In Manitoba, potato fields have been found to be infested with Verticillium dahliae, which can produce Vertcillium wilt disease severity of up to 90% and reduce yield. Potato producers have then an increased interest on use of green manures and organic amendments to control Verticillium wilt. The objectives of this research were to evaluate selected green manure and organic amendments for their ability to reduce propagule density of V. dahliae in soil, incidence and severity of Verticillium wilt, and to enhance potato yield in Manitoba. In addition, a second study was conducted for the purpose of studying the potential of mustard green manure and seed meal to inhibit the germination of microsclerotia. Findings suggest that composted-cattle-manure and oriental mustard seed-meal amendments have promise as an alternative strategy for the control of V. dahliae. However, only composted beef cattle manure reduced disease, increased potato yield and improved nutrient availability (P) in soil

This research demonstrates the usage of numerical acoustics to model sound and vibrational energy propagation in HVAC ducts and plenums. Noise and vibration in HVAC systems propagates along three primary paths that can be classified as airborne direct, airborne indirect and structure-borne. The airborne direct path was simulated using acoustic FEM with special boundary conditions to handle the diffuse acoustic field loading and the baffled termination. The insertion loss for a number of different plenum geometries was compared to published measurement results. Results were in good agreement both below and above the cutoff frequency. Additionally, the airborne indirect path, often termed breakout noise by the HVAC community, was assessed using Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA). This path was examined experimentally by placing a loudspeaker inside the air handler and measuring the sound power transmitted through the walls. SEA results compared favorably with the measured results in one-third octave bands even at low frequencies. Finally, the structure-borne path was considered by exciting the walls of the aforementioned air handler using an electromagnetic shaker. The panel vibration and the sound power radiated from the panels were measured. Results were compared with the SEA with good agreement provided that SEA loss factors were determined experimentally.

L'émergence des formes d'onde numériques en radar et l'engouement de la communauté scientifique pour leur versatilité éprouvée en télécom, soulèvent naturellement chez les ingénieurs radaristes la question de l'amélioration effective des performances opérationnelles par ces nouvelles formes d'onde, notamment en matière de haute-résolution. Les travaux publiés sur le sujet sont prometteurs, à ceci près qu'ils sont le plus souvent basés sur des modèles théoriques un peu éloignés de la réalité opérationnelle ou sur des scénarios simplistes relativement à la capacité haute résolution envisagée (par exemple le faible nombre de sources pris en compte). En effet la prise en compte d'un modèle d'observation réaliste (large bande, à fréquence d'échantillonnage élevée) et de scénario à grand nombre de contributeurs conduit à des estimateurs dont la complexité d'implémentation n'est pas compatible des puissances de calcul actuelles. Une approche alternative, et compatible des puissances de calcul actuelles, pour la qualification des performances haute résolution est l'utilisation des bornes inférieures d'estimation, principalement la borne de Cramèr-Rao déterministe. L'examen de la littérature courante (notamment les monographies de référence) sur la borne de Cramèr-Rao déterministe a fait apparaître des lacunes relatives à sa formulation dans le contexte radar qui nous intéresse, à savoir MIMO large bande, multisources, multiparamètres à observations multiples. En effet dans la littérature courante, les observations multiples sont définies comme des réalisations multiples indépendantes d'un même modèle d'observation, alors qu'en radar il s'agit en général de la combinaison de modèles d'observation différents (variation de la forme d'onde). Ce constat a motivé l'essentiel de ce travail, à savoir l'établissement d'une expression analytique générale de la borne de Cramèr-Rao déterministe MIMO large bande, multisources, multiparamètres à modèles d'observations multiples pour la qualification (asymptotique) des performances en estimation d'un radar actif. Ce travail fournit un outil de comparaison des performances haute-résolution des différentes formes d'onde, dont les nouvelles formes d'onde numériques. De façon générale, l'expression analytique générale de la borne de Cramèr-Rao obtenue fournit la base théorique pour le développement des futurs radars à haute résolution.

There is an increase in HIV/AIDS and other blood borne diseases. Health care workers are often exposed to blood and body fluids and thus prone to blood borne infections. Preventative measures can be taken to prevent health workers from contracting these diseases. However, health care workers need to stringently apply these measures. Universal precautions against blood borne infections include diligent hygiene practices, such as hand washing and drying, appropriate handling and disposal of sharp objects, prevention of needle stick or sharp injuries, appropriate handling of patient care equipment and soiled linen, environmental cleaning and spills management, appropriate handling of waste as well as protective clothing such as gloves, gowns, aprons, masks and protective eyewear. This study is aimed at investigating compliance with universal precautions in operating theatres in Northern KwaZulu–Natal as well as perceptions of registered nurses working in these operating theatres regarding factors influencing compliance in order to contribute to measures to limit the risk of infection to patients and health care workers. A sequential explanatory design, mixed–method (quantitative and qualitative) was used to explore the use of universal precautions in operating theatres in the Northern Kwa–Zulu Natal. In the first phase, the sample consisted of practices in operating theatres of six hospitals and one regional hospital in area 3 of Kwa–Zulu Natal. The adapted structured checklist based on an established document developed by the MASA Committee for Science and Education (1995) was pilot tested. The collected data was statistically analysed and interpreted with the help of a statistician using SPSS. The results of Phase 1 were used as a base for the Phase 2 questions. Three focus group interviews were conducted with professional nurses who were observed during Phase 1 at the selected hospitals. Findings from quantitative data show that although health care workers take precautions to prevent infections, they do not attain full compliance to universal precautions. The qualitative data indicated that the reasons for non–compliance amongst others were the lack of knowledge of universal precautions, communication factors, resources, including maintenance of equipment, lack of supplies and shortage of human resources and attitudes of health care workers. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

In Manitoba, potato fields have been found to be infested with Verticillium dahliae, which can produce Vertcillium wilt disease severity of up to 90% and reduce yield. Potato producers have then an increased interest on use of green manures and organic amendments to control Verticillium wilt. The objectives of this research were to evaluate selected green manure and organic amendments for their ability to reduce propagule density of V. dahliae in soil, incidence and severity of Verticillium wilt, and to enhance potato yield in Manitoba. In addition, a second study was conducted for the purpose of studying the potential of mustard green manure and seed meal to inhibit the germination of microsclerotia. Findings suggest that composted-cattle-manure and oriental mustard seed-meal amendments have promise as an alternative strategy for the control of V. dahliae. However, only composted beef cattle manure reduced disease, increased potato yield and improved nutrient availability (P) in soil

There is an increase in HIV/AIDS and other blood borne diseases. Health care workers are often exposed to blood and body fluids and thus prone to blood borne infections. Preventative measures can be taken to prevent health workers from contracting these diseases. However, health care workers need to stringently apply these measures. Universal precautions against blood borne infections include diligent hygiene practices, such as hand washing and drying, appropriate handling and disposal of sharp objects, prevention of needle stick or sharp injuries, appropriate handling of patient care equipment and soiled linen, environmental cleaning and spills management, appropriate handling of waste as well as protective clothing such as gloves, gowns, aprons, masks and protective eyewear. This study is aimed at investigating compliance with universal precautions in operating theatres in Northern KwaZulu–Natal as well as perceptions of registered nurses working in these operating theatres regarding factors influencing compliance in order to contribute to measures to limit the risk of infection to patients and health care workers. A sequential explanatory design, mixed–method (quantitative and qualitative) was used to explore the use of universal precautions in operating theatres in the Northern Kwa–Zulu Natal. In the first phase, the sample consisted of practices in operating theatres of six hospitals and one regional hospital in area 3 of Kwa–Zulu Natal. The adapted structured checklist based on an established document developed by the MASA Committee for Science and Education (1995) was pilot tested. The collected data was statistically analysed and interpreted with the help of a statistician using SPSS. The results of Phase 1 were used as a base for the Phase 2 questions. Three focus group interviews were conducted with professional nurses who were observed during Phase 1 at the selected hospitals. Findings from quantitative data show that although health care workers take precautions to prevent infections, they do not attain full compliance to universal precautions. The qualitative data indicated that the reasons for non–compliance amongst others were the lack of knowledge of universal precautions, communication factors, resources, including maintenance of equipment, lack of supplies and shortage of human resources and attitudes of health care workers. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Cette thèse porte sur l'indécomposabilité dans les graphes et les tournois. Elle comporte cinq chapitres dont le premier est introductif. Le deuxième chapitre consiste en une étude des tournois indécomposables suivant les tournois indécomposables à 5 ou à 7 sommets qu'ils abritent [3, 2]. Le troisième chapitre est une caractérisation des tournois (-1)-critiques avec une description morphologique de ces tournois [4,5]. Le quatrième chapitre contient une caractérisation des graphes (-1)-critiques [6], répondant ainsi, dans le cas général, à un problème posé par Y. Boudabbous et P. Ille[10]. Le cinquième chapitre est consacré à une opération d'inversion dans les tournois et un invariant, l'indice d'inversion d'un tournoi, dont l'étude a été proposée par M. Pouzet. Le fait que les tournois (-1)-critiques sont d'indice entre 2 et 4 est le lien avec l'étude de la criticalité. Plusieurs propriétés de la classe des tournois d'indice au plus n sont données.

Erkinis encefalitas (EE) yra dažniausia ir sunkiausia virusinė nervų sistemos infekcija, neturinti specifinio priešvirusinio gydymo. Vienintelė efektyvi šios ligos profilaktikos priemonė yra vakcinacija. Nesant galimybių įvesti visuotinę vakcinaciją nuo EE mūsų šalyje, ypač svarbu nustatyti didžiausią šios ligos riziką turinčias gyventojų grupes, kurioms būtų teikiamas vakcinacijos prioritetas. Pagal tarptautines Laimo boreliozės (LB) diagnostikos ir gydymo gaires, klinikiniai sindromai ir jų trukmė yra svarbiausias šios ligos diagnostikos kriterijus. Serologiniai tyrimai vaidina tiktai pagalbinį vaidmenį patvirtinant diagnozę. Pagrindinis serologinių tyrimų trūkumas yra tas, kad jie neleidžia atskirti aktyvios infekcijos nuo buvusio kontakto su šios ligos sukėlėjais. Laimo boreliozės atveju tai labai svarbu, kadangi endeminiuose rajonuose nuo 1,8 iki 26 proc. sveikų žmonių turi šios ligos sukėlėjų antikūnus dėl buvusios besimptomės infekcijos praeityje. Neįmanoma teisingai interpretuoti LB serologinių tyrimų, nežinant LB paplitimo regione, kuriame šie tyrimai taikomi LB diagnostikai. Šis darbas yra pirmasis Lietuvoje LB sukėlėjų antikūnų paplitimo tyrimas, kuriame nustatytas dviejų pagrindinių erkių pernešamų ligų sukėlėjų antikūnų serokonversijos dažnis tyrimo laikotarpiu, didelio endemiškumo regione, tiriamųjų imtį sudarius atsitiktinės sluoksniuotos atrankos pagal amžių ir lytį principu. Šiame darbe ištirtos įvairių rizikos veiksnių sąsąjos su EE ir LB sukėlėjų paplitimu... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / TBE is the most common and severe CNS affecting zoonosis. No specific treatment for TBE exists. Tick-borne encephalitis can be prevented by active immunization. Due to governmental financial shortages this vaccination is not included in the national program of imunoprophylaxis for the years 2014-2018. It is very important to find out groups for priority vaccination according to living area, age, leisure activities and occupational risk. Lyme borreliosis diagnosis should be based primarily on the clinical presentation and an assessment of tick exposure risk. In most cases laboratory diagnosis is only supporting clinical picture. Antibody assays still fall short of being completely sensitive and specific to distinguish acute and chronic infection. The diagnostic specificity of serum antibody tests is low because seropositivity in normal population ranges from 1.8% to 26% and LB IgM and IgG may persist for years. The interpretation of serological tests may also lead to misdiagnosis not knowing the seroprevalence of LB in the area. This is the first study of seroprevalence of LB and incidence of TBE and LB during a three year period in Lithuania. The study was conducted in high endemic areas and random samples stratified by gender and age groups were made. Only a few studies perform neutralization tests for detecting TBEV antibodies. Assumed risk factors for the prevalence of TBE and LB were established.

Erkinis encefalitas (EE) – pati dažniausia ir sunkiausia virusinė nervų sistemos infekcija Lietuvoje, kuria per metus vidutiniškai suserga 400 žmonių. Užsikrėtus EE virusu (EEV), galima besimptomė arba klinikinius požymius sukelianti ligos eiga, turinti platų požymių spektrą – nuo lengvos, meningitinės ligos formos iki sunkaus encefalito. Nors mirštamumas nuo EE yra nedidelis, svarbiausia problema – ilgai trunkantis sveikimo laikotarpis ir ilgalaikiai liekamieji reiškiniai, kurie būdingi 26–46 proc. persirgusiųjų. Neaišku, kodėl užsikrėtę identiško virulentiškumo virusu, vieni žmonės perserga besimptome arba lengva EE forma, o kitiems atsiranda sunkus nervų sistemos pažeidimas. Manoma, kad didelę reikšmę turi žmogaus genetiniai veiksniai. Nesant specifinio priešvirusinio EE gydymo, šios sunkios centrinės nervų sistemos infekcijos patogenezės ir genetinių rizikos veiksnių tyrimai yra ypač svarbūs, siekiant nustatyti galimas veiksmingo gydymo paieškos kryptis ateityje. Šio darbo tikslas – nustatyti CCR5 ir TLR3 genų polimorfizmų paplitimą tarp EE sirgusių asmenų ir šių genų polimorfizmų reikšmę polinkiui sirgti EE bei skirtingoms EE klinikinėms formoms išsivystyti. Šis darbas yra didžiausias iki šiol atliktas genetinių veiksnių reikšmės EEV infekcijos metu tyrimas ir pirmasis tokio pobūdžio vaikų tyrimas. Tyrimo rezultatai patvirtino hipotezę, kad nefunkcionuojantis CCR5 ir funkcionuojantis TLR3 yra reikšmingi simptominės EE formos išsivystymo veiksniai, užsikrėtus EEV. / Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most common and severe viral infection of the central nervous system in Lithuania, with the average number of 400 cases per year. The clinical spectrum of TBE virus infection varies considerably from asymptomatic to mild meningitis or severe encephalitis. Although the mortality of TBE is relatively low, as many as 26–46% of the patients experience long-lasting sequelae. No specific treatment for TBE exists. A most intriguing question is why certain individuals respond with seve¬re clinical symptoms after infection with TBEV while the majority either remains asymptomatic or develops only mild disease. Studies of host genetic susceptibility to infectious diseases aim to in¬crea¬se our understanding of why some individuals are more susceptable than others. Knowledge of genetic susceptibility may be used in develope¬ment of new therapeutic means and also to recognize individuals who are at increased risk of severe symptoms if infected with a pathogen. The aim of this study – to establish the prevalence of the polymorphisms in CCR5 and TLR3 genes in TBE patients and their role in susceptibility to clinical TBE and disease severity. This study is the largest study on the host genetic risk factors predis¬posing to TBEV infection, and the first study of such kind performed in the pediatric population. The results of this study confirmed that a non¬func¬tional CCR5 protein and a functional TLR3 receptor are associated with the clinical expression... [to full text]

The purpose of this research was to compare skeletal and dental changes assessed by digital volumetric images produced during and after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) between a bone-borne anchored expansion appliance and a conventional tooth-borne RME. Initial steps included the development of a methodology to analyze CBCT images. Reliability of traditional two dimensional (2D) cephalometric landmarks identified in CBCT images was explored, and new landmarks identifiable on the CBCT images were also evaluated. This methodology was later tested through a clinical trial with 62 patients where skeletal and dental changes found after maxillary expansion using either a bone-borne or tooth-borne maxillary expander and compared to a non-treated control group. The conclusions that were obtained from this thesis were that the NewTom 9” and 12” three dimensional (3D) images present a 1-to-1 ratio with real coordinates, linear and angular distances obtained by a coordinate measurement machine (CMM). Landmark intra- and inter-reliability (ICC) was high for all CBCT landmarks and for most of the 2D lateral cephalometric landmarks. Foramen Spinosum, foramen Ovale, foramen Rotundum and the Hypoglossal canal all provided excellent intra-observer reliability and accuracy. Midpoint between both foramen Spinosums (ELSA) presented a high intra-reliability and is an adequate landmark to be used as a reference point in 3D cephalometric analysis. ELSA, both AEM and DFM points presented a high intra-reliability when located on 3D images. Minor variations in location of these landmarks produced unacceptable uncertainty in coordinate system alignment. The potential error associated with location of distant landmarks is unacceptable for analysis of growth and treatment changes. Thus, an alternative is the use of vectors. Selection of landmarks for use in 3D image analysis should follow certain characteristics and modifications in their definitions should be applied. When measuring 3D maxillary complex structural changes during maxillary expansion treatments using CBCT, both tooth-anchored and bone-anchored expanders presented similar results. The greatest changes occurred in the transverse dimension while changes in the vertical and antero-posterior dimension were negligible. Dental expansion was also greater than skeletal expansion. Bone-anchored maxillary expanders can be considered as an alternative choice for tooth-anchored maxillary expanders. / Medical Sciences in Orthodontics