The object ofthe present work is to experimentally study thecase ofa turbulent boundary layer subjected to an AdversePressure Gradient (APG) with separation and reattachment. Thisconstitutes a good test case for advanced turbulence modeling.The work consists ofde sign of a wind-tunnel setup, developmentofP article Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements and evaluationtechniques for boundary layer flows, investigations ofs calingofb oundary layers with APG and separation and studies oftheturbulence structure ofthe separating boundary layer withcontrol by means ofs treamwise vortices. The accuracy ofP IV isinvestigated in the near-wall region ofa zero pressure-gradientturbulent boundary layer at high Reynolds number. It is shownthat, by careful design oft he experiment and correctly appliedvalidation criteria, PIV is a serious alternative toconventional techniques for well-resolved accurate turbulencemeasurements. The results from peak-locking simulationsconstitute useful guide-lines for the effect on the turbulencestatistics. Its symptoms are identified and criteria for whenthis needs to be considered are presented. Different velocityscalings are tested against the new data base on a separatingAPG boundary layer. It is shown that a velocity scale relatedto the local pressure gradient gives similarity not only forthe mean velocity but also to some extent for the Reynoldsshear-stress. Another velocity scale, which is claimed to berelated to the maximum Reynolds shear-stress, gives the samedegree of similarity which connects the two scalings. However,profile similarity achieved within an experiment is notuniversal and this flow is obviously governed by parameterswhich are still not accounted for. Turbulent boundary layerseparation control by means ofs treamwise vortices isinvestigated. The instantaneous interaction between thevortices and the boundary layer and the change in the boundarylayer and turbulence structure is presented. The vortices aregrowing with the boundary layer and the maximum vorticity isdecreased as the circulation is conserved. The vortices arenon-stationary and subjected to vortex stretching. Themovements contribute to large levels ofthe Reynolds stresses.Initially non-equidistant vortices become and remainequidistant and are con- fined to the boundary layer. Theamount ofi nitial streamwise circulationwas found to be acrucial parameter for successful separation control whereas thevortex generator position and size is ofseco ndary importance.At symmetry planes the turbulence is relaxed to a nearisotropic state and the turbulence kinetic energy is decreasedcompared to the case without vortices. <b>Keywords:</b>Turbulence, Boundary layer, Separation,Adverse Pressure Gradient (APG), PIV, control, streamwisevortices, velocity scaling.

Emotional intelligence is defined as the ability to perceive emotion, understand emotion, facilitate thought with emotion, and regulate emotion. Considerable debate exists as to whether emotional intelligence adds incremental validity above more wellknown predictors of performance, namely the Big Five personality traits and cognitive ability. Furthermore, no theory directly specifies the roles of separate emotional intelligence (EI) dimensions in relationship to job performance. This paper offers several contributions: (a) a summary of theoretical links between EI and job performance, (b) meta-analytic incremental validity estimation for two different conceptualizations of emotional intelligence – labeled ability EI and mixed EI – over and above cognitive ability and Big Five personality composites, (c) estimation of Black-White and femalemale adverse impact attributable to the use of EI for selection purposes, and (d) a theoretical model of EI subdimensions, demonstrating that emotion regulation mediates the effects of emotion perception and emotion understanding on job performance, and that emotional competencies serve as partial mechanisms for the effects of Conscientiousness and cognitive ability on performance.

Venture Capital Contracts with Moral Hazard and Adverse Selection Abstract This study offers a discussion on the agency theory of venture capital, including the cases of one venture capitalist and one entrepreneur, one venture capitalist and two entrepreneurs, and two venture capitalists and one entrepreneur. The first model compares the effort levels of the two parties, one venture capitalist and one entrepreneur, when there is a double moral hazard problem. The results are as follows:(1)the effort levels under double moral hazard are lower than those under full information¡Ano matter if the contract is common stock or convertible debt ; (2) a suitably chosen convertible debt contract outperforms a common stock contract; and (3) in the equilibrium, the venture capitalist¡¦s net compensation is equal to his cost of capital. Secondly, the study extends to a double side moral hazard problem between one venture capitalist and two entrepreneurs. The results show: (1) the effort levels under double moral hazard are still lower than those under full information in the model; (2) one venture capitalist and two entrepreneurs will come up with a double moral hazard problem if they sign the common stock contract; and (3) the incentive to lessen the double moral hazard problem is the total profit shared conditionally by one venture capitalist and two entrepreneurs. Finally, this study develops a joint investment framework with an adverse selection problem. One entrepreneur is informed about the project¡¦s potential profitability but two venture capitalists are not .The results show:(1)if the entrepreneur reveals his private information, the individual management cost of two venture capitalists will be equal; (2)if the entrepreneur does not reveal his private information, the individual management cost of the two venture capitalists will be higher in an uncooperative situation; and (3)if the entrepreneur does not reveal his private information, the venture capitalists¡¦ effort levels will be higher in case their management knowledge is of substitutive nature than that of complementary nature. Key words¡Gventure capital, moral hazard, adverse selection

Objective: Today, many healthcare organizations have implemented health care reporting systems in the hope of learning from experience to prevent or reduce adverse events, medical errors or accidents. However, most applications have failed or not been implemented as predicted. This study presents an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) that integrates subjective norm, trust, and management support into the TAM to investigate what determines healthcare professional reporting system acceptance. Design: The proposed model was empirically tested using data collected from a survey in the hospital environment. The structural equation modeling technique was used to evaluate the causal model and confirmatory factor analysis was performed to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement model. Measurements: Questionnaire administered items measuring the behavioral intention to use the reporting system and five hypothesized antecedents. Results: Our findings indicated that all variables significantly affected healthcare professionals¡¦ behavioral intention to use the reporting system. Among them, the subjective norm had the most significant influence. Conclusion: The proposed model provides a means to understand what factors determine healthcare professional¡¦s behavioral intention to use a reporting system and how this may affect future use. In addition, antecedents to the behavioral intent can be used to predict reporting system acceptance in advance of system development.

<p>The object ofthe present work is to experimentally study thecase ofa turbulent boundary layer subjected to an AdversePressure Gradient (APG) with separation and reattachment. Thisconstitutes a good test case for advanced turbulence modeling.The work consists ofde sign of a wind-tunnel setup, developmentofP article Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements and evaluationtechniques for boundary layer flows, investigations ofs calingofb oundary layers with APG and separation and studies oftheturbulence structure ofthe separating boundary layer withcontrol by means ofs treamwise vortices. The accuracy ofP IV isinvestigated in the near-wall region ofa zero pressure-gradientturbulent boundary layer at high Reynolds number. It is shownthat, by careful design oft he experiment and correctly appliedvalidation criteria, PIV is a serious alternative toconventional techniques for well-resolved accurate turbulencemeasurements. The results from peak-locking simulationsconstitute useful guide-lines for the effect on the turbulencestatistics. Its symptoms are identified and criteria for whenthis needs to be considered are presented. Different velocityscalings are tested against the new data base on a separatingAPG boundary layer. It is shown that a velocity scale relatedto the local pressure gradient gives similarity not only forthe mean velocity but also to some extent for the Reynoldsshear-stress. Another velocity scale, which is claimed to berelated to the maximum Reynolds shear-stress, gives the samedegree of similarity which connects the two scalings. However,profile similarity achieved within an experiment is notuniversal and this flow is obviously governed by parameterswhich are still not accounted for. Turbulent boundary layerseparation control by means ofs treamwise vortices isinvestigated. The instantaneous interaction between thevortices and the boundary layer and the change in the boundarylayer and turbulence structure is presented. The vortices aregrowing with the boundary layer and the maximum vorticity isdecreased as the circulation is conserved. The vortices arenon-stationary and subjected to vortex stretching. Themovements contribute to large levels ofthe Reynolds stresses.Initially non-equidistant vortices become and remainequidistant and are con- fined to the boundary layer. Theamount ofi nitial streamwise circulationwas found to be acrucial parameter for successful separation control whereas thevortex generator position and size is ofseco ndary importance.At symmetry planes the turbulence is relaxed to a nearisotropic state and the turbulence kinetic energy is decreasedcompared to the case without vortices.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>Turbulence, Boundary layer, Separation,Adverse Pressure Gradient (APG), PIV, control, streamwisevortices, velocity scaling.</p>

Comparison of Post-licensure safety surveillance of 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine and 7-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine: Data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Background: On February 24, 2010, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar 13®, [PCV13]) for use among children aged 6 weeks--71 months. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended PCV13 routine vaccination of all children aged 2--59 months, children aged 60--71 months with underlying medical conditions, with PCV13 replacing PCV7 for all doses. Methods: We searched case reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a US passive surveillance system, for adverse events (AEs) reported after immunization with PCV13 vaccine from February 24, 2010 through February 24, 2011 for persons vaccinated from February 24, 2010 through December 31, 2010 and compared them with AEs reported by persons who were vaccinated with PCV7. Results: VAERS received 1503 reports of AEs after PCV13; multiple vaccines were given in 79.0% of reports. One hundred eighty (11.9%) were coded as serious, including nineteen reports of death. The most frequently reported symptoms were injection site reactions, fever, irritability and vomiting. Seven hundred fifty-eight (50.4%) reports comprised males. Most reports (37.7%) were from children 1-2 years. Total number of reports received for PCV13 was very similar to those received after vaccination with PCV7. Conclusions: AEs reported to VAERS following 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine were consistent with AEs previously observed in pre-licensure trials. We did not identify any major safety concerns or outcomes.

The objectives of this study were to characterize the ocular and systemic adverse effects, and systemic pharmacokinetics of topical 0.1% diclofenac. This was investigated in 8 healthy cats using a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Drops were administered bilaterally 4 times daily for 7 days. Ocular, hepatic and renal variables were measured at various timepoints. Pharmacokinetic sampling occurred on Days 1 and 7. Treated animals were 8 times more likely to develop conjunctival hyperemia than control animals (p=0.0161). Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that accumulation occurs with repeated dosing. Topical 0.1% diclofenac treatment did not have any significant effect on hepatic or renal function, other than reduction GFR in the second phase of the study (p=0.0013). In conclusion, topical 0.1% diclofenac appears to be safe in healthy cats causing only mild ocular irritation. Careful patient selection may be indicated as systemically-absorbed diclofenac may be associated with reduction in GFR in volume-contracted states. / Ontario Veterinary College Pet Trust Fund

Purpose: To investigate the effects of vocabulary, working memory, age, semantic context, and signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) on speech recognition in adverse conditions (multitalker babble) in normal-hearing listeners aged 18-35. First, a general hypothesis was tested that listeners with larger receptive vocabularies would be more accurate at recognising speech in noise than listeners with more limited receptive vocabularies, even when target stimuli are words with high lexical frequency. A second more specific hypothesis was that the vocabulary would be predictive of speech recognition accuracy when the signal was moderately degraded, but not mildly or severely degraded. Method: 80 sentences with a high (HP) or low (LP) degree of semantic predictability (40 HP and 40 LP) were recorded from a male speaker of NZ English. These sentences were used as experimental target stimuli, and presented in multitalker babble at four SNRs: -8, -4, 0 and 4 dB SNR. Thirty-five participants (11 males and 24 females, aged 18 to 35), with puretone hearing thresholds of 15 dB HL or better, completed the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) vocabulary subtest, the WAIS working memory subtests, and the experimental listening task in which they were required to repeat back the target sentences. Results: There was considerable variability between listeners in speech recognition performance, in terms of percent words accurately recognised overall (M = 45.8%; SD = 7.4) and for both HP (M = 54.4%; SD = 9.8) and LP (M = 35%; SD = 8.9) conditions. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that receptive (PPVT) and productive (WAIS) vocabulary knowledge, but not working memory, contributed 8 significant variance to listeners’ speech recognition scores overall and in both the HP and LP conditions. Further regression analyses at individual SNR levels showed that receptive vocabulary contributed significant variance to listening recognition scores in all predictability and SNR conditions except the most favourable (HP stimuli at 4 dB SNR) and least favourable (LP stimuli at -8 dB SNR) listening conditions. Working memory and age were not significantly related to overall listening score, HP listening score, or LP listening score, but age did contribute significant variance in the - 4dB SNR LP condition. Conclusion: The results provide further evidence that greater vocabulary knowledge is associated with improved speech recognition in adverse conditions. This effect was salient in mid-range adverse listening conditions, but was not apparent in highly favourable and extremely poor listening conditions. The results were interpreted to suggest that in moderately adverse listening conditions listeners with larger lexicons may be better able to exploit redundancies and/or intelligible ‘glimpses’ in the speech signal.

No description available.

With little research documenting elderly medication users’ beliefs and attitudes towards medication, the purpose of this study is to document how seniors experience medication use within the context of their daily lives. The study population was comprised of female and male seniors aged 65 and over who were recruited from the Parksville – Qualicum Beach and Nanaimo communities of eastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The findings of this research suggest that for seniors, medication use is a complex and emotionally charged experience. It is an experience filled with contradictions, in which seniors are forced to negotiate between diverse realms of information concerning medications, from the directives they receive from health care professionals, to the signals they receive from their bodies. It is an experience in which powerful conceptions of medications as prolongers of life often trump an individual’s overwhelming desire to stop taking those medications. This research is intended to expand our understandings of the perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs that inform Canadian seniors’ medication use practices. Furthermore, findings from this thesis will contribute to a collaborative investigation of seniors’ experiences with medication designed to address the increasing number of adverse drug reactions experienced by the elderly. / Graduate