To date there are no acceptable speechreading tests with normative or psychometric data indicating the test is a valid and reliable measure of speechreading assessment. Middlewerd and Plomp (1987) completed a study of speechreading assessment using sentences (auditory-only and auditory-visual) in the presence of background noise. Results revealed speech reception thresholds to be lower in the auditory-visual condition. Montgomery and Demorest ( 1988) concurred that these results were appealing, but unfortunately not efficient enough to be used clinically. The purpose of this study was to develop a clinically valid and reliable assessment of speech reading ability, following Middlewerd and Plomp's ( 1987) framework to achiev~ this goal. The method of obtaining a valid assessment tool was to define a group of stimuli that can be administered and scored to produce reliable data efficiently. Because spondaic words are accepted as a reliable method of clinically achieving speech reception thresholds, they were chosen to be used as the stimuli in this study to develop an efficient clinical speechreading assessment tool. Ten subjects were presented with spondaic words in each of two conditions, auditory-only and auditory-visual, in the presence of background noise. The spondee words were randomized for each presentation, to validate the data. A computerized presentation was used so that each subject received the identical input. The computer also produced a performance-intensity function for each spondaic word. Results revealed an acceptable speech recognition threshold for 18 of the 36 spondee words in the auditory-only condition; 6 words were outside of one standard deviation; and the remaining 12 words did not produce obtainable thresholds. In the auditory-visual condition, all words except one had no obtainable threshold. Although these results invalidated the spondee words as an acceptable stimuli, the study does validate the foundation for further research to study different types of stimuli using this same framework.

Thesis (MSc.(Med)(Physics))--University of Limpopo, 2010. / Key words: Diagnostic reference levels (DRL), entrance surface dose (ESD), thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) Introduction: Diagnostic reference levels (DRL‟s) are defined as a dose level set for standard sized patients or standard phantoms and are not for individual exposures and individual patients and are an efficient standard for optimizing the radiation protection of patients and are practically useful for more common examinations. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommends entrance surface dose (ESD) as DRL‟s in diagnostic radiology and are establish using a TLD on a patient/phantom surface. Aim: To estimate entrance surface dose for different X-ray procedures. Objectives: The objective of this study is to develop the diagnostic reference levels by assessing the dose received by a patient in radiographic exposure. This was achieved using different X-ray techniques to estimate the entrance surface dose for different examinations. Method: The study was conducted at the Dr George Mukhari hospital using 5 different X-ray machines. Before the study commenced quality assurance was done on the machines. The following examinations were considered: Cervical spine (AP), cervical spine (LAT), Skull (AP), Skull (PA), Abdomen (AP), Pelvis (AP), Lumber spine (AP), Lumber spine (LAT), Chest (PA) and Chest (LAT). Thermoluminescence lithium fluoride (LiF) (TLD-100, 3.16 X 3.16 X 0.9 mm3, Harshaw) and the Rando phantom were used to estimate the ESD‟s in mGy. Three TLD‟s were mounted on the top of the phantom in the centre of X-ray beam, external to the organ/tissue being imaged. The average dose was calculated for each radiograph and for each examination. The following technique factors were recorded: tube kilovoltage, focus-to-surface distance, focus-to-film distance, time and mA. vi Results: The mean ESD‟s measured at the centre of X-ray beam on the surface of the phantom for the following examinations are: Cervical spine (AP), 2.99 (± 0.26) mGy; Cervical spine (LAT), 3.23 (± 0.34) mGy; Skull (PA), 3.50 (±0.37) mGy; Skull (LAT), 2.60 (± 0.26) mGy; Abdomen (AP), 4.18 (± 0.40) mGy; Pelvis (AP), 3.96 (± 0.33) mGy; Lumber spine (APS), 4.72 (± 0.39) mGy; Lumber spine (LAT), 8.56 (± 0.67) mGy Chest (PA), 0.72 (± 0.27) mGy and Chest (LAT), 1.03 (± 0.45) mGy. Conclusion: The results of the individual exposure and the overall results of each examination were lower than reported in the literature except for the chest (PA). The determination of patient dose and the comparison with the international DRL‟s are an important factor in the optimization process in diagnostic radiology and it is of special concern for the patient‟s protection. The baseline of diagnostic reference levels for the Dr George Mukhari hospital has been established and the results obtained could be useful for future patient dose measurements in diagnostic radiology Department at the Dr George Mukhari hospital.

Manufacturing is becoming a crucial part of now-a-days fast growing economies and increase of earth’s population. Recently manufacturing is changing rapidly, different manufacturing strategies are being implemented, the conceptual understanding for manufacturing is changed, and new ways of producing products are showing up. Automation has been the essential term regarding the modern manufacturing processes. The humanmachine sharing is playing a major role in the production systems, and the most elegant thing is to create and design the appropriate level for interaction between them depending on the desired outcome in the production area. Technological innovation is the implementation of new more efficient production method by achieving qualitative improvements of the goods and services in a specific area in this paper’s case is a production system. This paper is regarding the importance of the correct production system being chosen for an organization regarding the right level of automation (LoA) being used, which is a way of controlling the overall effectiveness of the system.  Different approaches and methods are going to be used for demonstrating the choice of  the exact and right level of automation and the possibility of changing it by introducing and implementing the ongoing DYNAMO research on a different conceptual solutions for a foundry application in Factory-in-a-Box. The main objective of the research is to develop a method and system for supporting sustainable flexible and reconfigurable production system providing competitive industrial characteristics in the fast developing world. / ProViking, Factory-in-a-box, Dynamo

School physical education (PE) programs are often viewed as one of the best and most effective ways to encourage children and youth to be physically active as they provide an environment ideal for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Due to the potentially powerful role that PE can play in the health of youth, attention needs to be given to ensure that these programs are as effective as possible. In Canada, recommendations have been made for daily physical education for students from kindergarten through grade 12 yet most high schools are not meeting this goal. At the high school level, physical education is frequently provided for students through one of two scheduling systems: (a) semestered physical education (PE class every day for half of the school year), and (b) non-semestered physical education (PE class every second day for the entire school year). To date, no research exists that investigates the influence of the scheduling of PE on the physical activity levels, participation rates, and experiences of high school students. Using a mixed methods research design, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that the scheduling of PE programs has on the subsequent physical activity levels and experiences of the students involved. This study was conducted in two phases. In phase one, Grade 9 students enrolled in two schools (n = 245), with one school offering semestered PE and one school offering non-semestered PE, completed an activity recall questionnaire. This questionnaire was administered three times (October, February, and May) throughout the school year. At the baseline data collection in October, the students in the two schools had comparable total physical activity levels. The most notable difference could be seen in May where students enrolled in non-semestered PE had significantly higher physical activity levels than baseline (p>.05) while students enrolled in the semestered PE program showed a trend of decreasing physical activity levels. It was also found that students enrolled in the non-semestered PE program showed significantly higher levels of participation in structured physical activity (p>.05), activities that had to be signed up or registered for, at school and away from the school. In the second phase of the study, students were organized into focus groups based on their gender and activity level. The focus group discussions explored the experiences of students in both types of PE programs. Common themes from the focus groups included the role that non-semestered PE played in the promotion of physical activity throughout the year. It was found that the non-semestered schedule fostered a continued interest in PE but that it interfered with the scheduling of other academic classes. Semestered PE appealed to those students who preferred to get PE over with and/or appreciated the familiar routine of the one-term class. Key decision-makers were also interviewed with many of the same themes emanating. Non-semestered physical education was seen as advantageous for encouraging physical activity levels in students, but being logistically difficult to schedule. Students and key decision-makers agreed that while semestered PE was more convenient for administration, non-semestered PE would encourage PA levels, enrollment in elective PE, and participation in intramural activities and school sports teams. In conclusion, this study provides support for the investigation into the effects of PE scheduling on the physical activity levels of students. The non-semestered PE program appeared to encourage students to be more involved in structured physical activities and was supported by most students and key decision-makers with the chief objection being the logistical inconveniences. However, with youth inactivity still a major problem in Canada, and changes being desperately needed, mere inconveniences should not discourage the implementation of possible physical activity-improving initiatives like non-semestered physical education.

In the midst of stiff and fierce competition and increased number of grocery retail outlets providing a variety of products, customers have become accustomed to patronizing multiple outlets. Retailers have recognized this trend and are of the view that customer satisfaction plays a role in the success of business strategies. Therefore it has become important for grocery retail stores to try and manage customer satisfaction. This paper was thus developed to investigate the satisfaction levels of customers in supermarkets. Data was collected from three supermarkets in Visby, Gotland. The study examined the importance of overall dimensions and specific elements of customer satisfaction towards the measurement of satisfaction levels. In addition, comparative analysis was conducted between the three relative grocery stores. Customer satisfaction levels were measured. The highest percentage of customers of the whole sample belonged to medium level of satisfaction. The statistical result concluded that customers of ICA Nära and customers of ICA were higher satisfied than those of Coop Forum. The results showed that customers felt satisfied with Location, Staff courtesy and Reliability of supermarkets as the top aspects that drive satisfaction while additional services were ranked lowest. Due to these results, the impact of these attributes on Customer satisfaction must not be underestimated.

Retail shelves acts as extrinsic cues which influence consumers’ perceptions and facilitates them in their purchase dilemma. This study is about determining any possible association between vertical shelf levels and consumers’ perception of values. The assumption that consumers perceive a product at higher place as of higher value (quality) was analyzed by means of primary data and further explained by cue utilization theory. The research attempts to quantify values (extrinsic cue effect) by means of prices of the products. Here, both shelf levels and price are considered as extrinsic cues. In other words, this research analyzed the influence of one extrinsic cue on the other and thus how this affects consumer perception of the product’s value. For this purpose, a primary research was conducted involving consumer group of Swedish people (N=90) and price data was collected for three products placing at different shelf levels. Results from the questionnaire were analyzed by means of one way ANOVA test. The results disapproved hypothesis that was tested yet showed a positive trend for one the value product e.g., coffee. On the basis of result, it can be deduced that further research with different experimental techniques could be applied on the same subject matter to bring more accurate results.

School physical education (PE) programs are often viewed as one of the best and most effective ways to encourage children and youth to be physically active as they provide an environment ideal for the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Due to the potentially powerful role that PE can play in the health of youth, attention needs to be given to ensure that these programs are as effective as possible. In Canada, recommendations have been made for daily physical education for students from kindergarten through grade 12 yet most high schools are not meeting this goal. At the high school level, physical education is frequently provided for students through one of two scheduling systems: (a) semestered physical education (PE class every day for half of the school year), and (b) non-semestered physical education (PE class every second day for the entire school year). To date, no research exists that investigates the influence of the scheduling of PE on the physical activity levels, participation rates, and experiences of high school students. Using a mixed methods research design, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that the scheduling of PE programs has on the subsequent physical activity levels and experiences of the students involved. This study was conducted in two phases. In phase one, Grade 9 students enrolled in two schools (n = 245), with one school offering semestered PE and one school offering non-semestered PE, completed an activity recall questionnaire. This questionnaire was administered three times (October, February, and May) throughout the school year. At the baseline data collection in October, the students in the two schools had comparable total physical activity levels. The most notable difference could be seen in May where students enrolled in non-semestered PE had significantly higher physical activity levels than baseline (p>.05) while students enrolled in the semestered PE program showed a trend of decreasing physical activity levels. It was also found that students enrolled in the non-semestered PE program showed significantly higher levels of participation in structured physical activity (p>.05), activities that had to be signed up or registered for, at school and away from the school. In the second phase of the study, students were organized into focus groups based on their gender and activity level. The focus group discussions explored the experiences of students in both types of PE programs. Common themes from the focus groups included the role that non-semestered PE played in the promotion of physical activity throughout the year. It was found that the non-semestered schedule fostered a continued interest in PE but that it interfered with the scheduling of other academic classes. Semestered PE appealed to those students who preferred to get PE over with and/or appreciated the familiar routine of the one-term class. Key decision-makers were also interviewed with many of the same themes emanating. Non-semestered physical education was seen as advantageous for encouraging physical activity levels in students, but being logistically difficult to schedule. Students and key decision-makers agreed that while semestered PE was more convenient for administration, non-semestered PE would encourage PA levels, enrollment in elective PE, and participation in intramural activities and school sports teams. In conclusion, this study provides support for the investigation into the effects of PE scheduling on the physical activity levels of students. The non-semestered PE program appeared to encourage students to be more involved in structured physical activities and was supported by most students and key decision-makers with the chief objection being the logistical inconveniences. However, with youth inactivity still a major problem in Canada, and changes being desperately needed, mere inconveniences should not discourage the implementation of possible physical activity-improving initiatives like non-semestered physical education.

No description available.

Thesis--Leiden. / Curriculum vitae. Includes bibliographical references.

This dissertation is a mathematical investigation of the so-called lake and the great lake equations, which are shallow water equations that describe the long-time motion of an inviscid, incompressible fluid contained in a shallow basin with a slowly spatially varying bottom, a free upper surface and vertical side walls, under the influence of gravity and in the limit of small characteristic velocities and very small surface amplitude. It is shown that these equations are globally well-posed, i.e. that they possess unique global weak solutions that depend continuously on the initial data and on the bottom topography. Provided the initial data is in a class of sufficiently differentiable functions, it remains a member of that class for all times. In other words, the lake and great lake equations have global classical solutions. Moreover, if the equations are posed on a space-periodic domain and the initial data is real analytic, the solution remains real analytic for all times. The proof is based on a characterization of Gevrey classes in terms of decay of Fourier coefficients. Finally, a partial mathematical justification of the formal derivation of the lake equations is given. It is shown that solutions of the lake equation stay close to solutions of the rigid lid equations—the three dimensional Euler equations in the limit of small surface wave amplitude—in the following sense: For every error bound 6 there exists a time T = T(ε) such that for all times t ∈ [0, T] the difference between a solution to the lake equations and the solution to the rigid lid equation corresponding to the same initial data is less than E in a suitably chosen norm. Moreover, T tends to infinity as the aspect ratio of the basin tends to zero.