Dissertations / Theses: 'Size differences'

1

Cai, Wenbiao. "Skill accumulation and international productivity differences across sectors." Diss., University of Iowa, 2012. https://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/3271.

Full text

Abstract:

Why some countries are so much richer than others is a question of central interest in economics. Low aggregate income per worker in poor countries is mostly accounted for by low labor productivity and high employment in agriculture. This thesis attempts to understand cross-country income difference through examining productivity differences at the sector level - in agriculture and in non-agriculture. Between rich and poor countries, there is a 45-fold difference in agricultural output per worker and a 34-fold difference in mean farm size. In the first chapter, I argue farmer's skill as a plausible explanation for these differences. The model features heterogeneity in innate agricultural skill, on-the-job skill accumulation, and span-of-control in agricultural production. I show that low total factor productivity (TFP) in poor countries not only induces more individuals with low innate skill to choose farming, but also reduces the incentive to accumulate skill. Between rich and poor countries, the model generates substantial difference in farmer's skill, which translates into differences in agricultural productivity and farm size distribution. Quantitatively, the calibrated model explains half of the cross-country differences in agricultural output per worker, and successfully replicates the size distribution of farms in both rich and poor countries. Cross-country productivity differences are asymmetric across sectors. The labor productivity gap between rich and poor countries in agriculture is twice as large as that in the aggregate, and ten times larger than that in non-agriculture. The second chapter shows that these sectoral productivity differences can arise solely from difference in aggregate TFP. I extend the framework in the first chapter to allow for different skill in non-agricultural production as well. Low TFP distorts the allocation of skills across sectors and discourages skill accumulation on the job. To discipline the initial skill distribution and skill accumulation, the model is calibrated to match earnings distribution and age-earnings profiles in both agriculture and non-agriculture in the U.S. The model's implications are then examined using a sample of 70 countries that covers a wide range of development. Between rich and poor countries, the model accounts for most of the productivity differences at the sector level - productivity difference in agriculture in the model is 1.8 times larger than those in the aggregate and 6 times larger than those in non-agriculture. As in the data, the share of farmer in the labor force in the model declines from 85 percent in the poorest countries to less than 2 percent in the richest countries. These results suggest that policy aiming at improving overall efficiency should be prioritized.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

2

Gonçalves, Fábio Miguel Monteiro. "Firm’s innovative capabilities influence on innovation performance : differences between firm’s age and size." Master's thesis, Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/19201.

Full text

Abstract:

Mestrado em Economia e Gestão de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação
Esta tese estuda a associação entre as ?innovative capabilities? das empresas e a performance em inovação das mesmas, e se estas variam consoante a idade e dimensão da empresa. O problema é saber quais as variáveis que devem ser incluídas de modo a que se quantifique todas as dimensões discutidas na literatura, e como se deve organizar estas variáveis para que se avalie de forma completa as "firm's innovative capabilities". Este trabalho segue o modelo desenvolvido por Zawislak et al. 2012 focando-se apenas naquelas "capabilities"? que são dinâmicas (Alves et al. 2017). É o principal contributo, pois permitiu a inclusão de muitas variáveis e permitiu perceber como estas variam em relação à idade e dimensão das empresas. O modelo teórico consiste em 17 variáveis distribuídas por 4 factores: "capability" de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Estratégico, Transacional e de Gestão. Para ir de encontro aos objectivos de investigação, um questionário foi enviado para empresas da Indústria Transformadora Portuguesa e foram obtidas 381 respostas. A Análise Fatorial Exploratória originou resultados estatisticamente significativos para três factores, enquanto que a "Capability" de gestão não é significativo sobre as "innovative capabilities" (IC) e sobre a performance da inovação (IP) para as empresas da amostra. A associação entre IC e IP é fraca, mas positiva e, através dos testes não paramétricos, descobriu-se que existem diferenças na distribuição dos factores para as empresas tendo em conta as suas características.
The aim of this thesis is to study the association between firm's innovative capabilities and innovation performance and whether they vary according to certain firm's characteristics. However, one of the major setbacks relies on the choice of variables required to measure all the dimensions discussed in the literature and on how to ensure that these variables represent reliable and interpretable factors in order to obtain a complete assessment of firm's innovative capabilities. Thus, this thesis follows the complementary model developed by Zawislak et al. 2012 but is only focused on dynamic capabilities (Alves et al 2017). The contribution of this thesis is the inclusion of many variables that enable the assessment of how firm's innovative capabilities differ according to their age and size. The theoretical model consisted of 17 variables distributed into 4 factors: Development of Technology, Strategy, Transactional and Management capability. To meet research objectives, a questionnaire was sent to firms in the Portuguese Manufacture Industry and 381 responses were collected. An Exploratory Factor Analysis led to three statically significant factors but the Management Capability is not significant on firms' Innovative Capabilities (IC) and Innovation Performance (IP). The association between IC and IP was weak but positive and nonparametric tests revealed significant differences in distribution of the factors according to firm's age and size.
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

3

West, Jane. "Explaining differences in birth size and adiposity between Pakistani and White British babies." Thesis, University of Leeds, 2011. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/4061/.

Full text

Abstract:

There is a growing recognition that being born 'small is associated with an increased risk of poorer adult cardiometabolic health in addition to its known adverse effects on perinatal and infant outcomes. Previous studies have shown markedly lower birth weight among infants of South Asian origin compared to those of White British origin and there is a suggestion that such differences may mask greater central adiposity in South Asians. In this thesis, differences in birth size between 2221 Pakistani origin and 1838 White British origin infants born in the same UK maternity unit are described and whether the magnitude of any differences . changes depending on whether the parents (both mother and father) and grandparents of Pakistani infants were born in the UK or South Asia was investigated. Marked differences in birthweight between Pakistani origin and White British origin infants persisted even after adjustment for a wide range of potential masking and mediating characteristics. Important differences remained whether both parents were UK born, one was South Asian born or both were South Asian born, suggesting that at least over two generations, environmental or lifestyle changes amongst parents who have migrated to the UK and spent all of their life here have not had a major impact on these differences. Despite their smaller birth weight, South Asian infants had more total body fat than White British infants, as indicated by skinfold thickness and cord leptin, which has important implications for any public health interventions aimed at increasing birthweight in South Asian infants, as this could result in greater body fat· and ultimately poorer cardiometabolic health

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

4

Bootland, Lorna H. "Investigation into the involvement of growth hormone in genetic differences in growth and size." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/15225.

Full text

Abstract:

Lines selected high or low on lean body mass (P-Lines) or on carcass fat (F-Lines) for more than 30 generations were treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (GH) to obtain information about the effects of selection on GH levels and responsiveness. All lines responded to GH with an increase in final body weight. In the lean mass selected lines the high line increased more than the low, but the increase relative to initial weight was similar in both lines (10-15% ). GH did not have a significant effect on gonadal fat percentage. Further investigations involved the lean mass selected lines only. Weights were recorded on a daily basis from birth to weaning at 21 days, to investigate growth before mice become responsive to GH at 14 days. The high line had a mean litter size approximately twice that of the low line, and a mean birth weight approximately 50% greater than the low line. The difference in total litter weight at birth is greater (3 to 4 fold) than the difference in adult body weight (approximately 3 fold) suggesting that there may be between line differences in individual effects on in utero growth rates as well as differences due to maternal effects. Also an increase in the rate of gain was observed for both lines at approximately 18 days of age. An increase was also observed in GH deficient little dwarf mice from the high P-Line, and hence is not due to GH. The increase in the rate of weight gain is greater in the wild type mice than in the little mice suggesting GH acts to magnify the effects of whatever causes the increase. Plasma GH levels were assayed, the high P-Line had lower levels of GH at 4, 5 and 7 weeks of age than the low P-Line. As IGF-I levels become GH inducible at about 14 days of age and the lines experience an increase in the rate of weight gain, which is greater in the high line than in the low line, at about 18 days it appeared possible that IGF-I levels differed between the lines.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

5

Fisher, Serena Lynn. "Frequency Judgments and Recognition: Additional Evidence for Task Differences." [Tampa, Fla.] : University of South Florida, 2004. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/SFE0000517.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

6

Hasselbach, Whitney Lynn. "Differences between Third, Fourth, And Fifth Grade Students' Attitudes toward Reading In Relation to Community Size." Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1273803572.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

7

Cotronei, Salvatore. "Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fish (Somniosus microcephalus, Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) from Greenland seawaters." Doctoral thesis, Università di Siena, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/11365/1037908.

Full text

Abstract:

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) include several groups of industrial chemicals, pesticides or technical by-products with similar structures and chemical-physical properties. Their occurrence in Arctic wildlife has been documented since the beginning of the 1970s. The Arctic region is reported to be a “cold trap” for these chemicals that have been transported over long distances. In addition, due to the low temperature, limited biological activity and minimal incidence of sunlight, POP degradation is very slow in this remote area. The Greenland Shark Somniosus microcephalus is a top predator of cold seawaters that may reach a total length of up to six metres. For this reason, it is one of largest shark species in the world and presumably the largest fish in the Arctic. Very little is known about its biology including migrations or habitat preferences; however, a number of studies demonstrate that S. microcephalus may extend from the temperate North Atlantic Ocean to the Arctic Ocean, hunting actively throughout the water column in the Arctic Sea. Considering that the S. microcephalus is an opportunistic top predator, extremely long-lived with slow growth, the bioaccumulation process of pollutants generated by human activities might be enhanced. The aims of this thesis were firstly to assess the concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in the liver and muscle samples of S. microcephalus from Greenland seawaters and, secondly, to investigate whether POPs concentration is correlated to lipid content, gender and age. In addition, concentrations of DDT, PCB, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in the stomach contents of the Greenland shark and in the muscle of its prey (codfish and Greenland halibut) were measured to evaluate if biomagnification processes may occur. In the Greenland shark, the lipid content was 48 ± 10% in the muscle and 43 ± 17% in the liver. The relationships between lipid content and OCP, PCB, PBDE and HBCD concentrations were not statistically significant. Concentrations of DDTs, HCB, PeCB, PCBs and HBCDs were higher in muscle samples than those observed in the liver, while HCHs and PBDEs showed higher concentrations in the liver. Results showed higher concentrations of OCs in female sharks compared to those observed in males. In some cases, OCPs, PBDEs and HBCDs showed higher concentrations, mostly in the livers of the younger sharks, than those observed in almost all of the older sharks studied. TEQ concentrations were also calculated in three muscle samples and one shark liver sample to evaluate the potentially toxic effects of organic halogenated compounds on living organism. The biomagnification factor was calculated among pairs of Greenland shark-stomach content and Greenland shark-prey, where prey included Gadus ogac, Gadus morhua and Reinhardtius hippoglossoides. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation into POP bioaccumulation in the Greenland shark based on age differences and this is one of the few investigations on the transfer of POPs through the Greenland shark food chain. These baseline data on Arctic marine wildlife are particularly important, due to the geological prospect and mining activities which may affect the Arctic marine environments in the near future (Christiansen et al. 2014).

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

8

Teyhan, Alison. "The impact of neighbourhood and school environments on ethnic differences in body size in adolescence." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2012. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/3288/.

Full text

Abstract:

Background: Ethnicity is associated with childhood obesity, with Black African origin girls in particular being more vulnerable to overweight and obesity than their White European peers. In the UK, ethnic minorities often live and attend school in poor urban areas which may influence their opportunity for physical activity and a healthy diet. Aim: To examine neighbourhood and school effects on ethnic differences in Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference trends in adolescence. Methods: Multilevel analysis of longitudinal data on BMI and waist circumference [standard deviation scores (SDS)] from 3401 adolescents in the Determinants of Adolescent Social well-being and Health (DASH) Study (870 White UK, 778 Black Caribbean, 504 Nigerian/Ghanaian, 386 Other African, 418 Indian, and 445 Pakistani/Bangladeshi). Forty-nine London schools participated in the study and the same pupils were surveyed at 11-13yrs and 14-16yrs. Neighbourhood measures included deprivation, crime, and ethnic density; school measures included ethnic density, school socioeconomic status (SES) (academic performance, free school meals, unauthorised absence) and ethos. Individual and family characteristics were also examined (including dietary and physical activity measures, family SES, and parental overweight). Results: Between 11 and 16yrs ethnic differences in BMI emerged in boys and persisted in girls; compared to their White UK peers Black Caribbean and Nigerian/Ghanaian boys and girls, and Other African girls, had a greater mean BMI SDS. These patterns were not observed for waist circumference, signalling ethnic differences in fat distribution or body composition. The DASH pupils overall had large waists compared to the 1990 Growth Reference population. The ethnic minority pupils, with the exception of the Indians, were more likely to live in more deprived, higher crime, less green areas than their White UK peers. However the ethnic minority pupils often attended better performing schools than the White UK pupils. The overall variance in body size at neighbourhood level or school level was small (<4%), and area or school context measures had little or no effect on ethnic differences in body size. Individual characteristics (such as age, pubertal status, and skipping breakfast) and maternal overweight were strong correlates of body size but did not explain the ethnic differences observed. Conclusions: There were significant ethnic differences in BMI in adolescence, emergent in late adolescence for boys. Neighbourhood and school contexts did not explain the ethnic differences in BMI age trends.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

9

Tomaska, Julie Maureen. "Differences in Breast Cancer Tumor Size, Stage, and Survival by Socioeconomic Position in Young Women." ScholarWorks, 2011. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/967.

Full text

Abstract:

Although the incidence of breast cancer in women under 40 years of age is somewhat rare, young women tend to present with cancer that is more advanced and with poorer prognostic characteristics. This research will be important to providers, women and their families and those seeking to clarify screening guidelines. The purpose of this quantitative, retrospective, cohort study was to evaluate differences in prognostic characteristics by socioeconomic position (SIP). The cohort was comprised of females aged 18 to 39 with a primary diagnosis of breast cancer. Data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry for all primary breast cancers reported between 2001 and 2006 (n = 14,696). Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to assess to what extent SEP had an independent effect on tumor size and cancer summary stage upon diagnosis, and overall survival. SEP was found to be a significant predictor of tumor size and summary stage at the time of diagnosis. As cancer summary stage increases by 1 unit, women were .14 times as likely to have a tumor size of less than 2 cm versus a tumor size of greater than 5 cm. As SEP increases by 1 unit, the likelihood of having a tumor size of less than 2 cm versus greater than 5 cm increases by a factor of 1.14. SEP was not a significant predictor of survival time. The results of this study have the potential to promote positive social change by advancing the understanding of breast cancer in young women, as well as raise awareness of socioeconomic, racial and clinical inequalities. In addition, it may assist researchers and policy makers clearly defined formal screening guidelines for young women in higher-risk subgroups based on socioeconomic position.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

10

Bundsen, Andreas. "Artificial selection for large and small relative brain size in guppies (Poecilia reticulata) results in differences in cognitive ability." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för biologisk grundutbildning, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-192953.

Full text

Abstract:

Vertebrate brain size is remarkably variable at all taxonomic levels. Brains of mammals forexample, range from 0.1 gram in small bats (Chiroptera) to about 8-9 kilos in Sperm whales(Physeter macrocephalus). But what does this variation in size really mean? The link between brainsize and cognition is debated due to, for instance the difficulties of comparing cognitive ability indifferent species. A large number of comparative studies continue to provide information aboutcorrelations found both within and between species. The relative size of the brain is an example of apopular measurement that correlates with cognitive ability. But to date, no experimental studieshave yielded any proof causality between relative brain size and cognitive ability. Here I usedguppies selected for either large or small relative brain size to investigate differences in cognitiveperformance of a quantity discrimination task. The results from this experiment provideexperimental evidence that relative brain size is important for cognitive ability, and that a differencein cognitive ability could be obtained already after two generations of selection experiments onrelative brain size in a vertebrate.
Artiﬁcial Selection on Relative Brain Size in the Guppy Reveals Costs and benefits of Evolving a Larger Brain

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

11

Nilsson, Jesper. "An exploration of classical SBP-SAT operators and their minimal size." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för matematik (MA), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-104379.

Full text

Abstract:

We consider diagonal-norm classical summation-by-parts (SBP) operators us-ing the simultaneous approximation term (SAT) method of imposing boundaryconditions. We derive a formula for the inverse of these SBP-SAT discretizationmatrices. This formula is then used to show that it is possible to construct a secondorder accurate SBP-SAT operator using only seven grid points.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

12

Perdue, Bonnie Marie. "Sex differences in spatial memory ability: a test of the range size hypothesis in the order carnivora." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/39519.

Full text

Abstract:

Sex differences in spatial cognition have been reported for many species ranging from voles to humans. The range size hypothesis predicts that sex differences in spatial ability will only occur in species in which the mating system selects for differential range size. Consistent with this prediction, we observed sex differences in spatial ability in giant pandas, a promiscuous species in which males inhabit larger ranges than females, but did not observe sex differences in Asian small-clawed otters, a related monogamous species in which males and females share home ranges. Furthermore, the sex difference in giant pandas was observed during the period of male range expansion and outside female estrus, thus the potentially confounding influence of decreased female ability was avoided. Finally, all subjects in this study were raised in captivity and never actually inhabited different range sizes. Therefore these findings emphasize the importance of biological rather than experiential factors underlying sex differences in spatial cognition. These results are the first evidence of sex differences in spatial ability in the order Carnivora, and provide support for the range size hypothesis.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

13

Norrfors, Karin. "Stability and sorption capacity of montmorillonite colloids : Investigation of size fractional differences and effects of γ-irradiation." Doctoral thesis, KTH, Tillämpad fysikalisk kemi, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-159944.

Full text

Abstract:

Bentonite clay is intended to form one of the barriers in most repositories of spent nuclear fuel located in granite. One important function of the bentonite barrier is to retard transport of radionuclides in the event of waste canister failure. Bentonite has a high sorption capacity of cations and its main constituent is montmorillonite. In contact with groundwater of low ionic strength, montmorillonite colloids can be released from bentonite and thereby control transport of radionuclides sorbed onto the colloids. In colloid transport in bedrock fractures, size separation of clay colloids may occur due to physical and chemical interactions with the bedrock fracture surface. This may enhance or retard the overall transport of radionuclides, depending on the sorption capacities and stability of the differently sized clay colloids. The bentonite barrier will be exposed to γ-radiation from the spent nuclear fuel. Irradiation affects surface-related properties of bentonite. If an average sorption capacity value cannot be used for all colloid sizes or if sorption is affected by exposure to γ-irradiation, corrected sorption capacity values would give higher resolution in current reactive transport models. In order to study the size separation process, a protocol was developed and successfully applied to fractionate montmorillonite into different-sized colloid suspensions by means of sequential or direct centrifugation. The stability and sorption capacity were studied using these fractions. Both stability and sorption capacity were found to be similar for all colloid sizes. Bentonite exposed to γ-radiation sorbed less divalent cations with increasing radiation dose. The effect was not large enough to have any impact on diffusion. The presence of bentonite enhanced irradiation-induced corrosion of copper under anaerobic atmosphere. An average sorption capacity value for montmorillonite can be used for all colloid sizes in reactive transport models. The effect of γ-irradiation on sorption capacity is sufficiently large to require consideration in transport modelling.
Bentonite är planerad som en av barriärerna i de flesta slutförvar av använt kärnbränsle. Bentonite har en hög sorptionskapacitet för katjoner. Den huvudsakliga beståndsdelen av bentonit är montmorillonit. Montmorillonitkolloider kommer att frigöras från bentonitbufferten i kontakt med grundvatten av låg jonstyrka och på så vis styra transporten av sorberade radionuklider. Under den kolloidala transporten i bergsprickorna kan en separation med avseende på storlek uppstå genom interaktioner mellan kolloiderna och bergytan. Detta kan få till följd att den genomsnittliga transporten av radionuklider bromsas eller tilltar beroende på sorptionskapaciteten och stabiliteten av de olika kolloidstorlekarna. Bentonitbarriären kommer även att utsättas för γ-bestrålning från det använda kärnbränslet, vilket påverkar dess ytrelaterade egenskaper. Om inte ett medeltal för sorptionskapaciteten är giltigt för alla kolloidstorlekar eller om sorptionen påverkas av γ-bestrålning, behövs nya sorptionskapaciteter bestämmas och impliceras för noggrannare transportmodeller. En metod för att separera montmorillonitkolloider med avseende på storlek via direkt och stegvis centrifugering har utvecklats. Stabiliteten och sorptionskapaciteten för dessa fraktioner har studerats. Både stabilitet och sorptionskapacitet visade sig vara lika för alla kolloidstorlekar. Bestrålad bentonit sorberar mindre andel divalenta katjoner med ökad dos bestrålning. Effekten är dock inte stor nog för att slå igenom i diffusionsexperimenten. Förekomst av bentonit ökar även den strålningsinducerade korrosionen av koppar under anaeroba förhållanden. Ett medelvärde för sorptionskapaciteten kan användas för alla kolloidstorlekar i transportmodeller. Effekten av γ-bestrålning är dock stor nog för att implementeras i modellerna.

QC 20150213

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

14

Kristofco, John Paul. "The non-academic differences between remedial and non-remedial students at a mid-size, urban community college /." The Ohio State University, 1990. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1487683049376761.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

15

Garner, Kelsey Renee. "The Differences in Time to Stability, Foot Muscle Size, and Toe Flexor Strength Between Cheerleaders and Gymnasts." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2016. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/6128.

Full text

Abstract:

Context: There has been recent speculation that the intrinsic muscles of the foot may play a larger role in lower extremity control and injury than previously believed. Multiple studies have shown that certain intrinsic muscles increase in size and strength after transitioning to minimalist shoe running, theoretically decreasing injury risk. There are currently no studies that examine the effect that training barefoot has in other athletic populations. Objective: Our purpose was to compare the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle size and strength in gymnasts (who predominantly train barefoot) and cheerleaders (who predominantly train shod). Another purpose was to measure time to stability for both groups shod and unshod. Design: Observational study. Setting: Human Performance Laboratory. Participants: 16 collegiate gymnasts (height = 159.3 ± 4.9cm, weight = 56.7 ± 4.3kg) and 16 collegiate cheerleaders (height = 161.9 ± 5.4cm, weight = 58.7 ± 7.1kg) volunteered for this study. Main Outcome Measure(s): The muscle size of 6 intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the foot were measured using ultrasound, toe flexor strength, as assessed using a custom-made dynamometer, and time to stability following a drop landing, as assessed using ground reaction force data collected with force plates. Results: There were no significant group differences in great toe flexor strength (p = 0.274), lateral toe flexor strength (p = 0.824), or any of the time to stability conditions (p = 0.086 – 0.90). Only one muscle, fibularis longus, was significantly bigger in gymnasts than cheerleaders (p = 0.017) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the barefoot training of gymnasts may not have as large of an impact on the foot musculature and strength as running barefoot or in minimalist shoes has on these factors.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

16

Wladecki, Hannah Victoria. "Evaluation of Particle Size Differences, Calcium Sources, and Phytases on Ph and Calcium and Phosphorus Solubility in an in Vitro Simulation of Broiler Digestion." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/35303.

Full text

Abstract:

Broiler nutrition can be affected by many different factors, and diets can be made up of a wide variety of components. Feed enzymes, different Ca sources, and various ingredient particle sizes all contribute to broiler nutritional status and need to be investigated to determine their full effects on the bird. The objective of the first study was to evaluate various Ca sources and microbial phytases using an in vitro assay to simulate broiler digestion. The trial measured total Ca and P, soluble Ca and P, and pH. It involved limestone, dicalcium phosphate, highly soluble Ca (HSC), whey, and a control with no added Ca. Each diet was supplemented with 0 or 500 FTU/kg of phytase 1 or phytase 2. Diets were analyzed for total Ca and P and then were subjected to a gastric phase digestion, including the addition of HCl and pepsin, with incubation times of 5, 10, or 20 min. They were also subjected to a gastric phase and a SI phase digestion, including the addition of HCl, pepsin, NaHCO3, and pancreatin with incubation times of 5, 10, 20, or 60 min. The objective of the second study was to evaluate various particle sizes, Ca sources, and source locations using the same in vitro assay. Large, medium, and fine particle sizes, as well as limestone from 4 different locations and HSC were subjected to the same assays and conditions as in the first trial. These studies suggest that HSC is a highly soluble Ca source, phytase improves P solubility in vitro, fine particle size is more soluble than large particle size in vitro, and location from which the Ca source is obtained can affect Ca and P solubility. The in vitro assay utilized in this study is a fast and cost efficient technique for evaluating and comparing parameters of broiler diets to make recommendations for commercial poultry nutrition.
Master of Science

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

17

Schäfer, Thomas, and Marcus A. Schwarz. "The Meaningfulness of Effect Sizes in Psychological Research: Differences Between Sub-Disciplines and the Impact of Potential Biases." Frontiers Media SA, 2019. https://monarch.qucosa.de/id/qucosa%3A33749.

Full text

Abstract:

Effect sizes are the currency of psychological research. They quantify the results of a study to answer the research question and are used to calculate statistical power. The interpretation of effect sizes—when is an effect small, medium, or large?—has been guided by the recommendations Jacob Cohen gave in his pioneering writings starting in 1962: Either compare an effect with the effects found in past research or use certain conventional benchmarks. The present analysis shows that neither of these recommendations is currently applicable. From past publications without pre-registration, 900 effects were randomly drawn and compared with 93 effects from publications with pre-registration, revealing a large difference: Effects from the former (median r = 0.36) were much larger than effects from the latter (median r = 0.16). That is, certain biases, such as publication bias or questionable research practices, have caused a dramatic inflation in published effects, making it difficult to compare an actual effect with the real population effects (as these are unknown). In addition, there were very large differences in the mean effects between psychological sub-disciplines and between different study designs, making it impossible to apply any global benchmarks. Many more pre-registered studies are needed in the future to derive a reliable picture of real population effects.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

18

Balfour, Martha. "Abiotic Differences Between Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) Nests in Natural Beach and Engineered Dunes: Effects on Hatching Success." Master's thesis, University of Central Florida, 2010. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/2439.

Full text

Abstract:

Habitat loss is among the biggest threats to conservation worldwide, so habitat restoration plays an increasing role in endangered species management. This is especially true for species with high site fidelity, such as nesting marine turtles. Sand replenishment is commonly used to restore coastal beaches after severe erosion events, and may affect marine turtles and other species that live or reproduce in that habitat. I investigated how abiotic characteristics of sand used in a dune restoration project at Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, affected reproduction of the federally-endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Sand structure and composition can affect egg development and hatching success by altering nest conditions, with nests in fine-grain or very coarse sand suffering decreased hatching success. I determined that calcium carbonate content (27.0% ± 1.4 SE vs. 15.1% ± 3.8 SE), moisture content (3.29% ± 0.26 SE vs. 4.59% ± 0.25 SE), and grain size (427.53 μm ± 14.1 SE vs. 274.66 μm ± 29.1 SE) differed significantly between natural and restored dunes. Hatching success of green turtles (44.7% ± 6.2 SE vs. 65.8% ± 5.3 SE) was significantly lower on restored dunes compared to natural dunes with an estimated loss of 22,646 hatched eggs. Hatching success also decreased as the nesting season progressed. These results demonstrate the importance of regulating fill material used in beach restoration projects; substrate characteristics are easily evaluated and can significantly influence marine turtle hatching success.
M.S.
Department of Biology
Sciences
Biology MS

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

19

Hipkiss, Tim. "Brood sex ratio and sex differences in Tengmalm’s owl : (Aegolius funereus)." Doctoral thesis, Umeå University, Ecology and Environmental Science, 2002. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-8.

Full text

Abstract:

Males and females differ in morphology and behaviour, so that selection acts differently on the two sexes. This changes the relative reproductive success of males and females, and it is beneficial for parents to bias the sex ratio of their broods in favour of the sex with the best survival and breeding prospects. Differences between the sexes and brood sex ratio in Tengmalm’s owl (Aegolius funereus) in northern Sweden were investigated, using a molecular sexing technique based on PCRamplification of sex-linked CHD1 genes. Among owls caught during autumn migration, females were commoner than males, especially within juveniles. However, in contrast to earlier studies, it was shown that adult males sometimes undertake migratory movements indicatory of nomadism. Measurements of these owls revealed that sexual size dimorphism in Tengmalm’s owl is not as great as previously reported from studies carried out during the breeding season. Females were slightly larger (4% by mass) than males, probably owing to the different roles of males and females during breeding, when this dimorphism is greater. The size difference between male and female nestlings was found to be similar to that for adults in autumn, and to investigate whether this led to differential mortality, the effect of supplementary feeding on mortality of male and female nestlings was studied. Supplementary feeding reduced male mortality when vole abundance was low, and it was concluded that larger female nestlings out-competed their smaller brothers, who then suffered increased mortality when food was scarce. Recruitment of male nestlings into the breeding population declined with decreasing food supply at the time of fledging, a pattern not observed in females. Juvenile males were therefore more vulnerable to food shortage than females, both in the nest and after fledging. Mean brood sex ratio varied significantly among years characterized by different phases of the vole cycle and associated vole abundance. Broods were male-biased (63% males) in a year when the food supply was favourable during spring and summer, neutral (50%) in a year with an intermediate food supply, and female-biased (35% males) in a year when food was in short supply. Parents appeared to adaptively adjust the sex ratio of their broods according to the relative mortality risk and reproductive potential of sons and daughters.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

20

Tapp, Nadia. "Do size differences of juvenile snapper (Pagrus auratus) in two regions of Shark Bay, Western Australia, reflect different environmental conditions." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2003. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1325.

Full text

Abstract:

Aspects of the population biology of juvenile Pagrus auratus in the western gulf of Shark Bay, Western Australia, were investigated to explore the causes of an observed size difference between 0+ fish (first year of life) in the northern and southern regions of that gulf. Five trawl surveys were conducted in each region of the western gulf, from November 2000 to December 2001, to collect juvenile P. auratus. The 0+ fish from the northern region were found to be consistently greater in length by between 10 and 20mm LCF, than those in the southern region, thereby confirming those observed size differences. Three hypotheses were developed and investigated to explain the confirmed size difference between fish in the northern and southern regions of the western gulf. Size differences could be explained by (I) different growth rates; (2) age differences associated with different spawning times; and/or (3) fish migrating from south to north. The first and second hypotheses were tested by determining the daily ages of 125 fish collected by trawling in both regions between November 2000 and December 2001. Length-at-age data allowed the growth patterns of fish aged from 100 to 357 days to be tested using ANCOVA, while back-calculating from these ages allowed spawning times to be estimated. Examination of the third hypothesis was attempted by tagging 3485 0+ P. auratus in the southern region, followed by a trawling program to recapture tagged fish. Length-at-age data derived from validated age estimates indicated that while growth rates of O+ P. auratus, 100-357 days old, were similar between regions, the 0+ fish in the northern region were 15-l6mm greater in length than fish in the southern region, at a similar age. Back-calculated birth dates of O+ P. auratus showed that spawning had predominantly occurred between June and mid-August in both regions. While no tagged fish were recaptured during the study, independent studies examining the spatial movement of P. auratus in the western gulf suggest that 0+ P. auratus are unlikely to migrate between regions. Hence, the difference in length offish between regions almost certainly resulted from differences in growth rates within the first few months of life (age). A laboratory-based aquarium experiment was carried out at water temperatures of 18, 22 and 26oC and salinities of 36, 39 and 42% o to determine whether temperature and/or salinity influences growth of O+ P. auratus. ANOVA showed that growth, in terms of length, of 0+ P. auratus increased significantly at temperatures of 22 and 26oC compared to 18oC. Furthermore, in terms of weight, growth increased significantly with each 4oC increase in temperature. In comparison, growth was higher at salinities of 39%o than at 36 or 42%o but only in terms of length. Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) derived from remote-sensing satellite data demonstrated that P. auratus experienced SSTs 2-3oC cooler in the southern region compared to the northern region of the western gulf. In light of this, and the results of the aquarium experiment, depressed growth of wild 0+ P. auratus in the southern region was most likely due to the cooler water temperatures occurring during their first few months of life. The growth rate differences between the 0+ P. auratus of the northern and southern regions are discussed with regard to their lack of significance to the application of minimum size limits to adult P. auratus in Shark Bay. Further implications of the knowledge gained from this study to management practices applied to the snapper fishery in Shark Bay are highlighted and discussed. In particular, a recommendation was made to modify the dates of the closed snapper-fishing season around spawning to July-August of each year, rather than mid-August to September, as is currently the case. Knowledge gained from the present study is also highly applicable to any future P. auratus restocking programs in Shark Bay and may enhance the effectiveness of such projects by identifying: optimal temperature and salinity conditions for artificial rearing of snapper; favourable locations, times of year and optimal fish size for releases; and providing valuable advice regarding tagging methods.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

21

Hamilton, Coplin Leonora C. "Competitive advantages and the smes: the role of distinctive competences as determinants of success, are there differences across gender, sector, and size?" Doctoral thesis, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/3951.

Full text

Abstract:

La afirmación sobre la importancia de las ventajas competitiva y las competencias distintivas como determinantes del éxito y el crecimiento de las empresas ha incrementado sustancialmente en la última década. Académicos y estudiosos de la práctica empresarial han enfocado sus estudios en las características y factores de la empresa que son distintivas, únicas y añaden valor a las expectativas del consumidor final. Un número significativo de los investigadores está de acuerdo en que el éxito del sector de pequeñas y medianas empresas (Pymes) es trascendental para la estabilidad y salud de la economía. En este contexto, el sector contribuye de variadas formas a la economía, entre ellos: mediante la generación de empleos, a través de el autoempleo y en el aumento de la inversión en innovación e investigación. Los pequeños negocios, se ha comprobado estadísticamente, también son responsables del mayor crecimiento en la economía, a través de diversos períodos económicos, no obstante los múltiples problemas que aquejan a este sector y a la falta de ayuda y asistencia de parte de los grupos responsables de delinear las políticas del gobierno.
Esta disertación explora y examina, a través de métodos de investigación cualitativos y cuantitativos, cuáles son las ventajas competitivas y competencias distintivas que determinan el éxito en las empresas establecidas en Puerto Rico por al menos tres años, a través de sectores, tamaño y área de negocio. El estudio utiliza análisis de casos, entrevistas profundas a empresas exitosas y no exitosas, así como un sondeo de mercado enviado a los ejecutivos de empresas establecidas a través de la Isla. Los datos resultantes fueron examinados y analizados utilizando una multiplicidad de análisis y paquetes estadísticos diseñados para estudios predominantemente cualitativos. La información obtenida fue resumida y presentada en tablas y graficas. Además, una vez la información fue procesada, se diseñó un modelo estadístico con la intención de predecir éxito y prevenir fracaso en las Pymes.
Los resultados señalan y respaldan, con algunas limitaciones, que las competencias distintivas existentes en las empresas puertorriqueñas se relacionan a las encontradas en otros estudios empíricos. De igual forma, el estudio muestra enfáticamente que los determinantes de éxito a través de empresas de diversos tamaño, sectores y género se correlacionan, además de ser bastante similares. Sin embargo, también se encontró que, en el caso de empresas poseídas por mujeres, éstas poseen menos experiencia al iniciar sus negocios, lo cual puede ser la causa de que el funcionamiento u éxito de sus empresas sea menor. Del estudio se desprende que los problemas del género, pueden deberse a un proceso de selección natural o a problemas que existen en le contexto social en el cual se desarrollan estas empresas. Por otro lado, los negocios poseídos por mujeres, también han mostrado más dificultades en lograr las metas trazadas que los poseídos por hombres. Es evidente, según expresiones explícitas de los evaluados, la insuficiencia que existe en actividades que respalden las Pymes, así como la necesidad de crear políticas de negocios conducente a desarrollar, fortalecer y respaldar el sector tanto de parte del sector privado como del sector público. Este respaldo puede orientarse a la creación de ayudas financieras, incluyendo: estudios profundos, préstamos, "grants", y programas innovadores de entrenamiento. No cabe duda que la creación de estos programas y acciones estimulará tanto a negocios actuales como potenciales y ayudará a futuros empresarios a lidiar y predecir con mayor certeza los cambios económicos y políticos que afecten su sector así como a reducir fracasos.
The importance of competitive advantages and distinctive competencies as determinants of a firm's success and growth has increased tremendously in the last decade. Practitioners and academicians have centered their studies on firm specific characteristics that are unique and add value to the ultimate consumer. Most researchers agree that the success of small the small businesses segment is crucial to both the stability and health of any economy. In this context, the small firm sector contributes in many respects: through employment generation, investing in research and innovation. The sector is also responsible for most growth in the economy, in spite of the varied problems confronted and the lack of substantial assistance from policy makers.
This dissertation explores and examines, via qualitative and quantitative research methods, the competitive advantages and distinctive competencies that determine success in firms established in Puerto Rico for at least three years across sectors. The study includes case analysis, in-depth interviews with successful and non-successful firms, and an extensive island-wide survey mailed to firms established on the Island. Data was examined and analyzed using multiple statistical analyses; results were summarized and presented in table and graphic form. Moreover, after processing the data a model for predicting success was created with the intention of using it as a guideline for success and a deterrent for failure.
Findings support the idea, within limitations, that the competitive advantages present in Puerto Rico's firms relate to other empirical findings. Results strongly suggest that success determinants across size, sector, and gender seem to be nearly the same. However, in the case of females, results show that women owners seem to possess less experience before starting a business, which as a result might cause underperformance. In addition, female-owned firms have remained smaller than men's, maybe by choice, or potentially because of context specific problems. Furthermore, female CEO's have also reported more difficulties achieving their goals, and are in areas less prone to growth. Findings also suggest measures for policy makers, bankers, educators, and lenders geared to increase programs oriented towards educating SMEs, as well as to stimulate and increase available support via grants and innovating training programs. This researcher believes that the actions suggested could stimulate current and prospective entrepreneurs to better cope with economic and cultural changes, and as a deterrent to failure.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

22

Einarsson, Charlotta. "Lärares och elevers interaktion i klassrummet : Betydelse av kön, ålder, ämne och klasstorlek samt lärares uppfattningar om interaktionen." Doctoral thesis, Linköpings universitet, Institutionen för beteendevetenskap, 2003. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-32243.

Full text

Abstract:

The aim of this thesis is to investigate classroom interaction. Of central importance are the following questions; Does gender of pupil, gender of teacher, age of pupils, subject taught and class size have any importance for the classroom interaction? What conceptions of interaction with pupils do teachers have? Data have been collected by two different methods – structured classroom observations and focus groups. The results from the observations study disclose that the gender of the teacher as well as the gender of the pupil has an impact on classroom interaction. The interaction also differs regarding the pupil’s age. The variables pupil gender, teacher gender and pupil’s age together gives an opposite pattern of interaction. Female teachers interact to the same extent with boys and girls when they are young (lower level). When pupils grow older (intermediate and upper levels) they interact more with boys than girls. The pattern of interaction for male teachers goes in the opposite direction. When the pupils are young, they interact more with boys compared to girls. The same pattern is true at the intermediate level. At the upper level male teachers interact to the same extent with boys and girls. School subject and class size proved to have a limited impact on classroom interaction. Through categorization of data collected in focus groups, eight different themes were identified. These describe teachers’ conceptions of their interaction with pupils. The themes were large classes, catch individual pupils, boys dominate the classroom on expense of girls, pupils’ needs of interaction with adults, the joy of interacting with pupils, do we use the same language, conflicts between pupils, and to meet pupils with another cultural background. The results from the observations and the focus groups have shown, to some extent different but all-important aspects of classroom interaction. In this thesis two phenomena or questions have been of central importance – gender differences and class size.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

23

Liu, Chaoyun. "The Compatibility of National Culture in International Mergers and Acquisitions." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2012. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/honors_theses/27.

Full text

Abstract:

This paper examines the relationship between national culture differences and five-day cumulative abnormal returns of acquirers around cross-border merger announcements. The sample consists of 1,200 cross-border deals by frequent acquirers from emerging countries for the period of January 1, 1985 to June 30, 2008. The main objective is to analyze the relation between the difference in Hofstede (1984)’s four cultural dimensions --- power distance, individualism, masculinity, and uncertainty avoidance and the merger performance. The results imply the compatibility of some cultural dimensions, individualism in particular, that result in gains in merger. The results also show that the cultural effects vary with the firm size. In addition, the evidence provides support for the hubris hypothesis by Roll (1986).

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

24

Dempsey, Paula Jane. "Genetic and environmental contributions to morphological variation in the human permanent dentition : a study of Australian twins." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1998. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phd389.pdf.

Full text

Abstract:

Bibliography: leaves 348-366. Elucidates the nature and extent of genetic and environmental contributions to variation in permanent tooth crown size. Sibling correlations are compared to find evidence of sex-linked genes contributing to crown size. This hypothesis was tested by comparing mean tooth size in female-male opposite-sex twins with same-sex twins, and singletons.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

25

Petersen, Petra Elisabeth. "An investigation of genetic and reproductive differences between Faroe Plateau and Faroe Bank cod (Gadus morhua L.)." Thesis, University of Stirling, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/21613.

Full text

Abstract:

The Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) fishery is of great economic importance to the Faroese economy. There are two separately managed cod stocks around the Faroe Islands, the Faroe Plateau and the Faroe Bank cod. Both have experienced dramatic decreases in size and informed management decisions are vital for both stock viability and exploitation. The stocks are geographically isolated by an 800 m deep channel and water temperatures are on average 1 – 2 ºC higher on the Faroe Bank than on the Faroe Plateau. There are clear phenotypic differences between the stocks; in particular, the markedly higher growth rate for the Faroe Bank cod has caught public and scientific attention. There is continuing debate regarding the relative importance of genetics and environmental contributions to the contrasting phenotypes. Analyses of reproductive parameters (field data and experimental captive spawnings) as well as analyses of microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were undertaken to better resolve the issue. Field data as well as data from experimental captive spawnings provided evidence of reproductive differences between Faroe Plateau and Faroe Bank cod. Peak spawning occurred earlier on the Faroe Plateau than on the Faroe Bank and this difference in timing of spawning was maintained in captivity. In particular, differences in sizes of eggs (average diameters of 1.40 and 1.30 mm for Faroe Plateau and Faroe Bank cod eggs, respectively) and indirect evidence of greater volumes spawned by the Faroe Bank females suggested stock differences with respect to egg size – egg number trade-off. It was hypothesised that the strategy adopted by cod on the Faroe Bank, with a higher number of smaller eggs, evolved in response to a more hostile environment (bare seabed and higher exposure to predators) experienced by early life stages in this area. Experimental captive spawnings with Faroe Bank cod showed a large interfamily skew in survival rates of cod eggs and fry. Egg size was identified as a useful indicator of survival rates in the egg stage, but egg survival rates could not be used to predict viability in later developmental stages, thus highlighting the importance of employing some sort of genetic monitoring of cod fry to ensure sufficient family representation in the progeny. While no tank effect was evident concerning fry survival, a significant tank effect was identified concerning body sizes of fry. Microsatellite data were analysed using large sample sizes of Faroe Plateau and Faroe Bank cod with the Faroe Plateau divided into two locations, Faroe Plateau North-East and Faroe Plateau West (cod from each of the two were known to belong to separate spawning grounds). Two Norwegian coastal cod samples were included as outlier populations. While no genetic differentiation was detected between the two Faroe Plateau locations, these analyses revealed a detectable, albeit relatively modest, degree of genetic differentiation between cod from the Faroe Plateau and the Faroe Bank (FST = 0.0014 and 0.0018; DJost_EST = 0.0027 and 0.0048; P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001 for the Faroe Plateau North-East – Faroe Bank and the Faroe Plateau West – Faroe Bank comparisons). These values were several times smaller than those between Faroese and Norwegian coastal cod (pairwise FST and DJost_EST values in the range of 0.0061 – 0.0137 and 0.0158 – 0.0386, respectively). Despite recent reductions in census population sizes for Faroe Plateau and, particularly, Faroe Bank cod, genetic diversity estimates were comparable to the ones observed for Norwegian coastal cod and there was no evidence of significant genetic bottlenecks. Lastly, data for one of the markers (Gmo132) indicated genotype-dependent vertical distribution of cod (as investigated for Faroe Plateau North-East cod). Contrary to some previously published studies, analysis of SNPs of two candidate genes for adaptive divergence, the hemoglobin gene Hb-ß1 and the transferrin gene Tf1, failed to detect differentiation between samples of Faroe Plateau and Faroe Bank cod analysed in this thesis. Of 3533 novel SNPs simultaneously discovered and genotyped by restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing, 58 showed evidence of genetic differentiation between Faroe Plateau North-East and Faroe Bank cod (P < 0.05). No single locus was fixed for different alleles between Faroe Plateau and Faroe Bank cod. A set of eight informative SNPs (FST values between Faroe Plateau and Faroe Bank samples > 0.25; P < 0.0005) were selected for validation in larger samples, that included cod from both Faroe Plateau areas and the Faroe Bank as well as Norwegian coastal and White Sea cod. Six out of the eight loci amplified successfully with a PCR-based method and there was 100 % concordance between genotypes of individuals screened by both techniques. Due to ascertainment bias, the SNPs should only be applied with caution in a broader geographical context. Nonetheless, these SNPs did confirm the genetic substructure suggested for Faroese cod by microsatellite analyses. While no genetic differentiation was evident between the two Faroe Plateau locations, significant genetic differentiation was evident between Faroe Plateau and Faroe Bank cod at five of the SNPs (FST values in the range of 0.0383 – 0.1914). This panel of five SNPs could confidently be used to trace groups of Faroe Plateau and Faroe Bank cod to their population of origin. In conclusion, multiple lines of evidence demonstrate that Faroe Plateau and Faroe Bank cod are truly two genetically distinct populations. While the findings contribute to a broader understanding of the biology and the genetics of Faroe Plateau and Faroe Bank cod, the novel SNPs developed may provide a valuable resource for potential future demands of i.e. genetic stock identification methods.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

26

Langley, Ellis Jessica Grace. "The causes and consequences of individual differences in cognitive performances in relation to the social environment in pheasants." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/34376.

Full text

Abstract:

Identifying the causes and consequences of intra-specific variation in cognitive abilities is fundamental to our understanding of the evolution of cognition. The social environment and cognitive abilities appear inextricably linked, yet evidence for how the social environment affects cognitive performances and further, how cognitive performances influence the social environment, has seldom been explored. Using the pheasant, Phasianus colchicus, I explore the relationships between individual variation in cognitive performances in relation to broad and fine-scale structure of the social environment and endeavour to separate cause and consequence. I demonstrate a positive causal effect of the broad-scale social environment on cognitive performances by observing increases in the accuracy of spatial discrimination performances when individuals are in larger groups (Chapter Two and Chapter Four). I show that the positive effects of larger group size occur over a relatively short period (less than one week), suggesting that cognitive performances are flexible in response to the social environment and I suggest four potential mechanisms. I show that while males are part of a social hierarchy, spatial discrimination performances are related to this fine-scale social structure and higher-ranking males outperform lower ranking males (Chapter Three). When attempting to determine cause and consequence, I found that spatial learning performances early in life did not predict adult cognitive performances on the same task or predict their adult social rank (Chapter Four). Hence, my results do not support that social rank is a consequence of spatial learning abilities in male pheasants. The relationship between spatial learning performances and social rank was found in adult males that had their social rank artificially elevated, suggesting that cognitive performances were not simply the result of the current social environment but remain closely related to past agonistic relationships. I did not find a relationship between early life aggression with performances on either a spatial or a non-spatial task in females or males (Chapter Five). This highlights the importance of investigating early life relationships and suggests that the relationship between spatial learning and aggression in adult males may become associated over time as a consequence of further spatial learning experiences, and, or, aggressive interactions. I then demonstrate a consequence of individual variation in cognitive abilities and show that adult foraging associations in the wild disassort by early life cognitive performances (Chapter Six). Individuals with good inhibitory control performance and poor visual discrimination performances were more central in social networks. I propose that differences in cognitive abilities manifest in foraging strategy and influence the resulting social structure. The implications of this predictable social structure remain to be explored. Finally, I discuss these results and how they contribute to our understanding of how the social environment causes individual differences in cognitive performances, as well as how variation in cognitive performances may shape the social environment. I suggest the potential implications of these findings and ideas for future work.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

27

Behan, Fearghal. "Neuromechanics of explosive performance for movement control and joint stabilisation." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2017. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/28123.

Full text

Abstract:

The broad aim of this thesis was to progress understanding of the neuromechanics of joint stability and injury mechanisms by investigating the interactions between neuromuscular function and balance perturbations as well as the influence of sex and fatigue on these variables. Knee extensor (KE) and plantar flexor (PF) isometric strength parameters (maximum voluntary torque (MVT), explosive voluntary torque (EVT)) were related in young healthy adults. EVT of KE and PF were correlated at 4/5 time points during the rising torque-time curve for all absolute (r = 0.488-0.755) and relative (to body mass (BM) (r = 0.517-0.669) and MVT (r = 0.353-0.480)) expressions of EVT. These results suggest that KE and PF function is related for both maximum and explosive torque. Males were stronger for KE (+89%) and PF (+55%) than females. Males also displayed greater EVT at all time points in KE (+57-109%) and at 50-150 ms in PF (+33-52%). When MVT and EVT were normalised to BM, males continued to be stronger at all time points in KE (+23-60%) and from 100-150 ms (18-20%) in PF. No sex differences were found when EVT was normalised to MVT. Furthermore, sex differences were discovered in muscle morphology. Females had a smaller knee flexor (KF):KE size ratio, a proportionately small sartorius (SA) and gracilis (GR) and a proportionately larger vastus lateralis (VL), potentially predisposing females to greater risk of ACL injury. Females had a larger biceps femoris long head (BFlh) as a proportion of the KF than males, which may contribute to the higher risk of hamstring strain injury (HSI) in males. Regarding explosive performance and perturbation response, explosive PF torque had a weak to moderate correlation with COM displacement (COMD) from 400-500 ms (r = -0.346 to -0.508) and COM velocity (COMV) from 300-500 ms (r = -0.349 to -0.416), with weaker correlations between explosive KE torque and COMV at 400 ms (r = -0.381 to -0.411) but not with COMD. These findings suggest that greater explosive torque results in better control of the COM in response to unexpected perturbations. The effects of football simulated fatigue on these factors resulted in reduced maximal KF and KE torque. However, football simulated fatigue was not found to reduce EVT of either muscle group, or explosive H/Q ratio. Football simulated fatigue resulted in impaired balance response to unexpected perturbation in the posterior but not the anterior direction.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

28

Sousa, Bruno Marinho de. "Assimetria cerebral funcional e sua relação com a excentricidade no campo visual nos tamanhos percebidos em fundos sem e com gradiente de textura." Universidade de São Paulo, 2013. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/59/59134/tde-02112013-121640/.

Full text

Abstract:

Estudos em assimetria cerebral funcional (ACF) apontam que há diferenças entre os hemisférios cerebrais esquerdo (HE) e direito (HD). O HE é especializado para tarefas de linguagem enquanto o HD para tarefas espaciais. Ainda, pode ocorrer uma superestimação de tamanho no campo visual esquerdo (CVE) em relação ao direito (CVD). Já homens possuem melhor desempenho do HD em tarefas espaciais, mas nas mulheres o desempenho dos hemisférios é equivalente. Ainda, há evidências que homens são menos sensíveis ao contexto dos estímulos que mulheres. Mas não é claro como a forma do estímulo, a variação da sua distância ao centro da tela (excentricidade) e se um gradiente de textura podem afetar a ACF. Com base nisso, o objetivo desse trabalho foi verificar se a variação da excentricidade influenciaria a percepção de tamanho de dois tipos de estímulos no CVE e CVD em homens e mulheres (Experimento I). Também (Experimento II) verificar se um gradiente de textura influenciaria um possível efeito observado no Experimento I. Nos dois experimentos a técnica do campo visual dividido foi associada ao método dos estímulos constantes (30 repetições) com escolha forçada de duas alternativas (qual o maior?). Os estímulos no Experimento I foram círculos (um padrão e sete de comparação) e elipses horizontais (uma padrão e sete de comparação). Esses estímulos foram contrabalanceados em ambos os hemicampos visuais. Os estímulos foram apresentados em três excentricidades (2,5°, 5° e 7,5°) por 100ms num fundo cinza, para universitários destros (10 homens e 10 mulheres por tipo de estímulo). No Experimento II foram apresentados círculos a 2,5° num gradiente de textura (dividido verticalmente e com mesmas informações de profundidade no CVE e CVD), para 10 mulheres universitárias destras. A partir dos dados foram calculados o Erro Relativo e o coeficiente angular sensibilidade discriminativa. Os resultados do Experimento I mostram que a média do erro relativo do CVD para círculos a 2,5° foi maior que a 5° e 7,5°. Nas mulheres houve diferenças entre os hemicampos visuais a 2,5°, sendo o CVD superestimado. Os coeficientes angulares foram maiores a 2,5° de excentricidade e maiores também para os círculos. Os homens apresentaram diferença nos coeficientes angulares para a variação da excentricidade, sendo a de 2,5° maior que 5° e 7,5°. Já as mulheres tiveram coeficientes maiores para círculos. Nos círculos os coeficientes das mulheres a 2,5° foram maiores que a 7,5°. Nas elipses os coeficientes a 2,5° foram maiores em geral e nos homens. Nesses ainda houve uma diferença no CVD, em que os coeficientes a 2,5° foram maiores que a 7,5°. No Experimento II o erro relativo não mostrou diferenças significativas, exceto na comparação de resultados com o Experimento I. Nessa análise a média do CVE foi menor que do CVD. Os coeficientes não apresentaram diferenças significativas. Esses resultados mostram que a ACF não é um efeito absoluto, mas sim dependente das características dos estímulos, da tarefa e pode ser influenciada por diferentes estratégias de homens e mulheres. Apesar de haver diferenças na sensibilidade discriminativa, elas não resultaram numa distorção perceptual. Isso sugere que além da percepção, medidas de sensibilidade também devem ser analisadas para a ACF. Ainda, o efeito do gradiente de textura se sobrepõe a ACF.
Functional brain asymmetry (FBA) studies point out that there are differences between left (LH) and right (HD) brain hemispheres. LH is more specialized for processing language while HD for processing spatial information. Still, there may be a size overestimation in left visual field (LVF) compared to the right visual field (RVF).But men perform better on spatial tasks using LVF/RH, while women perform equivalently in each brain hemisphere. Also, there is evidence that men are less sensitive to stimuli context than women. However, it is not clear how the shape of the stimulus, variation of its distance from the center of the screen (eccentricity) and a texture gradient can affect FBA. Based on this, the aim of this study was to verify if eccentricity variation can influence size perception of two types of stimuli in LVF and RVF in men and women (Experiment I). Also (Experiment II) we investigate if a texture gradient can influence a possible effect observed in Experiment I. In both experiments we used the divided visual field technique associated with the method of constant stimuli (30 repetitions) with two alternative forced choice (\"what is the bigger?\"). Stimuli in Experiment I were circles (one standard and seven for comparison) and horizontal ellipses (one standard and seven for comparison). These stimuli were counterbalanced in both visual hemifields. Stimuli were presented at three eccentricities (2.5°, 5° and 7.5 °) for 100 ms on a gray background to right-handers (10 men and 10 women by stimulus type). In Experiment II circles were presented at 2.5° in a texture gradient (divided vertically and with same depth information on LVF and RVF), for 10 right-handed women. From data we calculated Relative Errors and psychometric slopes - discriminative sensitivity. Results of Experiment I show that relative error mean for 2.5° in RVF circles was greater than 5° and 7.5°. Women showed an overestimation for circles presented in RVF at 2.5° eccentricity. Slope coefficients were greater for 2.5 ° eccentricity and for circles. Men showed a difference in slope coefficients for eccentricity variation, with 2.5° mean greater than 5 ° and 7.5°. Women had higher coefficients for circles than ellipses. Mean circles coefficients were greater at 2.5° than 7.5° eccentricities. Mean ellipses coefficients were greater at 2.5° in general and in men. Men also showed a difference in RVF in which coefficients were greater at 2.5° than 7.5°. Experiment II showed only a difference for relative errors in comparison with Experiment I. These results show that FBA is not an absolute effect, but rely on stimuli characteristics and different strategies for men and women in the task. Although there are differences in discriminative sensitivity, they did not result in a perceptual distortion. This suggests that for FBA not only perceptual parameters should be analyzed, but also the psychometric slope and discrimination sensitivity. Furthermore, the effect of the gradient texture overlaps the FBA.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

29

Williams, James Dickson. "Contributions to Profile Monitoring and Multivariate Statistical Process Control." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/30032.

Full text

Abstract:

The content of this dissertation is divided into two main topics: 1) nonlinear profile monitoring and 2) an improved approximate distribution for the T^2 statistic based on the successive differences covariance matrix estimator. (Part 1) In an increasing number of cases the quality of a product or process cannot adequately be represented by the distribution of a univariate quality variable or the multivariate distribution of a vector of quality variables. Rather, a series of measurements are taken across some continuum, such as time or space, to create a profile. The profile determines the product quality at that sampling period. We propose Phase I methods to analyze profiles in a baseline dataset where the profiles can be modeled through either a parametric nonlinear regression function or a nonparametric regression function. We illustrate our methods using data from Walker and Wright (2002) and from dose-response data from DuPont Crop Protection. (Part 2) Although the T^2 statistic based on the successive differences estimator has been shown to be effective in detecting a shift in the mean vector (Sullivan and Woodall (1996) and Vargas (2003)), the exact distribution of this statistic is unknown. An accurate upper control limit (UCL) for the T^2 chart based on this statistic depends on knowing its distribution. Two approximate distributions have been proposed in the literature. We demonstrate the inadequacy of these two approximations and derive useful properties of this statistic. We give an improved approximate distribution and recommendations for its use.
Ph. D.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

30

Wilson, Judy Fralick. "Reproductive Decision Making Among Zambian Couples: Agreement and Conflict." Thesis, University of North Texas, 1998. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc278460/.

Full text

Abstract:

Fertility studies have often focused on the behavioral and attitudinal attributes of women with regard to fertility. Until recently, the role of men in fertility studies have often been ignored within much of the literature concerning fertility decisions. The focus of this study will examine if differences exist between husbands and wives with regard to the following four aspects of fertility decisions: spacing of children, methods of family planning, sex preference, and desired family size. The data were collected from 125 households in Kitwe, Zambia. Identical questionnaires were submitted to the husbands and wives during separate interviews. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Overall, no significant differences exist among husbands and wives with regard to the four aspects of fertility decisions being researched.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

31

Lee, Eva. "Site-specific differences in histology and causation of melanoma /." [St. Lucia, Qld.], 2005. http://www.library.uq.edu.au/pdfserve.php?image=thesisabs/absthe18935.pdf.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

32

Sottana, Giorgia <1997&gt. "Students’ motivation: differences between online and on-site lessons." Master's Degree Thesis, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10579/19971.

Full text

Abstract:

Concerns about the increasing of online teaching are spreading. The aim of this study is to provide a possible answer to a major research question: “Does the online teaching environment influence the motivation of the students?” In this thesis, it will be illustrated the main elements that were considered influential, such as loss of time, stimulus, teacher’s behaviour, all of which were collected using a direct observation of six classes of high school students in Italy. In order to obtain a wider view of the environment itself, it was asked students their point of view by submit-ting a questionnaire and the data collected through diary and a checklist allow to understand and describe the whole setting considered. At four months distance, it was then observed how the data gathered might have changed by submitting a second questionnaire to the students, being them the focus of this research. This case study is thus focusing on highlighting the main differences between online and on-site lessons, and as a matter of fact, it was observed that overall there are indeed some divergences. Moreover, during the research it was ascertained some interesting elements such as the evaluation of the student, which is seen to be influencing one of the main topics of the students language learning at school, and the particular difficulties of SEN students and how the context of online learning impacts them, given that among the six classes observed there was of one of them.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

33

Silva, Felipe Augusto Matos. "Funds investing in stocks in Brazil: Performance and size make a difference?" Universidade Federal do CearÃ, 2010. http://www.teses.ufc.br/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=5395.

Full text

Abstract:

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico
This article aims to contribute to the mainstream in Asset Pricing Theory, proposing and testing empirically, with pricing exercises and in-sample forecasting, a multifactor linear approach, such that, it is possible to account for the main empirical evidences in a promising Brazilian financial market: stock mutual funds. Following the methodology developed in Fama and French (1992, 1993), we build two factors, mutual funds zero cost equal weighted portfolios, able to accommodate the size and performance effects observed for these assets, which are used in some applications in an extended version of Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), for a panel with 75 stock mutual funds in Brazil, covering the period between 1998:1 and 2008.12. Both effects, which seem to play a relevant role evidenced, when one uses CAPM in order to price big funds with huge relative performance (very high or very low), are partially accommodated when one adds factors, which are significant individually and jointly in almost 50% of funds in question. The main evidences obtained running individual time series regressions are corroborated if one uses the panel technique estimation with random effects, where both factors seem to be indispensable if one intends to better understand the returns of the mutual funds in Brazil.
Este artigo visa contribuir ao mainstream da Teoria de ApreÃamento de Ativos, ao propor pioneiramente e testar empiricamente em exercÃcios de apreÃamento e previsÃo in-sample um arcabouÃo de modelo de fatores lineares, tais que, sejam acomodadas as principais evidÃncias empÃricas em um reconhecidamente relevante e promissor mercado financeiro brasileiro: fundos de investimento em aÃÃes. Seguindo a metodologia desenvolvida em Fama e French (1992, 1993), construÃram-se fatores, os quais consistem em zero cost equal weighted portfolios compostos apenas por fundos, capazes de captar os efeitos tamanho e performance destes ativos, sendo os mesmos usados em diversas aplicaÃÃes em uma versÃo estendida do Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), para um painel composto pelos 75 fundos de investimento em aÃÃes no Brasil para o perÃodo de janeiro de 1998 a dezembro de 2008. Os efeitos tamanho e performance evidenciados pela inadequaÃÃo do CAPM em modelar fundos com maior patrimÃnio lÃquido e performances muito altas ou baixas, parece ser muito bem acomodada quando da incorporaÃÃo dos fatores, os quais se mostraram signficativos isolada e conjuntamente em quase 50% dos 75 fundos analisados. As principais evidÃncias obtidas a partir de regressÃes temporais individuais sÃo corroboradas quando do teste em painel com efeitos aleatÃrios em que ambos os efeitos sÃo indispensÃveis na explicaÃÃo dos retornos dos fundos de investimento em aÃÃes no Brasil.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

34

Hassan, Rezaeian Nima. "A Precise Few-nucleon Size Difference by Isotope Shift Measurements of Helium." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2015. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc804828/.

Full text

Abstract:

We perform high precision measurements of an isotope shift between the two stable isotopes of helium. We use laser excitation of the 2^3 S_1-2^3 P_0 transition at 1083 nm in a metastable beam of 3He and 4He atoms. A newly developed tunable laser frequency selector along with our previous electro-optic frequency modulation technique provides extremely reliable, adaptable, and precise frequency and intensity control. The intensity control contributes negligibly to overall experimental uncertainty by stabilizing the intensity of the required sideband and eliminating the unwanted frequencies generated during the modulation of 1083 nm laser carrier frequency. The selection technique uses a MEMS based fiber switch and several temperature stabilized narrow band (~3 GHz) fiber gratings. A fiber based optical circulator and an inline fiber amplifier provide the desired isolation and the net gain for the selected frequency. Also rapid (~2 sec.) alternating measurements of the 2^3 S_1-2^3 P_0 interval for both species of helium is achieved with a custom fiber laser for simultaneous optical pumping. A servo-controlled retro-reflected laser beam eliminates residual Doppler effects during the isotope shift measurement. An improved detection design and software control makes negligible subtle potential biases in the data collection. With these advances, combined with new internal and external consistency checks, we are able to obtain results consistent with the best previous measurements, but with substantially improved precision. Our measurement of the 2^3 S_1-2^3 P_0 isotope shift between 3He and 4He is 31 097 535.2 (5) kHz. The most recent theoretic calculation combined with this measurement yields a new determination for nuclear size differences between 3He and 4He: ∆r_c=0.292 6 (1)_exp (8)_th (52)_exp fm, with a precision of less than a part in 〖10〗^4 coming from the experimental uncertainty (first parenthesis), and a part in 〖10〗^3 coming from theory. This value is consistent with electron scattering measurement, but a factor of 10 more precise. It is inconsistent (4 sigma) with a recent isotope shift measurement on another helium transition (2^1 S_0-2^3 S_1). Comparisons with ongoing muonic helium measurements may provide clues to the origin of what is currently called the proton puzzle: electronic and muonic measurements of the proton size do not agree. In the future, the experimental improvements described here can be used for higher precision tests of atomic theory and quantum electrodynamics, as well as an important atomic physics source of the fine structure constant.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

35

Lilla, Antonio de. "Finite difference seismic wave propagation using variable grid sizes." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/54427.

Full text

Abstract:

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, 1997.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-118).
by Antonio De Lilla.
M.S.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

36

Shoemaker, Danton L. "Examination of Sexual Differences in the Acute Effects of Haloperidol on Licking." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2015. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc822780/.

Full text

Abstract:

Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric condition affecting almost one percent of the US population. Typical antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol) have been in use for several decades and are generally very effective in treating the emotional and cognitive effects of schizophrenia, but are used as the last line of treatment due to their severe extrapyramidal motor side effects under chronic exposure. The present study was conducted to investigate the role of sex in determining the oromotor side effects of typical antipsychotics via measuring different behavioral dimensions of male and female Sprague-Dawley rats licking sucrose after haloperidol treatment. The results showed a stronger sensitivity in female rats than male rats within total licking responses and inter-lick intervals. The present results suggest closer attention needs to be paid to the role that sexual hormones play in the motor slowing and behavior-reducing effects of antipsychotics.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

37

Lau, Joey. "Implantation-Site Dependent Differences in Engraftment and Function of Transplanted Pancreatic Islets." Doctoral thesis, Uppsala : Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis : Universitetsbiblioteket [distributör], 2008. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-8418.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

38

Holifield, Steven Lee. "Mathematics, technology, and gender: Closing gender differences with a high school web site." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2001. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/1871.

Full text

Abstract:

This project focuses on using technology to help motivate young females to make use of a high school web site to lesson anxieties and increase interest in mathematics and the use of technology. Additionally, it acts as a model to create an educational web site that brings about better communication within a community.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

39

Britton, Kristina. "THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MENTORING AND INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS: GENDER DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SCHOOL SITE LEADERS." Scholarly Commons, 2020. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/3717.

Full text

Abstract:

Less than 25% of superintendent positions, the highest level of educational leadership, are occupied by women. This is in sharp contrast to the fact that over 75% of the nation’s teaching force are women. A significant barrier cited in the literature is that there is a deficiency in the support needed for women to successfully promote into higher-level administrative positions. Although mentoring has been shown to be key factor for female administrators’ success in educational administration, this study provides quantitative data to demonstrate the need for quality mentoring opportunities for school site administrators.The purpose of this research study was to examine associations between the quality of mentoring relationships and school administrators’ competency in instructional leadership, specifically as perceived by female educational leaders in contrast to male educational leaders. While there is research to support that mentoring provides many benefits for new administrators and evidence that school site administrators must possess competency in the area of instructional leadership, research investigating the potential impact of mentoring on the instructional leadership effectiveness of educational administrators is limited. This quantitative study utilized multiple regression analyses and found evidence to suggest that the quality of the mentoring experience is related to instructional leadership effectiveness based on self-reports of educational school site leaders. Moreover, when the relationships were investigated by gender, an association was found for women, but not for men. Additional analyses based on gender pairings of mentee with mentor also revealed gender-specific differences. When measuring overall instructional leadership effectiveness, and the Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale dimension of developing the school learning climate, there was evidence to suggest that the gender of the mentor may matter for male mentees although there was insufficient evidence to suggest that the gender of the mentor mattered for female mentees. Collectively, the findings of this study provide quantitative data to demonstrate the need for quality mentoring opportunities for school site administrators, particularly for female educational leaders in the area of instructional leadership effectiveness. Additional research is needed to determine whether the gender differences observed in this sample are replicable, and if so, to better understand their source and possible strategies to reduce them.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

40

Gasealahwe, Boingotlo. "Wherein lies the difference in the estimate of the size of the South African small business sector?" Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/5788.

Full text

Abstract:

Includes abstract.
Includes bibliographical references.
This paper investigates the difference of over 4 million business owners found in the estimates produced by the QLFS 2010:2 and the Finscope (2010) South Africa Small Business Survey. The paper discusses a number of possible reasons for the discrepancy and finds that the QLFS 2010:2 understates the number of small business owners, with the converse being true for the Finscope (2010) South Africa Small Business Survey. Even after accounting for differences in the inclusion criteria of the two surveys as well as the use of divergent sampling weights, a large part of the difference in the estimates produced is still unaccounted for. The paper also calls into question the reliability of the estimates produced in Finscope survey as well as the validity of the negative binomial sampling methodology used to conduct the survey. Access to additional data from both Statistics South Africa and Finscope, will further unravel this mystery and provide a better understanding of the sources of the differences in the estimates produced.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

41

Bennett, Mindy. "Differences in upper body posture and postural muscle activation in females with larger breast sizes." [Boise, Idaho] : Boise State University, 2009. http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/td/17/.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

42

Romanos, Panayiotis. "Thermal model predictive control for demand side management cooling strategies." Kassel Kassel Univ. Press, 2007. http://d-nb.info/989696340/04.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

43

Sundin, David, and Johan Karlsson. "An explanation to earned income disparities." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för nationalekonomi och statistik (NS), 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-85599.

Full text

Abstract:

The earned income differ across municipalities in Sweden, where Stockholm is the location with the highest average earned income. One can ask whether this is depending on higher educational attainment, the disparity in population size and house prices. This paper aims to explain which parameter affects the income disparities between large and small cites. Using data from Statistics Sweden between the years 1991-2017. The above-mentioned topics are used in the three statistical models; Ordinary Least Squares, Pooled OLS, and Fixed-Effects. From this analyze, this paper can conclude that human capital is essential to explain earned income disparities. The discussion part includes limitations of the dataset and its consequences depending on geographical choice. Another exciting explanation of earned income differences is mentioned in the discussion, namely happiness level in each region.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

44

Hughes, Delain. "Complementary Dualities: The Significance of East/West Architectural Difference in Paquimé." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2005. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4871/.

Full text

Abstract:

This thesis provides the first formal and phenomenological analysis of the architecture in Paquimé, otherwise known as Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico. The eastern and western halves of the city are divided by a stone wall and reservoirs. The monuments on the east are rectilinear, puddled adobe structures used primarily for domestic and manufacturing purposes. The buildings on the west, on the other hand, are open earth mounds lined in stone for public displays. This thesis analyzes each building individually, the relationship of the structures to one another, and the entire layout of Paquimé in order to better understand Paquimian visual culture.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

45

Makashay, Matthew Joel. "Individual Differences in Speech and Non-Speech Perception of Frequency and Duration." The Ohio State University, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1047489733.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

46

Tomášková, Silvia. "The nature of difference : history and lithic use-wear at two Upper Palaeolithic sites in Central Europe /." Oxford : Archaeopress, 2000. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb38992941f.

Full text

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

47

Chang, Yu. "eCulture : examining and quantifying cultural differences in user acceptance between Chinese and British web site users." Thesis, University of Bedfordshire, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10547/319933.

Full text

Abstract:

The World Wide Web (WWW) has become an important medium for communicating between people all over the world. It is regarded as a global system and is associated with a wide user and social system diversity. The effects of differing user-groups and their associated cultures on user acceptance of web sites can be significant, and as a result understanding the behaviour of web users in various cultures is becoming a significant concern. The eCulture research project is based on previous classical theories and research in culture. It applies a factorial experimental design strategy (the Taguchi method) in crosscultural usability / acceptability, together with other approaches such as semiotic analysis and card sorting. Two types of analysis, both top-down and bottom-up have been implemented to investigate differences in web site usability and acceptability between users from Mainland China and the United Kingdom. Based on experiments on web sites investigating the relationship between cultural issues and usability lacceptability aspects between Chinese and British web users, several issues, such as cultural factors, cognitive abilities, social semiotic differences and other issues have emerged. One of the goals has been to develop 'cultural fingerprints' for both web sites and users in different cultures. By comparing cultural and site fingerprints, usability and acceptability of web sites can be diagrammatically matched to the target culture. Experiments investigating qualitative factors and quantitative data collection and analysis based on the Taguchi method has led to the successful development of two versions of 'cultural fingerprint' for both web sites and target cultures in the UK and China. It has been possible to relate these studies to a wider body of knowledge, and to suggest ways in which the work may be extended in the future.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

48

Luttu, Johan, and Oscar Rosquist. "Analysis of the performance difference between server-side and client-side rendering for data visualization in real-time using D3.js." Thesis, KTH, Skolan för datavetenskap och kommunikation (CSC), 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-208655.

Full text

Abstract:

Real-time data visualization has the ability to visualize huge amounts of data into understandable graphics and allows for immediate action to be taken on emerging trends. This report aims to compare the performance of real-time server-side and client-side rendering when using the data visualization framework D3.js. To perform this comparison, two applications were constructed to measure the performance of both sides. The results points towards client-side data visualization being faster than server-side with D3.js when using JSDOM at server-side. Therefore we conclude that using the same, or a very similar environment as the applications in this study, client-side data visualization offers better performance. Server-side rendering still offered possibilities for real-time data visualization. However, due to the amount of different influencing factors, we cannot confirm the results to hold up in different situations with other environments than the one that has been used in this study.
Visualisering i realtid gör det möjligt att förvandla stora mängder data till lättbegripliga diagram och tillåter snabba handlingar att utföras utefter framträdande mönster. Denna rapport har som mål att jämföra prestandan av visualisering i realtid på klientsidan gentemot serversidan med visualiseringsramverket D3.js. För att utföra denna jämförelse så har två applikationer skapats för att mäta prestandan av de två olika strategierna. Resultaten pekar mot att visualisering, med D3.js, av data i realtid på klientsidan är snabbare än på serversidan vid användning av JSDOM för rendering på serversidan. Slutsatsen vi kommer fram till är att när samma, eller liknande, miljö används som för applikationerna i denna studie så ger visualisering på klientsidan en bättre prestanda. Rendering på serversidan erbjöd ändå möjligheter för realtidsvisualisering till viss del. Emellertid, på grund av flera olika påvärkande faktorer kan vi inte bedöma huruvida resultaten kommer förbli detsamma i annorlunda situationer med andra miljöer än vad som använts i denna studie.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

49

Svensson, Kristina. "Valuing the risk attached with living close to a hazardous waste site : the case of the BT Kemi scandal in Teckomatorp." Thesis, Uppsala University, Department of Economics, 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-6408.

Full text

Abstract:

In this thesis I estimate a monetary value of the risk attached to living near a hazardous waste

site in the town of Teckomatorp. This site is the result of hundreds of rusty leaking barrels of

toxins being buried in the ground by the company BT Kemi in the 1970’s. Ever since then the

site has been remediated in several steps and is still contaminated today. For estimating the

perceived risk of living near this site I use a hedonic price model (HP) which is a form of a

revealed preference approach. In a HP model the price of a market good is a function of

different utility-bearing characteristics and the estimated parameters can be used to calculate

the implicit prices of these characteristics. In this case I use a data set from the National

Swedish Institute for Building Research (IBF) and regress property price on a number of

housing characteristics. I compare an estimated town-effect for Teckomatorp with the

estimates for two control towns: Billeberga and Anderslöv. I can confirm my hypothesis that,

after controlling for housing characteristics, there is a negative effect on prices of property in

Teckomatorp. I find that property prices are on average 46878 SEK lower in Teckomatorp

than in the two control towns.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

50

Werner, Lucas. "Sex-differences in reported adverse side-effects caused by Deep Brain Stimulation therapy in the subthalamic nucleus." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för biologisk grundutbildning, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-445646.

Full text

Abstract:

Parkinson’s disease is a common neurological disease which will progressively damagedopaminergic neurons in the brain. Later stages of the disease will result in death of theneurons. The diagnosis is often made with respect to the motor symptoms, which includetremors, bradykinesia, and rigidity. In addition to motor symptoms, non-motor symptomsappear in many patients, such as cognitive changes and mood disorders. One method used totreat Parkinson’s disease is deep brain stimulation, where electric pulses are emitted to aspecific brain area. A common target is the subthalamic nucleus, which is part of the basalganglia. By using deep brain stimulation, the dose of other medications for Parkinson’sdisease can be lowered. However, the mechanisms of deep brain stimulation are not yetentirely known, and there have been many reports of adverse side-effects caused by thismethod, including depression and other types of mood changes. Even so, information of apossible sex distribution of these side-effects is still limited. Here, a qualitative essay wasmade where 16 articles describing reported side-effects in men and women were compared. Inaddition, unpublished data from optogenetic studies on male and female mice were analysedin order to examine putative sex-differences upon experimental brain stimulation strategies.The results from the optogenetics results did not show any statistically significant sexdifferences.In contrast, by comparing the selected articles in which results of deep brainstimulation treatment in patients were reported, some differences were found. First, it seemsthat women report more depressive-like symptoms than men. Second, while men also reportdepressions, they also report more aggressive behaviour upon the treatment. A preliminaryconclusion of this essay is therefore that certain sex-differences can be observed among theadverse side-effects reported upon deep brain stimulation in Parkinson´s disease. However,since the studied material was limited, more research is required to make firmer conclusions.

APA, Harvard, Vancouver, ISO, and other styles

Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Size differences'

Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles