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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Potential losses'
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Aybar-Damali, Begum Z. "The enabling potential of losses in later life linking constraints to selective optimization with compensation /." Connect to this title online, 2007. http://etd.lib.clemson.edu/documents/1202500131/.
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Ghumrawi, Marwa Jamal. "Potential for Nitrogen Losses from On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems on Poorly Drained Soils to Curtain Drains." The Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1471876488.
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Mumford, Majella. "Quantifying denitrification losses from intensively managed pastures and evaluating the mitigation potential of irrigation and fertiliser management." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2021. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/208421/1/Majella_Mumford_Thesis.pdf.
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This thesis investigated the effect of irrigation and rainfall on nitrogen (N) cycling and fertiliser efficiency in subtropical pastures. Data gathered from field trials suggested that large rainfall events play a significant role in soil microbial processes and N losses, but by using irrigation to prevent the excessive drying of the soil profile, N losses can be reduced and pasture yield increased. Field data was then used to simulate field management scenarios in the biogeochemical model, LandscapeDNDC and seasonal irrigation and fertiliser recommendations were able to be made to maximise profitability and environmental sustainability in response to changing rainfall conditions.
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Flores, Diego Gonzalo. "Asymmetry of Gains and Losses: Behavioral and Electrophysiological Measures." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2016. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/6578.
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The purpose of this research was to explore the effects of small monetary or economic gains and/or losses on choice behavior through the use of a computerized game and to determine gain/loss ratio differences using both behavioral and electrophysiological measures. Participants (N=53) played the game in several 36 minute sessions. These sessions operated with concurrent variable-interval schedules for both rewards and penalties. Previously, asymmetrical effects of gains and losses have been identified through cognitive studies, primarily due to the work of nobel laureates Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky (1979). They found that the effect of a loss is twice (i.e., 2:1) that of a gain. Similar results have been observed in the behavioral laboratory as exemplified by the research of Rasmussen and Newland (2008), who found a 3:1 ratio for the effect of losses versus gains. The asymmetry of gains and losses was estimated behaviorally and through event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and the cognitive (Kahneman and Tversky) and behavioral (Rasmussen and Newland) discrepancy elucidated. In the game, the player moves an animated submarine around sea rocks to collect yellow coins and other treasures on the sea floor. Upon collecting a coin, one of three things can happen: The player triggers a penalty (loss), the player triggers a payoff (gain), or there is no change. The behavioral measures consisted in counting the number of clicks, reinforces, and punishers and then determining ratio differences between punished (loss) and no punished condition (gain) conditions. The obtained gain/loss ratio corresponded to an asymmetry of 2:1. Similarly ratio differences were found between male and female, virtual money and cash, risk averse versus risk seeking, and generosity versus profit behavior. Also, no ratio difference was found when players receive information about other player's performances in the game (players with information versus players without information). In electroencephalographic (EEG) studies, visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and ERPs components (e.g., P300) were examined. I found increased ERP amplitudes for the losses in relation to the gains that corresponded to the calculated behavioral asymmetry of 2:1. A correlational strategy was adopted that sought to identify neural correlates of choice consistent with cognitive and behavioral approaches. In addition, electro cortical ratio differences were observed between different sets of electrodes that corresponded to the front, middle, and back sections of the brain; differences between sessions, risk averse and risk seeking behavior and sessions with concurrent visual and auditory stimuli and only visual were also estimated.
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Alvarado, Marie L. "A risk assessment of human-robot interface operations to control the potential of injuries/losses at XYZ manufacturing company." Online version, 2002. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/2002/2002alvaradom.pdf.
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Mizuno, Jun. "Numerical Analyses of Potential Losses of Freshwater Resources in Coastal Aquifers Caused by Global Climate Change Using an Appropriate Boundary Condition." The Ohio State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1213328150.
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Figueiredo, Nuno Miguel Ramos. "Dinâmica do azoto em campos alagados para produção de arroz em Salvaterra de Magos." Master's thesis, ISA/UTL, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/4479.
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Lundberg, Camilla. "An inventory of the saving potential at Fortum's hydropower plants : with respect to the wicket gate leakage and transformers' no-load losses." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för teknikvetenskaper, 2005. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-162868.
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Link, Eva Johanna. "Investigation and modeling of the optimization potential of adapted nitrogen fertilization strategies in corn cropping systems with regard to minimize nitrogen losses." [S.l. : s.n.], 2005. http://www.bsz-bw.de/cgi-bin/xvms.cgi?11410.
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Worthington, Christine Maria. "Timing of climatic factors that may influence potato yield, quality, and potential nitrogen losses in a northeast Florida seepage-irrigated potato production system." [Gainesville, Fla.] : University of Florida, 2006. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/UFE0015765.
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Zimmermann, Till [Verfasser], Stefan [Akademischer Betreuer] Gößling-Reisemann, and Ester van der [Akademischer Betreuer] Voet. "Cycles of Critical Metals : Dissipative Losses and Potential Optimizations / Till Zimmermann. Betreuer: Stefan Gößling-Reisemann. Gutachter: Stefan Gößling-Reisemann ; Ester van der Voet." Bremen : Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Bremen, 2015. http://d-nb.info/108202984X/34.
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Karremann, Melanie Katharina [Verfasser], Michael [Akademischer Betreuer] Kerschgens, and Roel [Akademischer Betreuer] Neggers. "Return periods and clustering of potential losses associated with European windstorms in a changing climate / Melanie Katharina Karremann. Gutachter: Michael Kerschgens ; Roel Neggers." Köln : Universitäts- und Stadtbibliothek Köln, 2014. http://d-nb.info/1066815399/34.
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Tretera, Robin. "Návrh tepelného čerpadla pro vytápění rodinného domu." Master's thesis, Vysoké učení technické v Brně. Fakulta elektrotechniky a komunikačních technologií, 2018. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-377038.
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This diploma thesis provides basic information about the thermal pumps and photovoltaic systems. The heat pumps are described regarding their construction and sources of low potential heat. The description of photovoltaic systems explains the main principle of transformation the solar light to electric power and possible cooperation of this systems with the heat pumps. In practical part of the thesis there is a description of the assessed building and calculation of its thermal losses. It is followed by three designs of the thermal pump systems which are supposed to replace the original way of heating - the electric boiler. One of the designs is supported by photovoltaic system. The final part of the thesis provides the calculation of required heat sources for house and water heating, the operation expanses of all three heat pump designs, prices of electric energy and economical reliability of described solutions.
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Luedtke, Elin. "Minimizing Transformer No-Load Losses at Hydropower Plants : A Study of Effects from Transformer Switch-Off During Stand-by Operation." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för fysik och astronomi, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-447635.
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Hydropower is the most important power balancing resource in the Swedish electrical power system, regulating the power supply to match the load. Consequently, several hydropower plants have periods of stand-by operation where the power production is absent but where several devices within a plant are still active. Such a device is the step-up power transformer, which during stand-by operation still generates no-load energy losses. These losses can accumulate to a considerable amount of energy and costs during the long technical lifetime of the apparatus. One option to minimize these no-load energy losses is by turning the transformer off when its generating unit is in stand-by operation. However, when this transformer operational change has been explained to experts in the field, the most common response has been that a more frequent reenergizing of a transformer leads to higher risks for errors or transformer breakdowns. This study aimed to analytically investigate three effects from this operational change. First, the potential of fatigue failure for the windings due to the increased sequences of inrush current. Secondly, the thermal cycling as a consequence of change in present losses. Lastly, the energy and economic saving potentials for hydropower plants where this operational adjustment is applied. The study used both established as well as analytical tools explicitly created for this study. These were then applied on currently active transformers in different plant categories in Fortum’s hydropower fleet. The study primarily showed three things. Firstly, risk of fatigue failure due to the increased presence of inrush currents did not affect the transformer’s technical lifetime. Secondly, the thermal cycling changes were slightly larger with absent no-load losses during stand-by operation. The average temperature for the transformer decreased, which in general is seen as a positive indicator for a longer insulation lifetime and thus the transformer’s technical lifetime. Finally, the created frameworks showed the potential of saving energy and money for all plant categories, where the potential grew with the installed production capacity and the stand-by operation timeshare. Despite the simplifications made to describe the complex reality of a transformer operating in a hydropower plant, this thesis contributes to lay a foundation for future investigation of an easy adjustment to avoid unnecessary energy losses and costs for transformers in hydropower plants.
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Supapakorn, Thidaporn. "Estimating bounds for nonidentifiable parameters using potential outcomes." Diss., Rolla, Mo. : Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2008. http://scholarsmine.mst.edu/thesis/pdf/Supapakorn_09007dcc80549753.pdf.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2008.<br>Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed August 28, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 77-80).
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Riach, Douglas A. "Emergency vehicle siren noise: A potential for hearing loss." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2003. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1294.
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The purpose of this thesis was to critically investigate the noise produced by the sirens fitted to South Australian Police general patrol vehicles and calculate if this noise was of an intensity to cause noise induced hearing loss. Previous studies in Western Australia and in South Australia examined noise emissions from emergency vehicle sirens for the purpose of selecting the most suitable siren for emergency vehicles, this being the siren emitting the greatest intensity of sound. This study has researched emergency vehicle sirens from the perspective of employee exposure to siren noise. Noise levels were recorded from inside the police vehicles using a hand held digital sound level meter while the vehicle was driven under driving conditions of stationary, 60 km/h, 80 km/h and 100 km/h. Noise level readings were taken with the front windows closed and open . South Australian police sirens have three distinct settings with differing noise outputs. The change in vehicle speed was found to affect the noise intensity within the vehicle for all 3 siren types. The peak noise level recorded was with the windows open and the vehicle travelling at 100 km/h ( 95, 94 and 97 dB(A) for the three sirens respectively). Closing of the front windows when stationary and when driving at was found to reduce the noise intensity within the vehicle. The greatest reduction from closing the windows was recorded at 100 km/h. This reduction was 11, 9 and 7 dB(A) respectively for the three siren types. Siren type one was the siren normally used by the South Australian police, consequently the majority of exposure by South Australian police employees is to siren type one. These sirens produced a peak internal vehicle noise Intensity of 95 dB(A) at 100 km/h with the windows open and 84 dB(A) at 100 Km/h with the windows closed . The reading of 95 dB(A) is greater that the 90 dB(A) eight hour continuous exposure limit set by the South Australian Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act of 1986. The maximum exposure time for unprotected ears using the 90 dB(A) eight hour equivalent continuous A weighted sound pressure level (Laeq,8h) would be 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) . The assumption of this study was that noise intensity levels in excess of 90 dB(A) Laeq,8h will cause noise induced hearing loss. Therefore the noise intensity recorded from the vehicle siren tests at 100 km/h with the windows open have the potential to cause hearing loss if the duration exceeds 150 minutes. The review of existing records of vehicle pursuits showed that between January 1 1998 and December 31 2001, there were three instances where the exposure to siren noise exceeded the 150 minute exposure period. This study found the closing of the windows to reduce the noise intensity at all speeds and all sirens types to below the 90 dB(A) Laeq,8h. It is therefore recommended that all police vehicles whilst using the sirens close all windows to reduce the noise intensity within the vehicle.
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Daels, Reinout. "The potential of residentialdemand response to reduce lossesin an urban low-voltagedistribution grid." Thesis, KTH, Elkraftteknik, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-210251.
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Demand response (DR) has been widely documented as a potential solution for severalchallenges the electrical power system is facing, such as the integration of intermittentrenewable electricity generation and maintaining system reliability undera rapid, global electrification. While l ots of r esearch has been done i nto differentmarket designs and tariffing methods, less work is available on the implications ofdemand response on power grid operation, especially for the low voltage side. Thepurpose of this thesis is to estimate the impact of a demand response program on thepower losses in the low-voltage distribution network.The thesis will also contributeto the, currently limited, knowledge base on practical implementation of demandresponse by evaluating the outcome of a real-life DR pilot project. This pilot is partof smart cities development project ’Stockholm Royal Seaport’ (SRS) in the east ofStockholm.The study compared the consumption behaviour of around 400 reference consumerswith a group of 154 DR enabled apartments, that are provided with an hourly varyingelectricity tariff. The goal was to evaluate what percentage of daily consumptionis being shifted from peak to off-peak hours by the active consumers in responseto the price signal, using hourly metering data collected between the 1st of Januaryand the 22nd of March 2017. During this period, grid measurements were also collectedfrom the SRS smart grid and used to estimate the technical power losses inthe low-voltage distribution network. By combining the daily load shift of the DRconsumers and the observed daily power loss fraction in the grid, an estimation wasmade of the impact of the demand response on the grid losses. A simulation modelwas also proposed, and used to simulate the effect of load shift on losses in a givengrid situation.It was found that the DR apartments overall exhibit a load shift of 2.8% of dailyelectricity consumption towards peak hours, and have a lower average load factor(0.57 versus 0.62 for the reference group). This could either mean that the pricesignal does not sufficiently manage to change load behaviour, or that the referencegroup was not representative. However, a strong variation in average load shift wasobserved amongst the individual DR apartments, ranging from -16% (shift towardspeak hours) to 7%. Especially the most electricity consuming apartments showedpositive load shifts. No direct influence of the load shift on the level of grid losseswas found. This could be due to a too small amount of DR consumers in the grid orconfounding factors such as variations in power factor and load size. To circumventthis problem, the simulation model was used to calculate loss reductions for severalpossible reference consumer groups and their possible reactions to a price signal. Itwas found that in the SRS project, the potential for loss reductions is limited becausethe reference group are already ’good’ consumers. The maximum loss reductionwould be around 4%. For grids with severe peak consumption however, optimalloss reductions from load shifting up to 25% were found.The key take-away is that, while the technical potential for loss reduction is considerablein grids with strong peak loads, more research is needed to identify incentivesthat effectively manage to make households change their consumption behaviour.More work should also be done to find methods that can correctly evaluate loadshifts.<br>Efterfrågeflexibilitet (DR) har i stor utsträckning setts som en möjlig lösning för flerautmaningar som elsystemet står inför, till exempel integration av intermittent förnybarelproduktion och för att upprätthålla tillförlitligheten i elsystem under en snabb, globalelektrifiering. Medan mycket forskning har gjorts i olika marknadslösningar ochtariffsystem är mindre arbete tillgängligt om konsekvenserna av efterfrågeflexibilitetpå elnätet, speciellt för lågspänningssidan. Syftet med detta examensarbete är attuppskatta inverkan av ett efterfrågeflexibilitetprogram på förluster ilågspänningsdistributionsnätet. Rapporten kommer också att bidra till den förnärvarande begränsade kunskapsbasen om praktisk genomförande avefterfrågeflexibilitet genom att utvärdera resultatet av ett verkligt DR-pilotprojekt.Denna pilot är en del av ett utvecklingsprojekt för smarta städer "Stockholm RoyalSeaport" (SRS) i östra delen av Stockholm.Studien jämförde konsumtionsbeteendet hos cirka 400 referenskonsumenter med engrupp av 154 DR-aktiverade lägenheter, som är försedda med ett varierande timprisför el. Målet var att utvärdera vilken procentandel av daglig förbrukning de aktivakonsumenterna flyttar från höglasttimmar till låglasttimmar som svar på prissignalen.Studien är baserad på timmätningsdata samlad mellan den 1:a januari och den 22:amars 2017. Under denna period samlades också mätdata från elnätet in och dessa datahar använts för att uppskatta de tekniska förlusterna i lågspänningsdistributionsnätet.Genom att kombinera den dagliga lastförflyttningen av DR konsumenterna och denobserverade dagliga effektförlustfraktionen i nätet gjordes en uppskattning av effektenav efterfrågeflexibilitetet på nätförlusterna. En simuleringsmodell föreslogs också, ochanvändes för att simulera effekten av lastförflyttning på förluster i en given situationför nätet.Det konstaterades att DR-lägenheterna totalt sett uppvisar en lastförflyttning på 2,8 %av det dagliga elförbrukning mot höglasttimmar, och har en lägre genomsnittliglastfaktor (0,57 mot 0,62 för referensgruppen). Detta kan antingen betyda attprissignalen inte lyckas tillräckligt med att ändra förbrukningsbeteende eller attreferensgruppen inte var representativ. En stark variation i genomsnitt lastförflyttninghar emellertid observerats bland de enskilda DR-lägenheterna, från -16 % (flyttningtill höglasttimmar) till 7%. Speciellt de mest elförbrukande lägenheterna visadepositiva lastförflyttningar. Inget direkt inflytande av lastflyttning på nätförlusternahittades. Detta kan bero på en för liten mängd DR-konsumenter i nätet eller andrafaktorer som variationer i effektfaktor och belastningsstorlek. För att kringgå dettaproblem användes simuleringsmodellen för att beräkna förlustreduktioner för fleramöjliga referenskonsumentgrupper och deras eventuella reaktioner på en prissignal.Det konstaterades att potentialen för förlustreduktioner är begränsad i SRS-projekteteftersom referensgruppen är redan "bra" konsumenter. Den maximalaförlustreduktionen skulle vara omkring 4 %. För nät med hög topplast hittadesoptimala förlustreduktioner från lastförflyttning upp till 25 %. Den viktigasteslutsatsen är att medan den tekniska potentialen för förlustreduktion är stor i nät medhög topplast så krävs det mer forskning för att identifiera incitament som effektivtlyckas få hushållen att förändra sitt konsumtionsbeteende. Mer arbete bör också görasför att hitta metoder som korrekt kan utvärdera lastförflyttningar.
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Pereira, Sónia Lopes. "Sudden sensorineural hearing loss : evaluation of co-morbidities and potential clinical associations." Master's thesis, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10362/10862.
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RESUMO: A surdez súbita (SS) caracteriza-se por uma perda abrupta de audição, mais frequentemente unilateral e associada a sensação de preenchimento aural, acufenos e vertigem. Afecta 5-20/100.000pessoas/ano (sobretudo adultos em fase activa na década de 40), com grande impacto na qualidade de vida. Possíveis causas incluem doenças infecciosas, circulatórias, traumáticas, imunológicas, neoplásicas, neurológicas, tóxicas e cocleares. No entanto, a causa da SS permanece desconhecida na maioria dos casos (80%), o que origina tratamentos controversos e frequentemente ineficientes. Os tratamentos disponíveis variam desde corticosteróides a antivirais, vasodilatadores, anti-agregantes, anticoagulantes, vitaminas e oxigénio hiperbárico (OHB).
Atendendo a falta de informação relativa à etiologia e fisiopatologia da SS, pretendemos avaliar a evolução clínica dos doentes com SS tratados com OHB no Centro de Medicina Subaquática e Hiperbárica (CMSH) de Lisboa entre 2000 e 2005, durante um período mínimo de 5 anos, na tentativa de identificar eventuais factores de risco ou noxas clínicas com a SS.
O estudo retrospectivo proposto baseia-se na revisão de processos clínicos do CMSH e na aplicação telefónica de questionários médicos de “follow-up” confidenciais – tanto a doentes (grupo de estudo), como aos respectivos esposos/companheiros/membros próximos da família (grupo de controlo) –, com particular ênfase nos antecedentes médicos e história clínica actual.
Um estudo preliminar de 20 pessoas (10 doentes e 10 controlos) foi efectuado para antecipar dificuldades e estimar as necessidades logísticas. As dificuldades identificadas foram: 1) selecção dos doentes com números de telefone válidos e processos clínicos completos (com audiograma inicial e final); 2) contacto telefónico com os participantes de ambos os grupos (de estudo e controlo); 3) recursos humanos requeridos.
Dado que a SS não é uma doença em si, mas um sintoma de uma doença subjacente, acreditamos que este estudo epidemiológico seja importante e útil, capaz de gerar novas luzes sobre a fisiopatologia e mecanismos desta entidade clínica.-------------ABSTRACT:Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is characterized by abrupt, mostly unilateral loss of hearing, frequently associated to aural fullness, tinnitus and vertigo. It affects 5-20/100.000 people/year (particularly working adults in the 40ths), with huge impact on quality of life. Possible causes include infectious, circulatory, traumatic, immunologic, metabolic, neoplastic, neurologic, toxic and unidentified cochlear diseases. Nevertheless, SSHL’s etiology remains unknown in most cases (80%), giving rise to controversial (and frequently ineffective) treatments. Available therapies range from corticosteroids to antivirals, vasodilators, antiaggregants, anticoagulants, vitamins and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO).
Given the lack of data concerning SSHL’s etiology and physiopathology, we intend to evaluate clinical evolution of such patients treated with HBO in the Underwater and Hyperbaric Medical Center (UHMC) at Lisbon from 2000 to 2005 during a minimum period of 5 years, in an attempt to identify eventual risk factors or clinical associations to SSHL.
The intended retrospective study is based on the review of patients’ medical charts from UHMC and confidential follow-up questionnaires applied telephonically both to patients (study group) and patients’ spouse/partner/close family member (control group), focusing past and present medical history.
A preliminary study of 20 subjects (10 of each group) was performed to anticipate difficulties and to estimate the required logistics. The identified difficulties were: 1) selection of subjects with valid phone numbers and complete medical charts (with initial and final audiograms); 2) telephonic contact with subjects from the study and control group; 3) human logistics required.
As it is believed that SSHL is not a disease by itself but rather a symptom of an underlying disease, we believe that this epidemiologic study is important and will hopefully generate sound scientific knowledge concerning physiopathology and mechanism of disease of SSHL.
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Gowda, Vivek. "Potential interaction between LRRK2 and alpha synuclein drives dopaminergic neuron loss." Thesis, Boston University, 2013. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/21159.
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Thesis (M.A.) PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.<br>Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a devastating progressive neurodegenerative disorder second only to Alzheimer's disease in prevalence. Progression is insidious and PD symptomology manifests when approximately half of the DA neurons projecting from the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) to the striatum are lost. PD is histologically characterized by the presence of intracytoplasmic inclusions primarily composed of hyper-phosphorylated and ubiquinated α-synuclein (SNCA), known as Lewy Bodies. Conserved LB pathology in α-synuclein and LRRK2 mediated disease suggests a common pathological pathway in disease progression. In order to address the potential disease-relevant nexus between these two proteins, we generated transgenic C. elegans lines co-expressing LRRK2 (pan-neuronal) and α-synuclein (dopaminergic neuron specific). We report increased and progressive DA-ergic neuron loss in nematodes co-expressing disease linked mutant LRRK2 and α-synuclein compared to nematode lines expressing only α-synuclein. Also, guided by previous CLR network analysis, we implicated mis-regulation of proteostasis machinery in disease progression by demonstrating differential effects of LRRK2 co-expressed with α-synuclein on macroautophagy in our nematode lines expressing LGG, a marker for autophagic flux. Our studies show overexpression of G2019S LRRK2 inhibits autophagy and accelerates age-related dopaminergic neuron toxicity whereas overexpression of WT LRRK2 does not. Cooverexpression of a-synuclein caused increased inhibition of autophagy and showed an increase in DA-ergic neuron degeneration. Although we have no concrete evidence of interaction, we suggest that LRRK2 demonstrates an agedependent interaction with a-synuclein, which potentiates degeneration of dopaminergic neurons.<br>2031-01-01
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McIntosh, Heather V. "Soil active carbon as an indicator of nitrous oxide loss potential." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2017. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/111613/1/Heather_McIntosh_Thesis.pdf.
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Agriculture is the dominant source of nitrous oxide emissions, a potent greenhouse gas associated with the use of nitrogen fertilisers. This research examined the relationship between soil active carbon and nitrous oxide to form the basis of a simple field test for farmers to use to estimate the potential for significant nitrous oxide emissions from their soil. Fifteen agricultural soils contrasted by land use history and management were incubated in the laboratory and carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide fluxes were calculated over 100 days. Active carbon was measured as the fraction oxidisable by 0.02 M potassium permanganate. The results confirmed the relationship between active carbon and nitrous oxide emissions, soil respiration and nitrogen mineralisation. A threshold of 500 mg kg-1 for active carbon was established, above which there is potential for significant nitrous oxide emissions. A strong relationship was evident between active carbon and total organic carbon.
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Barrion, Irene M. "Exploring risk factors associated with potential hearing loss in Namibian Class A mines." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/96821.
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Thesis (MAud)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In developing countries, like Namibia, there is limited data pertaining to the number of individuals with hearing loss and its associated factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of potential hearing loss in Namibian Class A mines and to describe the extrinsic and intrinsic factors associated with hearing loss.
A cross-sectional design was utilised and data were collected from 132 respondents (mining employees) from five different Class A mines throughout the country. A questionnaire and a retrospective review of respondents’ medical records were utilised to determine the risk factors. The most recent audiogram found in the respondents’ records was used to determine the presence of potential hearing loss. Three definitions of potential hearing loss were used in this study and included all major frequency hearing loss (AFHL), high frequency hearing loss (HFHL) and low frequency hearing loss (LFHL). Potential hearing loss was identified when the pure tone average (PTA) of 0.5, 1, 2, & 4kHz, 0.5, 1 & 2kHz and 4 & 8kHz respectively was greater than 25dBHL in either one or both ears. Chi-square measurements or, where necessary, Fisher’s exact tests, as well as Odds Ratios were used for the analysis of data. In general a significance level of 5% was applied for all analyses.
Results indicated the prevalence of potential hearing loss in Namibian mining employees to be 27% and that both extrinsic and intrinsic factors were associated with hearing loss. The extrinsic factors significantly associated with potential hearing loss were both occupational and medical. The occupational factors found to be significant were the number of years employed in whole life >10 years (p=0.012; OR=3.1, 95% CI=1.3-7.9), the number of years employed in current job > 10 years (p=0.01; OR=3.9, 95% CI1.7-8.8) and the non-availability of formal training in prevention of hearing loss (p=0.022; OR=0.3, 95% CI (0.1-0.9). Diabetes was the sole significant extrinsic medical factor (p=0.035, OR=5, 95% CI 1.1-22.1). The only intrinsic factor which was found to be significantly associated with hearing loss was Age, specifically being older than 40 years (p=0.002; OR=3.5, 95% CI 1.6-7.8) and 50 years (p=0.001, OR=5.5, 95% CI1.9-15.8). A multiple logistic regression model of all significant factors found that only no formal training of prevention of hearing loss was found to be significant in the presence of all other factors (p=0.036, OR=0.036, 95% 0.1-0.92).
Findings from this study suggest that multiple factors may be associated with potential hearing loss and not just the exposure to hazardous occupational conditions. Recommendations for future research and clinical practice should, therefore, include thorough investigations into the aetiology of hearing loss. As this study focused on Class A mines, it is recommended that future research be conducted in other mines that are not categorised as Class A mines.
Keywords: prevalence, extrinsic factors, intrinsic factors, extrinsic occupational factors, extrinsic social factors, extrinsic medical factors, potential hearing loss, mining industry, Class A mine, Namibia.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In ontwikkelende lande, soos Namibië, is daar beperkte data met betrekking tot die aantal individue met gehoorverlies en sy verwante faktore. Hierdie studie het gepoog om die voorkoms van gehoorverlies in Namibiese Klas A myne te bepaal en die ekstrinsieke en intrinsieke faktore wat verband hou met potensiale gehoorverlies te beskryf. 'n Deursnee-ontwerp is gebruik en data is ingesamel uit 132 respondente (mynbou werknemers), uit vyf verskillende Klas A myne regdeur die land. 'n Vraelys en 'n retrospektiewe oorsig van die respondente se mediese rekords is gebruik om die risiko faktore te bepaal. Die mees onlangse oudiogram wat in die respondente se rekords gevind is, is gebruik om die teenwoordigheid van potensiale gehoorverlies te bepaal. Drie definisies van potensiale gehoorverlies is gebruik in hierdie studie, ingesluit al die groot frekwensie gehoorverliese (AFHL), hoë frekwensie gehoorverlies (HFHL) en 'n lae frekwensie gehoorverlies (LFHL). ‘n Gehoorverlies was teenwoordig wanneer die suiwer toon gemiddelde (PTA van 0.5 , 1 , 2, & 4kHz , 0.5, 1 & 2kHz en 4 & 8kHz onderskeidelik , groter was as 25dBHL in een of albei ore. Chi -square metings of, waar nodig, Fisher se presiese toetse, asook kans verhoudings is gebruik vir die ontleding van data. In die algemeen is 'n beduidendeidsvlak van 5% gebruik en toegepas vir al die ontledings. Resultate het aangedui die voorkoms van gehoorverlies in Namibiese mynbouwerknemers tot 27 % was en dat beide ekstrinsieke en intrinsieke faktore ‘n verband toon met potensiaal gehoorverlies. Die ekstrinsieke faktore wat ‘n beduidende verband getoon het met gehoorverlies was albei beroeps- en mediese faktore. Die beroepsfaktore wat betekenisvol was, was die aantal jare diens in hele lewe > 10 jaar ( p = 0,012 ; OR = 3.1 , 95 % CI = 1.3-7.9) , die aantal jare in huidige pos> 10 jaar diens (p = 0,01 ; OF = 3.9 , 95 % CI1.7-8.8 ) en die onbeskikbaarheid van formele opleiding in die voorkoming van potensiaal gehoorverlies (p = 0,022 ; OF = 0,3 , 95 % CI ( 0,1-0,9 ). Diabetes was die enigste beduidende ekstrinsieke mediese faktor (p = 0,035 , OR = 5 , 95 % CI 1,1-22,1 ). Die enigste intrinsieke faktor watbeduidend was en verband hou met gehoorverlies was ouderdom, spesifiek om ouer as 40 jaar ( p = 0,002 ; OF = 3.5 , 95 % CI 1,6-7,8 ) en 50 jaar ( p = 0.001 , OR = 5.5 , 95 % CI1.9-15.8 ) te wees. 'n Veelvuldige regressie model van alle beduidende faktore het bevind dat slegs
geen formele opleiding in die voorkoming van gerhoor verlies beduidende was in die teenwoordigheid van al die ander faktore ( p = 0,036 , OR = 0,036 , 95 % 0,1-0,92 ) . Bevindinge van hierdie studie dui daarop dat verskeie faktore geassosieer kan word met gehoorverlies en nie net die blootstelling aan gevaarlike beroepstoestande nie. Aanbevelings vir toekomstige navorsing en kliniese praktyk moet dus 'n grondige ondersoek na die etiologie van gehoorverlies uitvoer. Aangesien hierdie studie gefokus het op die Klas A- myne , word dit aanbeveel dat toekomstige navorsing gedoen word in ander myne wat nie gekategoriseer is as Klas A myne nie.
Sleutelwoorde: Voorkoms, ekstrinsieke faktore, instrinsieke faktore, ekstrinsieke beroepsfaktore, ekstrinsieke sosiale faktore, ekstrinsieke mediese faktore, potensiale gehoorverlies, Klas A myn, Namibië.
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Mackintosh, Michelle. "The impact of obesity and weight loss on the malignant potential of endometrium." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2016. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/the-impact-of-obesity-and-weight-loss-on-the-malignant-potential-of-endometrium(99ba5e72-6a91-4812-a97e-67648d105b9f).html.
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Introduction: The incidence of endometrial cancer is rising steeply, with the obesity epidemic believed to be the cause. Women with a BMI > 42kg/m2 have a 9-fold increase in their relative risk of endometrial cancer. Few studies have investigated the endometrial effects of obesity or weight loss. I hypothesised that morbidly obese women had a high prevalence of undiagnosed endometrial cancer and pre-cancer, and that major weight loss would result in measurable systemic and endometrial effects. Methods: 118 morbidly obese women undergoing weight loss surgery or non-surgical weight management were recruited into a prospective cohort study. Blood and endometrial samples were taken at baseline, 2 and 12 months. Results: 80 women have undergone baseline assessment (mean age 44 years, median BMI 52kg/m2). Menstrual and reproductive dysfunction was common (15% pre-menopausal amenorrhoea, 31% oligomenorrhoea) and less than one third reported regular menstrual cycles. Four cases of endometrial cancer and six of atypical endometrial hyperplasia were detected at baseline (prevalence 12.5%, 95% CI 6.2-21.8), and women with abnormal endometrium had significantly higher HbA1c and pAKT levels. Undiagnosed diabetes was found in 6%, and overall more than 38% were diabetic and up to 40% more had raised HOMA-IR levels. Significant serial improvements were seen in insulin resistance, adipokines, inflammation and androgens after bariatric surgery. In endometrium significant reductions were seen in Ki-67, pAKT, ER and PR expression. In samples matched for cycle timing and not affected by exogenous hormone treatment Ki-67 reduced by 11% and 17% at 2 and 12 months post-surgery. AEH resolved with weight loss alone in 3/6 patients and with weight loss and LNG-IUS in 2/6 women. Ki-67 expression correlated weakly with pAKT, serum oestradiol, HOMA-IR, FAI and adipokines. Conclusions: Such a high prevalence of endometrial cancer and pre-cancer in morbidly obese women supports targeted screening in this high-risk group and highlights the importance of diagnosing and managing insulin resistance. Reduction in proliferation appears to be mediated by the PI3K/AKT pathway and through changes in insulin resistance, reproductive hormones and inflammation. Ki-67 may have a use as a marker of the 'high-risk' endometrium or in the future surveillance of endometrial abnormality being managed by fertility-sparing means.
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Pendleton, Morgan, Stacy D. Brown, Christan M. Thomas, and Brian Odle. "Potential Toxicity of Caffeine when Used as a Dietary Supplement for Weight Loss." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2013. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/5321.
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Background: Caffeine is added to dietary supplements to increase energy and suppress appetite. Many people take dietary supplements for weight loss. Patients may be unaware that supplements can contain caffeine, even if caffeine is not listed as an ingredient. Commonly used herbal dietary supplement ingredients, such as guarana, are natural sources of caffeine. Objective: To describe a case of possible caffeine-induced seizure in a patient taking an over-the-counter weight loss supplement. Case Report: A previously healthy 38-year-old female experienced blurring of vision and a new onset grand mal seizure. The patient had a two-month history of taking the dietary supplement, Zantrex - 3™. Zantrex - 3™ is advertised as a weight loss supplement which may provide rapid weight loss and extreme energy in one “power packed pill.” Conclusions/Summary: After discontinuation of Zantrex - 3™, the patient experienced no further seizure activity. Outpatient follow up at 2 and 6 weeks was noncontributory with follow up MRI and EEG both within normal limits.
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Radway-Bright, Emma-Louise. "The pathogenic potential of the anti-phospholipid antibodies associated with the antiphospholid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.270189.
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Chiossi, Julia Santos Costa. "A influência das respostas auditivas do estado estável nas respostas auditivas ao implante coclear." Universidade de São Paulo, 2017. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/17/17150/tde-17042018-164656/.
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Introdução: O potencial evocado auditivo de estado estável (PEAEE) é um exame eletrofisiológico que permite a testagem simultânea e binaural do limiar auditivo por frequência específica. Por seu caráter objetivo vem sendo recomendada sua inclusão na bateria de testes para diagnóstico de crianças com deficiência auditiva. A possibilidade de diagnóstico precoce da perda de audição em crianças é fundamental para a redução dos agravos decorrentes da privação sensorial e a tomada de decisão quanto à intervenção adequada, como o uso do implante coclear (IC). A determinação do sucesso do uso do IC é dependente de múltiplos cofatores, entre eles, sugere-se que a presença de audição residual prévia ao implante poderia possibilitar a preservação das vias auditivas e áreas auditivas corticais, proporcionando melhor desenvolvimento das habilidades auditivas e de produção oral da linguagem com o reestabelecimento da entrada sensorial. Objetivo: Verificar a relação entre o PEAEE pré-operatório e a resposta auditiva pós-implante de crianças submetidas ao IC. Casuística e Método: Trata-se de um estudo observacional retrospectivo, desenvolvido a partir da análise de prontuários de pacientes do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, submetidos à cirurgia de IC. Foram incluídas 47 crianças menores de 6 anos à data de realização da cirurgia, diagnosticadas com perda auditiva neurossensorial pré-lingual de grau profundo. Foram coletadas informações audiológicas pré-implantação - PEAEE, PEATE, audiometria comportamental e demais aspectos de caracterização da perda auditiva; a categoria de percepção auditiva e de expressão oral da linguagem antes e após a implantação; além de informações socioeconômicas e da intervenção terapêutica. Resultados: O registro do PEAEE esteve presente em 34 (72,3%) crianças com limiar médio de 89,7 ± 10,2 dB NA na orelha implantada, consideradas as frequências de 0,5; 1; 2 e 4 kHz. A reavaliação foi conduzida em média 7,2 ± 2,1 meses após a cirurgia de IC, quando 23 (49%) sujeitos apresentaram avanço de uma categoria no desenvolvimento da percepção de fala e 4 (8,5%) alcançaram um desempenho dois níveis superior ao da avaliação anterior. O limiar obtido na audiometria em campo com o uso de IC teve média de 44,4 ± 12,4 dB NA, consideradas as frequências de 0,5; 1; 2 e 4 kHz. Quanto à expressão oral da linguagem, 13 (27,6%) crianças tiveram melhora em seu desempenho. Não houve correlação entre os resultados do PEAEE pré-implante e o limiar auditivo (p-valor=0,338) ou a categoria de linguagem (p-valor=0,358) com uso de IC quando controlado pela idade; nem em relação à melhora no desempenho de linguagem oral (p-valor= 0,095). Conclusão: Não houve correlação direta entre o limiar eletrofisiológico mensurado por meio do PEAEE e a resposta auditiva com uso de IC, quando analisados o limiar auditivo comportamental com IC ou a categoria de percepção de fala.<br>Background: The Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR) is an electrophysiological exam that allows simultaneous and binaural frequency specific testing of hearing thresholds. Considering its objectivity, the test has been recommended for hearing loss diagnosis in young children. This possibility of early identification of hearing impairment is fundamental for minimizing handicaps caused by sensory deprivation and for planning proper intervention, for example, suggesting the use of cochlear implants (CI). The determination of the success of CI prognosis depends on several cofactors. Researchers suggest that residual hearing and hearing thresholds before CI surgery could allow auditory pathways preservation and enable the development of hearing abilities, as well as speech production skills, after the reestablishment of sensory input. Objective: To verify the relation between pre-operatory ASSR and post-CI auditory response in young children. Casuistic and Method: An observational retrospective study was conducted. Medical records were assessed in 47 children, younger than six years old at the CI surgery, diagnosed with sensorineural pre-linguistic hearing loss of profound degree. Information was collected about (a) audiological data - ASSR, ABR, behavioral audiometry, and other hearing loss aspects; (b) category of speech perception and oral language production before and after CI; (c) socioeconomics data and therapy attendance. Results: ASSR record was present in 34 (72.4%) children with mean threshold of 89.7 (10.2 SD) dB HL in the implanted ear, considering the frequencies of 0.5; 1; 2 and 4 kHz. Post-implant evaluation was conducted after a mean of 7.2 (2.1 SD) months of surgery. Then, 23 (49%) subjects enhanced one category of speech perception and four (8.5%) improved two categories, compared to previous evaluation. Field auditory threshold with CI was measure at 44.4 (12.4 SD) dB HL in mean, considering the frequencies of 0.5; 1; 2 and 4 kHz. Analyzing language expression development, 13 (27.6%) children improved their performance. To the age at CI surgery there was no correlation between ASSR thresholds and CI thresholds (p-value=0.338) or speech perception category (p-value=0.358) after CI. No correlation has been found between ASSR and expressive language development (p-value=0.095). Conclusion: There was no direct correlation between electrophysiological thresholds measured by ASSR and hearing response after CI, when analyzed behavioral CI threshold or speech perception.
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Veanes, Margus. "Identification of novel loss of heterozygosity collateral lethality genes for potential applications in cancer." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för biologisk grundutbildning, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-433768.
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Over the course of this project, I demonstrate the utility of a 4-phase analysis pipeline in the context of cancer therapy and the associated search for antineoplastic drug candidates. I showcase a repeatable means for generating lists of potential targets which may be used in conjunction with methods like small molecule screening as part of a search for broadly effective antineoplastic agents. By using publicly available variant call format (VCF) data sourced from the 1000 genomes project, global human population-wide data for non-sex chromosomes was filtered and transformed in a 4-phase process to obtain high population frequency, heterozygotic, nonsynonymous single nucleotide variants (nsSNVs) residing in functional domains of proteins. Through manual filtration combined with software-assisted annotation, I obtained a ranked list of 50 top scoring annotated variants across the human autosome, all residing in known protein domains. Additionally, a single top variant was selected for proof-of-concept structure prediction and visualization. When the methodology outlined herein is coupled to additional loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) prevalence data across cancer genomes, it may be used to identify candidate variants which collectively represent potential loss-of-heterozygosity based collateral lethalities (CL) in the underlying cancer. Furthermore, under the assumption that subsequent methods like small molecule screening succeed in finding molecule(s) targeting a structural aspect of one of these variants, any subsequently developed therapeutic approaches may possess broader therapeutic utility dependent upon the strictness of the initial heterozygotic filtering threshold applied at the onset of the project pipeline. When combined with additional cancer data, the recreation of such gene lists at other degrees of heterozygotic thresholding can allow for the creation of lists of autosomal loss-of-heterozygosity gene candidates, representing potential collateral lethality targets with varied degrees of utility dependent upon the strictness of the initial filtration threshold.
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Kritzinger, Mieke. "Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential (CAEP) and the chirp Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR) in predicting behavioural hearing thresholds in adults with sensorineural hearing loss." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/73231.
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Abstract
Purpose: To compare the frequency specific Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential
(CAEP) and the chirp-evoked 40 Hz Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR) with
equivalent residual noise levels for behavioural threshold prediction in adults with normal hearing and with SNHL.
Method: The study tested 23 adults with normal hearing and 20 adults with SNHL. The participants were aged between 18–65 years. A repeated measures within-
participant descriptive design was used to collect the quantitative data. The participants underwent behavioural pure tone, CAEP and ASSR testing on the same day.
Results: Similar CAEP difference scores across frequencies for the participants with normal hearing (mean=12.32-14.40 dB) and with SNHL (mean=10.00-16.47 dB) were measured. However, for the ASSR difference scores across frequencies slightly smaller difference scores were measured for the participants with SNHL
(mean=10.17-17.30 dB) than for the participants with normal hearing (mean=11.74- 17.14 dB). CAEP thresholds were significantly closer to the behavioural pure tone thresholds at 500 (p=0.028; mean absolute difference 14.40 dB) and 2000 (p=0.016; mean absolute difference 12.56 dB) Hz for participants with normal hearing. In participants with sensorineural hearing loss, CAEP and ASSR thresholds were measured at similar sensation levels and were not statistically different (p>0.05).
Conclusion: For the purpose of threshold estimation, representing the auditory
function to the level of the auditory cortex the CAEP was closer to the behavioural
hearing thresholds than the 40 Hz ASSR at all frequencies except at 4000 Hz, regardless of the hearing sensitivity.
Keywords: Auditory steady state response (ASSR), Cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP), Auditory evoked potential (AEP), Residual noise, Signal to noise ratio (SNR), objective threshold estimation, awake adults.<br>Dissertation (MA (Audiology))--University of Pretoria, 2019.<br>Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology<br>MA Audiology<br>Unrestricted
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Godring, Björn, and Lisa Wåhlin. "Business Restructurings and Transfer Pricing in Germany and Sweden : The concepts of profit/loss potential and indemnification." Thesis, Jönköping University, JIBS, Commercial Law, 2009. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-7779.
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<p><p>Business restructurings within multinational enterprises (MNEs) are regular occurrences. Such restructurings are often carried out in order to increase the MNE‟s competitiveness on the market by making the supply chain and management more efficient in order to ac-quire benefits due to economies of scale. There is a risk that such cross-border business re-structurings will transfer the profit/loss potential that is associated with the assets, risks and/or functions that are transferred, to low-tax jurisdictions in order to minimize the MNEs tax burden. Germany amended its tax act in order to prevent such profit potential from being transferred out of the country. This amendment came into effect on the 1st of January 2008. The OECD, which is the normative body on the international tax arena, re-leased a Discussion Draft for the public in September 2008 with the purpose to highlight the transfer pricing aspects of business restructurings and to serve as an interpretation of the application of the Transfer Pricing Guidelines on business restructurings. In this thesis, the concepts of profit/loss potential and indemnification, as they are pre-sented in the Discussion Draft, will be analyzed. The interpretation of the OECD will then be contrasted with the German and Swedish regulation of these concepts. The OECD defines a business restructuring as a transfer including a bundle of assets, risks and/or functions which are transferred across borders within a MNE. If this transfer in-volves the shift of profit/loss potential it shall be included in the valuation of the transfer price of the transactions. The profit/loss potential shall only be included if it can be identi-fied as belonging to a specific asset, risk or function of the bundle. In Swedish legislation there is only one rule which tax authorities can use in order to adjust the income of related parties. This regulation is not a specific rule for business restructurings as such but a gener-al rule for all transfer pricing matters. Sweden has traditionally followed the OECD guide-lines and the Swedish courts and tax authorities will most likely apply the guidance set out by the OECD on business restructurings as well.</p><p>Germany views a business restructuring as a transfer package which consist of assets, risks and/or functions which are transferred a cross borders within a MNE. The concept of business opportunities, i.e. the profit potential of the combined assets, risks and/or func-tions of the transfer package, shall be included in the valuation of the transfer package. In the valuation of the transfer package synergy effects for the MNE and location savings as a whole shall be included. This concept deviates from the view of the OECD. The OECD states that only local synergy effects and location savings shall be included in the valuation of the transfer package. The German approach leads to an inherent risk of overvaluation of the transfer package. The way of valuing the transfer package in Germany could lead to</p><p>taxation without realization, i.e. profits that would never have been or never could be rea-lized in Germany will be taxed. This contradicts the principle of realization. The OECD, in the Discussion Draft, gives an account for the possibilities for an indemni-fication for the transferor. A business restructuring can sometimes be compared with the breach of a contractual relationship. In such a situation, associated parties would be entitled to an indemnity if independent parties would be indemnified. Such an approach will be dif-ficult to apply in practice since indemnification is closely linked to nations national com-mercial legislation. The matter of indemnifying a party shall be decided on the merits of each case, and it can thereby be complicated to formulate a general regulation. The ques-tion regarding which authority shall be competent to govern such a matter must thereby al-so be resolved.</p></p>
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Xu, Haiming. "Loss of the Rho GTPase Activating Protein p190-B enhances hematopoietic stem cell engraftment potential." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1211979515.
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Mann, Baylee. "A Study of the Potential Implementation Obstacles of the Expected Loss Model in East Tennessee." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2018. https://dc.etsu.edu/honors/442.
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The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has recently introduced a new Accounting Standards Update (ASU) that will require financial institutions to measure their loan losses using a new Expected Loss Model (ELM) that emphasizes forward looking financial decisions. Numerous financial journals hypothesize that large financial institutions will face difficulties when implementing the new ASU. This research explores the potential implementation issues that small, local financial institutions, specifically Eastman Credit Union (ECU), will encounter as they begin the implementation process.
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Кузнецов, Валерій Геннадійович, Валерий Геннадиевич Кузнецов, Valeriy G. Kuznetsov, Walery G. Kuzniecov та Valerii H. Kuznetsov. "Розвиток теоретичних основ енергозбереження в системах електропостачання тяги поїздів постійного струму". Thesis, Видавництво Дніпропетровського національного університету залізничного транспорту імені академіка В. Лазаряна, 2012. http://eadnurt.diit.edu.ua:82/jspui/handle/123456789/1335.
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Кузнецов , В. Г. Розвиток теоретичних основ енергозбереження в системах електропостачання тяги поїздів постійного струму : авт. дис. д-ра т. н.: 05.22.09 / В. Г. Кузнецов ; Днепропетр. нац. ун-т ж.-д. тр-та им. акад. В. Лазаряна. - Д. : Вид-во Днiпропетр. нац. ун-ту залізн. трансп. iм. акад. В. Лазаряна, 2012.
УДК 629.423.3:621.331.024 ГРНТИ 55.41.29
Захист - 6 грудня 2012 р.<br>UK: Дисертація присвячена розвитку теоретичних основ енергозбереження в системах електропостачання тяги поїздів постійного струму для підвищення енергетичної та економічної ефективності процесу перевезень. У даній роботі проблема енергозбереження в системах тяги поїздів постійного струму розглядається як комплексна, багаторівнева й багатофакторна проблема. Створено методологічні підходи до вибору енергозберігаючих заходів у системах електропостачання тяги поїздів постійного струму. Удосконалено метод розрахунку систем тягового електропостачання на основі потоків відновлення для визначення втрат потужності та електроенергії в елементах тягових підстанцій. Розроблено метод визначення раціональних режимів систем тягового електропостачання постійного струму на основі генетичного алгоритму, визначено раціональні регламенти перемикань. Розроблено науково обґрунтовані методи визначення норм витрат електроенергії на потреби стаціонарних споживачів та на власні потреби тягових підстанцій, постів секціонування й пунктів паралельного з'єднання. Надано науково обґрунтовані рекомендації зі зниження небалансів електроенергії.
Розроблені моделі й методи в сукупності складають теоретичні основи вирішення комплексних завдань енергозбереження, що виникають під час експлуатації систем електропостачання тяги поїздів постійного струму.<br>RU: Диссертация посвящена развитию теоретических основ энергосбережения в системах электроснабжения тяги поездов постоянного тока для повышения энергетической и экономической эффективности процесса перевозок. В данной работе проблема энергосбережения в системах тяги поездов постоянного тока рассматривается как комплексная, многоуровневая и многофакторная проблема. В работе созданы методологические основы выбора энергосберегающих мероприятий в системах тягового электроснабжения на основе определения потенциала энергосбережения с учетом системного эффекта, выбора альтернатив на предложенной графовой модели, инвариантно-согласованного метода анализа иерархий. На основе разработанных методологических основ предложены научные подходы к модернизации тяговых подстанций с учетом возможности перевода тяги поездов на высший класс напряжения.
Разработаны новые научные подходы к определению условий рациональных режимов систем тягового электроснабжения. Показано, что при принятии решений необходимо учитывать возможность расчетов за потребленную электроэнергию по переменным в течение дня тарифам за электроэнергию. Также необходимо учитывать надежность силового оборудования, участвующего в регулировании. Составлена структурно-логическая схема для расчета показателей потока отказов при осуществлении регулирования режимов. На основе информации о величине потока отказов и типовых калькуляций работ определены величины экономического ущерба от возможных отказов при осуществлении регулирования.
Усовершенствован метод расчета систем тягового электроснабжения на базе потоков восстановления в части дополнения его расчетными выражениями для определения потерь мощности и электроэнергии в элементах тяговых подстанций с учетом регулировочных воздействий.
Разработан генетический алгоритм для решения задачи определения рациональных режимов системы электроснабжения тяги поездов постоянного тока. Разработан метод расчета регламента переключений оборудования фидерного участка, в котором учитываются современные возможности оплаты за электроэнергию по двух, трехзонным тарифам и оптовым ценам, потери надежности оборудования при переключениях, а также соответствующее программное обеспечение.
Установлена зависимость величины потерь мощности в тяговой сети от дислокации поездов и расстояния между ними. Показано, что имеется существенный резерв по снижению потерь в контактной сети за счет подбора рациональной дислокации поездов. Вариация потерь мощности в зависимости от дислокации и расстояния между поездами достигает 3,5 раза на одной из межподстанционных зон постоянного тока.
Разработаны усовершенствованные методологические основы и создана нормативная документация по определению норм расхода электроэнергии на нужды стационарных потребителей железных дорог Украины. При этом нормы расхода электроэнергии определяются по регрессионным зависимостям. Предложенная методология легла в основу методических указаний ЦЕ-0015.
Созданы научные подходы и нормативная документация по определению норм расходов электроэнергии на собственные нужды тяговых подстанций, постов секционирования и пунктов параллельного соединения. Показано, что расход электроэнергии на собственные нужды распределительных устройств 3,3 кВ целесообразно определять по установленной мощности и продолжительности работы оборудования. На основе предложенных подходов создана инструкция ЦЕ-0018.
Установлено, что причиной сверхнормативных небалансов электроэнергии является низкая загрузка измерительных трансформаторов тока и напряжения. Для подтверждения нормируемых метрологических характеристик трансформаторов напряжения согласно их классам точности 0,5 при действительных значениях мощностей и коэффициентов мощности их вторичной нагрузки было предложено мощность вторичной нагрузки обмоток и коэффициенты мощности вторичной нагрузки трансформатора напряжения привести в соответствие с требованиями ГОСТ-1983 и ГОСТ-7746 соответственно. Для этой цели предложено подключать к вторичной обмотке трансформатора напряжения добавочное сопротивление.
Разработанные модели и методы в совокупности составляют теоретические основы по решению комплексных задач энергосбережения, возникающих при эксплуатации систем электроснабжения тяги поездов постоянного тока.<br>EN: The thesis is dedicated to the development of theoretical bases of DC traction power supply systems to increase energy and economic efficiency of the transport. In this paper the energy saving problem in DC traction systems is considered as a complex, multilevel and multifactorial problem. It’s created a methodological approach to the selection of energy saving measures in the DC traction power supply systems. It’s improved the method for calculating the traction power supply systems based on the restoration flows for estimating the power and energy losses in the elements of traction substations. It’s developed the method for determination of rational modes of DC traction power supply systems based on genetic algorithm, defined the rational switching rules. The author developed scientific justified methods for determining norms of electricity needs for stationary consumers and for self needs of traction substations, sectioning posts and points of parallel connection. Provided scientific and reasonable guidelines for reducing power unbalances.
The developed models and methods together form the theoretical basis for solving complex energy saving problems during exploitation of electrical DC traction systems.
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PETRUZZELLIS, FRANCESCO. "Functional traits as a tool to predict invasive potential of alien species in native communities." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Trieste, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11368/2962384.
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Le specie aliene invasive (IAS) si stanno diffondendo a velocità sempre più elevata, con effetti molto negative a livello degli ecosistemi. Infatti, le IAS sono considerate una della maggiori cause della perdita di biodiversità e semplificazione degli habitat a livello globale. Di conseguenza, uno dei più grandi obiettivi in campo ecologico è quello di evidenziare le caratteristiche che ne favoriscono la diffusione. Quest’ ultime sono generalmente descritte dai ‘tratti funzionali’, definiti come caratteristiche morfologiche, fisiologiche o fenologiche, misurabili in un individuo dal livello cellulare sino a quello organismico. Lo scopo principale di questa Tesi è di evidenziare i tratti funzionali e meccanicistici (cioè tratti chiaramente associati a specifiche funzioni fisiologiche) alla base del processo di invasione.
Nonostante il largo uso dei tratti funzionali, esistono ancora delle questioni parzialmente risolte riguardanti i metodi di misura. Nella prima parte di questa Tesi, ho quantificato la variabilità intraspecifica di due tratti modello, nell’ottica di definire un minimo e adeguato numero di repliche per misurare i tratti funzionali con una certa accuratezza e precisione (Studio 1). I tratti meccanicistici sono stati scarsamente utilizzati in campo ecologico, probabilmente perché la loro misura spesso richiede procedure difficili e molto lunghe. In questo senso, nello Studio 2 ho proposto un metodo semplificato per misurare il punto di perdita del turgore cellulare, un tratto meccanicistico direttamente associato alla resistenza all’aridità.
Dopo aver cercato di trovare una risposta a domande di natura metodologica, ho concentrato le attività di ricerca su una delle più diffuse specie invasive, Ailanthus altissima (Aa). Nello Studio 3, ho confrontato tratti funzionali e meccanicistici di Aa e Fraxinus ornus (Fo) (che competono nelle stesse aree). La maggiore fitness associata ad Aa può essere legata alla sua bassa resistenza all’aridità, che è però controbilanciata da una alta efficienza di trasporto dell’acqua. In più, Aa ha mostrato una maggiore plasticità fenotipica di Fo in risposta a differenti condizioni di irraggiamento e nello studio 4 ho testato se questa sia una caratteristica presente anche nell’areale nativo di Aa (Cina). Tale studio dimostra che diverse modalità di aggiustamento del punto di perdita di turgore e una maggiore plasticità dei tratti legati ai costi di produzione delle foglie, possono essere alla base della maggiore fitness di Aa nel suo areale invasivo.
Al fine di testare se i tratti descritti in Aa fossero condivisi da altre IAS, ho esteso l’analisi di tratti funzionali e meccanicistici su un più alto numero di specie (78 native e 15 IAS) sia erbacee che legnose (Studio 5). I risultati dimostrano che le IAS possiedono tratti che favoriscono una rapida crescita, indipendentemente dalla forma di crescita (erbacea o legnosa). Nello specifico, le IAS sembrano condividere una bassa resistenza all’aridità e una maggiore densità di venature fogliari, che influenzano i costi di produzione delle foglie e i tassi di crescita e di fotosintesi. Il coordinamento tra costi di produzione, livello di resistenza all’aridità e tratti legati alla fotosintesi può suggerire che la superiorità delle IAS possa dipendere da un maggiore capacità di accumulare biomassa pur con una simile o maggiore efficienza dell’uso dell’acqua.
In conclusione, i tratti meccanicistici possono fornire nuove informazioni sui meccanismi alla base del processo di invasione delle IAS. Le nuove tecniche sviluppate per la loro misura potrebbero permettere di aumentare il numero di specie su cui misurare tratti meccanicistici riducendone i costi associati. La possibilità di generalizzare i pattern visti in questa Tesi ad una scala più ampia potrebbe infine portare alla definizione di un generale ‘Spettro di funzioni associate al processo di invasione’.<br>The spread of alien invasive species (IAS) is occurring at unprecedented rates, causing strong impacts on ecosystems. Indeed, IAS are deemed one of the major causes of loss of biodiversity and habitat simplification worldwide. In this light, finding determinants of invasiveness has become an uprising research topic in plant ecology. Such features are generally described in terms of ‘functional traits’, i.e. morphological, physiological, or phenological characteristics which are measurable at the individual level from the cell to the whole-organism. The research activities described in this Thesis, aimed at highlighting which traits and associated functions might be at the basis on the invasion process, by measuring common functional traits as well as mechanistic traits (with clearer linkage to a physiological function) on a large number of species.
Despite the large use of traits, there are still some critical issues to be solved in trait-based ecology. In the first part of this Thesis, I provided an analysis of the intraspecific variability of two model traits and I suggested a minimum and optimal sampling size to measure functional traits with a desired level of precision and accuracy (Study 1). Mechanistic traits have been seldom included in trait-based studies, because of difficult and time-expensive procedures for their measurement. In this light, in Study 2 I proposed a simplified framework for the measurement of leaf turgor loss point, a key mechanistic trait related to drought resistance.
After addressing these methodological issues, in the second part of this Thesis I focused my research activities on Ailanthus altissima (Aa), which is one of the most invasive species in Europe. In Study 3, I compared functional and mechanistic traits of Aa Fraxinus ornus (competing Aa in the same areas). The superior fitness of Aa might be related to its lower resistance to drought stress, which was counterbalanced by higher water transport efficiency. I also detected larger phenotypic plasticity of Aa in response to light availability and I wondered whether this feature was also present in individuals growing in its native range (China). The comparison between individuals of Aa growing in its exotic vs native range (Study 4) suggested that novel features related to turgor loss adjustment and the higher plasticity in traits related to leaf-construction costs could increase Aa fitness in response to different environmental conditions in its invasive range.
To test whether the features described for Aa were shared by other IAS, I analysed several functional and mechanistic traits related to resource acquisition, with special reference to water-use strategies, on a large number of herbaceous and woody species (78 native and 15 invasive species) (Study 5). Results showed that IAS were characterised by traits that favour fast-growth, independently of growth form or habitats features. IAS consistently shared lower drought resistance and denser venation network, which are mechanistic traits directly influencing leaf construction costs and photosynthetic and growth rates. The coordination between construction costs, drought resistance and photosynthesis-related traits, suggested that IAS outperform native species due to higher potential for carbon gain and biomass accumulation, while sharing similar or higher levels of water-use efficiency.
In conclusion, mechanistic traits could provide novel insight in the mechanisms underlying plant invasion. Novel techniques recently developed could allow the measurement of such traits on a wide number of species with reduced cost. Widening the scale of the analyses provided in this Thesis might help in the definition of the ‘Spectrum of functions associated to plant invasion’.
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SOARES, Ilka do Amaral. "Microfonismo Coclear de Estado Estável." Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 2015. https://repositorio.ufpe.br/handle/123456789/17125.
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Previous issue date: 2015-12-11<br>Introdução: O diagnóstico precoce da perda auditiva causa um impacto na vida da família, mas por outro lado proporciona a intervenção rápida e uma melhor qualidade de vida, para isso as técnicas de diagnóstico devem ser aperfeiçoadas, trazendo mais precisão e um melhor prognóstico. Objetivo: Desenvolver uma técnica de estado estável para o registro do microfonismo coclear. Métodos: Foram analisados 26 voluntários, com limiares auditivos tonais até 25 dBNA. O estímulo foi gerado pelo sistema MASTER acoplado ao Audiômetro, com fone de inserção, dentro da cabine acústica. A seguinte derivação foi utilizada: Terra na clavícula direita, Referência G2 lóbulo contralateral e o Ativo G1 no CAE. No primeiro experimento usamos tons de 500, 1000, 2000 e 4000 Hz, modulados em 95 Hz e apresentados conjuntamente à orelha esquerda a intensidades de 60, 70 e 80 dBNPS. No segundo experimento, tons de 500, 1000, 2000 e 4000 Hz, modulados a 95 Hz, foram apresentados independentemente a orelha esquerda com uma intensidade de 80 dBNPS. Para o terceiro experimento tons de 500, 1000, 2000 e 4000 Hz foram modulados nas frequências de 95 Hz, 130, 160, 190 e 220 Hz e apresentados conjuntamente à orelha esquerda a uma intensidade de 80 dBNPS. Todos os experimentos foram obtidos registros na presença e ausência de mascaramento e ao menos um registro com fone clipado para cada participante. Resultados: No primeiro experimento as amplitudes das respostas foram maiores na condição sem mascaramento e crescem com o aumento da intensidade do estímulo (F(2,10)=11.686, p=0.002). No segundo experimento a amplitude da resposta foi maior ao estímulo combinado (F(4,4)= 7.284, p=0.0002). O terceiro experimento mostrou amplitudes significativamente maiores para os estímulos modulados em 95, 130 e 160 Hz. Conclusão: O registro do microfonismo coclear de estado estável pode ser realizado nas intensidades de 60 a 80 dB NPS. As frequências portadoras ideais para seu registro são 500, 1000, 2000 e 4000 Hz, combinadas. A frequência moduladora ideal para seu registro é de 95 Hz.<br>Introduction: Although early diagnosis of hearing loss has an impact on individuals and their families, it results in rapid intervention and enhanced quality of life. For this reason, diagnostic techniques should be perfected to provide a more accurate prognosis. Objective: Develop a steady-state technique for recording the cochlear microphonic. Methods: A total of 26 participants with puretone auditory thresholds up to 25 dBNA were analyzed. The stimulus was generated by the MASTER system coupled to the audiometer, using insert earphones, with subjects inside an audiometric sound booth. Electrodes were positioned as follows: ground on the right clavicle, electrode G2 (reference) on the contralateral lobe and G1 (active) in the external acoustic meatus. In the first experiment we used tones of 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz, modulated at 95 Hz and presented jointly to the left ear at intensities of 60, 70 and 80 dBNPS. In the second experiment, tones of 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz, modulated at 95 Hz, were presented separately to the left ear at an intensity of 80 dBNPS. For the third experiment tones of 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz were modulated at frequencies of 95 Hz, 130, 160, 190 and 220 Hz and presented jointly to the left ear at an intensity of 80 dBNPS. In all experiments recordings were obtained with and without masking and at least one using clip-on earphones for each participant. Results: In the first experiment response amplitudes were higher without masking and grew with an increase in stimulus intensity (F(2,10)=11.686, p=0.002). In the second experiment the response amplitude was greater than the combined stimulus (F(4,4)= 7.284, p=0.0002). The third experiment exhibited significantly higher amplitudes for stimuli modulated at 95, 130 and 160 Hz. Conclusion: The steady-state microphonic can be recorded at intensities between 60 and 80 dB NPS. The ideal carrier frequencies for recording are 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz, combined, and the ideal modulated frequency is 95 Hz.
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Whelan, Helen G. "The effect of crop yield potential on disease yield loss relationships in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)." Lincoln University, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/10182/1980.
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Proportional loss models commonly used in disease surveys are based on the assumption that per cent yield loss is the same in all crops, regardless of their yield potential. Estimates of regional crop loss may be inaccurate if the relationship between disease and yield loss is affected by crop yield potential. The importance of crop yield potential in disease: yield loss modelling was investigated and models for more accurate regional crop loss estimates were developed, taking crop yield potential into account. Two spring sown barley (cv. Triumph) experiments were conducted in 1987/88 and 1988/89 in Canterbury, New Zealand, to study the effect of crop yield potential on the relationship between disease and yield loss. Crop yield potentials of 323 to 806gDM/m² were generated in seven crops by varying nitrogen and water inputs, sowing date (mid-spring and early-summer) and season. Leaf rust (Puccinia hordei Otth) epidemics of different severity were generated by applying fungicides at different times, frequencies and rates to control the natural epidemics. Disease was measured as per cent disease severity (%DS), green leaf area, radiation interception and near-infrared radiation (NIR) reflectance from crop canopies. Yield was measured as total and grain dry weight. Epidemics were severe in the fully diseased plots from GS 34 and 46 to maturity in the late and early sown crops respectively. Disease reduced grain yield by 50 to 63% in 1987/88 and 24 to 38% in 1988/89 in the fully diseased plots. Disease: yield loss models were derived by regression analysis for each crop in 1987/88. Single point, multiple point and area under curve models were derived from %DS and GLAI variables, and proportional (%) and actual (gDM/m²) grain yield. The effect of yield potential was determined by comparing regression equation coefficients for each crop with crop yield potential. An area under green leaf area index curve (AUGLAIC): actual yield model was best suited to determining the effect of yield potential on yield loss. This model was selected because AUGLAIC summarised the effect of disease on plant growth over the season and actual yield represented the crop yield potential in the absence of disease and the response of actual yield to disease. Crop yield potential did not affect actual yield loss caused by leaf rust. Disease measured as AUGLAIC explained most of the variation in yield (R²adj=0.93) for all crops in both years. Assessment of GLAI is not suitable for estimation of regional crop loss because of the requirement for a rapid and low cost method. Reflectance of NIR from the crop canopy was investigated as an alternative to GLAI measurements. Reflectance was correlated significantly (P<0.001) with GLAI (r=0.66 to 0.89) and green area index (r=0.76 to 0.92). Reflectance measured at grain-filling (GS 85-87) explained most (R²adj=0.94) of the variation in yield for all crops in both years. The relationship between AUGLAIC and yield was validated with data from independent diseased and healthy barley crops. The AUGLAIC: yield model described the effects of disease on yield accurately but overestimated yield by 49 to 108% in the healthy crops. Models based on accumulated PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) intercepted by green leaves explained the observed deviations in yield of these crops from the AUGLAIC: yield model. Accumulated PAR models accounted for differences in incident radiation, canopy structure, radiation interception by green leaves, radiation use efficiency and harvest index which are important in determining dry matter production and grain yield. Accumulated PAR models described the effects of disease on crop growth which were not represented by GLAI alone. Variation in crop yield potential at the regional scale is important in disease: yield loss modelling and can be accounted for by using either separate equations for each yield potential crop or crop category, robust models, inclusion of a form function for yield potential or choice of disease and yield variables which integrate yield potential.
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Borse, Vikrant. "ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF EPIGALLOCATECHIN-3-GALLATE (EGCG) IS A POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC FOR CISPLATIN-INDUCED HEARING LOSS." OpenSIUC, 2017. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations/1487.
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Cisplatin is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent for multiple solid tumors. However, cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and hearing loss hamper its use in clinical setting. Although, neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity can be prevented, there is no cure for cisplatin-induced hearing loss. Cisplatin-induced hearing loss results from damage to outer hair cells (OHCs) in basal turn of the cochlea, to spiral ganglion neurons (SGN), stria vascularis (SV) and fibrocytes of spiral ligament (SL). At the cellular level, cisplatin produces profound increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) that stimulate cell signaling pathways leading to cochlear inflammation, apoptosis and permanent hearing loss. Thus, potential otoprotective drugs should target oxidative stress and inflammatory mechanisms without interfering with cisplatin chemotherapeutic efficacy. In this study, I characterized the otoprotective actions of the green tea extract, epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), which possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. Oral administration of EGCG to male Wistar rats reduced cisplatin-induced hearing loss, assessed by auditory brainstem responses. These changes were associated with a reduction in cisplatin-induced loss of OHCs primarily in the basal region of the cochlea, along with reduced oxidative stress, inflammatory and apoptotic markers. In addition, EGCG protected against cisplatin-induced decrease in inner hair cell (IHCs) ribbon synapses, labeled with CtBP2. EGCG also protected against cisplatin-induced loss of Na+/K+ ATPase α1 immunoreactivity in the stria vascularis and spiral ligament. In vitro studies using University Bristol/Organ of Corti-1 (UB/OC-1) cells showed that EGCG reduced cisplatin-induced ROS generation and the activation of ERK and STAT1, while it preserved the activity of STAT3 and levels of Bcl-xL. Moreover, EGCG suppressed oxidative stress, inflammatory and apoptotic markers in cisplatin-treated UB/OC-1 cells. Co-administration of EGCG did not alter cisplatin-induced apoptosis of human-derived head and neck cancer cells, ovarian cancer cells or colon cancer cells. In studies using a xenograft model of head and neck cancer in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, I showed that EGCG did not interfere with cisplatin chemotherapeutic efficacy. These data suggest that EGCG is a potential otoprotective agent for treating cisplatin-induced hearing loss without compromising its chemotherapeutic efficacy.
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Bair, Necia Beck. "A Hydrothermal After-ripening Time Model of Seed Dormancy Loss in Bromus tectorum." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2004. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/533.
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After-ripening, the process of seed dormancy loss in dry storage is associated with a decrease in the mean base water potential, one of the parameters of hydrothermal time. The rate of change of the mean base water potential is assumed to be a linear function of temperature above a specific base temperature and as a result can be described by a thermal after-ripening (TAR) time model, an extension of hydrothermal modelling. The thermal requirement for after-ripening is the thermal time necessary for the modelling base water potential of the seed to shift from its original value to its final value. In order to include the effects of water potential on the rate of dormancy loss, a hydrothermal after-ripening (HTAR) time model was developed. Laboratory and field studies were conducted using seeds of Bromus tectorum. These studies identified four important ranges of water potential that influence the rate of dormancy loss. The ranges are identified as follows: seeds experiencing soil water potentials seeds experiencing soil water potentials <-400 MPa do not after-ripen, between -400 MPa and -150 MPa seeds after-ripen as a function of temperature (T) and water potential (Ψ), seeds experiencing water potentials >-150 MPa after-ripen as a linear function of temperature, and somewhere above -40 MPa seeds are too wet to after-ripen. These ranges suggest that specific reaction thresholds associated with non-fully imbibed seeds also apply to the process of after-ripening. The HTAR model for B. tectorum seeds generally improved predictions of dormancy loss in the field under soil conditions that were too dry for TAR alone. Reduced after-ripening rate under extremely dry conditions is ecologically relevant in explaining how seeds may prolong dormancy under high soil temperature conditions.
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Koehler, Luke R. "A risk assessment and analysis of loss to control the potential of injury at XYZ School District." Menomonie, WI : University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2004. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/2004/2004koehlerl.pdf.
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Ali, Fowziya M. "Investigations of the potential effects of different preventive products on treatment and prevention of enamel surface loss." Thesis, University of Leeds, 2018. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/20567/.
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Maintaining strong healthy teeth for life is important; therefore the present study was concerned with the recognition of the significance of exploring some of the preventive and therapeutic products on the surface loss of enamel slabs subjected to acidic erosion and tooth brushing abrasion challenges using in vitro and in situ experiments. Study 1 In vitro assessment of the effect of fluoridated toothpastes on bovine and human enamel subjected to acidic erosion and tooth brushing abrasion. Aims: To assess the anti-erosive potential of toothpastes containing different delivery fluoride systems using bovine dental enamel (Part Ι) and human enamel (Part ІΙ) subjected to both acidic erosion and tooth brushing abrasion. Part Ι: Methods: Fifty bovine enamel slabs were mounted in acrylic blocks, ground flat, tested for flatness by scanning profilometry (Proscan 2000, Scantron, UK), standardised for hardness using a Knoop hardness tester (under 100 g load for 15 s) and divided into five experimental groups (E1-E5) including 10 specimens per group. The tested toothpastes were : E1 Meridol® group, (AmF/SnF2; 0.14%), E2 Elmex® anti-caries group (AmF; 0.14%F), E3 Pronamel®, (NaF, 1450 ppm F), E4 Elmex® sensitive plus (AmF; 0.14%F), and E5 Aronal® 0 ppm F. De/remineralisation cycling procedures were achieved with immersion of the slabs under static conditions in aliquots of citric acid (0.3%, pH 3.6) for 2 mins followed by soaking for 1hr in artificial saliva between the erosive challenges. The erosive challenges procedures were repeated 5 times daily for 28 days. All groups were subjected twice a day to brushing abrasion during application of a slurry of toothpaste/saliva (1: 3) with 15 tooth brushing strokes using a 300 g load and incubated overnight at 37 ̊C in night time saliva at the end of the last brushing of the enamel slabs. Erosion and abrasion depths (μm) were quantified using profilometry scanning (Proscan 2000, Scantron, UK) at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Part ΙΙ: Similar erosive / abrasive experimental procedures were used on human enamel specimens. Results: After 28 days of erosion cycling with tooth brushing abrasion, all groups showed different enamel surface loss (μm). One-way ANOVA, demonstrated that E1 showed similar trends with E5, whereas (E2, E3, E4 showed significantly less surface loss (p < 0.05) compared to E1 and E2. Conclusions: The effect of dental erosion and tooth brushing abrasion combined can be decreased by toothpastes containing amine fluoride and sodium fluoride, whereas no protection was observed with the stannous and amine fluoride paste. Similar result trends were observed for both bovine and human enamel specimens under this erosive/abrasive model. Study 2 The effect of therapeutic products in combination on prevention of tooth surface loss. Aims: To study combined topical fluoridated measures on erosive and abrasive enamel wear in vitro. Methods: Sixty bovine enamel specimens were divided into four groups containing (15 samples per group) were subjected to cyclic de/remineralisation procedures. Demineralisation was performed with 0.3% citric acid (pH 3.6) 2 min / five times per day. The enamel slabs were immersed in day artificial saliva between each erosive challenge for 1 hour and incubated overnight in night saliva at 37 oC. Two times daily fluoride application with toothpaste and artificial saliva slurry (1:3 ratio) plus a tested mouthrinse with automated tooth brushing (15 strokes, 300 g load) for (2x2 min/day) during the experimental process. The test product treatments were: group 1 Elmex® sensitive plus toothpaste (AmF, 1400 ppm F) Plus Elmex® erosion mouthrinse containing (500 ppm F as AmF/NaF and 800 ppm Sn as SnCl2) stannous chloride rinse (Elmex TP plus MR) 2 times/day; group 2 Pronamel® toothpaste (NaF, 1450 ppm F+ 5%KNO3) + Pronamel® (NaF) mouthrinse (Pronamel® TP plus MR) 2 mins x2 times/day; group 3 Pronamel® toothpaste (NaF, 1450 ppm F) 2/day plus GC tooth mousseTM once/ a day for 5 mins (Pronamel® TP plus TM) after the last brushing; group 4 (0 ppm F toothpaste) as a control. Enamel loss was determined by scanning profilometry after the last experimental days at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Results: after 28 days significantly less enamel surface loss (μm) was observed with group1: (Elmex TP plus MR) (0.40±0.23) and group 2: (Pronamel TP plus MR) (0.60±0.28)(Pronamel TP plus TM) had (2.65±1.79) (p < 0.01) compared to 0 ppm F control (1.84±1.85). Conclusions: The topical applications of preventive therapeutic measures in the form of AmF, 1400 ppm F toothpaste plus Elmex® erosion dental rinse (500 ppm F + 800 ppm Sn) or applications of NaF/5% KNO3 toothpaste plus NaF mouthrinse significantly decreased the effect of erosion and tooth brushing abrasion compared to combinations containing remineralising agent or fluoride-free toothpaste. Study 3: Investigations of therapeutic products on prevention of enamel surface loss under erosive and abrasive challenges in situ Aims: To investigate the effect of fluoridated toothpaste alone or in combination with mouth rinse on the prevention of tooth surface loss under acidic erosion and tooth brushing abrasion in situ. Methods: Seventeen healthy participants wore a small upper removable mouth appliance holding two sterilised bovine enamel slabs that were randomly assigned to investigate one of the five test products for 14 days entered a prospective controlled, double-blind, crossover with five phases trial. All participants that signed informed consents and fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. The five treatment groups were: group A (Elmex® erosion protection toothpaste (1400 ppm F as AmF/NaF and 3500 Sn2); group B (non-fluoride® toothpaste as a control); group C (Sensodyne Pronamel® 1450 ppm F as NaF/5%KNO3 toothpaste); group D (.Sensodyne Pronamel® 1450 ppm F as NaF toothpaste plus Pronamel® mouth wash as 450 ppm F NaF) and group E (Elmex® erosion protection toothpaste (1400 ppm F as AmF/NaF and 3500 Sn2) with Elmex® erosion protection dental rinse as AmF and NaF 500 ppm F plus stannous chloride 800 stannous (Sn2). The enamel slabs were dipped extra-orally in 0.3% citric acid solution at predetermined times for 2 minutes/ five times daily. In addition the enamel slabs were brushed for 1min extra-orally then 1 min intra-orally using the standard toothpaste/natural saliva slurry and 10 ml mouthrinse was used for 60s twice per day (10 ml x2). Enamel loss was determined by surface profilometry (Proscan 2000, Scantron, UK). Results: Treatment with therapeutic products Elmex® erosion protection toothpaste, Sensodyne Pronamel® toothpaste, Sensodyne Pronamel® toothpaste plus Sensodyne Pronamel® mouthrinse and Elmex® protection erosion toothpaste and Elmex® erosion protection rinse demonstrated a highly statistically significant difference in reducing the erosive and abrasive enamel surface loss (p ≤ 0.001) compared to the control group (0 ppm F). Conclusion: Elmex® erosion protection (1400 ppm F) toothpaste combined with Elmex® erosion protection mouthrinse gave the greatest outstanding benefit. Furthermore, using combined anti-erosive therapeutic products in the form of Sensodyne Pronamel® 1450 ppm F NaF toothpaste plus Pronamel® mouth wash 450 ppm F NaF; Elmex® erosion protection toothpaste (1400 ppm F as AmF).and Sensodyne Pronamel® 1450 ppm F as NaF toothpaste significantly reduced the daily effect of erosive/abrasive tooth wear and provided better enamel surface loss reduction compared to the non-fluoride® toothpaste.
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de, Lugt Duncan R. "Event-related potentials and behavioural responses associated with a loss of consciousness at sleep onset." Thesis, University of Ottawa (Canada), 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/9717.
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This thesis examined changes in the brain's responses ("evoked potentials") during the transition from consciousness to unconsciousness. A negative wave, "N1", peaking at about 100 ms is affected by the subject's extent of attention/consciousness. Unfortunately, this same peak is also affected by manipulation of the physical parameters of the stimulus. The extent to which a component is affected by a physical or psychological parameter is often difficult to determine in the awake and alert subject. There are two principal reasons for this. Manipulation of the physical stimulus may inadvertently cause a change in the psychological state of the subject. Thus, subjects will attend to louder stimuli even if not asked to do so. Manipulation of the subject's level of attention also poses a dilemma. The change in the level of attention is always relative, not absolute. When subjects are asked to ignore stimuli, they are not able to do so. The sleep period provides a convenient means to resolve this dilemma. It is the period of time during which subjects are least attentive to, and thus least conscious of, their external environment. It can therefore be used to provide a baseline-near absolute level of attentiveness. Three experiments were run. In the first experiment, tones were presented to subjects at a rapid 600 ms interstimulus interval, during sleep onset (the transition period from Wakefulness through to Stage 2 of sleep). Subjects were not required to respond to the stimuli. In Experiment 2 stimuli were presented at a relatively slow rate (every 1000 msi. Again, subjects were not required to make an overt response. In Experiment 3 spatial resolution was enhanced by recording from 29 scalp electrode sites. Topographic changes to the P1-N1-P2 evoked potential complex during sleep onset were investigated. In addition, several novel methodological changes were implemented in this final study. Stimuli were presented in an oddball paradigm. Rare "target" tones were randomly presented within a train of frequently occurring standard stimuli. Subjects were required to press a hand held button whenever they detected a target stimulus. A radical interpretation of the present data is that a late negative wave, "N1", is entirely endogenous in nature. N1 may reflect the extent of the subject's conscious awareness of the external stimulus. As such, the N1 component of the auditory evoked potential provides a convenient and easy means to monitor the level of attention/consciousness in a number of applied settings. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
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De, Lugt Duncan R. "Event-related potentials and behavioural responses associated with a loss of consciousness at sleep onset." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/nq21964.pdf.
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Akin, Faith W., and Owen Murnane. "Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials: Preliminary Report." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2001. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/1792.
Full textAbstract:
Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) are short-latency electromyograms evoked by high-level acoustic stimuli recorded from surface electrodes over the tonically contracted sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. These responses are presumed to originate in the saccule. The purpose of this preliminary report is to provide an overview of our initial experience with the VEMP by describing the responses obtained in five subjects. Click-evoked VEMPs were present at short latencies in two normal-hearing subjects, one patient with profound congenital sensorineural hearing loss, and one patient with a severe sensorineural hearing loss due to Meniere's disease. Additionally, VEMPs were absent in a patient with profound sensorineural hearing loss following removal of a cerebellopontine angle tumor. The amplitude of the VEMP was influenced by the amount of background activity of the SCM muscle, stimulus level, and stimulus frequency. Tone-burst evoked responses showed an inverse relationship between stimulus frequency and response latency. VEMPs may prove to be a reliable technique in the clinical assessment of vestibular function.
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Harris, Kittiya. "Potential Impacts of Accelerated Sea-Level Rise and Hurricane-Induced Storm Surge in Western Pasco County, Florida." Scholar Commons, 2017. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6856.
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Sea levels have risen approximately 20 cm since the beginning of the 20th century and more than 3 cm in the past 20 years, suggesting that global sea level rise is accelerating. As sea levels continue to rise and storms become more intense, coastal property and populations become more susceptible to damage. Florida is especially vulnerable to hurricane-induced storm surge (HSS) and the onset of accelerated sea-level rise (ASLR) due to its extensive coastline and high population density along the coast. The main purpose of this research is to assess the potential economic impacts of ASLR and HSS for two of western Pasco County’s municipalities, Port Richey and New Port Richey. A Geographic Information System is used to determine the spatial extent at a high-resolution of coastal inundation, the economic loss based on property value and road expenditure due to this inundation, and its impact on critical infrastructure. The results from this study showed coastal flooding generated by 0.5m SLR amounted to 48.8% land loss and $217,108,692 of property loss. Monetary losses from inundated properties shifted dramatically from 1.0m to 1.5m SLR, from $295 million to $417 million, suggesting that the tipping point could only be a half-meter SLR. Based on the 2.0m SLR results, most of major highway US-19 was completely flooded, property tax losses amounted to approximately $7.1 million, and road expenditure was approximately $158 million. Data provided in this study can be useful for coastal management and planning in Port Richey and New Port Richey.
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Donat, Markus G. [Verfasser]. "European wind storms, related loss potentials and changes in multi-model climate simulations / Markus G. Donat." Berlin : Freie Universität Berlin, 2010. http://d-nb.info/1024542270/34.
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DiSilvestro, David Joel. "Encapsulation of Genetically Modified Preadipocytes for Potential Treatment of Metabolic Disorders." The Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1449090087.
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Hossler, Katie. "Accumulation of Carbon in Created Wetland Soils and the Potential to Mitigate Loss of Natural Wetland Carbon-Mediated Functions." The Ohio State University, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1239285185.
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Coffey, Bethany N. "Melanin as an Oto-Protective Pigment in Two Fish Species: Poecilia Latipinna and Cyprinus Carpio ." TopSCHOLAR®, 2014. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1403.
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Melanin is the dark pigment found in most organisms that gives color to the skin, hair, feathers, and eyes of vertebrates. While melanin is known to also be present in the stria vascularis of the mammalian cochlea, its function in the inner ear is still unknown. Some previous studies have indicated that melanin may serve to protect the mammalian ear from hearing loss. Minimal previous research on melanin within the inner ears of fishes has been conducted. In this study, the melanin levels in the inner ears of different color morphs of two fish species (Poecilia latipinna and Cyprinus carpio) were examined, as well as the potential protective role of melanin from acoustical stress. To identify the relationship between fish color morph and inner ear melanin, a spectrophotometric melanin assay was used for dissected inner ears, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine melanosome structure in the crus commune of the inner ears. For each color morph and species, hearing thresholds were quantified before and after sound exposure (150 Hz tone at 165 dB re 1 μPa for 48 h) by measuring auditory evoked potentials (AEPs). Melanin levels were associated with scale color, with black morphs having more inner ear melanin than white or golden morphs. TEM imaging showed that melanosome size varied among color morphs, with black P. latipinna morphs having larger melanosomes than white morphs. Hearing thresholds did not differ significantly among color morphs before sound exposure in either species. However, hearing thresholds post-sound exposure and the associated threshold shifts significantly differed between black morphs and other color morphs in the two species, with black morphs having lower thresholds and exhibiting less hearing loss than the other morphs. This suggests that melanin plays a protective role in the teleost inner ear, similar to what other researchers have found in mammalian models. Teleost fishes may be a new, more efficient model for testing melanin's function in the inner ear and how it interacts with stress from acoustical trauma and ototoxic drugs.
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Akin, Faith W., Owen D. Murnane, Joanna W. Tampas, Christopher Clinard, Stephanie Byrd, and J. Kip Kelly. "The Effect of Noise Exposure on the Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2012. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/1782.
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Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of noise exposure on the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) in individuals with asymmetric noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss (NIHL).
Design: A cross-sectional observational study was used to compare cVEMP characteristics in 43 individuals with a history of noise exposure greater in one ear (e.g., the left ear of a right-handed rifle shooter) and asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss consistent with the history of noise exposure and in 14 age-matched controls. The characteristics of hearing loss were examined further for the noise-exposed participants with abnormal cVEMPs and the noise-exposed participants with normal cVEMPs.
Results: Thirty-three percent of the noise-exposed participants had abnormal cVEMPs, whereas cVEMPs were present and symmetrical in 100% of the age-matched controls, and cVEMP threshold was greater in the noise-exposed group than in the control group. Abnormal cVEMPs occurred most often in the ears with poorer hearing (or greater NIHL), and the noise-exposed participants who had abnormal cVEMPs had poorer high-frequency pure-tone thresholds (greater NIHL) and greater interaural high-frequency pure-tone threshold differences than the noise-exposed participants with normal cVEMPs.
Conclusions: These findings are consistent with previous studies that suggest that the sacculocollic pathway may be susceptible to noise-related damage. There is emerging evidence that the severity of NIHL is associated with the presence or absence of cVEMPs.
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ARENA, ALESSANDRO. "EFFECTS OF GENERAL ANESTHETICS ON VISUAL CORTEX EVOKED AND RESTING ACTIVITY." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Milano, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2434/238236.
Full textAbstract:
Even though anesthetics are widely used in the medical practice, there are still
unresolved issues which relate to their mechanisms of action and therefore to
their ability to induce loss of consciousness. Since a large number of very different
chemical molecules are used in general anesthesia, a large variety of potential
molecular targets might exist. Some of these might relate to axonal conduction and
membrane excitability. In some cases, this action could either occur at the
presynaptic level, modifying the neurotransmitter release and reuptake
machineries, or at the postsynaptic level, modifying the number and/or sensitivity
of post-synaptic receptors. These functional alterations might also selectively
affect one or more specific neuronal phenotypes.
Nevertheless, despite the complexity of their molecular targets, all general
anesthetics induce a profound inhibition of the awake functions without
suppressing the cortical EEG activity and sparing evoked cortical responses.
Therefore, anesthetics should lead to the loss of consciousness by altering the
signal processing of the brain, rather than by abolishing its activity. Based on these
considerations, I began the investigation of the electrophysiological alterations
induced by various classes of general anesthetics, on the activity of the rat visual
system to uncover some aspects of their mechanisms of action.
In this project I compared the effects of three states of anesthesia induced by
two different molecules, sevofluorane, a volatile general anesthetic, and propofol,
which is intravenously injected. For these experiments rats were curarized,
mechanically ventilated and the body temperature was controlled. During states of
anesthesia, visual evoked potentials were recorded by means of superficial
electrodes implanted in the skull. Two functional properties of the visual
processing were evaluated: i) the sensitivity to stimuli of different brightness and
ii) the dichotomy of the ON/OFF response, which is essential for contrast
detection. Moreover, the EEG resting activity was recorded. The preliminary
results showed that the overall basal cortical activity was reduced in a
comparative manner between the two drugs throughout the three states of
anesthesia. Otherwise, significant differences were found in the power of alpha and
gamma EEG oscillations and in the effects on the visual evoked activity, suggesting
the presence of two very distinct circuital mechanisms of action and providing
novel information about the ability of anesthetics to induce loss of consciousness.
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Lossau, Selma [Verfasser], Reinhard [Akademischer Betreuer] Schomäcker, Birgit [Akademischer Betreuer] Kleinschmit, Reinhard [Gutachter] Schomäcker, Birgit [Gutachter] Kleinschmit, and Günther [Gutachter] Fischer. "Sustainable biomass potential for biofuels : a spatial assessment for Brazil and India / Selma Lossau ; Gutachter: Reinhard Schomäcker, Birgit Kleinschmit, Günther Fischer ; Reinhard Schomäcker, Birgit Kleinschmit." Berlin : Technische Universität Berlin, 2017. http://d-nb.info/1156015243/34.
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Cahill, Lisa D. "Cortical responses to speech stimuli in hearing impaired infants measured by fMRI and auditory evoked potentials." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1273174165.
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