Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'GA4+7'

Clematis spp. L. is a twining vine covered in showy blooms. Typical growth of hybrids is from the main leader, producing a thin, unbranched plant with one cyme. Apical dominance is released by cutting back the vine during production. Cutting back, or pinching, of a plant is labor intensive and compromises bloom for vegetative growth at time of sales. The purpose of this project was to eliminate manual pinching by treating young plants with chemical plant growth regulators (PGRs) that enhance branching without removal of the apical meristem. The first project evaluated the use of Atrimmec (dikegulac sodium), Fascination (BA+GA4+7), Florel (ethephon), and Dropp 50 (thidiazuron) on Clematis cultivars Ernest Markham, and Hagley Hybrid, and Clematis viticella 'Polish Spirit.' Plants treated with 800 mg·L-1 Atrimmec, or 800 or 1200 mg·L-1 Fascination experienced an increase in branch numbers. The second experiment manipulated the ratio of the components of Fascination, 6-BA and GA4+7, to reduce phytotoxicity experienced in the first experiment. The optimal ratio to enhance branching was 1:1, which is the stock solution for Fascination. All ratios produced phytotoxic symptoms. A third experiment tested lower rates of thidiazuron and added CPPU (forchlorfenuron) to the list of PGRs to test. The last experiment took the most effective PGR treatments, Atrimmec at 800 mg·L-1, and Fascination at 800 or 1200 mg·L-1, and compared them to the current production practices of pinching. Large flowering cultivars of clematis were used, including 'Comotesse de Bouchard,' 'Ernest Markham,' and 'Hagley Hybrid.' Atrimmec increased branch numbers and suppressed leader lengths without a mechanical pinch. Results from Fascination varied by cultivar.<br>Master of Science

OBJECTIVE: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) during pregnancy is associated with several adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. A reliable and valid screening tool for GAD should lead to earlier detection and treatment. Among pregnant Peruvian women, a brief screening tool, the GAD-7, has not been validated. This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the GAD-7. METHODS: Of 2,978 women who attended their first perinatal care visit and had the GAD-7 screening, 946 had a Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). The Cronbach's alpha was calculated to examine the reliability. We assessed the criterion validity by calculating operating characteristics. The construct validity was evaluated using factor analysis and association with health status on the CIDI. The cross-cultural validity was explored using the Rasch Rating Scale Model (RSM). RESULTS: The reliability of the GAD-7 was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89). A cutoff score of 7 or higher, maximizing the Youden Index, yielded a sensitivity of 73.3% and a specificity of 67.3%. One-factor structure of the GAD-7 was confirmed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was supported by the evidence that higher GAD-7 scores were associated with poor self-rated physical and mental health. The Rasch RSM further confirmed the cross-cultural validity of the GAD-7. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the Spanish-language version of the GAD-7 may be used as a screening tool for pregnant Peruvian women. The GAD-7 has good reliability, factorial validity, and concurrent validity. The optimal cutoff score obtained by maximizing the Youden Index should be considered cautiously; women who screened positive may require further investigation to confirm GAD diagnosis.<br>: This research was supported by an award from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01-HD-059835) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH had no further role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication<br>Revisión por pares

En effectiveness-studie undersökte effekten av Dugas och Robichauds (2007) behandlingsmodell för GAD på en specialistmottagning för patienter med komplicerade ångest och eller depressionstillstånd. Utöver detta undersöktes vilka övriga KBT-behandlingar för GAD som förmedlats på mottagningen. Alla patienter behandlades som en del av klinikens ordinarie verksamhet. Huvudutfallsmått var Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7) som mättes före och efter behandling. Därutöver mättes även grad av depressiva besvär med PHQ-9 samt grad av klinisk remission efter behandling. Behandlingsmodellens resultat för de patienter som bidragit med eftermätning (completerdata) visade en stor inomgruppseffektstorlek för GAD-7 (Cohen’s d=1,76) och 65% bedömdes även efter behandling inte längre uppfylla kriterier för GAD enligt DSM-IV. Bortfallet av data från före- till eftermätning var dock stort, vilket försvårar tolkningen av huvudutfallsmåttet. Även moderatorer för effekt undersöktes, men inga signifikanta samband mellan behandlingsutfall och tidigare visade moderatorer för effekt såsom ålder, kön eller samtidig farmakologisk behandling kunde visas. Resultaten jämförs med tidigare studier och en diskussion förs kring studiens begränsningar.<br>Objective: While the efficacy of Dugas and Robichauds (2007) CBT treatment model for GAD has been tested in clinical trials, it is still unclear how the treatment is received in a outpatient setting with clinically referred patients. The present effectiveness study aimed to examine the effect of Dugas and Robichauds (2007) CBT treatment on a large outpatient group (N=188) diagnosed with GAD. In addition other types of CBT treatments delivered to the outpatient group were examined, as well as potential moderators for treatment effect such as age, sex, initial GAD-7 scores and concurrent pharmacological treatment. The treatment for the outpatient group was delivered in a clinic (WeMind, www.wemind.se) specialized in treatments of depression and anxiety.  Method: The study is an analysis of gathered data from CBT treatments of GAD during a 3 year span at the clinic. Patients (N=188) diagnosed with GAD were categorized according to type of CBT treatment received and if treatment was completed with intact data. 71 patients were treated with Dugas and Robichauds (2007) CBT treatment, but 22 of these patients also received other CBT interventions at the same time. 33 patients received other kinds of CBT treatment. A large group (N=84) had missing data or did not complete treatment. Measurements taken at the beginning and end of treatment were Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7 (GAD-7), Public Health Questionnaire-9  (PHQ-9) and Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ). Clinical remission was measured at the end of treatment with the help of the therapists. A completeranalysis design was used with no waitlist or control group. Results: A paired samples T-test for patients treated with Dugas and Robichauds (2007) CBT treatment and measured with GAD-7 and PHQ-9 gave significant results for GAD-7, t70=13,17 (p&lt;0.001) and PHQ-9, t67=10,25 (P&lt;0.001). 46 of the 71 patients (65%) was assessed with clinical remission (no clinical diagnoses after treatment). Effectsize calculated with Cohen's d were GAD-7=1.76, PHQ-9=1.46 and PSWQ=1.76. Moderators were examined by calculating GAD-7 change score (difference pre-post GAD-7) and correlating the change score with age, sex, initial GAD-7 score and pharmacological treatment. Age and sex gave no significant results. Whether concurrent pharmacological treatment had an moderator effect was examined by categorizing the patients into three groups: (1) no pharmacological treatment, (2) stable pharmacological treatment and (3) changed pharmacological treatment (increased dosage or new treatment). Again no significant effect was found. One positive significant correlation was found with initial GAD-7 scores and GAD-7 change score, GAD-7, r=.66, t69=7,36 (p&lt;0.001). Higher initial GAD-7 measurement correlated with a greater change score. Conclusions:The results indicate a large treatment effect for Dugas and Robichauds (2007) CBT treatment model for GAD in an normal outpatient setting, with clinically referred patients and treatment administered by general CBT therapists. The effect was superior compared to the group that received general CBT treatment interventions for GAD. The effect of treatment measured with GAD-7 and PHQ-9 was also drastically improved if other CBT interventions was added to the treatment model, but these interventions did not have an effect on clinical remission. Serious limitations such as a high percentage of drop outs, a completeranalysis model, no control group and no follow up data restrict the possible interpretations of the results.

ABSTRACT This study examined the effect of holistic practices on anxiety. The study used a pre-experimental design and measured any differences in outcomes in Generalized Anxiety Disorder clients as measured by General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) between the two following groups: 1) the experimental group who received holistic services in addition to traditional treatment such as psychotherapy and/or medication as compared to 2) the control group who received psychotherapy and/or medication alone. Pretest of GAD-7 at intake and post-tests at about 4 months into treatment were measured along with a holistic practice survey and analyzed post-hoc through SPSS data analysis. This study found that GAD-7 scores were improved, with majority of the participants involved in some sort of holistic supplemental practices. However there was no statistical correlation between the two phenomena in this small sample. More research is recommended with larger samples, as well as improved instrumentation that could vet out other possible effects on the GAD scores.

Les variations séculaires du δ13Corg, δ34S, Δ33S et du δ15N, au cours des temps géologiques, montrent des excursions remarquables à 2,7 Ga. Ces variations ont été étudiées précédemment de façon indépendante. Dans cette étude, nous avons mesuré les rapports isotopiques et les concentrations du carbone, du soufre et de l'azote dans les mêmes échantillons provenant de la Formation de Tumbiana (2,73 Ga). Les valeurs de δ13C de la matière organique varient de -43 à -34%o, reflétant ainsi une l'activité des microorganismes méthanotrophes. Les valeurs de δ 34S des sulfures montrent de faibles variations comprises entre -5,8 et 2,7%o, suggérant que l'environnement de la formation de Tumbiana était pauvre en sulfates. Les fractionnements indépendants de la masse du soufre (MIF- S) mesurés dans cette étude montrent des anomalies faibles mais significatives, indiquant des conditions environnementales anoxiques il y a 2,73 Ga. La mise en évidence d'une tendance positive entre l'enrichissement en 12C de la matière organique et l'augmentation des anomalies isotopiques du Soufre est probablement le reflet d'une diminution de la concentration en méthane atmosphérique liée à l'assimilation du méthane. L'azote sédimentaire montre un enrichissement en 15N important avec des valeurs comprises entre 8,6 et 50,4%o. Nous proposons dans cette étude que ces valeurs soient le reflet d'un processus biologique d'oxydation de l'ammonium en nitrite. Cette thèse reporte ainsi pour la première fois une étude intégrée des compositions isotopiques du C, de l'O, du S et de FN dans une formation Archéenne et suggère une augmentation du degré d'oxydation de l'océan 400 Ma avant le « Great Oxidation Event »<br>Secular variations of δ13Corg, δ34S, Δ33S et du δ15N through geological times show large shifts around 2,7 Ga. These shifts were mostly reported from independent sediment sections. In this study, we measured isotopic ratios and elemental contents of C, S and N in the same samples from a pristine drill core retrieved from the Tumbiana Formation (2,73 Ga). Organic δ 13C values vary from -43 to -34%o, reflecting variable contribution of 13C-depleted methanotrophic biomass. Sulfide δ 34S show small variation from -5,8 to 2,7%o, suggesting that the 2,73 Ga environment of the Tumbiana Formation was sulfate-limited. Mass-Independent-Fractionation of S isotopes show anomalies ranging between -0. 24 and 1. 64%o, indicating anoxic environmental conditions. A positive correlation between the 12C-enrichment of organic matter and increasing MIF-S was observed, maybe due to the decrease in atmospheric methane concentration as a result of biotic methane assimilation. Sedimentary N show strong 15N enrichment with 815N values ranging between 8,6 and 50,4%o. I propose here a process of the oxidation of ammonium to nitrite to explain these high 515N values. This thesis reports, for the first time, integrated C, N and S isotopes measurements in the same sedimentary formation at 2,73 Ga. It shows that δ 15N and δ 13C strong excursions are synchronous with the onset of Δ 33S increase while δ 34S variations remain minor. These integrated isotopes approach facilitate to identify different types of metabolisms with respect to environmental conditions. Our results suggest that a stepwise increase in the oceanic oxidation degree could exist 400 Ma before the Great Oxidation Event

This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.<br>Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, 2019<br>Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.<br>Includes bibliographical references (page 97).<br>Stellarators, being not as well-studied as tokamaks, have plenty of interesting physics to examine, as investigations of stellarators as a viable configuration for future power plants continue. One of these aspects is boundary turbulence in the plasma, as the magnetic configuration in stellarators is different from that in tokamaks and thus provides different plasma behavior. To study this turbulence, we are designing a "gas-puff imaging" diagnostic to install onto the Max Planck Institute of Plasma Physics's Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X), which is currently the world's most advanced and largest stellarator. This diagnostic employs a fast-camera to observe a localized puff of gas as it interacts with the boundary plasma near the last closed flux surface of the plasma. The diagnostic consists of a fast-camera component, a light-collection component, a "gas-puff" component with valves to inject controlled amounts of gas, and a component for valve control and data collection purposes. This thesis documents some of the aspects of the design of the diagnostic and its components for W7-X.<br>by Kevin Tang.<br>S.B.<br>S.B. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering

Pseudorapidity gap distributions in proton-proton collisions at root s = 7 TeV are studied using a minimum bias data sample with an integrated luminosity of 7.1 mu b(-1). Cross sections are measured differentially in terms of Delta eta(F), the larger of the pseudorapidity regions extending to the limits of the ATLAS sensitivity, at eta = +/- 4.9, in which no final state particles are produced above a transverse momentum threshold p(T)(cut). The measurements span the region 0 &lt; Delta eta(F) &lt; 8 for 200 MeV &lt; p(T)(cut) &lt; 800 MeV. At small Delta eta(F), the data test the reliability of hadronisation models in describing rapidity and transverse momentum fluctuations in final state particle production. The measurements at larger gap sizes are dominated by contributions from the single diffractive dissociation process (pp -&gt; Xp), enhanced by double dissociation (pp -&gt; XY) where the invariant mass of the lighter of the two dissociation systems satisfies M-Y less than or similar to 7 GeV. The resulting cross section is ds sigma/d Delta eta(F) approximate to 1 mb for Delta eta(F) greater than or similar to 3. The large rapidity gap data are used to constrain the value of the Pomeron intercept appropriate to triple Regge models of soft diffraction. The cross section integrated over all gap sizes is compared with other LHC inelastic cross section measurements.<br><p>ATLAS Collaboration, for complete list of authors see http://dx.doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-012-1926-0</p>

Export is a top priority for Sweden's economy but for Swedish companies it may involve uncomfortable risks of exporting without sincere consideration. When the United Nations Security Council puts an embargo against a country, this often mean an import and export restriction. The thought is to push undemocratic regimes into respecting human rights. When the embargo is in force, however, the parties are not able to fulfill their contractual obligations, which practically means that the agreement will be suspended. The problem is what happens when an embargo is in force for a longer period of time. After the embargo is withdrawn, the price on the market may have changed significantly, which indicates a financial sacrifice for a seller if he has to provide specific performance to the buyer. The question thus is whether the seller, after a prolonged economic sanctions is withdrawn, still is obliged to provide specific performance? The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) is applicable where both parties are signatories to CISG or by rules of international private law. To require performance as a buyer is a general right in Article 46 CISG, but there are exceptions to this rule in Article 28 CISG. Article 28 CISG states that if one party is entitled to require performance of any obligation by the other party, a court is not bound to enter a judgment for specific performance unless the court would do so under its own law in respect of similar contracts of sale not governed by this Convention. Since CISG advocates a harmonized application of international trade, the right to specific performance cannot be waived just on the basis of Article 28 CISG alone. With regard to good faith in international trade in Article 7 (1) CISG, the principle of reasonableness, which is a general principle that the CISG is based upon in accordance with Article 7 (2) CISG and 7.2.2 (b) UPICC, and with the support of international usage regularity observed in the trade concerned in Article 9 CISG, the right to specific performance does not exist anymore after a prolonged embargo has been withdrawn.<br>Export är högprioriterat för Sveriges ekonomi men för svenska företag kan det inne-bära obekväma risker med att exportera utan eftertanke. När Förenta Nationernas säkerhetsråd går in och lägger ett embargo mot en stat innebär detta ofta en import- och export restriktion. Tanken är att pressa odemokratiska regimer att respektera mänskliga rättigheter. När embargot är i kraft kan dock parterna inte uppfylla sina avtalsförpliktelser vilket innebär att avtalet blir suspenderat. Det problematiska är vad som händer då ett embargo är i kraft under en längre tid. Efter det att ett embargo lyfts kan priset på marknaden ändrats avsevärt vilket innebär en ekonomisk uppoffring för en säljare att tvingas fullgöra i natura. Frågan blir då om säljare efter det att en långvarig ekonomisk sanktion lyfts, fortfarande är tvingen att fullgöra i natura? Lag (1987:822) om internationella köp(CISG) blir tillämplig i det fall då båda parters stater är signatärer eller genom privaträttsliga regler. Att kräva fullgörelse som köpare är en generell rätt i artikel 46 CISG men det finns ett explicit undantag till denna regel i artikel 28 CISG. Artikel 28 CISG stadgar att domstol som ska lösa tvisten, inte är skyldig att meddela dom på fullgörelse om domstol enligt egen forumlandets egen lagstiftning inte skulle ha gjort detta. Skulle tvisten lösas i Svensk domstol blir 23 § köplag (1990:931) tillämplig. Eftersom CISG förespråkar en harmoniserad tillämpning inom internationell handel är det inte tillförlitligt att mena på att rätten till fullgörelse bortfaller med stöd av endast artikel 28 CISG. Med beaktande av god sed i internationell handel i artikel 7(1) CISG, principen om rimlighet/förnuftig person som är en generell princip som CISG är baserat på i enlighet med artikel 7(2) CISG och 7.2.2 (b) UPICC, samt med stöd av handelsbruk i artikel 9 CISG, bortfaller rätten till fullgörelse i natura efter det att ett långvarigt embargo har lyfts.

Pour estimer les puits et sources des gaz à effet de serre et améliorer les prévisions d’évolution du climat, il est nécessaire de disposer de mesures précises et continues de leurs concentrations atmosphériques à l’échelle globale. Pour consolider le réseau d’observation mondial, la mise en œuvre de systèmes lidar embarqués sur satellite pour les futures missions de sondage atmosphérique depuis l’espace est considérée comme un atout à la fois innovant et complémentaire pour les méthodes de mesure actuelles. Dans ce contexte, ces travaux de thèse ont porté sur le développement d’un lidar à absorption différentielle (DIAL) à partir d’une source paramétrique émettant dans la gamme spectrale 1,9 – 2,3 µm. Il s’est agi de démontrer l’aptitude de la source à être mise en œuvre pour des mesures longue portée des principaux gaz à effet de serre (CO2, H2O, CH4). Dans ce but, la source a été intégrée dans une architecture lidar dimensionnée préalablement à l’aide une modélisation numérique. L’optimisation de l’instrument s’est faite autour de deux points : le contrôle de la pureté spectrale de la source, et la maîtrise de la réponse de la chaine de détection et d’acquisition. Des mesures des trois gaz ont ensuite été réalisées depuis le laboratoire à partir du signal provenant de la rétrodiffusion des aérosols ou des nuages. Ces mesures ont servi de support pour une étude approfondie des erreurs et biais de mesure. À partir de ces travaux et en s’appuyant sur des simulations, la possibilité d’intégration de la source dans un système aéroporté a été étudiée comme étape préliminaire à la mesure spatiale. Enfin, une projection des performances d’un système satellite mettant en œuvre la source a été établie<br>Sustained and accurate greenhouse gases measurements at a global scale are required to improve the knowledge on their sources and sinks and thus increase the accuracy of climate change projections. In order to consolidate the global observation networks, spaceborne lidar systems for future earth observation missions are regarded as innovative and complementary components to the present operational measurement methods. In this context, this research work has consisted in developing a differential absorption DIAL lidar based on an optical parametric source able to emit in the 1,9–2,3 µm spectral range. The purpose was to demonstrate its ability to be implemented in long range measurements of the main greenhouse gases (CO2, H2O, CH4). Then, the laser transmitter has been integrated in a lidar architecture which was previously designed using a numerical model. Improvements and optimization of the lidar system focused on two aspects: the monitoring of the spectral purity of the emitter and the control of the detection and acquisition. Concentration measurements on the three gases have been carried out from the laboratory based on atmospheric backscattered signals from clouds and aerosol. These measurements provided a basis for the investigation of the error and bias sources. On the basis of these measurements, instrument scaling for future airborne demonstrations is discussed. Projected performances of a spaceborne instrument are also presented

Syftet med denna uppsats var att undersöka behandlingseffekten av studentledd psykoterapi på Umeå Universitets psykologmottagning gällande depressions- och ångestsymptom. Mer specifikt var syftet även att jämföra de två behandlingsmetoder som praktiseras på mottagningen; kognitiv beteendeterapi (KBT) och psykodynamisk terapi (PDT), samt jämföra de självskattningsinstrument för depression och ångest som ingår i mottagningens testbatteri (Patient Health Questionnaire 9-items, PHQ-9; Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, HADS; General Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, GAD-7). Ett ytterligare delsyfte var att beskriva mottagningens klientpopulation. Stickprovet bestod av 61 deltagare (72.1 procent kvinnor, 49.2 procent studenter, medianålder 23 år) som behandlats med antingen KBT eller PDT. För att undersöka effekterna av behandling jämfördes deltagarnas symptomskattningar före och efter behandling uppdelat på behandlingsmetod med hjälp av två-vägs variansanalys (ANOVA). Resultaten visade stora effektstorlekar för behandling gällande depression och ångest. Inga signifikanta skillnader observerades mellan behandlingsmetoder, vilket kan bero på bristande power. Diskrepans mellan instrumentens förmåga att identifiera deltagare med symptom på depression och ångest kunde ses, i synnerhet gällande depressionssymptom. I linje med rådande forskning visar studiens resultat att studentledd behandling har effekt på depression och ångest. Validiteten för de instrument som används på Psykologmottagningen bör dock undersökas närmare. Sammantaget belyser resultaten i denna studie vikten av att välja mätinstrument anpassade för den tilltänkta populationen för att kunna utvärdera behandlingseffekt.

Densification of rice straw such as compacting and pelletizing is an important process to increase the density of rice straw resulting in a reduction of transportation cost. Within this research, we conducted a techno-economic investigation of rice straw densification to produce compressed bales and pellets, which are later used for animal feed. In line with the main deliverable of the performance of rice straw compacting and pelletizing processes, we also looked into the quality of the product in terms of uptake and digestibility of the cattle feed which could be improved by adding amendments such as urea during the compacting process. The compacting technology resulted in a 400% increase of bale density (from 94 to 390 kg.m-3). This could reduce transportation costs by about 60% for a 60 km driving distance using trucks. The net profit that resulted from compacted bales was USD 0.0062 kg-1. Although the pelletizing technology increased the cost of the densified product by 40–50%, its density increases by 700%, from 94 to 666 kg.m-3. The enriched-rice straw pellets contained 12.1% protein, 2.8% lipid, 32.7% raw fibre, and 11.2% ash. In addition, a test of this product for cattle feeding illustrated an increase in its eating desirability for cows. Findings from this study contribute to reducing feedstock cost and developing densified rice straw products. These, therefore, provide more alternative options to increase the benefits from rice production and thus, reduce the unsustainable burning of rice straw in the field.<br>Nén ép rơm là quá trình quan trọng và cần thiết để tăng khối lượng thể tích với mục đích giảm chi phí vận chuyển. Trong nghiên cứu này, chúng tôi đã thực hiện nghiên cứu đánh giá tính khả thi về kỹ thuật và kinh tế đối với nội dung nén ép rơm cuộn và ép viên rơm. Cùng với mục đích chính là tăng dung trọng của sản phẩm từ rơm, chúng tôi cũng đánh giá chất lượng sản phẩm làm thức ăn cho bò giúp cho tăng kích thích quá trình tiêu hóa. Kết quả nén ép cuộn rơm đã làm tăng dung trọng của kiện rơm đến 400% (từ 94 đến 398.7 kg.m-3). Qua đó, đã giảm được chi phí vận chuyển 60% được ước tính cho 60 km khoảng cách vận chuyển. Đối với ép viên rơm, dung trọng tăng đến 700% (từ 94 đến 666 kg.m-3). Hàm lượng dinh dưỡng của viên nén hỗn hợp rơm gồm protein (12,1%), chất béo (2,8%), chất xơ (32,7%), và lượng tro tổng (11,2%). Ngoài ra, kết quả thử nghiệm cho bò ăn sản phẩm viên nén này cho thấy bò có cảm giác thích và ăn hết toàn bộ viên nén. Kết quả của nghiên cứu đã góp phần giảm chi phí khi sản xuất thức ăn cho bò, tăng thu nhập cho người nông dân và từ đó giảm tác động môi trường do việc đốt rơm trên đồng.

This study was aimed to assess the status of waste treatment for cow raising at small farm households in Can Tho, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, and Hau Giang. The interview of 120 cow farmer households indicated that local farmers normally treat their waste by sun-drying, storing in ponds, discharging directly into rivers, or applying to anaerobic biogas. The farmers select ways to treat cow excrement according to seasons of the year: in the dry season cow waste is mostly sun-dried for sale (76.7%); stored for use (10%), untreated (7.5%) or applied to biogas plants (5.8%); however, in the rainy season most of the farmers leave the waste untreated (94.2%), except for those owning biogas tanks. Biogas treatment is applied mainly by dairy cow-raising households, accounting for 85.7% of biogas users. The cow farmer households have limited knowledge about biogas application; 23.3% of the interviewed farmers knew about biogas technology; 47.5% had little knowledge about this technology, however, 29.2% of the selected persons had no idea about biogas technology. Based on the quantity of beef cattle herds in the surveyed areas, it is estimated that CH4 gas emissions account for around 252.3 tons, 61.4 tons, 8.2 tons, and 2.5 tons in Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Can Tho, and Hau Giang, respectively.<br>Nghiên cứu này nhằm đánh giá hiện trạng xử lý chất thải tại các hộ chăn nuôi bò ở thành phố Cần Thơ và các tỉnh Trà Vinh, Sóc Trăng, Hậu Giang. Tổng số 120 hộ chăn nuôi đã được phỏng vấn cho thấy có 4 phương pháp xử lý chính để xử lý chất thải chăn nuôi phát sinh: ủ yếm khí (biogas), phơi khô và bán, trữ lại trong ao để sử dụng, và không xử lý. Tùy theo thời điểm trong năm người dân sẽ thay đổi cách thức xử lý chất thải chăn nuôi bò: vào mùa khô có nhiều nắng chủ yếu người dân phơi khô để bán (76,7%), để lại và sử dụng (10%), dùng để ủ biogas (5,8%), và không xử lý (7,5%); tuy nhiên vào mùa mưa hầu hết các hộ dân không xử lý chất thải chăn nuôi (94,2%), chỉ trừ những hộ dân đã có hầm ủ biogas để xử lý. Xử lý chất thải chăn nuôi bằng công nghệ biogas được áp dụng phổ biến ở các hộ nuôi bò sữa, chiếm 85,7% số hộ có hầm ủ biogas. Sự hiểu biết về công nghệ biogas của các hộ chăn nuôi còn khá giới hạn, chỉ 23,3% hộ dân được phỏng vấn biết về công nghệ biogas, 47,5% hộ biết ít về công nghệ này, trong khi 29,2% hộ dân hoàn toàn không biết. Dựa trên số lượng đàn bò thịt trong vùng khảo sát, có thể tính được lượng CH4 phát thải hàng năm từ chất thải chăn nuôi là 252,3 tấn, 61,4 tấn, 8,2 tấn và 2,5 tấn từ các địa phương Sóc Trăng, Trà Vinh, Cần Thơ, và Hậu Giang.

COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOR<br>Este trabalho tem o seu foco no estudo da expressão hiuotesía, na literatura de tradição paulina, que é, em toda a Sagrada Escritura, a única que a utiliza. Embora haja trabalhos significativos sobre a questão, esta pesquisa estabelece um estudo comparativo entre a hiuotesía no contexto imediato de Gl 4,1-7, circunstanciada pela expressão plerôma tou chrónou e de Ef 1,3-10, onde, curiosamente, é utilizada a expressão plerôma tõn Kairôn. Nessa comparação reside a originalidade da presente pesquisa. Como os dois textos que reportam este termo encontram-se em contextos literários mais amplos, a primeira tarefa diz respeito ao estudo da estrutura de cada um desses contextos. Em seguida, passa-se ao estudo exegético de cada um deles, levando-se em conta aspectos semânticos, sobretudo em sua abordagem diacrônica. Com isto chega-se a identificar o alcance do vocábulo hiotesía e das expressões plerôma tou chrónou e plerôma tõn Kairôn em cada perícope A análise e comparação desses dois textos da tradição paulina evidenciam que as dessemelhanças existentes entre eles são decorrentes de paradigmas distintos que demandam, por isso mesmo, diferenciadas abordagens teológicas. Nesse sentido, o autor de Ef, ao se apropriar das expressões hiuotesía e plerôma tõn Kairôn, apresenta, de sua parte, uma nova e diferente interpretação do que o autor de Gl, anteriormente, dissera ao servir-se das expressões plerôma tou chrónou e hiuotesía.<br>This work concentrates on the study of the expression hiuotesía in the writings of the Pauline tradition, the only one to use it in all the Holy Scriptures. Though significant works have been written on this matter, our present research frames a study on hiuotesía in the immediate context of Gal 4:1-7 and accompanied by the expression plerôma tou chrónou, as compared with that of Eph 1:3-10 where, stringly, the expression plerôma tõn Kairôn is used. In this comparison lies the originality of the present research. Since each of the texts that employ this term must be seen in it ampler literary context, the first task is to study the structure of each of those contexts. Next, follows the exegetical study of each of them, taking into consideration semantic aspects, especially in their diachronic approach. We thus manage to identify the range of the word hiuotesía and expression plerôma tou chrónou and plerôma tõn Kairôn in each pericope. Analysis and comparison between these two texts of the Pauline tradition show that the dissimilarities between them result from distinct paradigms which, therefore, demand differing theological approaches. In this sense, the author of Eph, by making his own the expressions hiuotesía and plerôma tõn Kairôn, offers, for his part, a new interpretation, differing from what the author of Gal had previously said by using the expressions plerôma tou chrónou and hiuotesía.

Methane (CH4) source of Greenhouse Gases should be considered; CH4 is formed by composting under anaerobic conditions. Using microbial Methane oxidation is a solution with low cost and effective. In this study, 27 bio-filters and 18 laboratory-scale bioreactors were used to investigate the potential for CH4 removal in biogas. The CH4, Dinitrogen monoxide (N2O) and Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations at the inlet and outlet of the air purifier were measured by gas chromatography. The results showed that the CH4 concentration decreased in experiments while the CO2 and N2O content increased in all experiments. An experiment was conducted with 1 kg of biofilter material with the input of 800 ppm CH4 contained in a 5-liter flask for 49 hours containing. The results also showed that the CH4 concentration decreased by 71% after 20 hours and N2O was formed in the reactor.<br>Mê-tan (CH4) là nguồn khí gây nên hiệu ứng nhà kính cần được quan tâm, khí CH4 được sinh ra trong quá trình ủ vi sinh trong điều kiện kị khí. Một giải pháp với chi phí thấp là sử dụng vi sinh vật oxy hóa khí CH4 cố định trên giá thể là vật liệu sử dụng trong thiết bị lọc sinh học. Trong nghiên cứu này, 27 thiết bị lọc sinh học trên thực tế và 19 bình lọc tại phòng thí nghiệm đã được sử dụng nhằm mục đích khảo sát khả năng loại bỏ CH4 có trong khí sinh học. Nồng độ khí CH4, N2O và CO2 ở đầu vào và đầu ra bể lọc khí được đo đạc bằng phương pháp sắc ký khí. Kết quả cho thấy nồng độ khí CH4 giảm sau khi qua hệ thống lọc sinh học ở một số bình, trong khi nồng độ khí CO2 và N2O lại tăng lên ở tất cả các bình. Khi khảo sát khả năng oxi hóa CH4 ở nồng độ 800 ppm của 1kg vật liệu thiết bị lọc sinh học chứa trong bình phản ứng thể tích 5L với thời gian 49 giờ. Kết quả cho thấy nồng nồng độ CH4 giảm 71% sau 20 giờ. Tuy nhiên, N2O đã được ghi nhận có hình thành trong bình phản ứng đó.

Det här examensarbetet går ut på att jämföra EKS 11 och SS-EN 1991-1-7 olika beräkningsmodeller för olyckslaster. Ifall en byggnad endast har ett trapphus som enda nödutgång krävs det att den dimensioneras för olyckslaster. Dessa olyckslaster delas upp i två olika grupper, kända- och okända olyckslaster. Kända olyckslaster är exempelvis påkörning när byggnaden ligger nära en väg och explosion ifall det finns exempelvis gasledningar i byggnaden. Okända olyckslaster är de laster där man inte kan dimensionera för ett exakt värde. Istället dimensionerar man för att minska konsekvenserna av lasten där främsta alternativet är att använda de krav som ställs på väsentliga bärverksdelar och applicera dem på de bärande konstruktionsdelarna. Alternativt när byggnaden inte har gasledningar så kan man beräkna för okända laster genom att dimensionera via värdet som uppkommer från en gasexplosion, 34 kN/m2. Dimensioneringen anpassas efter ett verkligt projekt konstruerat av Structor. Tidigare problem har uppstått vid tolkning av eurokodens beräkningsgång och därför har eks 11 kommit med förtydliganden och med mer triviala lösningar kring olyckslaster. Beräkningsgången för de olika olyckslasterna ser olika ut beroende på om man följer eks 11:s metod eller eurokodens metod. Målet med arbetet är att förtydliga skillnaderna mellan de olika beräkningsgångarna och se vad som ligger till grund för dom. För att kunna skapa en bredare förståelse kring olyckslaster har eurokoden, EKS 11, litteratur och Structor varit till stor hjälp. Examensarbetet är avgränsat till olyckslaster när det bara finns ett trapphus som enda utrymningsväg där det sker en jämförelse mellan EKS 11 och SS-EN 19911-7. Resultatet visar att de två olika beräkningsgångarna ger två olika svar vid beräkning av både kända- och okända laster. Ekvationerna för att räkna fram olyckslaster i de olika standarderna tar hänsyn till olika saker vilket leder till olika resultat. Slutsatsen som går att dra är att det alltid finns olika förutsättningar för varje projekt. Därför bör det göras en riskanalys i projekteringsskedet för att avgöra vilken standard som ska användas för det aktuella projektet.<br>This dissertation is based on a comparison between the two different procedures on accidental actions in the Swedish norm EKS 11 and SS-EN 1991-1-7. If a construction only has a stairwell as the only emergency exit it requires that accidental actions determines. These accidental actions are categorized mainly to known and unknown accidental actions. Known accidental actions are for example collision by a vehicle or a gas leak from a gas pipe in the building. Unknown accidental actions are those loads that cannot be completely determined. Instead an analyze how to decrease the damage by accidental actions are used. The main approach is to value members as key elements, in effect making them strong enough to withstand a prescribed hazard loading. An alternative if the construction does not have any gas pipes is to use the pressure of 34 kN/m2 to represent the static equivalent from a notional gas explosion. The values in the work are based from a project constructed by the Swedish company Structor. Previously difficulties have occurred while comprehending the Eurocode’s calculation procedures therefore the new Swedish norm EKS have clarified a lot about accidental actions. The calculation procedures results in two different answers between the Eurocode and the Swedish norm EKS. The aim with this dissertation is too clarify the differences between them and perceive the reasons behind it. To be able to have a wider understanding of the subject accidental actions a screening has occurred of the Eurocode, the Swedish norm EKS and literature. The Swedish company Structor has also shared a lot of knowledge on the subject. The dissertation has been limited to accidental actions on stairwells as the only emergency exit and a comparison between the Swedish norm EKS 11 and SS-EN1-7. The outcome of the two different calculations shows two different results of the known and unknown accidental actions. The equations for calculating accidental action in the different standards considerate different things which leads to different results. The conclusion is that there always are different conditions in every project. Therefor a risk assessment should be done before the construction begins to determine which standard is the most suitable for the project.

Thomas Merton est un moine américain, un trappiste, décédé accidentellement à Bangkok en 1968, à l'âge de 53 ans. Moine converti et moine écrivain, Merton a laissé derrière lui une oeuvre littéraire abondante et riche, à l'horizon théologique très vaste, tout à la fois enraciné dans le monachisme chrétien et ouvert au monde contemporain, avec ses misères, ses aspirations et ses grandes traditions spirituelles."Convertissez-vous!" Ce cri surgi des profondeurs de sa personne, Merton l'a entendu dès l'atteinte de ses 18 ans. L'écho de ce cri l'a poursuivi tout au long de sa vie de moine (1941-1968) et de son engagement pastoral comme moine-écrivain. Cet écho l'a incité à se réapproprier le message chrétien de la conversion et à en renouveler le langage afin d'être entendu par ses frères et soeurs en humanité, en rejoignant leur sensibilité et leur préoccupation centrée sur la quête identitaire. Ce fut l'objet principal de notre aventure doctorale de démontrer: (1) que Merton a développé une théologie de la conversion chrétienne ; (2) que cette théologie marque l'ensemble de son oeuvre littéraire; (3) que cette théologie s'articule autour d'une triple clé biblique : Mc 8, 34; Jn 3, 7 et Ga 2, 20a et de ses cinq grands axes: le renoncement à soi, la prise de la croix, la suite du Christ, la nouvelle naissance et la nouvelle identité"en Christ"; (4) et que cette théologie, sensible à la double réalité des"vrai et faux moi" et ouverte aux richesses des traditions orientales, propose à nos contemporains un nouvel espace de réflexion, tout en s'offrant comme un tremplin pour atteindre la complétude humaine, pour entrer dans une conscience universelle et pour accéder à une maturité transculturelle, bref pour devenir"un humain pleinement et ultimement unifié", selon cette expression du psychanalyste soufi iranien, Reza Arasteh, très chère à Merton. Aux termes de notre longue et minutieuse fréquentation de l'oeuvre de Merton, il nous a été donné d'une part, de toucher à la contemporanéité de son approche de la conversion chrétienne, et d'autre part d'être placée devant le caractère universel de cette obligation, pour tous les humains, de se laisser transformer en profondeur.

SerpinA12 (vaspin) is thought to be mainly expressed in adipose tissue and has multiple beneficial effects on metabolic, inflammatory and atherogenic processes related to obesity. KLK7 (kallikrein 7) is the only known protease target of vaspin to date and is inhibited with a moderate inhibition rate. In the crystal structure, the cleavage site (P1-P1′) of the vaspin reactive centre loop is fairly rigid compared with the flexible residues before P2, possibly supported by an ionic interaction of P1′ glutamate (Glu379) with an arginine residue (Arg302) of the β-sheet C. A P1′ glutamate seems highly unusual and unfavourable for the protease KLK7. We characterized vaspin mutants to investigate the roles of these two residues in protease inhibition and recognition by vaspin. Reactive centre loop mutations changing the P1′ residue or altering the reactive centre loop conformation significantly increased inhibition parameters, whereas removal of the positive charge within β-sheet C impeded the serpin–protease interaction. Arg302 is a crucial contact to enable vaspin recognition by KLK7 and it supports moderate inhibition of the serpin despite the presence of the detrimental P1′ Glu379, which clearly represents a major limiting factor for vaspin-inhibitory activity. We also show that the vaspin-inhibition rate for KLK7 can be modestly increased by heparin and demonstrate that vaspin is a heparin-binding serpin. Noteworthily, we observed vaspin as a remarkably thermostable serpin and found that Glu379 and Arg302 influence heat-induced polymerization. These structural and functional results reveal the mechanistic basis of how reactive centre loop sequence and exosite interaction in vaspin enable KLK7 recognition and regulate protease inhibition as well as stability of this adipose tissue-derived serpin.

L'etude structurale par spectroscopie d'absorption x de verres a#2o-m#2o#3-p#2o#5 (a = li, na et m = ga, fe) a mis en evidence une evolution de la coordinence du cation m en fonction de la longueur des chaines phosphates dans le reseau vitreux et en fonction du rapport a/m dans les verres diphosphates. Elle est particulierement sensible pour m = ga et est principalement gouvernee par des effets electrostatiques dans le reseau vitreux. La simulation des spectres exafs des verres, incluant les effets de diffusion multiple, revele une certaine rigidite angulaire m-o-p pouvant resulter d'une chelation des cations m par des groupements p#2o#7. L'evolution de la coordinence des cations m dans les verres a courtes chaines phosphates traduirait un equilibre dans le liquide: m#3#+ + p#2o#7#4#- mp#2o#7#-. Le cation m apparait comme un formateur du reseau malgre sa coordinence generalement elevee ; sa presence stabilise le reseau vitreux comme le montre l'evolution de la temperature de transition vitreuse en fonction de sa concentration. La conductivite cationique augmente exponentiellement avec la fraction en ion alcalin ; elle est comparable a celle de certains diphosphates cristallises. Les verres au lithium sont environ dix fois plus conducteurs que les verres au sodium. L'etude des composes monodiphosphates li#9m#3(p#2o#7)#3(po#4)#2 (m = al, ga, cr, fe) issus de la devitrification a ete entreprise. Ces composes ont ete synthetises par methode de flux. La structure cristalline, resolue sur monocristaux, a mis en evidence une structure a caractere bidimensionnel, constituee de couches anioniques (mp#2o#7)#3(po#4)#2#9#- paralleles a (001), separees par des ions lithium, qui favorise les proprietes de transport cationique

Cette etude a pour but de preciser les relations entre la structure cristalline et les proprietes de transport de cations de deux familles de composes a charpente tridimensionnelle: les diphosphates et diarseniates na#7m#3(x#2o#7)#4 (m=al, ga, cr, fe; x=p, as); les arseniates na#3m#2(aso#4)#3 (m=al, cr, fe). Les composes na#7m#3(x#2o#7)#4 ont ete prepares par des methodes de flux. Ils presentent, a des temperatures inferieures a 300c, une transition de type ordre-desordre des ions sodium. L'evolution thermique a haute temperature a ete suivie a l'aide de techniques multiples (atd, atg, diffraction x, analyse chimique). La structure cristalline a la temperature ambiante de alpha-na#7fe#3(p#2o#7)#4 et beta-na#7fe#3(as#2o#7) a ete etablie. La forme alpha, qui est une surstructure de la forme beta, est caracterisee par un ordre a longue distance des ions sodium. Ces composes sont echangeurs des cations et des conducteurs de performances moderees; les mesures sur monocristaux revelent que la conduction est essentiellement bidimensionnelle. La seconde partie de ce travail est consacree a la resolution de la structure de plusieurs arseniates na#3m#2(aso#4)#3. Ils cristallisent sous deux formes qui different considerablement par leurs proprietes de transport de cations. Les caracteristiques structurales des composes na#3m#2(aso#4)#3 (m=cr, fe) de forme grenat sont peu favorables a la mobilite des ions na#+. Na#7fe#4(aso#4)#6 differe du compose stchiometrique na#3fe#2(aso#4)#3 rhomboedrique par l'occupation totale du site na(2) et la presence sur le site fe(1) de fer a l'etat fe#2#+. Na#3al#2(aso#4)#3 presente a la temperature ambiante une distorsion monoclinique (groupe d'espace c2) associee a un ordre a longue distance des ions sodium.

Ce projet doctoral a été réalisé au laboratoire BioMaps de l'Université Paris-Saclay et au CMPBME de l'Université Médicale de Vienne. Afin d’améliorer la valeur diagnostique de l'IRM, il est souhaitable de réduire les durées d’acquisition, d’avoir une prise en charge plus efficace des patients et une meilleure qualité des images. Dans ce but, une instrumentation portable avec un matériel optimisé permettrait de réduire le poids, d’augmenter la flexibilité et de transmettre sans fil les signaux RMN, améliorant ainsi la sensibilité, le confort, la sécurité et la facilité d'utilisation de ces dispositifs.Dans ce contexte, nous avons étudié des antennes RF souples à câbles coaxiaux basées sur le principe des résonateurs à lignes à transmission. Ces résonateurs, pouvant posséder plusieurs tours et/ou plusieurs fentes, permettent d'optimiser la taille de l’antenne RF en fonction de l'application visée. Le concept a d'abord été étudiée in silico. De nombreux prototypes ont été construits et leurs performances ont été testées sur table et en IRM à 3 et 7 T. Les antennes coaxiales ont révélé avoir des performances robustes à la déformation, ne dégradent pas le TAS et peuvent améliorer le RSB et l'efficacité de transmission lorsqu'elles sont conformées au relief de la zone imagée. En parallèle, nous avons mené une étude approfondie des technologies de transmission sans fil en IRM. Un premier prototype de communication optique sans fil pour la transmission de données de capteurs de mouvements a été réalisé et testé. Les antennes coaxiales portables que nous avons étudiées offrent une alternative intéressante aux antennes standard en raison de leur faible poids et de leur flexibilité<br>This PhD thesis work was conducted at the BioMaps laboratory at the Université Paris-Saclay and the Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering (CMPBME) at the Medical University of Vienna.To improve diagnostic value in MRI, shorter acquisitions, more efficient patient handling and improved image quality are needed. Wearable technology with optimized hardware reduces weight, increases flexibility, and could be wireless, thereby improving sensitivity, comfort, safety, and usability.In this work, flexible self-resonant coaxial transmission line resonators were investigated. Coaxial coils with multiple turns and gaps enable size optimization depending on the target application. The design was first studied in silico. Numerous prototypes were constructed and their performance was tested on the bench and in 3 and 7 T MRI. Coaxial coils were shown to be robust against bending, have no SAR penalty and improve SNR and transmit efficiency when form-fitted.A review of wireless MR, associated hardware developments and data transmission technology is given.An optical wireless communication module for sensor data transmission was demonstrated experimentally.Wearable coaxial coils offer an attractive alternative to standard coils due to low weight and flexibility. With wireless motion sensors diagnostic value in e.g. breast, knee, or cardiac MRI could be increased

The 12C+16O breakup of 28Si and the 12C+12C breakup of 24Mg have been studied following the interaction of a 170 MeV 24Mg beam with 7Li, 9Be,12C and 16O target nuclei. The measurements were performed at the Australian National University in Canberra, using the technique of Resonant Particle Spectroscopy. The breakup fragments from the decay of the resonant nuclei were detected in two Gas-Si-CsI telescopes positioned on opposite sides of the beam axis. The data suggest that the same states in 28Si are populated via the 7Li(24Mg, 12C 16O)3H, 9Be(24Mg,12C 16O)5He and 12c(24Mg,12C 16O)8Be reactions. This implies that the cluster decaying states are populated by direct a-transfer. Breakup has been observed from states in 28Si at excitation energies (spins) of (26.15), 28.17 (13-, 29.51, 29.95, 30.45, 30.76, (31.3), 31.65, 31.90, 32.51, 33.14, 33.41, 33.77, 34.45 (12+,14+) and 35.13 MeV. A consistent theoretical interpretation of the 28Si molecular structures has been given, taking into account the predictions of Nilsson-Strutinsky, a-cluster model and two centre shell model calculations. The present results for the 12C(24Mg,12C 12C)12C reaction agree with previous measurements. In addition, new spin assignments have been proposed for several of the breakup states in 24Mg. States have been observed at excitation energies (spins) of 20.54 (2+), 21.07 (4+), 21.88 (4+), 22.33 (4+), 22.90 (6+), 23.80 (6+,(8+)), 24.56 (8+), 25.14 (6+), 25.72, 26.41 (8+) and 27.12 MeV. Evidence for the population of many of these states via the 16O(24Mg,12C 12C)16O reaction has also been observed. However, the data gave no evidence for either the 7Li(24Mg,12C 12C)7Li or 9Be(24Mg,12C 12C)9Be reactions. The presently available information did not allow an unambiguous determination of the reaction mechanism responsible for the population of the 24Mg breakup states. The performance of the Gas-Si-Csl telescopes has been investigated. For multiplicity 2 events in the silicon strip detectors, a crosstalk has been observed between the two active strips. The energy calibration of the silicon strip detectors for penetrating particles has also been found to differ to that for stopped particles. Empirical corrections for both of these effects have been deduced allowing the simultaneous detection and identification of heavy and light ions within a single telescope. These techniques have been extended to the detection of 8Be &rarr; alpha+alpha events over a wide range of alpha-particle energies.

L’entraînement par application d’un champ externe s'est révélé être un moyen efficace d'améliorer la déformation induite par champ magnétique (Magnetic-Field-Induced Strain MFIS) dans les alliages Heusler de type Ni-Mn-Ga, en éliminant les variantes défavorables. Pour guider la procédure de l’entraînement, les mécanismes de l’entraînement des alliages à martensite 5M ou NM ont été étudiés, alors que ceux des alliages à martensite 7M ne sont pas entièrement clarifiés. Dans ce travail, les mécanismes de l’entraînement mécanique et thermomécanique ont été étudiés en analysant l'évolution de la microstructure et de l'orientation cristallographique au cours de ces processus. Tout d'abord, des caractérisations de microstructure et d'orientation cristallographique ont été réalisées dans l'état recuit sur l'alliage Ni50Mn30Ga20 préparé par solidification directionnelle. Cinq colonies transformées à partir d'un grain parent d'austénite ont été observées avec chaque colonie consistant en quatre variantes avec les relations d’orientation de Type-I, Type-II et composé transformation (TrF)-macle rapports. En supposant une charge de compression appliquée le long de la direction de solidification (SD), les cinq colonies pourraient être divisées en deux groupes par rapport au facteur de Schmid (Schmid Factor SF) des systèmes de démaclage de Type-I/Type-II TrF-macle des variantes dans la colonie : trois d'entre eux ont des SF élevés et désignés comme des colonies élevées de SF et les deux autres colonies de SF inférieurs. Ensuite, une compression unidirectionnelle a été effectuée sur l'alliage avec la charge appliquée le long de SD. En caractérisant l'évolution de la microstructure et le changement d'orientation cristallographique, les mécanismes de déformation ont été analysés. La déformation au stade précoce était principalement située dans certaines bandes initiées à partir des colonies de SF élevés et traversant les colonies de SF inférieurs. Le démaclage de Type-II/Type-I TrF-macle s'est produit principalement dans des colonies de SF élevés, ce qui a entraîné l'épaississement des variantes 7M favorables au détriment des variantes adjacentes. Les systèmes de maclage de Type-I/Type-II déformation (DeF)-macle et de réarrangement des variantes dans les colonies de SF inférieurs ont été activés, ce qui a entraîné la formation de nouvelles variantes 7M et NM. Les déformations correspondantes dans les colonies de SF inférieurs sont fortement coordonnées avec celles des colonies de SF élevés permettant la formation des bandes de déformation et l'accommodation de la déformation macroscopique. Au cours du stade avancé, le maclage de Type-I/Type-II DeF-macle et le réarrangement ont progressé pour coordonner la déformation macroscopique. Le processus de réarrangement inverse a été activé pour accommoder la déformation locale. Les nombres de colonies et de variantes sont considérablement réduits. Le chemin et le produit de la transformation martensitique ont également été fortement influencés par la déformation macroscopique imposée. Sous une petite charge, l'austénite transformée en martensite 5M suit à la fois l’OR Pitsch et une nouvelle OR plutôt que le martensite 7M auto-accommodée sous l’OR Pitsch. Avec l'augmentation de la charge appliquée, l'austénite s'est transformée presque simultanément en martensite 7M sous une nouvelle OR et en martensite 5M. Après la transformation martensitique, 5M s’est ensuite transformé en martensite 7M avec la diminution de la température sous la charge appliquée. La transformation martensitique a été modifiée par la contrainte externe en termes de produit de la transformation et de chemin de transformation pour accommoder la déformation macroscopique imposée. Ce travail offre de nouvelles idées sur les mécanismes de déformation des alliages Ni-Mn-Ga [...]<br>External field training is proven to be an effective way to improve the magnetic-field-induced strain (MFIS) in Ni-Mn-Ga Heusler type alloys by eliminating the unfavorable variants. To guide the training procedure, the training mechanisms of alloys with 5M or NM martensite have been investigated, whereas those for alloys with 7M martensite are not fully clarified. In this work, the mechanisms of mechanical and thermo-mechanical training were studied by analyzing the microstructure and crystallographic orientation evolution during these processes.Firstly, microstructure and crystallographic characterizations were performed on the as-annealed Ni50Mn30Ga20 alloy. 5 colonies transformed from one parent austenite grain were observed with each colony consisting of four variants with Type-I, Type-II and compound Transformation (TrF)-twin relations. By assuming an applied compressive load along the solidification direction (SD), 5 colonies could be divided into two groups with respect of the Schmid factor (SF) of detwinning systems of Type-I/Type-II TrF-twin of the in-colony variants: three of them have high SF and referred to as high SF colonies and the other two low SF colonies.Then unidirectional compression was performed on the alloy with the load applied along the SD. By characterizing the microstructure evolution and crystallographic orientation change, the deformation mechanisms were analyzed. The deformation in the early stage was mainly located in some band regions initiated from the high SF colonies and going through the low SF colonies. The detwinning of Type-II/Type-I TrF-twin occurred primarily in high SF colonies, resulting in the thickening of the favorable 7M variants at the expense of the adjacent variants. The twinning of Type-I/Type-II Deformation (DeF)-twin and shuffling systems of the variants in low SF colonies were activated, leading to the formation of new 7M variants and NM. The corresponding strains in the low SF colonies were highly coordinated with those in the high SF colonies allowing the formation of the deformation bands and the accommodation of the macroscopic strain. During the late stage, twinning of Type-I/Type-II DeF-twin and shuffling further progressed to coordinate the macroscopic strain. Reverse shuffling process was activated to accommodate the local deformation. The numbers of colony and variant were greatly reduced.The path and the product of martensitic transformation were also strongly affected by the imposed macroscopic deformation. Under a small load, austenite transformed to 5M martensite following both the Pitsch and a new OR rather than the self-accommodated 7M martensite under the Pitsch OR. With the increase of the applied load, austenite transformed almost simultaneously to 7M martensite under a new OR and 5M martensite. After the martensitic transformation, 5M further transformed to 7M martensite with the decrease of the temperature under the applied load. The martensitic transformation was modified by the external stress in terms of the transformation product and the transformation strain path to accommodate the imposed macroscopic deformation.This work offers new insights into the deformation mechanisms of the Ni-Mn-Ga alloys under unidirectional compression that are useful for the design of effective training procedures and provides new perspectives on further investigations of external field training on Ni-Mn-Ga alloys

The growth of multimedia content in recent years motivated the research on audio classification and content retrieval area. In this thesis, a general environmental audio classification and retrieval approach is proposed in which higher level semantic classes (outdoor, nature, meeting and violence) are obtained from lower level acoustic classes (emergency alarm, car horn, gun-shot, explosion, automobile, motorcycle, helicopter, wind, water, rain, applause, crowd and laughter). In order to classify an audio sample into acoustic classes, MPEG-7 audio features, Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) feature and Zero Crossing Rate (ZCR) feature are used with Hidden Markov Model (HMM) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers. Additionally, a new classification method is proposed using Genetic Algorithm (GA) for classification of semantic classes. Query by Example (QBE) and keyword-based query capabilities are implemented for content retrieval.

Trabalho Final do Mestrado Integrado em Medicina apresentado à Faculdade de Medicina<br>Introdução: GAD-7 é um questionário de rastreio do “Transtorno da Ansiedade Generalizada”, concebido para ser utilizado por profissionais de saúde, uma vez que todas as respostas devem ser verificadas, garantindo que o respondente compreendeu todas as perguntas. O diagnóstico definitivo é, no entanto, elaborado tendo por base fundamentos clínicos, bem como outras informações relevantes que o utente possa fornecer, nomeadamente, sintomas de Ansiedade Generalizada presentes no DSM-V. Um diagnóstico de Transtorno de Ansiedade Generalizada não deve, assim, ser feito com base exclusiva no resultado do questionário Gad-7.Objetivo: Adaptação cultural e validação da escala GAD-7 para população jovem emPortuguês Europeu; Validação populacional concorrente pela confrontação analítica com variáveis envolvidas na causa da ansiedade, nomeadamente a qualidade de vida, a família e a satisfação com a escola, com recurso às escalas: European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions youth, Apgar familiar e “Escala de faces”, para conhecimento da satisfação com a escola.Métodos: Após a devida autorização dos autores ingleses e da Comissão de Ética, foi feita a tradução, verificação linguística da melhor adaptação ao original inglês e retro-tradução. Seguiu-se a aplicação a 15 crianças e adolescentes em Unidade de Saúde Familiar e em meio hospitalar, em Coimbra, para avaliar a confiabilidade e compreensibilidade da escala. Conhecidas as boas confiabilidade e compreensibilidade da escala, esta foi aplicada no universo de alunos de Agrupamento de Escolas em Coimbra, que apresentaram o consentimento informado por escrito dos pais ou encarregados de educação, sendo o questionário aplicado no mesmo tempo letivo a todos os alunos. A amostra do estudo compreendeu alunos entre os 6 e os 16 anos de idade e o questionário foi anónimo, para os investigadores. A Psicóloga do Agrupamento de Escolas teve a prorrogativa de ter a indicação de todos os respondedores com valores considerados anormais, para seu estudo. Foi efetuado o cálculo do tamanho da amostra com margem de erro de 5% e intervalo de confiança de 95%. Como caracterização epidemiológica foram inquiridos o sexo e a idade. Do questionário faziam ainda parte o European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 3-Level(EQ5Dy), o APGAR familiar e uma “Escala de faces” de tipo Lickert para conhecimento de ajuste à escola. Foram realizadas estatística descritiva e inferencial por meio de testes não paramétricos dada a não normalidade das variáveis numéricas e a correlação de Spearman.Resultados: Na adaptação cultural da escala participaram um total de 15 crianças, tendo a escala GAD-7 apresentado um tempo mediano de preenchimento de 2 minutos, tempo médio de 1,73 minutos, tempo máximo 3 min e confiabilidade pelo teste Alfa de Cronbach de 0,934, sem notas de incompreensibilidade. O teste-retest com 10 minutos, em média, de tempo entre ambas as aplicações, revelou ρ=0,866, p<0,001.Na fase seguinte do estudo participaram um total de 239 participantes, n=111 (46,4%) do sexo feminino, tendo-se obtido boa consistência interna de respostas com alfa de Cronbach 0,707 na análise de grupo, não revelando variação de respostas em função do sexo. Para n=32 (13,4%) casos há scores de ansiedade que merecem, de acordo com o questionário, avaliação de um profissional de saúde competente, tal como garantido pelo protocolo. Quanto à idade, até aos 10 anos inclusive, verifica-se um valor de GAD-7 médio de 11,41 e para idades maiores que os 11 anos de 12,12 (p=0,085).Verifica-se correlação positiva entre as escalas GAD-7 e EQ5Dy (ρ=0,509, p<0,001) e se nos focarmos mais especificamente na questão número 5 da escala EQD5y, ao fazer-se, também, a correlação com a GAD-7, verificamos que esta é positiva fraca e significativa (ρ=0,398, p<0,001). A correlação com o APGAR familiar demonstrou ser negativa e significativa (ρ=-0,259, p<0,001). No que se refere à satisfação escolar percebemos que existe correlação positiva (ρ=0,290, p<0,001) com a escala de “Escala de faces”.Verificou-se uma correlação positiva entre a escala EQD5y e a “Escala de faces” (ρ=0,287, p<0,001) e uma correlação negativa entre o APGAR e a “Escala de faces” (ρ=-0,239, p<0,001). Na estatística de grupo por idade, relativamente ao sexo, não se verificam diferenças para a escala GAD, com p=0,085 bem como o APGAR familiar (p=0,051). Pelo contrário na escala EQ5DY as raparigas pontuam mais (p<0,001) significando pior estado de qualidade de vida. Conclusões: A GAD-7, revelou-se uma ferramenta confiável e fiável com Alfa de Cronbach 0,932, podendo ser aplicada sem qualquer restrição, no intervalo de idades estudadas [6-16 anos]. Tem como vantagem o escasso tempo de preenchimento, máximo de 3 min.Na validação concorrente constatou-se que o ambiente familiar, a qualidade de vida e a satisfação com a escola fazem variar o resultado da escala GAD para rastreio da ansiedade nas crianças/jovens, influenciando-se, também, entre si.<br>Introduction: GAD-7 is a "Generalized Anxiety Disorder" screening questionnaire, designed for health care professionals use, since all responses must be verified, ensuring that the respondent understands all the questions. The definitive diagnosis is, however, based on clinical aspects as well as other relevant information, such as Generalized Anxiety symptoms present in the DSM-V. A diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder should therefore not be made solely on the basis of the result of the GAD-7 questionnaire. Objective: Cross cultural adaptation and linguistic validation of the GAD-7 questionnaire to European Portuguese. Concomitant population validation by confrontation analysis with possible factors involved in the cause of anxiety, in particular, quality of life, family life and satisfaction with the school. The tools used to evaluate these parameters were: “European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions youth”, “Family Apgar” and “Scale of faces”, to know the satisfaction with the school.Methods: Following authorization by the English authors and ethics committee, the translation was made and linguistic verification of the best adaptation to the original English and back translation was conducted. The questionnaire was then applied to 15 children and adolescents in a Family Health Unit and in a hospital in Coimbra to evaluate the questionnaire’s reliability and comprehensibility. The questionnaire was shown to have good reliability and comprehensibility. The questionnaire was applied at the same time to all students in a secondary school, in the district of Coimbra, that presented with written informed consent from their parents or guardians. The study sample was comprised bystudents aged between 6 to 16; the questionnaire was anonymous for the researchers. ThePsychologist of the School Group identified all the responders with values considered abnormal for further study. The sample size was calculated with a margin of error of 5% and a 95% confidence interval. As part of an epidemiological characterization, gender and age were surveyed. Alongside the questionnaire, the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions (EQ5Dy), the familiar APGAR and Lickert type "Face Scale" for knowledge regarding adjustment to the school, were also used. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using non-parametric tests, given the non-normality of the numerical variables and the Spearman correlation.Results: A total of 15 children participated in the cross cultural adaptation of the questionnaire, with the GAD-7 questionnaire presenting a median time of completion of 2 minutes, mean time of 1.73 minutes, maximum time of 3 minutes and reliability by the Cronbach Alpha test of 0.934, without notes of incomprehensibility. The test-retest with an average time of 10 minutes between the two applications revealed ρ=0.866, p<0.001. In the next phase of the study, a total of 239 individuals participated, n=111 (46.4%) females, and the internal consistency of responses with Cronbach's alpha 0.707 was obtained in the group analysis, not revealing a variation of responses according to sex. For n=32 (13.4%) cases,there was scores of anxiety which, according to the questionnaire, warrant evaluation by a competent health professional, as guaranteed by the protocol. In regard to age, up to and including 10 years there is a mean GAD-7 value of 11.41 and for ages greater than 11 years of 12.12 (p=0.085).There is a positive correlation between the GAD-7 and EQ5Dy (ρ=0.509, p<0.001) and more specifically correlation with question number 5 of the EQD5y questionnaire, that reveals a weakly positive and significant (ρ=0.398, p<0.001). On the other hand, the correlation with the family APGAR was negative with a Spearman correlation of (ρ= -0.259, p<0.001). Regarding school satisfaction, we noticed that there is a positive correlation (ρ=0.290, p<0.001) between the "Face Scale" questionnaire and GAD-7. There was a positive correlation between the EQD5y questionnaire and the "Face scale" (ρ=0.287, p<0.001) and a negative correlation between APGAR and "Face scale" (ρ= -0.239, p<0.001). In group-by-age statistics, for sex, there were no differences for the GAD questionnaire, with p=0.085 nor for the family APGAR (p=0.051). On the contrary, on the EQ5DY questionnaire girls score higher (p<0.001), which means worse quality of life.Conclusions: In this study, GAD-7 proved to be a reliable tool to be applied without restrictions within the age ranges studied [6-16 years]. It is a brief self fulfilling scale. In this concurrent validation we were verified that family environment, quality of life and satisfaction with the school can influence its results.

An experiment studying the effects of photoassociation in a quantum degenerate gas of 7Li bosons has been performed in a permanent magnet trap. A saturation in the one-photon photoassociation rate and a shift in the resonance due to the applied light field from the 2S 1/2 ground state to the 2P1/2 v ' = 83 excited molecular vibrational state have been measured and compared with theory. Limitations in the ability of the permanent magnet apparatus to study photoassociation in a Bose-Einstein condensate have prompted the development of a magneto-optical trap and an electro-magnetic trap. These new traps will assist in the process of creating a large BEC where the effects of photoassociation will be studied.

碩士<br>國立中央大學<br>土木工程研究所<br>98<br>Landsat-7 ETM Plus, one of latest satellite in Landsat series, is capable of acquiring images with spatial resolution in 30 meters and swath in 185 kilometers. The specifications make it possible to monitor the earth surface for a relatively large scale area. This performance is attributed to its whisk-broom sensor with 14.7 degrees FOV. However, the Scan Line Corrector (SLC) used to compensate the forward motion of whisk-broom sensor has malfunctioned on May 31, 2003. As a result, the images acquired from Landsat-7 have data gaps that occupy about 22% of the entire scene. Because of distribution of gapped pixels, Landsat-7 ETM Plus SLC-off images are difficult to use. Consequently, the methods used to fill the gaps on Landsat 7 images become an important issue in the study of image processing. In this study, a two-stage approach for filling the gapped pixels of Landsat-7 image is proposed. In the first stage, filling by mapping method is employed. The first stage is to fill the gapped pixels with other reference images through a mapping process. The method particularly makes an effort to erase changed pixels between the working and reference images. These changed pixels are filled by second stage. In the second stage, filling by interpolating method is used to fill the gapped areas that fail to fill in the first stage. The second stage is to fill the gapped pixels by interpolating the non-gapped pixels that neighbor to them. No matter simulated case or real case, experimental results indicate that gap-filled images are complete and accurate.

The entire world including Saudi Arabia is dependent on natural gas to provide new energy supplies for the future. Conventional ways for gas separation are expensive, and, hence, it is very important to reduce the cost and lower the energy consumption. Membrane technology is a relatively new separation process for natural gas purification with large growth potential, specifically for off-shore applications. The economics of any membrane separation process depend primarily on the intrinsic gas permeation properties of the membrane materials. All current commercial membranes for natural gas separation are made from polymers, which have several drawbacks, including low permeability, moderate selectivity, and poor stability in acid gas and hydrocarbon environments. The recent development of polymeric materials called “polymers of intrinsic microporosity” (PIMs) provide a new class of high-performance membrane materials that are anticipated to be used in natural gas separation processes including, but not limited to, acid gas removal and separation of hydrocarbons from methane. PIM-7 is an excellent example of a material from the PIMs series for gas separation. It was selected for this work since it has not been extensively tested for its gas permeation properties to date. Specifically, sorption and mixed-gas permeation data were not available for PIM-7 prior to this work. Sorption isotherms of N2, O2, CH4, CO2, C2H6, C3H8 and n-C4H10 were determined over a range of pressures at 35 oC for PIM-7 using a custom-designed dual-volume pressure decay system. Condensable hydrocarbon gases, such as C3H8 and n-C4H10, show significantly higher solubility than the other less condensable gas of the test series due to their high affinity to the polymer matrix. Dual-mode sorption model parameters were determined from the sorption isotherms. Henry’s law solubility, Langmuir capacity constant and the affinity constant increased with gas condensability. Permeability coefficients of He, H2, N2, O2, CH4, CO2, C2H6, C3H8 and n-C4H10 were measured at 35 oC and 2 atm feed pressure using a home-made constant-volume/variable pressure pure-gas permeation system. Hydrocarbon-induced plasticization of PIM-7 was confirmed by measuring the permeability coefficients of C3H8 and n-C4H10 as function of pressure at 35 oC. Diffusion coefficients were calculated from the permeability and solubility data at 2 atm for all penetrants tested and as function of pressure for C3H8 and n-C4H10; the values for C3 and C4 increased significantly with pressure because of plasticization. Physical aging was studied by measuring the permeability coefficients of a number of gases in fresh and aged films. Mixed-gas permeation tests were performed for a feed mixture of 2 vol% n-butane and 98 vol% methane. Based on BET surface area measurements using N2 as a probe molecule, PIM-7 is a microporous polymer (S = 690 m2/g) and it was expected to exhibit selectivity for n-butane over methane, as previously observed for other microporous polymers, such as PIM-1 and PTMSP. Surprisingly, PIM-7 is more permeable to methane than n-butane and exhibits a mixed-gas methane/n-butane selectivity of up to 2.3. This result indicates that the micropore size in PIM-7 is smaller than that in other PIMs materials. Consequently, PIM-7 is not a suitable candidate membrane material for separation of higher hydrocarbons from methane.

碩士<br>國立中興大學<br>分子生物學研究所<br>101<br>Abstract GA 2-oxidases (GA2oxs) is a class of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (2-ODDs), could deactivate bioactive and precursor form of Gibberellins (GAs) by 2β-hydroxylation. According to previous studies, 10 putative GA 2-oxidases are identified in rice genome; however, OsGA2ox4, OsGA2ox7 and GA2ox8 have not studied yet. In order to confirm whether the OsGA2ox4, OsGA2ox7 and GA2ox8 protein possessed the enzyme function of GA 2-oxidase, two approaches were used in this study. One approach was overexpressing the OsGA2ox4, OsGA2ox7 and GA2ox8 genes ecotopically in TNG67. The second approach was utilizing the T-DNA mutant OsGA2ox4ACT (M97597), OsGA2ox7ACT (M85372) and OsGA2ox8ACT (M61685) with the expectation of the target gene actived. The phenotype of GA deficiency in rice is dwarfism. Therefore, the plant height of transgenic plants differed to TNG67 suggest that whether OsGA2ox4, OsGA2ox7 and GA2ox8 protein possessed the enzyme function of GA 2-oxidase. The target gene were overexpressed in transgenic construct ubi:GA2ox4 and ubi:GA2ox7 but not in ubi:GA2ox8. The averge plant height of ubi:GA2ox4 was 5.4 cm, the plant height of ubi:GA2ox7 was 66 cm. The expression level of OsGA2ox4 was clearly associated to its plant height in ubi:OsGA2ox4. As for the ubi:OsGA2ox8 transgenic plant, the OsGA2ox8 gene was not overexpressed by ubiquitin promoter and the plant height was similar to TNG67. Therefore, the activity of OsGA2ox8 could not be identified in this approach. In the second approach, among three T-DNA mutants, OsGA2ox4Act (M97597) and OsGA2ox7Act (M85372) T-DNA mutant showed the same plant height as that of TNG67, but OsGA2ox8Act (M61685) showed semi-dwarf indicated OsGA2ox8 possessed the function of GA 2-oxidase. Taking together the result from transgenic and T-DNA mutant approach, I conclude that OsGA2ox4, OsGA2ox7 and OsGA2ox8 possessed enzyme function of GA 2-oxidase.

碩士<br>國立成功大學<br>微電子工程研究所<br>104<br>As the semiconductor industry continues to advance, it has encountered many physical limitations, mostly related to short-channel effects (SCEs). Below node 22, the multi-gate structure has become the solution to improve the gate controllability. In this thesis, we benchmark 6T-SRAM of GAA MOSFETs and FinFETs and present the performance of both devices. We find that GAA MOSFETs with stacking technique provide higher drive current (per pitch) than FinFETs do. However the intrinsic delay (CV/ID) property is contrary. Static random access memory (SRAM) occupies a large portion of die size and consumes most of the standby leakages. 6T-SRAM has been designed as different configurations for high density (HD), low voltage (LV) and high performance (HP). Using a calibrated compact model, we can project the SNM and writeability of the 6T-SRAM for both devices in different configurations. And the characteristics of 6T-SRAM for all combination are demonstrated. The yield estimation is also done by the calibrated macro-model. The yield estimation and the minimum cell operation voltage (Vmin) for all design combinations of SRAM are presented in this work. By adjusting the channel width of the pass-gate devices, we optimize the GAA MOSFET SRAM in LV configuration to improve Vmin. However, this method can not be used for FinFETs. Although it suffers from the area penalty, the GAA MOSFETs show the potential for SRAM design.

There is a concern in Lesotho about inequalities in different sectors including inequalities that exist between females and males in schools. Closing the gender gap between males and females, girls and boys is the government's priority, hence the recent Gender and Development Policy, 2002. The project was conducted with the purpose of exploring the reasons that contribute to pupils' gendered performance in mathematics. In this regard, the focus was put on reasons behind girls' poor performance in mathematics. This report presents and discusses the results of a research which was conducted in Qacha's Nek - Lesotho. The project made some observations based on the questionnaire data gathered from four primary schools. The data provided some useful insights into girls' attitudes, behavior and perceptions towards mathematics, and it also provided insights into teachers' attitudes, expectations and perceptions about girls and their learning of mathematics. The research also provided evidence that there are different social factors that contribute to girls' poor performance in mathematics. Some of those factors concern parents, teachers, classroom process, peers and girls themselves. The analysis of the results and subsequent discussion suggests reasons that may be useful in terms of helping to explain pupils' gendered performance in mathematics and in the continued search for strategies that could improve girls' poor performance in this subject. Schools could be creative in the strategies that they can adopt to tackle gender differences. With this in mind, teachers and pupils were asked to suggest possible solutions that could be employed in trying to combat the problem of the gendered performance in mathematics hence noticeable improvement in girls' performance in this subject.<br>Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

<p>The work presented in this thesis explores two distinct fields of organometallic chemistry with a common goal of selectively transforming cheap and abundant feedstocks to value-added chemicals using homogeneous catalysts.</p> <p>Chapter 1 presents the synthesis and characterization of a series of bis(diphenylphosphino)amine ligands and their corresponding chromium(III) trichloride complexes. The isolated chromium complexes are precursors to highly active catalysts for the selective oligomerization of ethylene to 1-hexene and 1-octene. The unique feature of the ligands presented herein is the presence of coordinating functionalities tethered to the nitrogen backbone. These act as hemilabile donors, which stabilize the active species and/or transition states during catalysis. This increased stability leads to more productive catalysts. Furthermore, important solvent and additive effects have been investigated. While reactions in non-polar solvents exhibit poor activity at lower ethylene pressures, those in more polar solvents are highly active and generate very little undesired polymer. Varying the solvent has a significant impact on 1-hexene/1-octene selectivity as well. Experiments with potentially coordinating additives result in a higher tendency for 1-octene formation. An investigation of catalyst decomposition is also discussed.</p> <p>Chapter 2 presents synthetic, structural and reactivity studies on a series of Group 7 carbonyl derivatives relevant to synthesis gas conversion. Reduction of the carbonyl precursors with a hydride source generates the corresponding formyl species. This reaction is facilitated when more electrophilic carbonyl complexes are employed. Neutral and cationic Fischer carbene complexes were prepared by the reaction of the formyl species with boranes and alkyltriflates, respectively. Further reduction of Group 7 methoxycarbenes with a hydride leads to the formation of a reactive methoxymethyl species. Dimethyl ether release is obtained from treatment of a manganese methoxymethyl species with a hydride. Moreover, subjecting manganese methoxymethyl complexes to an atmosphere of CO generates acyl complexes via migratory insertion. Preliminary mechanistic details are presented.</p>