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Engle, Keleigh B., Erin C. Blazer, Hannah G. Mitchell, and Meredith K. Ginley. "ENDS use for Individuals Compensating for Calories Consumed From Alcohol." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2021. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/8893.
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McKinley, Shelby L., Thalia P. Sullivan, Hannah G. Mitchell, and Meredith K. Ginley. "The Relation Between Family History of Addiction and ENDS use." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2021. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/8894.
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Sullivan, Thalia P., Shelby L. McKinley, Hannah G. Mitchell, and Meredith K. Ginley. "The Association Between ENDS Use and First-Degree Family History of Addiction." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2021. https://dc.etsu.edu/asrf/2021/presentations/57.
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Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) use increases risk of nicotine addiction, impairs brain development, and exposes users to harmful chemicals. Despite these risks, rates of use have been increasing among college student populations. Moreover, family history of addiction (FHA) is a risk factor for substance use disorders. Research has yet to examine the extent FHA has on the risk of ENDS use. The current research examines the effect of FHA on lifetime ENDS use and whether ENDS use is more common in participants with FHA and current alcohol or drug use.
Participants (N=2,174) were undergraduates recruited from eight southern universities. Participants were 18 to 24 (Mage=19.25). The sample was 73% female, with the following racial identifications: Caucasian (74.9%), followed by Black/African American (8.8%), Asian (6.7%), multiracial (4.7%), other (3.7%), Middle Eastern (.8%), and American Indian/Alaska Native (.3%).
Lifetime ENDS use was measured using the Cigarette and E-Cigarette Use Questionnaire. FHA was measured by participant report of first-degree relatives with a drug or alcohol addiction history. Participant alcohol and drug use were measured via the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and Drug Use Disorders Identification Test.
Fifty-five percent of participants had used ENDS products during their lifetime (Mage of first use=13.16, SD=4.63), and 12.5% of the sample reported FHA. A linear regression examined if FHA corresponded with ENDS use. The results were significant, F(1,2158)=10.37, p=.001, R2=.005. FHA significantly predicted ENDS use, β=-0.069, t(2158)=-3.22, p=.001.
A chi-square of independence examined the relation between ENDS use and alcohol intake in individuals who disclosed FHA. A significant relation was found, χ2=(1,N=176)=32.20, pχ2=(1,N=176)=9.49, p=.002, with participants who reported no drug use being more likely to engage in ENDS use (86%), compared to those who did report drug use (14%).
The present study’s results documented there was a significant negative relation between FHA and ENDS use, such that participants who reported FHA presented decreased ENDS use. These findings are contrary to the literature that documents increased cigarette use among young adults with FHA. In addition, participants who disclosed FHA and current alcohol intake exhibited increased ENDS use. However, the participants who disclosed FHA and current drug use exhibited decreased ENDS use. Our results suggest that future research should examine the extent at which individuals who engage in drug use focus more on their substance of choice rather than ENDS products, as well as investigate other risk behaviors that could impact lifetime ENDS use among this population.
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Mitchell, Hannah G., Rachelle H. Kromash, and Meredith K. Ginley. "Moderating Factors of Co-occurring GD/IGD and ENDS Use among College Students." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2021. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/8889.
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Introduction: Research has found extensive similarities between symptoms of gaming disorder/Internet gaming disorder (GD/IGD) and symptoms of other addictive disorders, including the presence of cravings, tolerance, and inability to stop despite adverse consequences (Müller & Montag, 2017). Significant associations between GD/IGD and financial strain, occupational difficulties, sleep deprivation, malnutrition, obesity, and the development and/or exacerbation of other mental illness have been found, contributing to growing concern over the detrimental impact of GD/IGD (Kohorst et al., 2018). Video gaming is also associated with increased use of substances, including nicotine as found in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS; Cranwell et al., 2016). The harmful consequences of ENDS use may exacerbate the health risks associated with GD/IGD, especially in connection to sleep, nutrition, and mental health. There is extensive overlap between the demographic and psychosocial characteristics of typical video gamers and typical users of ENDS, including being young, male, highly impulsive, sensation-seeking, and having a diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which may account for the rates of concurrent dependence (Von der Heiden et al., 2019; Mathews, 2019). However, definitive characteristics of individuals demonstrating symptoms of both GD/IGD and ENDS dependency remain unknown. The present study aims to explore the demographic and psychological associations of co-occurring symptoms of GD/IGD and ENDS dependency.
Method:Participants (n = 2,174) were college students age 18-24 (M=19.25) recruited as part of a multi-university study examining psychological variables within young adults. Participants completed a battery of self-report questions assessing for demographic characteristics, symptoms of ADHD, and level of impulsivity and sensation seeking as measured by the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, Brief Sensation Seeking Scale, and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11, respectively. ENDS dependency was evaluated through the PROMIS E-cigarette Dependence Scale, and GD/IGD was measured by the Video Game Dependency Scale. Pearson correlations, chi-square tests, MANCOVAS, and moderation analyses were used to evaluate this data.
Results:Results found that 7.3% of the sample met criteria for probable ENDS dependency, 4.7% of the sample endorsed symptoms of GD/IGD dependency, and 1.4% of the sample endorsed both dependencies. Age, gender, and race/ethnicity were all associated with increased risk of concurrent GD/IGD and ENDS dependency. The moderating effect of ADHD symptoms on the relation between GD/IGD and ENDS dependency was significant, ΔR2 = .067, F(1, 1036) = 24.75, p < .001, indicating that the relation between GD/IGD and ENDS dependency was stronger when participants endorsed more symptoms of ADHD. Impulsivity and sensation seeking also had significant interaction effects on the relation between ENDS dependency and GD/IGD.
Conclusion:Ultimately, there is ample evidence that ENDS dependency and GD/IGD occur at significant levels on college campuses. Heightened impulsivity and sensation seeking and the diagnosis of ADHD significantly correspond with increased rates of GD/IGD and ENDS dependency. These results are supported by prior research findings that impulsivity and sensation seeking are risk factors for many behavioral health concerns, including engagement in risky sexual behaviors and substance addiction. Future research examining protective factors and treatment of co-occurring GD/IGD and ENDS dependency is warranted.
References:
Cranwell, J., Whittamore, K., Britton, J., & Leonardi-Bee, J. (2016). Alcohol and tobacco content in UK video games and their association with alcohol and tobacco use among young people. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 19(7), 426-434. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2016.0093
Kohorst, M. A., Warad, D. M., Nageswara Rao, A. A., & Rodriguez, V. (2018). Obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and video games: The new thrombophilia cocktail in adolescents. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 65(7), e27041.
Mathews, C. L., Morrell, H. E. R., & Molle, J. L. (2019). Video game addiction, ADHD symptomatology, and video game reinforcement. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 45(1), 67-76. https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2018.1472269
Müller, M., & Montag, C. (2017). The relationship between internet addiction and alcohol consumption is influenced by the smoking status in male online video gamers. Clinical Neuropsychiatry: Journal of Treatment Evaluation, 14(1), 34–43.
Von der Heiden, J. M., Braun, B., Müller, K. W., & Egloff, B. (2019). The association between video gaming and psychological functioning. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 17-31. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01731
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Mairs, Stephen Alfred. "Teaching English as a missionary language : a revised theory for the evangelical use of English language teaching for religious ends." Thesis, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, 2017. http://repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/737/.
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The aim of this research was to find ways that would help reconcile contested ethical and pedagogic issues raised by the phenomenon of Teaching English as a Missionary Language (TEML): that is, the evangelical Christian use of English Language Teaching (ELT) as a means for achieving religious ends. Four aspects of ELT were examined as a way to identify factors that could contribute to an improved understanding between evangelical Christians and opponents of the appropriation of ELT for religious ends. These were cultural and linguistic hegemony, teacher authority, ethical accountability and teacher identity. This was done by using a combination of qualitative research methods and theological reflection to analyse the data from four case studies about why and how evangelical Christians taught English to speakers of other languages. A revised evangelical identity was used to create an original theological theory of action that describes the characteristics of an evangelical practice of ELT in a way that addresses criticisms made by ELT professionals. The new theory describes how the integration of knowledge drawn from human experience, theology and the social sciences can contribute to the mediation of the Christian faith in modern society. It incorporates a Christocentric understanding of mission as missio Dei, moral transparency regarding evangelical Christian motivation for teaching English and the pursuit of pedagogic excellence. The contribution to the understanding and practice of ELT by evangelical Christians that this research makes is that, by a embracing a Christocentric paradigm of mission as missio Dei and adopting a dialogic collaborative pedagogy, evangelical Christians can make a unique contribution on the basis of their faith towards a redemptive and harmonious relationship with their students and the wider community of ELT professionals.
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Treadway, Shane M. "A silicon-cast device that aids in securing rope ends by ensuring a figure-eight knot is tied for use in gym and rock climbing." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/45297.
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Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2008.<br>Includes bibliographical references (leaf 20).<br>Between the years of 1953 and 2005, there were 253 fatalities from rappel failure/error. Some of these deaths may have been prevented if a stopper knot was tied at the end of the rope. Current climbing habits do not reinforce the tying of a stopper knot. More people are learning to climb in the gym and do not know risk reducing habits when beginning to climb outside, such as tying a stopper knot. The Hedgehog is a silicon device that reinforces the risk reducing habit of tying a stopper knot by a combination of form and color. A specially designed form aids in correct knot tying and the color signals the climber their attention is needed. When the Hedgehog was given to climbers in a climbing gym and had a success rate of 70%. Climbers without the Hedgehog had a success rate of only 8%. Success was defined as having a stopper knot in the rope when the climber began to ascend the route.<br>by Shane M. Treadway.<br>S.B.
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Neumbo, Johanna Nangula. "Exploring energy access and use trends in Tsumkwe, Namibia : an end-user perspective." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/86730.
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Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis is to establish a tangible metric by which to evaluate the impact of modern energy access on the livelihoods of rural Sub-Sahara African communities. The narrative is set in Tsumkwe, a remote rural Namibian location some 596 km north-east from the main capital city Windhoek.
Initiatives aimed at rural electrification and energy provision are expected to reduce poverty as well as contribute to the community’s general wellbeing. However, determining the relationship between energy and development is quite a challenging undertaking. An analysis that is either exclusively quantitative or qualitative runs the risk of providing a skewed picture of the energy-development-poverty nexus.
In this thesis, quantitative data is embedded within qualitative data as an attempt to examine the nexus and to translate how intervention programmes are transformed into outcomes in order to gauge success of a project.
The transformative paradigm shaped the theoretical framework and informed the mixed-method research approach while the capability approach was used to analyse plurality and individualisation of policy impacts. Consequently, the role of place is positioned at the centre in gauging experiences of the poor vis-à-vis the importance of locating resources and capabilities to address socio-economic issues within a geographical location. The injustice of energy poverty can be viewed as unequal access to energy services (i.e. distributional injustice) as well as an intervention that failed to recognise the needs of certain groups and potentiality offered by place. From this, the concept of an energy poverty penalty is qualitatively developed. It was found that the penalty, although it is more pronounced in the low income groups, is exacerbated by choice offered in an energy basket thus affecting non-income poor households too. Therefore, the energy poor are not necessarily income-poor.
It is finally concluded that while sustainable energy interventions offer the possibility to reduce energy poverty and the attendant human wellbeing index improvement they need to be grounded in a robust information base to track progress towards targets. Most existing indicators and composite indices assessing access to energy, the degree of development related to energy and deprivation of access to modern energy fail to account for the energy poverty trap.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis is om ‘n tasbare meting daar te stel om die impak to toegang to moderne energie daar te stel in landelike gebied in sub-Sahara Afrika te evalueer. Die studie is uitgevore in Tsumkwe, ‘n afgeleë landelike gebied in Namibië, sowat 596 km noordoos van die hoofstad, Windhoek.
Daar word veronderstel dat inisiatiewe wat daargestel word om energie en elektrisiteit toeganglik te maak vir landelike gebiede en gemeenskappe, verarming sal teewerk en gemeenskappe kan ophef. Dit is egter moelik om die verhouding tussen energie verskaffing and vooruitgang te bepaal. ‘n Studie wat net kwalitatief of kwantitatief gebaseer is, sal nie die ware toedrag van sake uitlig nie.
In hierdie tesis is kwalitatiewe data verweef met kwantitatiewe data om vas te stel presies hoe effektief programme is wat daargestel is om energie aan landelike gebiede te lewer.
Die transformatiewe paradigma het die teoretiese raamwerk gevorm en gelei tot die kombinasiemetode navorsingsbenadering terwyl die moontlikheids benadering gebruik is om die pluraliteit en individualisering van die beleidsimpakte te ontleed. Gevolglik, is die rol van plek in die middelpunt van die ondervindings van die armes vis-à-vis die belangrikheid van die verkryging van hulpbronne en vermoë om sosio-ekonomiese kwessies binne ‘n geografiese ligging te hanteer. Die feit dat landelike gebiede verarm is wat energie en elektrisiteit voorsiening betref, kan toegeskryf word aan die volgende: ongelyke toegang to energie dienste, programme wat nie die behoeftes van landelike gemeenskappe aanspreek nie en die potensiaal van plek waar die program aangepak word is nie voldoende aangespreek nie. In die lig van hierdie potensiële oorsake van energie verarming is die konsep energie aarmoede boete kwaliteitsgewys ontwikkel. Dit is gevind dat die boete, wat meer van toepassing is op lae inkomste groep is, beinvloed word deur die keuse wat beskikbaar gemaak is in terme van energie voorsiening. Hierdie keuse het ook ‘n invloed op die “geen-inkomste” arm groep in ‘n gemeenskap. Dit is dus duidelik dat diegene wat energie verarm nie noodwending geldelik ook verarm is nie.
Die studie, ter opsomming, het tot die slotsom gekom dat hoewel tussenkomende programme wat daar gestel word om volhoubare projekte aan te bied vir energie voorsiening in landelike gebiede, energie verarming kan verminder, dit nie effektief genoeg is tensy dit opgevolg word met duidelike doelwitte nie. Die bestaanded aanduidings vir toegang tot energie, aanduidings wat energie toegang en vooruitgang evalueer is nie werklik effektief genoeg nie.
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Morgenstern, P. "Understanding hospital electricity use : an end-use(r) perspective." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2016. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1514500/.
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Increasing energy costs and climate change legislation have prompted efforts to reduce energy consumption in hospitals. In addition to technological conservation strategies focusing on building and systems, staff-centred initiatives such as energy awareness campaigns are increasingly considered by NHS trusts. But hospitals are complex buildings with unique energy requirements and it is unclear to what extent these are influenced by clinical staff. This case study investigation, employing both technical and social methods of inquiry, hence aims to improve the understanding of hospital electricity use from an end-use perspective and to determine the relevance of behaviour and other simple operational changes as strategies to save energy in different hospital areas. The study findings highlight the importance of a robust understanding of operational characteristics and contextual variables in devising tailored organisational carbon management strategies. A three-tiered process is proposed to identify spaces where simple operational changes could reduce energy demand: it is recommended to, firstly, undertake an engineering analysis of the energy end-uses in the spaces in question, identifying significant loads at a local level. Floor area weighted operating hours and shares of installed loads under (clinical) staff control may then be helpful metrics to approximate the extent to which these loads are influenced by the actions of occupants. Finally, socio-technical constraints on departmental workings should be considered taking into account at least aspects around the shared use of spaces between teams, the available local knowledge on the control of building services and equipment, the morale within the organisation as well as the suitability of the working means. The need to move away from top-down imposed models of change is recognised, instead taking a user-perspective to understand what may constitute a reasonably achievable transformation in the ways things are done. This does also mean that standards and requirements are not beyond questioning, even in sensitive environments such as hospitals. Instead, collaborative efforts between energy managers and interested clinicians as well as health administrators and equipment technicians could help to demystify clinical processes and achieve a sound understanding of opportunities to reduce the energy use of the health service.
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Gato, Shirley, and s3024038@rmit edu au. "Forecasting Urban Residential Water Demand." RMIT University. Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, 2006. http://adt.lib.rmit.edu.au/adt/public/adt-VIT20070202.113452.
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The city of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia has been recognised as having high quality drinking water, but like other urban cities in the world, its growing population means increasing water demand. Melbourne is also already on its eight year of dry climatic conditions and is currently experiencing a drought that forced water authorities to impose water restrictions after 20 years of unrestricted supply. The current drought, dwindling supplies and possible impact of climate change highlight the importance of making better use of this precious resource. The Water Resources Strategy has been developed for Melbourne, which serve as the basis for the Victorian Government to set per capita consumption reduction targets of 15%, 25% and 30% by 2010, 2015 and 2020 respectively. The strategy was developed to ensure a continuation of a safe, reliable and cost effective water supply that is environmentally sustainable in the long term. This is in recognition that population growth and water consumption will eventually require additional supplies of water (Water Resources Strategy Committee for the Melbourne Area 2002). One of the key findings of the National Land and Water Resources Audit's Australian Water Resources Assessment 2000 is the lack of detailed knowledge about the end use (Australian Water Association 2001). The
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Manchanda, Shweta. "Energy use and end-user satisfaction : with reference to ventilation and space conditioning in buildings." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2009. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.611194.
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Berkov, Joshua. "An Exploratory Study of the Effects of Mild Cognitive Impairment on Elderly Internet Users." Thesis, School of Information and Library Science, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1901/428.
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This study focuses on the effects of Mild Cognitive Impairment and other minor memory impairments on a person’s ability to successfully use the Internet. Participants over sixty-five years of age were recruited from retirement communities and were selected based on self-reports of Mild Cognitive Impairment or other cognitive difficulties when using the Internet. Interviews with the participants focused on their abilities to use Email, Chat/Instant Messenger and the World Wide Web. Participants were then asked to step through several Internet-related tasks in order to further identify problem areas. Seven participants were interviewed, and six of them completed the optional observation session. The data collected from the interviews and observation sessions were then broken down into different categories, based on the type of difficulties experienced during Internet use. Finally, recommendations were made for good Web design practices intended to overcome the difficulties identified during the study.
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Wilkinson, Paul Johnston. "End-user documentation." Thesis, Durham University, 2003. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/3134/.
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The first and most basic problem with documentation is that the consumer of software applications does not want to use the documentation included with a software product for one or more reasons. Studies, and papers, have been done on the effect that documentation has on a user's satisfaction with a software application; its ease of use, how quickly a user can learn to use the application, and on how documentation should be standardized. The premise of this thesis is that an improvement to the software maintenance processes can be achieved by limiting maintenance requests to "actual” problems with software, versus "perceived" problems caused by inadequate end-user documentation. After analyzing the literature within the computer science communities on the software maintenance process, and the literature within the educational and psychological communities on learning, retention, and the effect of software documentation on the end-user, a modification to the Foster Model was conceived. This model incorporates the concept of an Interactive Documentation Program (IDP), which allows for the end-user to utilize end-user directed and task-based documentation to improve their skills with the operation of commercially available off-the-shelf "office application" software as well as in-house developed software of a similar nature. To ascertain the viability of this concept, a world-wide survey of end-users is concerning their needs, desires, expectations, and complaints concerning end-user documentation was conducted. Combining the statistical results of the analysis of this survey with the concept of the IDP resulted in a new visuaUy-based and task oriented documentation paradigm called hypervideo.
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Möller, Oskar, and Johannes Wångdahl. "The overlooked end users." Thesis, Malmö högskola, Fakulteten för teknik och samhälle (TS), 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-20732.
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Tidigare studier har visat att träning av slutanvändare av affärssystem är viktigt. Samtidigt finns det faktorer som gör det viktigt för organisationer att ha en strategi för hur de kontinuerligt ska träna sina slutanvändare. Vår studie syftar därför till att tillhandahålla förslag för att organisationer bättre ska kunna hantera sin kontinuerliga träning av slutanvändare.Semistrukturerade intervjuer har gjorts med representanter från tre stora företag och tre affärssystemskonsulter i Skåneregionen. Studiens resultat visar att träning av slutanvändare överlag inte görs kontinuerligt i organisationer, detta trots att både företag och konsulter ser nyttan med det. Vidare har det även visat sig att det rådande träningskonceptet är att träna nyckelanvändare för att dessa sedan ska träna slutanvändare. Vi kritiserar detta träningskoncept, då nyckelanvändare oftast inte ges tillräckligt med tid till nyckelanvändaruppgifter från sin linjebefattning. Nyckelanvändare kan också sakna de individuella egenskaper som behövs för att träna slutanvändare i affärssystemet på ett lämpligt sätt. Vidare menar vi att organisationer behöver förbättra rådande tillvägagångsätt för att träna sina slutanvändare efter det att affärssystemet är implementerat.För att förbättra rådande tillvägagångssätt presenterar vi avslutningsvis nio förslag som syftar till att organisationer bättre ska kunna träna sina slutanvändare kontinuerligt.<br>Previous studies have shown that training of end users in the Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is crucial. Thus, factors point towards the importance of a continuous training strategy for the end users, inside organizations. Accordingly, the purpose of this study aims to provide suggestions for organizations to better manage their continuous training for end users.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from three large enterprises and three ERP consultants in the region of Skåne, Sweden. The study results show that the training of end users is not generally made continuously in organizations. This despite the fact that both companies and consultants see the benefit of it. Instead, we found that the current method of training is to train key users, who then train end users. We criticize this concept of training key users as they are often not given enough time from their line manager to do their key user tasks. These individuals may also lack the proper characteristics needed to successfully train end users in the ERP system. Furthermore, we argue that organizations need to find ways to improve current approaches to train end users after the ERP system is implemented.As a result of our findings we outline nine suggestions aimed for organizations to improve their current methods of training end users continuously.
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Go, Carlo. "Building Life Cycles: An Exploration of a Building's Transformation From One Life Into the Next." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/46201.
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"Nothing endures but change" - Heraclitus.
Buildings are designed and built to house a specific program for a set period of time. The end of a buildingâ s life marks a change in its use. In todayâ s building practices, some building owners opt to demolish an entire building prior to constructing a new one. Unfortunately, this world-wide attitude results in the production of millions of tons of waste every year and is not an ecologically sustainable practice.
However, as green building methods become more valued in todayâ s society, building owners and designers are becoming more conscious of buildingsâ end lives. Construction methods are increasingly involving concepts of designing for disassembly, wherein parts and materials can be easily taken apart for reuse or recycling. Such practices are vital in minimizing the unnecessary production of construction waste.
Everything on earth exhibits change. This thesis explores the development of a newly constructed building and its transformation at the end of its life into a new building. The project consists of two designs; the program of the first was predetermined while the program of the second was chosen by the committee at the concluding stage of the first design.
This thesis seeks to develop a position on architectural design and construction methods that acknowledges the fact that buildings are not permanent objects and that they will, at some point in time, change.<br>Master of Architecture
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Vaskinn, Jens Einar Heide. "Composing end-user services." Thesis, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Telematics, 2009. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-9922.
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<p>Service composition is currently a very hot topic in the Service Oriented Computing area. End-user programming is one aspect of this. This thesis proposes one such end-user programming environment for telecom services where a user can create, edit and set up a self defined behaviours when e.g. receiving calls or sms. The environment consists of services which can be used to program the desired behaviour. Some useful service is defined and a xml representation of them has been worked out. The thesis takes a scenario based approach to this and uses different real life composition scenarios to shed light on several aspects of the programming interface and service composition e.g. creating compositions, combining compositions and constraints.</p>
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Tzelnic, Tania. "Infants reason about functional information embedded in means-end sequences." Thesis, Kingston, Ont. : [s.n.], 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1974/690.
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au, T. Mcgill@murdoch edu, and Tanya McGill. "An Investigation of End User Development Success." Murdoch University, 2002. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20061017.121011.
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User development of applications provides end users with an alternative to the traditional process of systems development by allowing them to solve job related problems by developing their own software applications. User developed applications (UDAs) support decision making and organisational processes in the majority of organisations, and the ability to develop small applications forms part of the job requirements for many positions. Despite its pervasiveness, there are many risks associated with user development of applications. These risks result primarily from decreases in application quality that arise when end users have had little training and do not follow system development methodologies.
The primary aim of the research described in this thesis is to gain a better understanding of UDA success. In particular, the thesis considers the role of system quality in UDA success and the ability of end user developers to judge whether the applications they develop will have a positive impact on their performance of tasks. The research also investigates factors that might impact upon this ability.
The research objectives were addressed through two empirical studies. Two possible models of UDA success provided the starting point for Study 1. The first model is DeLone and McLeans (1992) model of IS success, and the second model is a version of this model that was modified to address concerns about the DeLone and McLean model and to reflect current research about UDA success. The models were tested using data from a field study involving business people participating in a business policy simulation, where they developed spreadsheet applications to assist in decision making. Structural equation modelling was used to test the models. Neither of the models was well supported by the data. However, the analysis provided strong support for relationships between perceived system quality and user satisfaction, information quality and user satisfaction, user satisfaction and intended use, and user satisfaction and individual impact. It is notable that the model paths that were supported in Study 1 were primarily those that reflect user perceptions rather than objective measures. This study highlighted that user perceptions of information systems success play a significant role in the UDA domain. The results did, however, suggest that there might be a direct relationship between system quality and individual impact.
Study 2 was a laboratory experiment and the participants were end users from a range of organisations. A revised research model was developed based on the findings of Study 1, and structural equation modelling was again used to test the model. The model paths that were supported suggest that for small to moderate applications, increases in spreadsheet development knowledge lead to increases in system quality and consequently the development of better quality spreadsheets. They also suggest that for these kinds of applications, end users have realistic perceptions of system quality and hence that user satisfaction may be an appropriate measure of UDA success. The results of Study 2 also provided insight into the role of user involvement in end user development, clarifying the process by which benefits are obtained. The study also provided insight into the importance of spreadsheet development knowledge for successful use (as well as development) of a spreadsheet application.
The results described in this thesis have practical implications for the management of user development of applications. They highlight the need either to increase end user levels of development knowledge via training so that end users can cope with applications of greater complexity, or to provide other forms of support for development. The role of organisational standards and guidelines is also be considered in the thesis and it is suggested that there is a particular need for guidelines on what kinds of applications are suitable for end user development.
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Parihar, Naveen. "Performance analysis of advanced front ends on the Aurora Large Vocabulary Evaluation." Master's thesis, Mississippi State : Mississippi State University, 2003. http://library.msstate.edu/etd/show.asp?etd=etd-11042003-101837.
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Esturba, Talita dos Santos. "Avaliação do consumo energético em obras de construção civil de grande porte." Universidade de São Paulo, 2014. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/86/86131/tde-03122014-112236/.
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O presente trabalho visa analisar, a partir da perspectiva do uso final de energia, os resultados do indicador de eficiência criado para averiguar o desempenho de equipamentos usados em obras de construção civil de grande porte. Dentro do setor apreciado, optou-se por analisar energeticamente apenas a fase de construção per si em razão desta etapa ser uma fase de intenso consumo energético. O presente trabalho contou com uma compilação de dados baseados no consumo de 26.121 equipamentos em operação, em 84 obras de construção de grande porte. A partir do banco de dados inicial realizou-se a análise dos dados dos equipamentos monitorados via satélite e com informações de eficiência. Por fim, estimou-se, especificamente, a variação da eficiência nos equipamentos em questão. Na busca de resultados, foi possível constatar uma predominância no consumo de óleo diesel quando comparado a outros insumos energéticos. Geradores, guindastes, compressores e caminhões foram os itens que apresentaram maiores índices de eficiência, com 99,0%, 93,5%, 93,2% e 92,3%, respectivamente. Esses resultados mostram que a maior parte destes equipamentos operam próximo ao ótimo do consumo por hora registrado no projeto.<br>The present work aims to analyze, from the perspective of the end use of energy, the results of the efficiency indicator created in order to investigate the performance of a group of equipment widely used in large construction projects in Brazil. The analyze comprehends only construction period itself due this step is to consider a phase of intense energy consumption. This work included a database related to the fuel consumption of 26,121 equipment during their operation, at 84 work sites in the large construction projects. From the database described, we performed data analysis of satellite equipment monitored and with efficiency information. Finally, it was estimated the variation of efficiency of the equipment in question. The results show a predominance of diesel consumption when compared to other fuels inputs. Considering our methodology, generators, cranes, compressors and trucks were the items that had higher levels of efficiency, with 99.0%, 93.5%, 93.2% and 92.3%, respectively. These results show that most of these devices operate close to the optimal consumption per hour recorded in the project.
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Anantachai, Arnond. "A New Mobile Network Simulation And Analysis System And The Use Of Network Visualizations Through An End-User Graphics Package." OpenSIUC, 2010. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/243.
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Network simulations often output a log file, which must be parsed to understand the details of the simulation. Visualizations of these simulations are used to make debugging and analysis easier, and there are many visualizers that will display the simulation in 2D. Those in 3D do not fully utilize 3D graphics operations to visualize asimulation. This thesis explores the ways 3D graphics can be used to further enhance a visualization. To do this, it introduces a new network simulator and a visualizer, consisting of an analyzer, which collects statistics about a simulation, and a renderer, which leverages an existing program package for rendering.
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Fu, Zhongchun 1972. "Use of fibres and headed bars in dapped end beams." Thesis, McGill University, 2004. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=81536.
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The behaviour of dapped ends with high-performance concrete and headed bars, together with the effects of fibres added to the concrete was investigated. Two full-scale dapped end beams with four dapped ends were constructed in this experimental programme. One half of each beam was cast without fibres while the other half was constructed with concrete containing either steel fibres or polypropylene fibres. The beams had a design concrete compressive strength of 60 MPa. Strut-and-tie models were used to predict the capacity of the dapped end beams. Headed bars were used as the horizontal tension ties, and closed stirrups provided the vertical tension ties.<br>From the comparisons between the testing results and the strut-and-tie model predictions, and the comparisons of the behaviour between the end regions with and without fibres, it was concluded that: the strut-and-tie models can be used as practical tools to predict the capacities of members with disturbed regions; the presence of fibres significantly increased the shear capacity and improved the ductility and crack control; the headed bars provided excellent anchorage and confinement of the nodal zones.
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Majocha, Timothy Wayne. "Outcome-based measurement, its use in assessing organizational end statements." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape2/PQDD_0020/MQ49156.pdf.
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Ngwenya, Nothando Buhlebenkosi. "The use of weblogs within an end of life context." Thesis, Staffordshire University, 2009. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.522254.
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Carroll, Bradley C., and Tanya K. Cormier. "Inventory funding methods on navy ships: NWCF vs. end-use." Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/34638.
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Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited<br>The purpose of this research is to determine the applicability of Navy Working Capital Fund repairable inventory on small combatant platforms. The majority of these platforms are funded, as of June 2013, using appropriated Operating Target funds. This project analyzes NWCF versus end-use funded inventories using data from the pilot project launched by Commander Naval Surface Forces East on USS Normandy (CG 60) in 2008. We use supply effectiveness and financial data to identify if there is an inventory readiness gap between the two sources of funding, and compare and contrast performance with other CNSF Guided Missile Cruiser and Amphibious Assault class ships. From this analysis, we identify the advantages and disadvantages of both NWCF and end-use inventories and provide an impact matrix for the three major stakeholders: the ship, the Type Commander, and the Navy. We also provide a recommendation to Naval Supply Systems Command on the future implementation of these methods for existing and future classes of small combatants, specifically, Zumwalt-class destroyers.
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Wang, Yu. "U.S. electricity end-use efficiency: policy innovation and potential assessment." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/52331.
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Electric end-use efficiency is attracting more and more attentions, but it remains unclear what factors are driving state policy innovations to improve energy efficiency. Controversy also exists over the effectiveness of energy efficiency programs. Several critical problems are facing the policymakers: what factors drive the states taking distinct strategies in policy innovation? Have state policies being able to improve energy efficiency in the past? And, will state policies remain relevant to future efficiency improvements?
This dissertation tries to answer these important questions and assumes that policy innovation is relevant to energy efficiency. It first explores the factors that influence the adoption of energy efficiency policies using Internal Determinants models. Results suggest that internal state factors affect policy innovation, including state socioeconomic factors, state fiscal capacity, ideology, and constituent pressure. Policy innovations are found to be correlated with each other. This dissertation also evaluates the impact of policy innovation on energy efficiency by decomposing electricity productivity into activity, structure, and efficiency effects. The findings suggest that financial incentives and building codes have significant impacts on state electricity productivity. Other regulations tend to have mixed effects. In addition, an estimation of the achievable potential of energy efficiency suggests that policies will cost-effectively drive significant electricity savings in the future.
Overall, this dissertation offers an in-depth diagnosis of the relationship between policy innovation and energy efficiency. It provides a rigorous statistical analysis covering the most important energy efficiency policies. It represents the first attempt to evaluate policy impact by decomposing electricity productivity. However, the statistical models and energy models are subject to limitations and future research is needed to improve the models.
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Hikeezi, Doreen M. "Sorghum grain : development of methodologies for end-use quality evaluation." Thesis, University of Pretoria, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/45913.
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Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] is the second major cereal crop in Southern Africa after maize. Despite its importance as a cereal crop it is underutilised in Southern Africa because of insufficient characterisation and development of end-use quality evaluation methods for available cultivars, and the unattractive colour of some products from sorghum. This research aimed at developing simple methodologies for determination of important parameters of sorghum end-use quality, namely kernel hardness and kernel colour. The current research also set out to determine the cause for darkening of porridges made from white tan-plant sorghums and how this may relate to polyphenol oxidase activity.
Sixteen Zambian sorghum cultivars grown during the 2008 and 2009 seasons of predominantly medium size, and ranging in colour from white to brown and red, with or without a pigmented testa were used. Endosperm texture of the sorghums determined by visual endosperm examination ranged from soft to hard. Abrasive hardness index values ranged from 6.28 to 19.64 and percentage water absorption ranged from 8.43 to 26.56%. Percent water absorption was significantly and positively correlated (r= 0.85, p <0.001) with endosperm texture and negatively correlated with abrasive hardness index (r=-0.89, p<0.01). The percent water absorption method could separate soft grains from hard grains just as well as endosperm texture and abrasive hardness index. The simplicity of the percent water absorption method makes it potentially usable by farmers and traders in remote areas where it can contribute to meaningful end-use quality assessment.
The relatively dark colour of food products from white tan-plant (food-grade) sorghums can compromise their acceptability. The relationship between white tan-plant sorghum polyphenol oxidase activity (PPO) and porridge colour was investigated. Sorghums (including 28 white tan-plant samples grown in Zambia over two seasons), wheat and white maize were studied. Sorghum grain was intermediate in PPO between wheat and maize. When white tan plant sorghum and maize flours were cooked into porridges, they became darker with lower L* values. More importantly, the transition from white tan-plant sorghum flour to porridge caused a much larger reduction in mean L* value (27.9) than that with white maize (16.9). There were significantly negative correlations between all white tan-plant sorghum PPO activity and porridge L* values (r = -0.657, p < 0.01) and between Zambian white tan-plant sorghum PPO activity and porridge L* values (r = -0.710, p < 0.001). It is apparent that PPO activity in white tan-plant sorghums is an important determinant of the relatively dark colour of food products made from them, as is the case in wheat.
Grain colour is an important quality indicator in sorghum-based foods and rural sorghum farmers in sub-Saharan Africa need simple, more accessible methods for its determination. The development of a simple quantitative method for sorghum grain colour assessment by analysis of the grains and their sodium hydroxide (NaOH) extracts was studied. Sixteen Zambian sorghums (white, red and brown types which were either tannin or non-tannin) from the 2008 and 2009 seasons and a Sudanese white tannin sorghum type were assessed for surface colour using Tristimulus colorimetry before and after treatment with NaOH. The NaOH extracts were also analysed using UV-visible spectrophotometry and reverse phase HPLC. Tristimulus colorimetry of the grain surface was able to distinguish white from coloured sorghums (brown and red) but was unable to separate tannin from non-tannin sorghum. UV-visible spectrophotometry and reverse phase HPLC of NaOH extracts from a representative set of the grains consisting of five sorghum types (red tannin, brown tannin, white tannin, red non-tannin and white non-tannin) separated the tannin from non-tannin sorghums regardless of grain surface colour. However, UV-visible absorption of NaOH extracts from the sorghum grains could not be related to grain surface colour as determined using Tristimulus colorimetry. Eleven phenolic compounds consisting of two flavan-3-ols, five anthocyanins and four 3-deoxyanthocyanins were identified in the NaOH extracts using UPLC/PDA/MS. NaOH extract from Framida *SDS[3845]23-2-1 (red tannin) contained all of the eleven compounds identified. The flavan-3-ols (catechin and +-catechin-3-O-gallate) were present in NaOH extracts of all the five sorghums. While some anthocyanins could be identified in NaOH extracts from all five sorghums, only Framida *SDS[3845]23-2-1 (red tannin), Sima (white non-tannin) and MMSH625 (red non-tannin) contained any 3-deoxyanthocyanins. Total peak area due to anthocyanins and 3-deoxyanthocyanins was higher for NaOH extracts from tannin sorghums compared to non-tannin. This was in agreement with the UV-visible spectrophotometry of the NaOH extracts which also separated the tannin from non-tannin sorghums. This shows that with NaOH treatment, it is possible to separate tannin from non-tannin sorghums. Colorimetry of NaOH extracts from sorghum may therefore be considered as a potentially simple and cheap alternative method for distinguishing tannin from non-tannin sorghums.
The findings of this research provide a platform for the development of a system which promotes an integrated and inclusive approach in using the methodologies developed for sorghum end-use quality evaluation. The methodologies will form an integral part of the system which can be applied along the sorghum value chain in sub-Saharan Africa and involve various stakeholders such as the gene bank, sorghum breeders, cereal scientists and researchers, sorghum food processors, traders, rural farmers and consumers. The efficient application of this system could lead to increased sorghum production and utilisation and contribute significantly to food and nutrition security.<br>Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014.<br>tm2015<br>Food Science<br>PhD<br>Unrestricted
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McDonald, Ray. "End of Life Care: African Americans' Disproportionate Use of Hospice." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2010. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc33185/.
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The United States of America is a country composed of various ethnicities. This country is considered to be a multi-cultural society. There are various cultural traditions values, norms and superstitious practices within each ethnic group. Attitudes toward end of life care are complex and vary differently across each ethnic group. This study explored factors that explained African Americans' disproportionate use of hospice. Access to hospice care was address, experience with hospice was explored, and recommendations were provided. This study conducted non-experimental research. The design of this exploratory study was quantitative in nature. A survey approach was utilized to collect data that was statistically analyzed. The important concept was African American disproportionate use of hospice. The variable willingness to use was employed to try to explain African Americans' disproportionate use of hospice. The independent variables African Americans who mistrust formal healthcare providers and knowledge about hospice services were operationalized using multiple indicators. The independent variable experience with hospice services did not use a scale. The research findings supported all three study hypotheses. This research results recommend that an important focus of the future be to counsel persons on the availability of hospice as an option for end-of-life care. Well-structured programs of training in cultural awareness and cultural competence throughout the ranks of the health care system must be instituted. Such an effort will pay dividends in reducing cultural mistrust and push closer to eliminating health disparities between minority groups and the rest of society.
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Wiederhold, James Edward. "Toward the standardization of use-wear studies : constructing an analogue to prehistoric hide work /." Thesis, [College Station, TX] : Texas A & M University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1969/1262.
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Tanviruzzaman, Mohammad. "Towards usable end-user authentication." Thesis, Marquette University, 2014. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3623762.
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<p> Authentication is the process of validating the identity of an entity, e.g., a person, a machine, etc.; the entity usually provides a proof of identity in order to be authenticated. When the entity — to be authenticated — is a human, the authentication process is called end-user authentication. Making an end-user authentication usable entails making it easy for a human to obtain, manage, and input the proof of identity in a secure manner. In machine-to-machine authentication, both ends have comparable memory and computational power to securely carry out the authentication process using cryptographic primitives and protocols. On the contrary, as a human has limited memory and computational power, in end-user authentication, cryptography is of little use. Although password based end-user authentication has many well-known security and usability problems, it is the de facto standard. Almost half a century of research effort has produced a multitude of end-user authentication methods more sophisticated than passwords; yet, none has come close to replacing passwords. </p><p> In this dissertation, taking advantage of the built-in sensing capability of smartphones, we propose an end-user authentication framework for smartphones — called ePet — which does not require any active participation from the user most of the times; thus the proposed framework is highly usable. Using data collected from subjects, we validate a part of the authentication framework for the Android platform. For web authentication, in this dissertation, we propose a novel password creation interface, which helps a user remember a newly created password with more confidence — by allowing her to perform various memory tasks built upon her new password. Declarative and motor memory help the user remember and efficiently input a password. From a within-subjects study we show that declarative memory is sufficient for passwords; motor memory mostly facilitate the input process and thus the memory tasks have been designed to help cement the declarative memory for a newly created password. This dissertation concludes with an evaluation of the increased usability of the proposed interface through a between-subjects study.</p>
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Justwan, Florian. "Die amerikanische Kubapolitik seit dem Ende des Kalten Krieges /." Hamburg : Kovač, 2010. http://d-nb.info/997539925/04.
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李國強 and Kwok-keung Roger Lee. "A study of the development of end-user computing in Hong Kong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1991. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31265005.
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Lee, Kwok-keung Roger. "A study of the development of end-user computing in Hong Kong /." [Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong], 1991. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B13115741.
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Woollard, Geoffrey Robert Paget. "Redesign of the N-end rule protein ClpS for use in high-throughput N-end protein sequencing." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/46377.
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Current protein sequencing methods include mass spectrometry and Edman degradation. We envision a novel high-throughput protein sequencing method using affinity adapters to recognize the N-terminal residue of a denatured peptide in an iterative process. This thesis takes a first step toward designing robust and selective affinity reagents. We outline our pipeline for designing selective protein adapters that recognize the N-terminal amino acid of a peptide independent of the following sequence. We based our design on a substrate recognition protein in the N-end rule pathway, ClpS. The bacterial N-recognin protein ClpS binds peptide substrates, termed N-degrons, that have a bulky hydrophobic amino acid (L/F/Y/W) at the N-terminus. Using full atom in silico models we designed hydrogen bonding and salt-bridge contacts in ClpS to novel N-degron substrates (N-end D/E/T), predicted the selectivity of these designs, and experimentally verified them. Of 11 designs, we purified nine that were soluble by SDS-PAGE, and obtained a peptide binding profile to 30 peptides with a modified ELISA assay. Most designs were non-specific or had no binding affinity. Four designs M53A, L112F, I45L, I45L_I45L_M53A had an increase in affinity to various substrates, but were not selective as they retained affinity to the native substrates (N-end L/F/Y/W). We performed molecular dynamics simulations on several proteins that were soluble or insoluble under standard expression conditions in E. coli, in order to learn parameters that were indicative of kinetic instability. Using a back-to-consensus approach, we identified a point mutant S104F that stabilizes the scaffold of ClpS as assayed by GFP fluorescence in a GFP-ClpS fusion protein. This thesis outlines the computational design pipeline we developed, which includes a RosettaScripts protocol, an in silico selectivity screen with AutoDock, and a kinetic stability confidence score from a molecular dynamics trajectory. Finally, we make suggestions toward designing selective affinity reagents for high-throughput N-end protein sequencing.
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Stern, Claudia. "On the performance of polypropylene between synthesis and end-use properties /." [S.l. : s.n.], 2005. http://doc.utwente.nl/50844.
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Crowley, Michael J. A., R. Isbister, and S. Meek. "Building Comprehensive Controls on Small Arms Manufacturing, Transfer and End-use." Thesis, British American Security Information Council (BASIC), International Alert and Saferworld, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/4272.
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yes<br>Small arms and light weapons can enter the illicit market at many stages in their lifecycle.
From manufacture, to sale/export, to import, and then to final end use, States must establish
and enforce stringent and comprehensive licensing and monitoring systems to ensure that
small arms and light weapons (SALW) remain under legal control. The UN Conference on the
Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and ensuing follow-up process
provide States with important opportunities to analyse and compare how existing systems
governing the manufacture and trade in SALW are working. They further provide the context
in which best practice can be agreed and implemented internationally, and for the discussion
of how future trends and developments in SALW manufacture and transfer can be more
effectively brought within State control.
To this end, this briefing paper covers two separate but closely related issues. The first
section of the report will analyse existing State and regional controls on SALW manufacture
and examine how international measures, including the UN Conference, can reinforce such
controls. In this regard, the growth of licensed production and co-production agreements is
highlighted, together with implications for the development of adequate regulations. The
second section examines those systems that are currently in place for the authorisation of
SALW transfers and for the certification and monitoring of their ultimate end-use.
Recommendations for best practice and implications for the UN Conference process are also
discussed.
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Palmér, Tobias, and Markus Waltré. "Automated end-to-end user testing on single page web applications." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Medie- och Informationsteknik, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-119968.
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Competencer wants to be sure users experience their web product as it was designed. With the help of tools for end-to-end user testing, interactions based on what a user would do is simulated to test potential situations. This thesis work is targeting four areas of end-to-end user testing with a major focus on making it automatic. A study is conducted on test case methods to gain an understanding of how to approach writing tests. A coverage tool is researched and built to present a measure of what is being tested of the product. To ease the use for developers a solution for continuous integration is looked at. To make tests more automatic a way to build mocks through automation is implemented. These areas combined with the background of Competencers application architecture creates a foundation for replacing manual testing sessions with automatic ones.
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Letshela, Phegello Zacharia. "End-user training of post-graduate students in the use of CD-ROM databases with special reference to the University of the North." Thesis, University of Limpopo, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10386/3021.
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Hague, R. G. "End-user programming in multiple languages." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.599833.
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Advances in user interface technology have removed the need for the majority of users to program, but they do not allow the automation of repetitive or indirect tasks. End-user programming facilities solve this problem without requiring users to learn and use a conventional programming language, but must be tailored to specific types of end user. In situations where the user population is particularly diverse, this presents a problem. In addition, studies have shown that the performance of tasks based on the manipulation and interpretation of data depends on the way in which the data is represented. Different representations may facilitate different tasks, and there is not necessarily a single, optimal representation that is best for all tasks. In many cases, the choice of representation is also constrained by other factors, such as display size. It would be advantageous for an end-user programming system to provide multiple, interchangeable representations of programs. This dissertation describes an architecture for providing end-user programming facilities in the networked home, a context with a diverse user population, and a wide variety of input and output devices. The Media Cubes language, a novel end-user programming language, is introduced as the context that lead to the development of the architecture. A framework for translation between languages via a common intermediate form is then described, with particular attention paid to the requirements of mappings between languages and the intermediate form. The implementation of Lingua Franca, a system realizing this framework in the given context, is described. Finally, the system is evaluated by considering several end-user programming languages implemented within this system. It is concluded that translation between programming languages, via a common intermediate form, is viable for systems within a limited domain, and discuss the wider applicability of the technique.
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Richards, Stephen M. "End-user interfaces to electronic books." Thesis, Teesside University, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.358404.
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Electronic book production is a developing field which is still in its infancy. As such, there is still relatively little material available in the form of design principles or guidelines for the production of such books. It is also extremely complex, in that electronic book designers can take advantage of a number of delivery techniques which are not available to authors of traditional paper-based books. Such techniques include: multimedia (the delivery of text, pictures, sound, and moving pictures); and hypermedia (the linking of reactive information items to form non-linear structures). This research investigates some of the key issues in the design of end-user interfaces to electronic books. Essentially, this centres on three basic problems: the use of metaphors in the design of interfaces to electronic books; models for the design of multimedia pages; and the provision of various knowledge corpus structures. Interface metaphors are investigated through the implementation and evaluation of the book metaphor. Applications were developed which either embedded or did not embed the book metaphor. Subjects used these applications while undertaking a number of information access tasks. Both qualitative and performance data werecollected and some significant results were obtained. Five page models were developed (referred to as: simple; tiled; overlay; oversize; and dynamic) which were used to design a number of page structures. These page structures were evaluated using qualitative measures of user reactions to the various page structures. Seven interface dimensions were measured and again significant results were obtained. To measure the effects of knowledge corpus structure on the design of electronic books three different book structures were created: linear; tree; and network. These were investigated in the light of some common information access tasks. The results indicated that some knowledge corpus structures were more appropriate for certain types of task.
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Mohamed, Shamim P. "End-user specification of interactive displays." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/186439.
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Presenting data graphically can often increase its understandability--well-designed graphics can be more effective than a tabular display of numbers. It is much easier to get an understanding of the relationships and groupings in data by looking at a pictorial representation than at raw numbers. Most visualization systems to date, however, have allowed users to only choose from a small number of pre-defined display methods. This does not allow the easy development of new and innovative display techniques. These systems also present a static display--users cannot interact with and explore the data. More innovative displays, and the systems that implement them, tend to be extremely specialised, and closely associated with an underlying application. We propose techniques and a system where the user can specify most kinds of displays. It provides facilities to integrate user-input devices into the display, so that users can interact and experiment with the data. This encourages an exploratory approach to data understanding. Most users of such systems have the sophistication to use advanced techniques, but conventional programming languages are too hard to learn just for occasional use. It is well known that direct manipulation is a powerful technique for novice users; systems that use it are much easier to learn and remember for occasional use. We provide a system that uses these techniques to provide a visualization tool. Extensions to the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) metaphor are provided to handle its shortcomings, the difficulty of specifying deferred actions and abstract objects. In the data graphics domain, the main drawbacks of WYSIWYG systems are the difficulty of allowing a variable number of data items, and specifying conditional structures. This system also encourages re-use and sharing of commonly used display idioms. Pre-existing displays can be easily incorporated into new displays, and also modified to suit the users' specific needs. This allows novices and unsophisticated users to modify and effectively use display techniques that advanced users have designed.
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Maier, Maximilian. "Dark patterns – An end user perspective." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Institutionen för informatik, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-160937.
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Technology has become ubiquitous in people’s everyday life. The number of websites and mobile applications available is growing, but so are various persuasive approaches to influence human behavior and decision-making in online environments. While designing for persuasion has many potential benefits, recent years have revealed different deceptive design techniques that utilize the understanding of psychological principles to nudge people in a desired direction. This thesis outlines and explores this phenomenon known as dark patterns, which favors business goals over user values. Practitioners have laid out many deceiving design strategies in the past, but it remains unclear how the end user perceives and experiences them. Therefore, a qualitative method approach was chosen to study the end users’ perspectives on the subject. The analysis of the data shows that even though there was some awareness, many manipulative techniques were unknown. Participants blame the businesses, remark however to be partly responsible for their own fate. In addition, the acceptability of such techniques shifts depending on the respective dark pattern.
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Bolin, Michael (Michael Thomas). "End-user programming for the Web." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33110.
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Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2005.<br>Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-106).<br>On the desktop, an application can specify its user interface down to the last pixel, but on the World Wide Web, a content provider has little control over how the client will view the page once it has been delivered to the browser. This creates an opportunity for end-users who want to automate and customize their web experiences, but the growing complexity of web pages and standards prevents most users from realizing this opportunity. This thesis describes a programming system named Chickenfoot that enables end-users to automate, customize, and integrate web applications without examining their source code. It accomplishes this by embedding a programming environment directly into the Firefox web browser, where end-users can interactively develop programs that manipulate the interfaces of web pages. The design and implementation of the system's language are described, as well as the results of a user study that influenced the design. A range of applications built using Chickenfoot are also presented.<br>by Michael Bolin.<br>M.Eng.
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Neilly, David G. "The development of methods for the study of properties and performance in fabric for industrial and engineering end-users." Thesis, University of Leeds, 1986. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/4055/.
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This work examines the history of industrial fabrics and investigates how certain of these fabrics have developed to meet the changing demands of their end-uses. It also examines how woven textile fabrics are increasingly competing with the traditional engineering materials as new fibres and filaments allow an ever increasing range of properties; improved fabric engineering techniques are also ensuring that industrial fabrics are more suited to their end-uses. To aid fabric engineering a greater knowledge is required of fabric structure and mechanics, so developments in this field are examined. To help improve fabric research of this type, realistic physical testing methods are required both to test the usefulness of mathematical models, and to simulate conditions experienced in use. Due to certain restrictions of this type of testing, a suitable selective fabric extension measuring device is required so that problem areas such as clamping effects can be avoided. The. lack ofa suitable device to help overcome problems such as this has been a long standing difficulty, so the development of a new fabric extension gauge was one of the main objects of this work. Before such a device could be developed research first involved a survey of many of the previous extension measuring devices, however, as expected nothing suitable emerged. After considering many ideas for possible new devices, it was decided to try and develop a gauge using the relatively new material PVDF piezo polymer film. This is a thin, low modulus film which develops an electrical charge proportional to a CHANGE in mechanical stress, and which can be easily cut to any desired dimensions. Initial attempts to develop a suitable extension measuring device were not completely successful, but when suitable following circuitry was found, and a proper mounting procedure determined, the new gauge appeared very promising. When it was considered that a suitable extension measuring device was available, the next task involved the design of a biaxial tensile and shear testing machine for the new Clothworkers' Textile Hechanics and Structures Laboratory. It was considered that the availability of a suitable selective extension measuring device was of paramount importance before the design of the new tester could be considered. This apparatus was based essentially on, the proven principles of Yendell's and Bassett's testers, but a number of unique features were to be added, such as independently controlled clamps, and the ability to cycle in shear. The principles involved in the design of the mechanical hardware are described, as also are certain original recommendations which have been suggested for the second stage of the project in which the sophisticated control, measurement and analysis techniques will be developed.
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van, Rooyen Andries. "Evaluating whether end-user consumption is used as the trigger for flow of interventional cardiology medical devices." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/52342.
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The core problem, leading to this study, is that inventory in general is pushed onto downstream supply chain links, based on forecasts. The effect is that downstream links are often overstocked and slow to react to end-user pull. This study delved into the triggers for inventory flow of medical devices used on a consignment basis at hospitals within the interventional cardiology medical device industry. There has been very little research conducted on the topic of consignment stock management and the inventory flow of these devices. The study aimed to look for answers around the questions of flow and types of waste possibly present within this industry.
A qualitative research strategy was followed, where interviews were conducted with key role players within the industry. Eight case studies were designed, using interview data collected from leading supply companies and hospital staff members. In order to validate the results, a dynamic buffer management simulation was conducted, using primary data collected in the industry. The simulation followed theory of constraints thinking processes and served as a tool to strengthen the credibility of the results through a process called triangulation.
It was concluded that overwhelming evidence exists, demonstrating that end-user consumption is used as the trigger for flow of interventional cardiology medical devices placed on consignment at hospitals. Replenishment of inventory on consignment was performed to daily pull. However, the core problem is that goods still flow as a result of a forecast. Considerable potential exists to improve flow through the use of a dynamic buffer management approach. Significant forms of waste were found to be present within this industry.<br>Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2015.<br>vn2016<br>Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)<br>MBA<br>Unrestricted
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Melais, Sergio E. "A quasi Yagi antenna with end fire radiation over a metal ground." [Tampa, Fla] : University of South Florida, 2009. http://purl.fcla.edu/usf/dc/et/SFE0003246.
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Buck, Harleah G. "The Geriatric Cancer Experience in End of Life: Model Adaptation and Testing." [Tampa, Fla.] : University of South Florida, 2008. http://purl.fcla.edu/usf/dc/et/SFE0002305.
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Ames, Nicoli M. (Nicoli Margret) 1978. "Design and use of a fixed-end low-load material testing machine." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33156.
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Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2000.<br>This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.<br>Includes bibliographical references (leaf 25).<br>The purpose of this low-load material testing machine is to provide students an opportunity to perform basic material tests on their own instead of watching a lab technician, thus improving the student's lab experience. The machine proposed is small, low cost, and easy to manufacture, assemble, and operate. Its design is based on a compound flexure mechanism that provides rectilinear motion for uniaxial tension and compression tests. It is actuated by a voice coil and displacement is measured using strain gauges. This thesis outlines some of the basic theory involved in the design and use of this low-load machine. Then it details calibration routines and tension testing procedures. Next, it analyzes results from tension tests. Then it discusses a possible source of error found in the tension tests, a lack of rigidity in the apparatus. Finally, it provides a reasonable solution to the rigidity issue and suggests further testing of the new apparatus before it is available for student use.<br>by Nicoli M. Ames.<br>S.B.
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Battenfield, Sarah. "Genomic selection and association mapping for wheat processing and end-use quality." Diss., Kansas State University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/35219.
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Doctor of Philosophy<br>Genetics Interdepartmental Program<br>Allan K. Fritz<br>Globally, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the second most widely grown cereal grain and is primarily used as a food crop. To meet the demands for human consumption, cultivars must possess suitable end-use quality for release and acceptability. However, breeding for quality traits is often considered a secondary goal, largely due to amount of seed needed and overall expense of such testing. Without testing and selection, many undesirable materials tend to be advanced.
Here we demonstrate two methods, mega-genome-wide association mapping and genomic selection, to enhance selection accuracy for quality traits in the CIMMYT bread wheat breeding program. The methods were developed using high-density SNPs detected from genotyping-by-sequencing and processing and end-use quality evaluations from unbalanced yield trial entries (n = 4,095) during 2009 to 2014, at Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico.
Genome-wide association mapping, with covariates for population structure and kinship, was applied for each trait to each site-year individually and results were combined across years in a mega-analysis using an inverse variance, fixed effect model in JMP-Genomics. This method presents a new way to detect genes of interest within a breeding program and develop markers for selection of these traits, which can then be used in earlier generations.
Genomic selection prediction models were developed using ridge regression, Gaussian kernel, partial least squares, elastic net, and random forest models in R. With these predictions genomic selection (GS) can be applied at earlier stages and undesirable materials culled before implementing expensive yield and quality screenings. In general, prediction accuracy increased over time as more data was available to train the model. Based on these prediction accuracies, we conclude that genomic selection can be a useful tool to facilitate earlier generation selection for end-use quality in CIMMYT bread wheat breeding.
Genomic selection was conducted for processing and end-use quality traits in the Kansas hard red winter wheat breeding unit. Genomic predictions demonstrate increases in accuracy with added data over time. These data demonstrate that current genomic selection models will need more data to continue improvement in prediction accuracy.
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Mohajeri, Naraghi Sepehr. "Genetics of End-Use Quality Characteristics in Spring Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.)." Diss., North Dakota State University, 2017. https://hdl.handle.net/10365/26684.
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Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important crops consumed by humans around the world. Improving the end-use quality traits is one of the major objectives in wheat breeding programs. However, little is known about the genomic regions controlling these traits. Discovering the genetic architecture underlying important end-use quality traits can accelerate breeding via marker-assisted selection (MAS) in addition to providing genomic and biological information. Therefore, for this dissertation, a quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) were conducted to identify QTL for 16 end-use quality traits, including the grain protein content, flour extraction rate, eight mixograph-related parameters, and six baking-related properties. A population of 127 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between Glenn (PI-639273) and Traverse (PI-642780) was developed for the QTL mapping study, and an association panel of 355 elite spring wheat lines was used for the GWAS study. The phenotyping of these traits was performed in nine environments in North Dakota, USA, over a three-year period. The genotyping for both the RIL population and association panel was conducted using the wheat Illumina iSelect 90K SNP assay. A total of 76 additive QTL (A-QTL) and 73 digenic epistatic QTL (DE-QTL) were found for the 16 end-use quality traits in the QTL mapping study. These QTL were distributed across all wheat chromosomes except chromosome 3D. Overall, 12 stable major A-QTL and three stable DE-QTL were identified for the end-use quality traits in the QTL mapping study, indicating that both A-QTL and DE-QTL played an important role in controlling end-use quality traits. In addition to the QTL mapping study, a total of 91 significant marker?trait associations (MTA) were identified for the end-use quality traits in the GWAS study. These MTA were distributed across all wheat chromosomes except chromosome 4D. Overall, the current study identified multiple novel stable QTL that could be used in MAS for end-use quality trait improvement in wheat breeding programs.<br>North Dakota Wheat Commission<br>North Dakota State University. Department of Plant Sciences<br>Hard Red Spring Wheat Program
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Errington, Adam. "Hybrid Modelling of a Polyethylene Process to Predict Polymer End-Use Properties." Thesis, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.489273.
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This thesis presents a novel method for predicting polymer end-use properties using information from a molecular weight distribution (MWD) predicted using a hybrid modelling strategy. A mechanistic model of a dual reactor, polyethylene process has been developed to predict process information required to calculate the MWD. Process data available includes MWDs, reactor inputs and end-use properties of the polymer. The reaction kinetics fitted to the process are commercially sensitive and unavailable for modelling purposes, therefore, kinetics representative of a typical polyethylene process have been used within the model. The accuracy of predictions made by the mechanistic model is insufficient to meet the requirements of the industry. However, this thesis demonstrates that a hybrid modelling strategy, combining the mechanistic model with a non-linear empirical layer to adjust key descriptors of the molecular weight distribution, improves the prediction accuracy. It is also shown that a nonlinear empirical approach can be used to predict important polymer end-use properties from key sections of the MWD identified as having a strong influence on those properties. This contribution combines these two findings to make predictions of end-use properties directly from the hybrid modelled MWD rather than the MWD measured off-line using gel permeation chromatography. This enables predictions of both MWD and end-use properties to be made on-line and potentially incorporated into a model predictive control strategy. The results show that small differences between the hybrid MWD and the actual MWD prohibit consistent prediction of end-use properties, with only the best observations making accurate predictions. However, the predictions of end-use properties are of an accuracy comparable to black box models of the process. The incorporation of process knowledge and understanding within the mechanistic layer of the hybrid model also adds to the credibility of the predictions.