In marine environments and where de-icing salts are applied, the degradation of reinforced concrete structures due to chloride induced corrosion of the reinforcement is a major problem. The expansive nature of the corrosion process results in cracking of the concrete and eventually spalling. In order to select suitable remedial measures it is necessary to make an assessment of the residual strength and the residual life. In order to investigate the effect of corrosion on bond strength of the reinforcement, specimens comprising square prismatic sections containing steel reinforcement in the four corners have been subjected to a wet-dry cycle and corrosion has been accelerated by polarising the bars. The research has studied the change of bond strength with level of corrosion for 12 mm and 16 mm bars with concrete cover of 1 and 3 times the bar size. The bond strength is assessed by means of pull out tests and the corresponding extent of corrosion has been assessed in terms of the mass loss. Observations and measurements of the form of the corrosion (pit dimensions and loss of bar diameter) are also presented. The relationship between bond strength and surface crack width has been investigated. Results show that the surface crack width may be a good indicator of residual bond strength. In addition, the influence on bond strength of concrete compressive strength, reinforcement cover, bar position and bar size on the change of bond strength has been explored. It should be noted that all conclusions drawn in this project are based on tests on specimens without shear reinforcement (unconfined) and that accelerated corrosion (by impressed current) has been adopted. Consequently, care should be exercised in applying these results directly to structures in the field. Additional research is needed to assess the influence of impressed current on crack patterns and the effect of shear reinforcement.

A typical problem with relationship management in a B2B environment is that implementing companies often see the relationship only from their own perspective. In other words, the supplier decides which customer is worth treating as a key customer, without involving the customer in this decision, or vice versa. As a result, even resource-consuming key account customers might move to competitors if they do not value the relationship in the same way as the supplier and see an opportunity to save costs by switching sources. This study develops a better understanding of value in B2B relationships. It investigates the segmentation methods currently used in relationship management and develops a new approach that brings the value perspectives from buyer and seller together. The major contribution of the research, however, is to test the proposition that congruency of the value expectations of buyer and seller will optimize the relationship strength.In the literature there seem two general approaches, the hard and the soft. This research combines these measures to form a single, cohesive measurement of congruency of relationship value, from the perspective of both partners in the relationship. There is a lacuna in the burgeoning literature on relationship management, where trust is often inadequately represented in the research, and where reciprocity of value between relationship partners is often omitted. This research addresses this critical, yet under-researched, issue. It also provides a useful, practical, guide to companies desirous of setting up strong relationships with other organizations by explaining the importance of soft value measures and focusing on shared value expectations in these relationships.The quantitative survey was conducted among buyers and sellers in small and medium sized companies in Germany that are operating on an international level. The empirical results strongly support the research thesis. Implications for theory and practice are provided as well as recommendations for further research.

<p>Abstract</p><p>Elderly people are going to be a growing number in Europe. Between one third are going to be 60 years or older at 2025. For Sweden the situation is going to be similar. A reduced muscle function could lead to complications for the individual to perform daily tasks and will lead to a higher rate for falling and getting bone fractures. The positive sides are that for men and women there are a possibility for maintaining physical function and strength even in older years. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of gaining strength in M. Quadriceps femoris among five elderly people. The training schedule followed over 6 weeks of time with training sessions twice a week, training the Quadriceps muscle with one set of each training session. The result shows that for the three people that completed the study, all of them managed to gain strength. Further the study examines resistance training comparing single and multiple sets. Is there any difference in gaining strength between training programs with single set training versus multiple sets training?</p>

<p>A well established organization culture is necessary for the success of a company. In this study, we choose Handelsbanken to demonstrate how an international company develops its culture, and find out what are the important characteristics of that culture.</p><p>It was concluded that a successful company must have a well established organization culture, which can not only adapt to different outside environment but also bring solidarities in organizations. Further more, there is no culture is better or worse, there is only the culture that is most appropriate and efficient for the company.</p><p>This thesis demonstrates how an international company develops its culture, therefore, it will be valuable for those who want to create or improve their organization cultures.</p>

The torsion test was evaluated as a method for determining the shear strength of full-size structural lumber. The evaluation involved an experimental length study, an experimental depth study, and a finite element study. The length study consisted of fifty nominal 2x4 specimens, ten specimens for each length, and ten American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) shear blocks. One 14 foot long board yielded one specimen for each length: (a) 21.0", (b) 28.5", (c) 32.0", (d) 35.5", (e) 39.0", and (f) an ASTM D143-94 shear block. The statistical analysis revealed no evidence that the length affected the shear strength. The depth study consisted of fifty specimens, ten specimens for each depth: (a) 2x4, (b) 2x6, (c) 2x8, (d) 2x10, and (e) 2x12. In addition, fifty ASTM shear blocks, one block for each specimen, were tested. The statistical study did not reveal convincing evidence of a depth effect on shear strength, even after accounting for specific gravity and shear span as covariates. Failure modes for the torsion samples involved a longitudinal shear crack at the mid-point of the longest side, which propagated toward the ends of the specimen and through the cross section perpendicular to the growth rings. The finite element model revealed that uniform shear stress occurs within the shear span, which begins and ends a distance of approximately two times the depth plus the grip distance away from each end of the member. In addition, torsion theory verified that the experimental shear failure plane that occurs within the shear span is parallel to the grain and the shear slippage is also parallel to the grain, similar to the known shear failure in specimens subjected to bending loads. Based on the results of this study, the torsion test is the best practical method to determine the pure shear strength of full-size structural lumber, because the test yields 100% shear failures and the specimen is in a state of pure shear stress. / Graduation date: 1998

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the validity and reliability of the Nicholas Manual Muscle Tester (NMMT), a portable dynamometer, as a measure of the isometric strength in women with arthritis. Female subjects (N=13; 66 �� 13.89 yrs.) with arthritis were tested for isometric muscle strength on the shoulder and hip (abduction, adduction, flexion, extension). Subjects were tested on three separate days using NMMT and Kincom 500-H dynamometers. Each subject performed three maximal isometric contractions for each joint action. A visual analog pain scale was used to determine level of pain prior to testing. Reliability values based on intraclass correlations coefficients (R) ranged from .85 to .93., with the exception of shoulder abduction being .49. Validity was determined correlating the mean value of the NMMT score with corresponding Kincom isometric measure. Pearson product moment correlations ranged from (r) .02 to .86, with 4 of 8 values meeting .05 level of significance. Correlation coefficients for pain and isometric force values were inconclusive and ranged from -.305 to .218. Major conclusions were: a) NMMT had high test-retest reliability in this sample; b) NMMT provides little criterion evidence of validity with the Kincom for most movements of hip and shoulder; c) level of pain was not a significant factor in subject reliability. / Graduation date: 1995

Graduation date: 1995

Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Dissertation (Ph. D.)--University of Akron, Dept. of Polymer Engineering, 2005. / "December, 2005." Title from electronic dissertation title page (viewed 09/17/2006) Advisor, Arkady I. Leonov; Co-Advisor, Joseph P. Padovan; Committee members, Joseph P. Padovan, Gary R. Hamed, Erol Sancaktar, Rudolph J. Scavuzzo, Jr.; Department Chair, Sadhan C. Jana; Dean of the College, Frank N. Kelley; Dean of the Graduate School, George R. Newkome. Includes bibliographical references.

<p>Abstract 1.</p><p>The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects whole body vibrations on maximal strength, power output and neuromuscular activity in m. pectoralis major during bench press.</p><p>Participants consisted of 35 male and 9 female military high school students (m=23, 1 years). On the basis of initial maximal performances in bench press the participants was divided into two experiments groups and one control group. Intervention groups performed a specifically designed push up program on a vibrating plate respectively a step board during 12 weeks</p><p> </p><p>Initial load at 60 % of 1 RM showed an average of 46, 5 kg. All groups showed an average increase of 13 kg for each person after 12 weeks. Initial value for power output showed a mean of 265 watt, which also showed an increase with an average of 7 watt (with a load equivalent of 60 % of 1 RM at the current test occasion), respectively an increase of 41 watt (with the load performed during the first test occasion). A positive correlation existed between the load at 60 % of 1 RM and achieved power output. No significant differences between groups were exposed concerning estimated maximum strength or power output in bench press. </p><p>All participants showed an increase in strength development, indicating that vibration stimuli could be compared to traditional push ups training without vibrations. Vibrations seem to have more effects on the magnitude of recruited motor units, why vibrations training could be a good complement to established strength training.</p><p>Abstract 2. </p><p>The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects whole body vibrations on strength development, power output and neuromuscular activity in m. pectoralis major during bench press. The purpose was also to examine what roll self-efficacy plays in strength tasks. </p><p>Participants consisted of 35 male and 9 female military high school students (m=23, 1 years). On the basis of initial maximal performances in bench press the participants was divided into two experiments groups and one control group. Intervention groups performed a specifically designed push up program on a vibrating plate respectively a step board during 12 weeks. All participants answered a battery of questionnaires concerning backgrounds, motives for sport participation, self-efficacy and efficacy sources. </p><p>Initial load at 60 % of 1 RM showed an average of 46, 5 kg (sd = 13, 8). All groups showed an average increase of 13 kg for each person after 12 weeks. Initial value for power output showed a mean of 265 watt, which also showed an increase with an average of 7 watt (with a load equivalent of 60 % of 1 RM at the current test occasion), respectively an increase of 41 watt (with the load performed during the first test occasion). A positive correlation existed between the load at 60 % of 1 RM and achieved power output. No significant differences between groups were exposed concerning estimated maximum strength or power output in bench press. Gender differences showed that men lifted significantly heavier loads at 60 % of 1RM compared to women. </p><p>No significant differences could be seen between the groups concerning self efficacy. Gender differences were exposed concerning self-efficacy to push ups with a pat. The efficacy sources “performance accomplishments” was valuated to be the most influential to form self-efficacy expectations. A strong positive relationship between “performance accomplishments” and achieved self-efficacy to push ups with pats were shown. Self-efficacy to push ups with a pat also correlated positively with power output and performed 60 % of 1 RM in bench press. </p><p>All participants showed an increase in strength development, indicating that vibration stimuli could be compared to traditional push ups training without vibrations. Vibrations seem to have more effects on the magnitude of recruited motor units, why vibrations training could be a good complement to established strength training. Participants relatively high self-efficacy to strength tasks is probably a result of performance accomplishments in there own strength straining rather than the intervention training. Positive relationships between self-efficacy and power output as well as performed 60 % of 1 RM in bench press, indicating that high self-efficacy have a positive influence on strength performance. </p><p>Keywords: estimated maximal strength (1RM), neuromuscular activity, power output, self-efficacy.</p>