An occurrence which is sometimes observed in a model based on dichotomous dependent variables is separation in the data. Separation in the data is when one or more of the independent variables can perfectly predict some binary outcome and it primarily occurs in small samples. There are three different mutually exclusive and exhaustive classes into which the data from a logistic regression can be classified: complete separation, quasi-complete separation and overlap. Separation (either complete or quasi-complete) in the data gives rise to a number of problems since it implies in nite or zero maximum likelihood estimates which are idealistic and does not happen in practice. In this dissertation the theory behind a logistic regression model, the definition of separation and different methods to deal with separation are discussed in part I. The methods that will be focused on are exact logistic regression, Firth s method which penalises the likelihood function and hidden logistic regression. In part II of this dissertation the three fore mentioned methods will be compared to one another. This will be done by applying each method to data sets which exhibit either complete or quasi-complete separation for different sample sizes and different covariate types. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Statistics / Unrestricted

La fiabilité des microcontrôleurs est cruciale compte tenu de leur utilisation massive dans de nombreux domaines, surtout dans des environnements sévères. De ce fait, la robustesse aux perturbations électromagnétiques, en particulier à propos des alimentations, est un axe de développement majeur, que ce soit pour acquérir un avantage comparatif sur le marché, ou simplement pour assurer la sécurité des biens et des personnes. En ce sens, nous avons étudié le test de ces circuits soumis à des agressions transitoires rapides en salve définies par la norme IEC 61000-4-4. Les mécanismes spécifiques de propagation de la perturbation en mode commun sont mis en évidence, ainsi que leur conversion en mode différentiel. Plusieurs méthodes de mesure, dont certaines originales, ont été développées pour valider cette conversion, ainsi que les modes de propagation. Sur cette base, le réseau de distribution des alimentations a été particulièrement étudié et son influence sur la robustesse du circuit a été mise en évidence. Enfin, cette thèse ouvre de nouvelles perspectives d’amélioration de la robustesse des microcontrôleurs, pour ce type d’agression, et donc de leur fiabilité. / The reliability of the microcontrollers is crucial considering their massive use in numerous domains, especially in severe environments. Therefore, the robustness in the electromagnetic disturbances, in particular for the power supply network, is a major development, whether it is to acquire a comparative advantage on the market, or simply to assure the goods and people safety. Therefore, we studied the Fast Transient Burst test of integrated circuits, as defined by the IEC 61000-4-4 standard. The specific propagation mechanisms of the disturbance in common mode are highlighted, as well as their conversion in differential mode. Several measurements methods, among which certain novel, were developed to validate this conversion, as well as the propagation modes. Based on this, the power distribution network was particularly studied and its influence on the robustness of the circuit was highlighted. Finally, this work opens new perspectives of improvement of the microcontrollers’ robustness, for this kind of aggression, and thus their reliability.

The diploma thesis deals with monitoring imidazoles in selected types of beverages. The aim is to detect imidazoles in drinks by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with the use of Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The coumpounds that were detected are 2-Methylimidazole, 4-Methylimidazole and 2-Acetyl-4(5)-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl)-imidazole. The theoretical part concerns the origin of imidazoles, its occurrence and influence on human health. There is also a brief introduction to technology of production of beverages containing imidazoles. The practical part statistically compares imidazoles concentration amongst separated types of dark beers, cola beverages, coffee beans and instant coffees. The end of the thesis focuses on determining a dependency of imidazoles on roast time in Ethiopia coffee beans.

Cytokines play an important regulatory role during immune responses against pathogens. The outcome of an induced cytokine pattern is determined by many factors. It strongly depends on the nature of the pathogen and the host’s ability to control the quality and strength of cytokine signals. In pulmonary infection with Cryptococcus neoformans T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 cell subsets and their associated cytokines confer protection, whereas a Th2-biased response with production of interleukin (IL) -4 confers susceptibility. Since inappropriate Th responses often lead to death in immunosuppressed human patients, especially HIV-1 infected patients, this work aimed to elucidate mechanisms of Th2 induction and regulation by assessing the Th2 hallmark cytokine IL-4 in an experimental model of cryptococcosis. Therefore, a kinetic study of IL-4 expression during 70 days after intranasal infection was performed in susceptible mice. The analyses included characterization of pulmonary leukocytes and Th cell cytokine profiling. IL-4 profiling revealed Cryptococcus-specific IL-4 production not before six weeks after infection. This unexpected finding was further validated by equal results observed in a kinetic study done in IL-4 reporter mice. These mice express a green fluorescent protein simultaneously to IL-4 expression in the same cell and this protein can be detected by flow cytometry. Two cellular sources of IL-4 were identified: Th2 cells were found as expected, but also, as shown for the first time, eosinophilic granulocytes could be demonstrated to secrete IL-4. Next, the influence of eosinophils on pulmonary inflammation and disease development was investigated using ΔdblGATA-1 mice constitutively devoid of eosinophilic granulocytes. Experiments with infected ΔdblGATA-1 mice revealed novel regulatory functions of eosinophils in cryptococcosis. In the absence of eosinophils pulmonary Th cell recruitment was significantly diminished. In addition, Th2 polarization was reduced in ΔdblGATA-1 mice as shown by reduced numbers of Th2 cells expressing the Th2-related surface marker T1/ST2 and reduced albeit not absent IL-4 production by Th cells. In addition to reduced IL-4 production, in the absence of eosinophils Th cells with enhanced interferon-γ and IL-17 production were observed. However, control of pulmonary fungal growth was only slightly enhanced in the absence of eosinophils and dissemination of cryptococci to the brain was unaltered. This may be related to the shared IL-4 production by not only eosinophils but also Th2 cells. Blocking more than one cellular source of IL-4 could be required to prevent immunopathology. To test the hypothesis of gradual IL-4-dependent immunopathology, experiments were conducted using mice expressing only one allele of the IL-4receptor (R) alpha (α) chain (+/-) instead of two (+/+). Indeed, mono-allelic expression of the IL-4Rα resulted in an intermediate expression of the IL-4R on the surface of myeloid and lymphoid cells indicating a gene-dosage effect for IL-4R expression. Infected IL-4Rα+/- mice displayed reduced susceptibility as compared with IL-4Rα+/+ mice, and IL-4Rα-/- mice completely lacking IL-4R expression were found to be protected with survival for the complete time period of the experiment (i.e. up to 275 days). Reduced susceptibility found in infected IL-4Rα+/- mice was associated with decreased serum levels of immunoglobulin E, reduced mucus production by airway epithelia, attenuation of airway hyper-reactivity, and reduced formation of alternatively activated macrophages in lung parenchyma – pathophysiological features, which are typically found in experimental models of asthma but also in asthma of humans and animals. Since no up-regulation of IL-4R by the infection with Cryptococcus neoformans was found, the experimental pulmonary infection model used appears to be a very sensitive low-level IL-4 system. This work highlights the outstanding role of IL-4 and its different cellular sources as well as its receptor in cryptococcosis and provides novel insights into pathogenesis. Moreover, a cellular (i.e. eosinophils) and a molecular (i.e. IL-4R) target for treatment of this mycosis and possibly of asthma is provided.

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to explore how Big-4 companies use the balanced scorecard to manage the operations in comparison to smaller competitors in the same field. Method - The study is of a qualitative nature and is based on an inductive approach. The empirical data has been collected through Conclusion - The results show that the use of BSC differs not only between Big-4 and Non-big 4 bureaus but also within the groups. In addition, there is no link between the size of the bureau, belonging to The Big 4 or not, on the one hand, and the use of BSC on the other hand. Some bureaus within the Big-4 use the card more extensively than others within the block. At the same time there are some smaller bureaus that focus on more perspectives of the card, compared to some Big-4 bureaus. This leads to the conclusion that the extent to which the card is used differs drastically between all bureaus. / Syfte - syftet med denna uppsats är att utforska hur Big-4 byråerna använder det balanserade styrkortet för att styra verksamheten i jämförelse med mindre konkurrenter i samma fält. Metod - Studien är av kvalitativ karaktär och har utgått från en induktiv ansats. Empirin har samlats in genom dokument samt litteratur innehållsanalys. Slutsats - Resultaten visar att användningen av BSC skiljer sig inte bara mellan Big 4 och Non-big 4 utan även inom grupperna, samtidigt som det inte förekommer någon koppling mellan byråns storlek, att tillhöra Big 4 eller inte och användningen av BSC. Vissa byråer inom Big-4 använder kortet mer omfattande än dem andra inom blocket. Samtidigt som vissa Non-big 4 byråer tar hänsyn till fler perspektiv av kortet, jämfört med andra byråer inom Big-4. Detta leder till slutsatsen att användning av kortet skiljer sig mellan samtliga ingående byråerna.

This study was undertaken to add to the knowledge of the psychosocial effects of the 4-H program upon its members. The objectives were to determine if 4-H involvement is associated with the psychological and social maturation of adolescent members, and to investigate how several variables such as age, urban/rural residence, and S. E.S . mayhelp explain this relationship or lack of relationship. To accomplish these objectives 165 youths (103 4-H, 62 non 4-H ) and one parent of each youth, responded to mail-out questionnaires, answering questions of biographical content, and items from the Psychosocial t~aturity inventory. Responses were compiled and analyzed by the use of several statistical summary techniques. The author considers the following findings to be of the greatest theoretical significance. Discriminant analysis showed 4-Hers to be different from non 4-Hers in regard to parental reports of their Interpersonal and Social Adequacy . Carrelatianal analyses supported the notion that 4-H involvement may indeed lead to increased Social Adequacy, but showed that although Interpersonal Adequacy was higher in 4-Hers than non 4-Hers, this advantage is apparently not soley due to 4-H program effects.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第18512号 / 医博第3932号 / 新制||医||1006(附属図書館) / 31398 / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 髙折 晃史, 教授 前川 平, 教授 小川 誠司 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Auxin resistant cropping systems will provide producers with an alternative option for weed management, but with this new technology also comes the concern of off target movement of dicamba and/or 2,4-D to susceptible crops. Research was conducted over multiple site years in order to determine the effect of soybean response to different application timings and rates of 2,4-D and dicamba. 2,4-D was applied at 1X (0.56 kg ae/ha), 1/4X, 1/16X, 1/64X, and 1/256X rates, and dicamba was applied in a separate study at 1X (0.56 kg ae/ha), 1/4X, 1/16X, 1/64X, 1/256 and 1/1024X. All rates were applied at the V3 and R1 growth stages. Greatest yield losses occurred from dicamba applied at the R1 growth stage. Additional studies were conducted to determine at which growth stage soybeans are most sensitive to 2,4-D and dicamba. Greatest yield losses occurred at the late vegetative and early reproductive growth stages for both herbicides.

Uppsatsen syftar till att utreda tillämpningen av 4:4 miljöbalkens geografiska begränsning. Lagparagrafen reglerar riksintresseområde för ”högexploaterad kust” där endast fritidshusbebyggelse får komma till stånd undantagsvis och då ifall de utgör komplettering till befintlig bebyggelse eller ifall fritidshusbebyggelsen utgör en naturlig avrundning till ett redan bebyggt område. Kustområdena som denna lagparagraf reglerar anger specifikt vissa ortsnamn, men är ändå inte tydlig med vilka geografiska gränser som faktiskt gäller, exempelvis hur långt in i landet ett kustområde sträcker sig. Så var går gränsen? I detta arbete behandlas i urval fyra rättsfall, spridda över tiden avseende exploatering i riksintresseområde där 4:4 MB har varit en central paragraf i fråga. Rättsfallen avser samtliga tiden från det att miljöbalken vann laga kraft 1998. Ett av dessa rättsfall utföll så att 4:4 MB inte ansågs vara tillämpligt och frågan hänvisades tillbaka till kommunen för vidare handläggning. Därmed är det inte klarlagt ifall det genomfördes någon sorts exploatering i fallet i slutändan. Vad jag generellt finner i rättsfallen är att rättsinstanserna oftast dömer så att någon exploatering inte tillåts, men att sakägarna som för ärendena inför domstol är inte kommunerna utan privatpersoner som bor i de aktuella områdena. I studien kontaktades ett antal länsstyrelser och kommuner för att få en tydligare bild av hur 4:4 MB tillämpas. Kommunerna som studerats i arbetet har olika mycket hantering av 4:4 MB. Vissa kommuner har stort tryck på exploatering i kustområden medan andra har mindre efterfrågan, och mängden ärende med anknytning till 4:4 MB verkar samvariera med exploateringsintresset. Något som flera företrädare för kommunerna i studien tar upp i de genomförda intervjuerna är avsaknaden av sorts mall eller liknande som förtydligar vad för värden som regelverket avses skydda, definitioner av ord i lagen så som ”tätort” och ”fritidsbebyggelse”, och vad det är för utveckling av områdena som eftersträvas. Av de valda länsstyrelsernas informationsutgivning, på deras respektive hemsidor framgår det oftast ungefärligt samma sak angående riksintressen. Det som brukar tas upp, med avseende på 4 kapitlet MB eller allmänt riksintresse, är en återgivning av lagtexten, en hänvisning till var detta regelverk är tillämpligt i länet och därefter en avslutning med hänvisning till en GIS-karta. Tillämpningen av 4:4 MB skiljer sig åt mellan länsstyrelser och kommuner. Vad de flesta länsstyrelser och kommuner verkar ha gemensamt är att de använder sig av ett GIS-skikt. Kommunerna som studerats i arbetet har olika mycket hantering av 4:4 MB. Detta beror på att, liksom länsstyrelser, exploateringstrycket varierar och därmed mängden ärende med 4:4 MB varierar. För vidare forskning anser jag att ett förtydligande av 4 :4 MB är nödvändig. Vidare bör en inventering ske om de nu i lagrummet reglerade områdena är aktuella att klassa som riksintresse. Även definition av andra ord i 4:4 MB skulle vara önskvärt, så som en definition av ”tätort” respektive ”fritidsbebyggelse”, samt ett förtydligande avseende vilka värden som staten avser skydda. Sammanfattningsvis tillämpas lagparagrafen hos länsstyrelser och kommuner idag med stor grund i ett GIS-skikt och med stöd i tidigare ärenden. Dock förfaller varken länsstyrelser eller kommuner någon helt klar bild avseende vilka värden som ska skyddas och kan därmed inte vara helt säkra på var den geografiska avgränsningen bör vara. Dock verkar den geografiska avgränsningen inte vara det största problemet med 4:4 MB, utan definitioner av uttryck exempelvis ”tätort” och ”fritidshus” och vilka värden som lagstiftaren syftar till att bevara. / This study aims to investigate the practical use of the 4:4 Environmental Code in Sweden. The paragraph regulates national interest areas of high-exploited coast where only vacation buildings exceptionally may be constructed and in that case the vacation buildings must make a complement to the already existing settlement or they must make a natural rounding to an already built area. The coastal areas this paragraph regulates specifies some location name s, but it is still not clear which geographical limits to apply. For example, how far inland does the coastal area extends. Where is the limit? In this work four legal cases are treated. These cases are within the field of exploitation in the national interest area where 4:4 Environmental Code have been a key paragraph. All the legal cases refer to the time after the Environmental Code became legally valid in 1998. One of these legal cases showed that the 4:4 Environmental Code was not applicable and the question was sent back to the municipality for further processing. Thereby it is not clear if there was any exploitation in the case in the end. What I generally find in the legal cases is that the courts often sentence so that there is no exploitation, but that it is private individuals which live in the current area, that take the case to court and not the municipality. In this study, county governments and municipalities were contacted to get a better understanding of how 4:4 Environmental Code is used. The municipalities that where studied in this work have some very different management of 4:4 Environmental Code. Some municipalities have a lot of pressure on exploitation in coastal areas while other municipalities have less pressure, and the amount of errands with connection to 4:4 Environmental Code seems to match the exploitation interest. Something that several representatives of the municipalities bring up in the conducted interviews is the lack of some sort of template or something similar that clarifies the values the Code intend to protect, definitions of word in the law such as “urban area” and “vacation building”, and what development is being sought. In general, the information regarding the national interests available on the websites of the chosen county governments respectively, is the same. What is usually brought up, regarding the fourth chapter in the Environmental Code or generally about national interest s, is a rendering of the paragraph, a reference to where in the county this paragraph is applicable and thereafter a closure with another reference to a GIS-map. The county governments and the municipalities apply 4:4 Environmental Code differently. What the most county governments and municipalities seem to have in common is their use of the GIS-map. The studied municipalities in this work have many different managements of 4:4 Environmental Code. This is because, as in the case with the county governments, that the pressure on exploitation varies and thereby does the amount of errands about 4:4 Environmental Code vary as well. For further research, I consider that a clarification of the 4:4 Environmental Code is necessary. Furthermore, there should be an inventory to see if the paragraph’s regulated areas are still current enough to be classified as national interest areas. Also the definition of other words in 4:4 Environmental Code would be desirable, such as a definition of “urban area“ and “vacation building“, and as well as a clarification of what values the Swedish state intends to protect.  In conclusion, the paragraph is applied today at the county governments and municipalities with a great support of a GIS-map and other previous errands. However, neither the county governments or the municipalities seems to have a totally clear picture regarding what values that are supposed to be protected and can therefore not be completely sure about where the geographical delimitation should be. But the geographical delimitations do not seem to be the greatest problem about the 4:4 Environmental Code, but definitions of expressions for instance “urban area“ and “vacation building “, and which values that the legislature aims to preserve.

Ferrate (molecular formula, FeVIO42-) has been studied increasingly since the 1970s as a disinfectant and coagulant for domestic wastewater and also as an oxidant for industrial wastewaters (Murmann and Roginson, 1974, Gilbert et al., 1978, Kazama, 1994, Jiang et al., 2002, and Sharmaet al., 2005). This research was performed to explore whether ferrate could possibly be used as chemical treatment for industrial wastewaters from plastic, chemical, dye, soap, and wood stain producing plants that contain 2, 4-Dinitrophenol (DNP). DNP is listed on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL). This list includes compounds which are not currently regulated at the national level, but there is a growing concern for the harm they may cause to the environment. Therefore, the EPA prioritizes these compounds and conducts extensive research to determine if these compounds should be regulated (USEPA, 2005). The effects of Ferrate on DNP were evaluated during these experiments. The effect of various dosages of Ferrate and different pH values was monitored over 17 minutes using UV 254 to determine the extent of oxidation of 300 mg L-1 DNP. Removal of DNP at all pHs and dosages was noted, however, a pH of 4 and a molar ratio of 14: 1 (Ferrate to DNP) removed the highest percentage of DNP at 87.3. The by-products of the 3.5 and 14: 1 molar ratio of Ferrate to DNP reactions at a pH of 4 and their toxicity were determined by measuring biochemical oxygen demand 5 day (BOD5), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), chlorine residual and chemical oxygen demand (COD), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. The BOD5 indicated toxicity, either from the residual chlorine or the organisms used for seeding not being acclimated to DNP and by-products. DOC of the 3.5 : 1 molar ratio was higher than calculated values indicating more ring breakage than was originally measured by UV 254. DOC of the 14: 1 molar ratio experiment was lower than calculated values, which indicated human error in measuring the DNP concentration. The chlorine residual was high for both experiments, 112 and 594 mg L-1, for the 3.5 and 14: 1 molar ratios, respectively. COD was unable to be measured due to chloride interference. The GC/MS data showed several chlorine-substituted benzene rings as well as carbon tetrachloride for the 3.5:1 molar ratio DNP experiments. The 14:1 GC/MS data indicated much more ring breakage with carbon tetrachloride, a substituted butane chain, many unknown straight chain chlorinated compounds and dichloro-pentane isomers as by-products.