological studies have identified numerous risk factors and pharmacotherapies in relation to these cardiometabolic diseases. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of these risk factors and drug therapies generally remain incompletely understood. Elucidating the underlying molecular effects would be essential for better understanding of the disease pathogenesis and also for discovering new therapeutic targets. Quantitative serum metabolomics, which allows for simultaneous quantification of multiple circulating metabolic measures, provides a hypothesis-free approach to systematically inspect the metabolic changes in response to endogenous and exogenous stimuli. Metabolomics thus presents a valuable tool to study the detailed molecular effects of disease risk factors and drug therapies. However, current metabolomics studies are mostly conducted in small cross-sectional studies and the causal relations of the risk factors on the metabolic measures are generally unclear, providing limited public health impact. The present thesis serves as a proof-of-concept to illustrate that well-designed observational studies can be used to infer causality. With the exemplars of assessing molecular effects of two risk factors (body mass index and sex hormone-binding globulin) and two drug therapies (statins and oral contraceptives), the thesis demonstrates that an improved causal inference can be achieved in observational studies via the combination of multiple study designs, including cross-sectional, longitudinal and Mendelian randomization analysis. This robust study design approach together with metabolomics data can be also extended to study the molecular effects of other risk factors and drug therapies. With an improved molecular understanding of a wide range of risk factors and therapies, better understanding of disease pathogenesis is ensured<br>Tiivistelmä Sydän- ja verisuonitaudit ovat johtava kuolinsyy maailmassa ja tyypin 2 diabetes on saavuttamassa globaalin epidemian mittasuhteet. Epidemiologiset tutkimukset ovat löytäneet useita riskitekijöitä ja lääkehoitoja edellä mainituille yleisille taudeille. Tyypin 2 diabetekseen ja sydän- ja verisuonitauteihin liittyvät yksityiskohtaiset molekylaariset mekanismit ymmärretään kuitenkin puutteellisesti. Molekylaaristen yksityiskohtien tarkempi ymmärtäminen olisi siten erittäin merkittävää sekä tautiprosessien ymmärtämiseksi että lääkehoitojen kehittämiseksi. Seerumin kvantitatiivinen metabolomiikka mahdollistaa useiden metabolisten suureiden samanaikaisen määrittämisen verenkierrosta ja tarjoaa siten hypoteesittoman lähestymistavan sekä sisäisten että ulkoisten ärsykkeiden aiheuttamien metabolisten muutosten systemaattiseen tutkimukseen. Metabolomiikka on siten arvokas työkalu yksityiskohtaisten molekylaaristen mekanismien tutkimuksessa, olipa kyseessä taudin riskitekijät tai lääkehoito. Metabolomiikkatutkimuksia on kuitenkin pääasiassa tehty pienissä poikittaistutkimuksissa ja riskitekijöihin liittyvien metabolisten suureiden syy- ja seuraussuhteet ovat yleisesti epäselviä, josta johtuen metabolisten suureiden kansanterveydellinen sovellettavuus on ollut heikkoa. Tämä väitöskirja esittelee tutkimuskonseptin hyvin suunniteltujen havaintotutkimuksien soveltamiseksi syy- ja seuraussuhteiden arvioinnissa. Työ sisältää esimerkit kahden riskitekijän (painoindeksi ja sukupuolihormoneja sitova globuliini) ja kahden lääkehoidon (statiinit ja ehkäisypillerit) molekylaaristen vaikutusten kausaalisista tutkimuksista. Tulokset havainnollistavat, että kausaalisten johtopäätösten luotettavuutta voidaan parantaa yhdistämällä useita tutkimusasetelmia, kuten poikittais- ja pitkittäistutkimuksia sekä Mendelististä satunnaistamista. Esitettyjä luotettavia tutkimusasetelmia, yhdessä metabolomiikkadatan kanssa, voidaan laajentaa muiden riskitekijöiden ja lääkehoitojen molekylaaristen vaikutusten tutkimuksiin. Parantunut molekyylitason ymmärrys useista riskitekijöistä ja lääkehoidoista johtaa myös parempaan tautiprosessien ymmärtämiseen

Prior studies examined the importance of good leadership skills for those in leadership positions; however, this study addressed a gap in literature regarding how leadership characteristics in supervised employees can impact job satisfaction. The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess the influence of authentic leadership on leader, coworker, task, and general job satisfaction. Authentic leadership emerged from the theory of positive psychology which surmises that self-growth coincides with a focus on the development of others and is based on the premise that individual improvement is gained by focusing on positive personality aspects. Online recruitment using a participant pool and social media was used to sample adults who have been employed either full or part-time, can read English, and have been under supervision while at work. Participants (N = 138) completed the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire and the Job Descriptive Index. Research questions were addressed by using 4 logistic regression models to show the relationship between the independent variable (authentic leadership) and each of the 4 dependent variables (coworker satisfaction, general job satisfaction, task satisfaction, and leader satisfaction). The results of this study were that a significant association existed between authentic leadership and coworker satisfaction, as well as general job satisfaction, but not between authentic leadership and task satisfaction or leader satisfaction. Implications for positive social change include the improvement of human resource processes. Human resource professionals could use authentic leadership in employee recruitment by gearing onboarding assessments to authenticity constructs such as ethical conduct and transparency. In addition, employee training designed around authentic traits may reduce job-related stress, absenteeism, and job turnover.

The research purpose was to investigate the differences between learning preferences (i.e., Active-Reflective, Sensing-Intuitive, Visual-Verbal, and Sequential-Global) determined by the Index of Learning Style and gender (i.e., Male and Female) in regards to standardized achievement multiple-choice test performance determined by the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Examination (INACE), i.e., overall INACE performance and INACE performance based on six duty areas (i.e., communicating information, performing basic nursing skills, performing personal care, performing basic restorative skills, providing mental health-services, and providing for resident’s rights) of nurse aide students. The study explored the relationship between variables using a non-experimental, comparative and descriptive approach. The nurse aide students who completed the Illinois approved Basic Nurse Aide Training (BNAT) and 21-mandated skills assessment and were ready to take the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Examination (INACE) in the month of October 2018 and December 2018 at various community colleges across the state of Illinois were the participants of the study. A sample of 800 nurse aide students were selected through stratified (north, central, and south) random sampling out of which N = 472 participated in the study representing the actual sample.

In this thesis we statistically measure if normative and cultural-cognitive institutions moderate the relationship of entrepreneurship and economic growth when the entrepreneurial activity is rooted in different motivations. The types of entrepreneurship which we are measuring, in relation to economic growth, are opportunity- and necessity entrepreneurship. By reviewing the literature we found a general agreement regarding the effect of opportunity entrepreneurship on economic growth while the opinions on necessity entrepreneurship are disparate. Taking institutional theory as the basis for moderation fills in several gaps of the existing literature such as using different types of institutions at the same time or fulfilling the demand for cross-country time series study in both entrepreneurship and institutional research. Regulative institutions are taken into consideration when choosing the countries for analysing. Trust, as a proxy for social capital, is used to measure the moderating effect of normative institutions whilst Power Distance Index and individualism are the measures of cultural-cognitive institutions. Relying on secondary data we used an Ordinary Least Square regression and a repeated measures model for analysis.   In line with previous research we found that opportunity entrepreneurship does not have a significant positive correlation with economic growth, when the effect is measured through the productivity enhancement of labour and technology. Necessity entrepreneurship displayed a significantly negative effect. Furthermore, our results did not show any effect when moderating the different motivations for entrepreneurship with trust, power distance or individualism. At the end of our thesis we elaborate on the possible reasons for our findings and suggest some directions for further research.   The thesis contributes to entrepreneurship research with filling the gaps of cross-country, time series study and providing empirical evidence for the existing theories. It enables to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship of entrepreneurship and economic growth. Regarding institutional research, our thesis places some emphasis on the positive effects of institutional dimensions with relations to entrepreneurial context. It would be very interesting to see more research into the negative aspects of institutions to not only understand what fosters productivity of e.g. innovation and labour, but also burdens it.

Resumo: Dentre as espécies que vêm sofrendo interferência antrópica encontra-se a aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All.). Como estratégias de conservação propostas, destacam-se a ex situ e entre as estratégias para avaliar a variabilidade genética retida ex situ, destaca-se a genética quantitativa, onde são estimados parâmetros genéticos para alguns caracteres silviculturais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o comportamento de duas populações de M. urundeuva em plantio heterogêneo, estimar a variabilidade genética entre e dentro das populações de M. urundeuva, fornecendo subsídios para a conservação genética ex situ, obter informações sobre a regeneração natural de outras espécies arbóreas na área de instalação do teste de progênies/procedências, avaliar o desenvolvimento e a composição bromatológica da forrageira desenvolvida no sub-bosque de M. urundeuva em sistema silvipastoril. Foram avaliados dois testes de progênies de M. urundeuva, localizados em Selvíria-MS e estabelecidos em 1992 em plantios heterogêneos, contendo 25 famílias provenientes de Aramina estado de São Paulo e 25 de Selvíria estado do Mato Grosso do Sul. Os ensaios foram avaliados para o DAP (diâmetro a altura do peito), DMC (diâmetro médio da copa), altura, forma do tronco e sobrevivência. Os resultados obtidos a partir do uso do software SELEGEN, permitiram observar que as populações de Selvíria e Aramina, apresentaram baixa herdabilidade, indicando a existência de variabilidade, sendo que a variabilidade genética foi maior dentro da população de Selvíria, quando comparada a de Aramina. A população de Selviria apresentou maiores ganhos com seleção que a de Aramina, tanto na realização de propagação sexuada quanto de assexuada, as duas populações apresentaram-se bem adaptadas ao local de implantação do teste de progênie/procedência, visto... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)<br>Abstract: Among species that have been suffering for human interference is the Aroeira tree (Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All.). Considering the conservation strategies proposed the conservation ex situ stands out as the strategies to evaluate the genetic variation retained ex situ, the quantitative genetics stands out where genetic parameters are estimated for some forestry characters. The research have aimed to evaluate the performance of two populations of M. urundeuva in heterogeneous planting, to estimate the genetic variation between and within the populations of the species, providing subsides for ex situ genetic conservation, to obtain information on natural regeneration of other tree species in the area where the progeny/origin triols set up were held, to evaluate the development and bromatological composition of forage developed in sub-forest of M. urundeuva in a agroforestry system. Two progenies test of M. urundeuva were evaluated. They were located in Selviria-MS and established in 1992 in heterogeneous planting, containing 25 families coming from Aramina-MS and 25 from Selviria-MS. The tests were evaluated for DAP (diameter at breast height), DMC (average diameter of top), plant height, steam form, and survival. The results obtained by the use of SELEGEN software, makes it possible to observe the populations in Selviria and Aramina showed low inheritance, indicating the existence of variation. The genetic variation was higher within Selvíria population, than Aramina,and Selviria population showed higher gain of selection than the Aramina population, not only by sexual propagation, but also by asexual propagation, both populations were well adapted to the location of progeny /origin trials, beeing that the survival rate was higher than 90 %. The use of IME has allowed the selection of progenies which can provide a high gain of selection and variation; in that case a maximum Kf must... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)<br>Orientador: Mário Luiz Teixeira de Moraes<br>Coorientador: Cristina Lacerda Soares Petrarolha Silva<br>Banca: Marco Eustáquio de Sá<br>Banca: Edson Seizo Mori<br>Banca: Ricardo Velludo Gomes de Soutello<br>Banca: Rosângela Maria Simeão Resende<br>Doutor

Orientador: Wilson Badiali Crocomo<br>Banca: Carlos Frederico Wilcken<br>Banca: Ronaldo Pavarini<br>Banca: Adriana Mascarette Labinas<br>Banca: Paulo Sergio Machado Botelho<br>Resumo: Considerando que ao longo de muitos anos o algodão foi cultivado nos estados de São Paulo e Paraná e a lagarta do cartucho do milho Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) nunca foi considerada uma praga importante para essa cultura, apesar da proximidade com a cultura do milho. É provável que os cultivares tradicionalmente utilizados nessa região sejam desfavoráveis ao desenvolvimento dessa espécie. Partindo-se desta hipótese este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de comparar o desenvolvimento biológico e a utilização do alimento pelas lagartas de S. frugiperda, nos cultivares de algodão atualmente utilizados na região centro-oeste, onde esse inseto vem sendo relatado como uma praga do algodoeiro. Os cultivares de algodão DELTAOPAL, FIBERMAX 966, DP 4049, CNPA ITA 90 foram comparados com os cultivares tradicionalmente utilizados em São Paulo: IAC 23 e IAC 24 e com o cultivar de milho AL 25. Foram realizados três experimentos seguindo o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 3 tratamentos e 5 repetições, com 10 lagartas individualizadas por repetição, provenientes de uma criação de laboratório em dieta artificial. O primeiro experimento comparou os cultivares de algodão DELTAOPAL e DP 4049, o segundo os cultivares FIBERMAX 966 e CNPA ITA 90 e o terceiro IAC 23 e IAC 24. Em todos os 2 experimentos o milho foi utilizado como padrão de comparação. Os dados referentes ao desenvolvimento biológico e aos índices de utilização dos cultivares foram submetidos à análise de variância conjunta e as médias comparadas pelo teste Tukey à 5 % de probabilidade. A análise dos dados confirmou a hipótese inicial, visto que os cultivares tradicionalmente utilizados em São Paulo e Paraná, IAC 23 e IAC 24, são mais desfavoráveis para o desenvolvimento dessa espécie, tanto em relação ao milho quanto aos outros cultivares de algodão. Os... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo).<br>Abstract: Considering that cotton crops have been harvested in the States of São Paulo and Paraná, Brazil, for a long period the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1707) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was never considered an important cotton pest, despite its presence next to maize crops. It is possible that traditional cultivars from these areas are less favorable to the development of S. frugiperda. So this research was carried out aiming to compare the biological development and food utilization by fall armyworm larvae on the cotton cultivars harvested in the middle-west region of Brazil, were this species is referred as an important pest. The DELTAOPAL, FIBERMAX 966, DP 4049, CNPA ITA 90 cotton cultivars were compared to the traditional cultivars used in São Paulo: IAC23 and IAC24 and with the maize cultivar AL25. Three experiment were established following randomized design with 3 treatment and 5 replications, with 10 larvae individualized per each replication. The larvae were obtained from the mass rearing kept in artificial diet in the laboratory conditions. The first experiment compared the cotton cultivars DELTAOPAL and DP 4049, the second compared the cultivars FIBERMAX 966 and CNPA ITA 90 and the third IAC23 and IAC24. In all experiments the maize cultivar was used as comparison pattern. The data from the biological development and the food utilization indexes of cultivars were submitted to combined variance analyses and the mean values were compared by Tukey test at 5% of probability. The data analyses confirmed the initial hypotheses, because the cotton cultivars traditionally used in São Paulo and Paraná, IAC23 and IAC24, are less favorable to the development of fall armyworm, as in relation to the maize as in relation the others cotton cultivars. The DELTAOPAL and DP 4049 cotton 4 cultivars are similar hosts at maize. The FIBERMAX 966 and CNPA ITA 90 cultivars are more... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below).<br>Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-01-29Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:07:44Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 canuto_dso_dr_ilha.pdf: 546568 bytes, checksum: 277ddfa04a5cb5726a68fcc227b176bd (MD5)<br>Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)<br>A aroeira Myracrodruon urundeuva (F.F. & M.F. Allemão) é conhecida pela extraordinária durabilidade e resistência de sua madeira, possui reconhecido valor econômico e apresenta diversas aplicações, entre elas, a confecção de esteios, postes moirões e dormentes, extração de tanino e bálsamo. Seis populações da espécie estão sendo conservadas ex situ em delineamentos experimentais na Fazenda de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão da FEIS/UNESP, em Selvíria-MS, onde se pretende ampliar a base genética, recombinar a variabilidade genética e produzir sementes para reflorestamentos. Das seis populações duas são procedentes de área com pouca perturbação antrópica: Estação Ecológica do Instituto Florestal em Paulo de Faria-SP e Estação Ecológica do Seridó em Serra Negra do Norte-RN. As outras quatro são de área com forte perturbação antrópica: Bauru-SP, Itarumã-GO, Petrolina-PE e Selvíria-MS. Dessa forma, foram avaliados nove testes de progênies de M. urundeuva para caracteres quantitativos empregando-se a metodologia REML/BLUP (máxima verossimilhança restrita / melhor predição linear não viciada), assumindo que as progênies são parentes no grau de meios-irmãos e a metodologia MHPRVG para a análise de adaptabilidade e estabilidade nos testes de progênies provenientes da Estação Ecológica de Paulo de Faria em quatro sistemas de plantio (ambientes) diferentes. Este trabalho permitiu estudar os caracteres de desenvolvimento silvicultura nos testes de progênies, a variabilidade genética, o ganho de seleção a partir do Índice Multiefeito, a propagação sexuada e assexuada, a sobreposição de geração e a estabilidade e adaptabilidade das progênies de M. urundeuva. Verificou-se que as progênies de M. urundeuva em relação aos caracteres silviculturais analisados: altura total, diâmetro médio da copa (DMC), diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP)...<br>The aroeira Myracrodruon urundeuva (F.F. & M.F. Allemão) has been known for the extraordinary durability and resistance of its wood, it has recognized economic value and presents several uses, as for, posts, and sleepers, tannin extraction, and balm. Six populations of the species has been conserved by ex situ design in Experimental Station of Education, Research, and Extension of FEIS/UNESP, in Selvíria-MS Brazil, where to intend to enlarge the genetic base, mix up the genetic variability and to produce seeds for reforestations. Two out of six populations are coming from sites with little anthopic disturbance: Ecological Station of the Instituto Forestal in Paulo de Faria-SP, Brazil and Ecological Station of Seridó in Serra Negra- RN, Brazil. The others four are from sites with large anthopic disturbance: Bauru-SP, Itarumã-GO, Petrolina-PE and Selvíria-bad. In that way, were evaluated nine progeny trial of M. urundeuva to study the traits using the methodology of REML/BLUP (máxima verossimilhança restrita/melhor predição linear não viciada), stating that the are half site and the MHPRVG methodology for the adaptability and stability analyses by trials from Ecological Station of Instituto Florestal of Paulo de Faria by four different plantation systems (atmospheres). This research to study the traits of development forestation in the progeny trials, the genetic variability, the selection gain starting by Index Multi-effects´, the propagation sexual and assexual, Superiority of elite trees in relationship of the progenies and the stability and adaptability of the progenies of M. urundeuva. Verified that the progenies of M. urundeuva in relation to the traits analyzed silviculturais: total height, medium diameter of the cup (DMC), diameter to the height of the chest (DAP) they had a satisfactory development, and the progenies originating from of the Ecological Station... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-07-18Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:06:59Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 guerra_crsb_dr_ilha.pdf: 498584 bytes, checksum: d221c314ce194301eca16844654ed1c8 (MD5)<br>Dentre as espécies que vêm sofrendo interferência antrópica encontra-se a aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All.). Como estratégias de conservação propostas, destacam-se a ex situ e entre as estratégias para avaliar a variabilidade genética retida ex situ, destaca-se a genética quantitativa, onde são estimados parâmetros genéticos para alguns caracteres silviculturais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o comportamento de duas populações de M. urundeuva em plantio heterogêneo, estimar a variabilidade genética entre e dentro das populações de M. urundeuva, fornecendo subsídios para a conservação genética ex situ, obter informações sobre a regeneração natural de outras espécies arbóreas na área de instalação do teste de progênies/procedências, avaliar o desenvolvimento e a composição bromatológica da forrageira desenvolvida no sub-bosque de M. urundeuva em sistema silvipastoril. Foram avaliados dois testes de progênies de M. urundeuva, localizados em Selvíria-MS e estabelecidos em 1992 em plantios heterogêneos, contendo 25 famílias provenientes de Aramina estado de São Paulo e 25 de Selvíria estado do Mato Grosso do Sul. Os ensaios foram avaliados para o DAP (diâmetro a altura do peito), DMC (diâmetro médio da copa), altura, forma do tronco e sobrevivência. Os resultados obtidos a partir do uso do software SELEGEN, permitiram observar que as populações de Selvíria e Aramina, apresentaram baixa herdabilidade, indicando a existência de variabilidade, sendo que a variabilidade genética foi maior dentro da população de Selvíria, quando comparada a de Aramina. A população de Selviria apresentou maiores ganhos com seleção que a de Aramina, tanto na realização de propagação sexuada quanto de assexuada, as duas populações apresentaram-se bem adaptadas ao local de implantação do teste de progênie/procedência, visto...<br>Among species that have been suffering for human interference is the Aroeira tree (Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All.). Considering the conservation strategies proposed the conservation ex situ stands out as the strategies to evaluate the genetic variation retained ex situ, the quantitative genetics stands out where genetic parameters are estimated for some forestry characters. The research have aimed to evaluate the performance of two populations of M. urundeuva in heterogeneous planting, to estimate the genetic variation between and within the populations of the species, providing subsides for ex situ genetic conservation, to obtain information on natural regeneration of other tree species in the area where the progeny/origin triols set up were held, to evaluate the development and bromatological composition of forage developed in sub-forest of M. urundeuva in a agroforestry system. Two progenies test of M. urundeuva were evaluated. They were located in Selviria-MS and established in 1992 in heterogeneous planting, containing 25 families coming from Aramina-MS and 25 from Selviria-MS. The tests were evaluated for DAP (diameter at breast height), DMC (average diameter of top), plant height, steam form, and survival. The results obtained by the use of SELEGEN software, makes it possible to observe the populations in Selviria and Aramina showed low inheritance, indicating the existence of variation. The genetic variation was higher within Selvíria population, than Aramina,and Selviria population showed higher gain of selection than the Aramina population, not only by sexual propagation, but also by asexual propagation, both populations were well adapted to the location of progeny /origin trials, beeing that the survival rate was higher than 90 %. The use of IME has allowed the selection of progenies which can provide a high gain of selection and variation; in that case a maximum Kf must... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

É inegável a importância do melhoramento genético. Na literatura reporta-se que na ausência do melhoramento a produtividade dos cultivos agrícolas poderia ter diminuído. Deste modo, é fundamental avaliar o progresso genético para otimizar a eficiência da seleção e avaliar as técnicas empregadas. O progresso genético foi estudado em várias culturas no Brasil e no mundo. Apesar de feitas interpretações do relacionamento entre caracteres, não foram encontrados na literatura métodos ou estimativas relacionadas ao progresso simultâneo quando mais de um caráter sofre seleção. Como os melhoristas se atém a seleção de mais de um caráter, ao estimar o progresso genético dever-se-ia considerar esse aspecto. Nesse sentido, vislumbrou-se a possibilidade de se reunir a informação de mais de um caráter, tal qual um índice em que restrições sobre o original de Smith representam os progressos individuais estimados. Isto posto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar os progressos genéticos no melhoramento do tabaco para os caracteres de interesse e apresentar uma alternativa interpretativa de reunir os progressos individuais na estimativa do progresso simultâneo. Mensurou-se o progresso genético dos caracteres agronômicos e morfológicos ao longo de 40 anos de melhoramento de tabaco do grupo varietal Virginia pela avaliação de nove linhagens oriundas de quatro fases distintas no delineamento casualizado em blocos com quatro repetições em quatro locais representativos da cultura. Com base nas estimativas e no desenvolvimento teórico do índice com restrições apresentado, reuniram-se as estimativas referentes aos progressos individuais como uma forma de representar o progresso genético simultâneo. A análise de regressão mostrou ganhos significativos por era de 275,29kg há-1 para a produtividade de folhas curadas, o que representa um progresso de 10% da média do ciclo inicial. A altura de plantas, número de folhas expandidas, bem como a largura e comprimento das folhas também mostraram incrementos significativos. Devido à interação genótipos por ambientes, os progressos estimados na média dos quatro locais não são bons preditores dos progressos por local. O índice de qualidade geral e a remuneração do produtor não apresentaram os progressos esperados em razão de essas avaliações terem sido realizadas apenas nas fases finais da seleção. A estimativa do progresso simultâneo aferiu um incremento de 6% por era no cômputo dos caracteres avaliados e reflete o sucesso na seleção e melhoramento simultâneo desses caracteres. O índice desenvolvido não necessita arbitrar pesos econômicos, atende às restrições, e mostrou-se eficaz em reunir os progressos genéticos dos caracteres além de poder ser empregado com o propósito da seleção em níveis não independentes de seleção.<br>The importance of plant breeding is unquestionable. In the literature, it is reported that in the absence of crop improvement crop yield could have decreased. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the genetic progress in order to optimize the efficiency of the selection procedures and evaluate the employed techniques. Data on genetic progress were studied throughout the world as well as in Brazil. Besides the understanding of the underlying relationships between traits, there are no current methods or estimates regarding simultaneous progress, i.e., whenever more than one trait undergo selection. As the breeders generally carry out selection considering more than one trait, when estimating the genetic progress, this particular issue should be considered. In this context, it has become possible to summarize information from more than one trait, as an index, based on the classic Smith index with constraints which represent the estimates of individual traits progress. Thus, the objective of the present work was to estimate genetic progress in a tobacco breeding program and to present an interpretative and promising alternative to address the individual progress and hence estimate the simultaneous progress. The genetic progress of agronomic and morphological traits was estimated over a period of 40 years in which selection was carried out for obtaining superior inbred lines of the Virginia variety group. Nine inbred lines, derived from four distinct eras, were evaluated in randomized complete block designs with four replicates in four Brazilian representative sites of the tobacco crop. Based on both the results and theoretical developments of the constrained index, the estimates of individual progress were combined in order to represent the simultaneous genetic progress. The regression analysis showed a significant gain per era of 275.29kg ha-1 for cured leaf weight, corresponding to a progress of 10% relative to the estimated intercept. Traits such as plant height, expanded leaves, as well as width and length of leaves also showed a significant increase. Given the genotype by environment interaction, the estimated marginal progress of the four sites was not a good predictor of the progress at each site. On the other hand, the leaf quality index and the corresponding commercial value did not show the aimed trend due to the fact that both evaluations were performed at the final trials. The simultaneous progress increased the set of traits by 6% per era relative to the intercept. This reflects the sucess of selection and simultaneous improvement of traits. The proposed index does not require attributing economic weights, satisfies the restrictions, is effective in summarizing the genetic progress of multipletraits and can be applied considering multitrait selection through non independent culling levels.

School reform programs focus on making educational changes; however, research on interventions past the funded implementation phase to determine what was sustained is rarely done (Beery, Senter, Cheadle, Greenwald, Pearson, et al., 2005). This study adds to the research on sustainability by determining what instructional practices, if any, of the Teaching SMART[reg] professional development program that was implemented from 2005-2008 in elementary schools with teachers in grades third through eighth were continued, discontinued, or adapted five years post-implementation (in 2013). Specifically, this study sought to answer the following questions: What do teachers who participated in Teaching SMART[reg] and district administrators share about the sustainability of Teaching SMART[reg] practices in 2013? What teaching strategies do teachers who participated in the program (2005-2008) use in their science classrooms five years post-implementation (2013)? What perceptions about the roles of females in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) do teachers who participated in the program (2005-2008) have five years later (2013)? And, What classroom management techniques do the teachers who participated in the program (2005-2008) use five years post implementation (2013)? A mixed method approach was used to answer these questions. Quantitative teacher survey data from 23 teachers who participated in 2008 and 2013 were analyzed in SAS v. 9.3. Descriptive statistics were reported and paired t-tests were conducted to determine mean differences by survey factors identified from an exploratory factor analysis, principal axis factoring, and parallel analysis conducted with teacher survey baseline data (2005). Individual teacher change scores (2008 and 2013) for identified factors were computed using the Reliable Change Index statistic. Qualitative data consisted of interviews with two district administrators and three teachers who responded to the survey in both years (2008 and 2013). Additionally, a classroom observation was conducted with one of the interviewed teachers in 2013. Qualitative analyses were conducted following the constant comparative method and were facilitated by ATLAS.ti v. 6.2, a qualitative analysis software program. Qualitative findings identified themes at the district level that influenced teachers' use of Teaching SMART[reg] strategies. All the themes were classified as obstacles to sustainability: economic downturn, turnover of teachers and lack of hiring, new reform policies, such as Race to the Top, Student Success Act, Common Core State Standards, and mandated blocks of time for specific content. Results from the survey data showed no statistically significant difference through time in perceived instructional practices except for a perceived decrease in the use of hands-on instructional activities from 2008 to 2013. Analyses conducted at the individual teacher level found change scores were statistically significant for a few teachers, but overall, teachers reported similarly on the teacher survey at both time points. This sustainability study revealed the lack of facilitating factors to support the continuation of reform practices; however, teachers identified strategies to continue to implement some of the reform practices through time in spite of a number of system-wide obstacles. This sustainability study adds to the literature by documenting obstacles to sustainability in this specific context, which overlap with what is known in the literature. Additionally, the strategies teachers identified to overcome some of the obstacles to implement reform practices and the recommendations by district level administrators add to the literature on how stakeholders may support sustainability of reform through time.

Submitted thesis deal with estimation safeness of electroplating technologi with reference to occurrence hazardous substances falls on man and environment. To identification diversification was used quantitative risk assessment and chemical exposure index.