Preterm birth (PTB) and low birthweight (LBW) babies are the source of a large burden of infant, neonatal, and childhood morbidity. The purpose of this project was to expand the use of the CenteringPregnancyTM Group Prenatal Care Model as an evidence-based intervention for management of both medical and psychosocial risk in low-income, ethnic and racial minorities in New York City. The standardized model developed by Schindler Rising decreases the incidence of preterm birth and low birthweight and increases the rate of breastfeeding. A CenteringPregnancyTM program implementation plan, customized to meet the needs of a multisite urban hospital system, was coordinated with the Centering Healthcare Institute to ensure method fidelity while allowing for an individual site's needs based upon patient demographics and provider mix. Program evaluation showed that the logic models supported implementation and expansion of Centering Groups at 2 federally qualified health centers, with adequate progress toward site approval, method fidelity scores, and favorable patient and staff satisfaction ratings using the CenteringCountsTM data collection system. After a total of 4 Centering group cohorts with 26 women, 7 at high medical risk, 4 delivered preterm (11.5%), 2.3% less than the institutional average PTB rate of 13.8%. One out of 26 women delivered a LBW infant. Twenty-two of 24 women (92%) initiated breastfeeding compared to the institutional average of 89%. To foster a change in policy toward Centering as the default option for prenatal care, ongoing evaluation is required to assess the reduction of and fiscal impact on preterm and low birthweight rates to offset the cost of implementation.

Die Konstruktion von Systemen oder Modellen, welche unter Unsicherheit und Umweltschwankungen robust arbeiten, ist eine zentrale Herausforderung sowohl im Ingenieurwesen als auch in den Naturwissenschaften. Dies ist im Design-Zentrierungsproblem formalisiert als das Finden eines Designs, welches vorgegebene Spezifikationen erfüllt und dies mit einer hohen Wahrscheinlichkeit auch noch tut, wenn die Systemparameter oder die Spezifikationen zufällig schwanken. Das Finden des Zentrums wird oft durch das Problem der Quantifizierung der Robustheit eines Systems begleitet. Hier stellen wir eine neue adaptive statistische Methode vor, um beide Probleme gleichzeitig zu lösen. Unsere Methode, Lp-Adaptation, ist durch Robustheit in biologischen Systemen und durch randomisierte Lösungen für konvexe Volumenberechnung inspiriert. Lp-Adaptation ist in der Lage, beide Probleme im allgemeinen, nicht-konvexen Fall und bei niedrigen Rechenkosten zu lösen. In dieser Arbeit beschreiben wir die Konzepte des Algorithmus und seine einzelnen Schritte. Wir testen ihn dann anhand bekannter Vergleichsfälle und zeigen seine Anwendbarkeit in elektronischen und biologischen Systemen. In allen Fällen übertrifft das vorliegende Verfahren den bisherigen Stand der Technik. Dies ermöglicht die Umformulierung von Optimierungsproblemen im Ingenieurwesen und in der Biologie als Design-Zentrierungsprobleme unter Berücksichtigung der globalen Robustheit des Systems. / The design of systems or models that work robustly under uncertainty and environmental fluctuations is a key challenge in both engineering and science. This is formalized in the design centering problem, defined as finding a design that fulfills given specifications and has a high probability of still doing so if the system parameters or the specifications randomly fluctuate. Design centering is often accompanied by the problem of quantifying the robustness of a system. Here we present a novel adaptive statistical method to simultaneously address both problems. Our method, Lp-Adaptation, is inspired by how robustness evolves in biological systems and by randomized schemes for convex volume computation. It is able to address both problems in the general, non-convex case and at low computational cost. In this thesis, we describe the concepts of the algorithm and detail its steps. We then test it on known benchmarks, and demonstrate its real-world applicability in electronic and biological systems. In all cases, the present method outperforms the previous state of the art. This enables re-formulating optimization problems in engineering and biology as design centering problems, taking global system robustness into account.

Die Konstruktion von Systemen oder Modellen, welche unter Unsicherheit und Umweltschwankungen robust arbeiten, ist eine zentrale Herausforderung sowohl im Ingenieurwesen als auch in den Naturwissenschaften. Dies ist im Design-Zentrierungsproblem formalisiert als das Finden eines Designs, welches vorgegebene Spezifikationen erfüllt und dies mit einer hohen Wahrscheinlichkeit auch noch tut, wenn die Systemparameter oder die Spezifikationen zufällig schwanken. Das Finden des Zentrums wird oft durch das Problem der Quantifizierung der Robustheit eines Systems begleitet. Hier stellen wir eine neue adaptive statistische Methode vor, um beide Probleme gleichzeitig zu lösen. Unsere Methode, Lp-Adaptation, ist durch Robustheit in biologischen Systemen und durch randomisierte Lösungen für konvexe Volumenberechnung inspiriert. Lp-Adaptation ist in der Lage, beide Probleme im allgemeinen, nicht-konvexen Fall und bei niedrigen Rechenkosten zu lösen. In dieser Arbeit beschreiben wir die Konzepte des Algorithmus und seine einzelnen Schritte. Wir testen ihn dann anhand bekannter Vergleichsfälle und zeigen seine Anwendbarkeit in elektronischen und biologischen Systemen. In allen Fällen übertrifft das vorliegende Verfahren den bisherigen Stand der Technik. Dies ermöglicht die Umformulierung von Optimierungsproblemen im Ingenieurwesen und in der Biologie als Design-Zentrierungsprobleme unter Berücksichtigung der globalen Robustheit des Systems. / The design of systems or models that work robustly under uncertainty and environmental fluctuations is a key challenge in both engineering and science. This is formalized in the design centering problem, defined as finding a design that fulfills given specifications and has a high probability of still doing so if the system parameters or the specifications randomly fluctuate. Design centering is often accompanied by the problem of quantifying the robustness of a system. Here we present a novel adaptive statistical method to simultaneously address both problems. Our method, Lp-Adaptation, is inspired by how robustness evolves in biological systems and by randomized schemes for convex volume computation. It is able to address both problems in the general, non-convex case and at low computational cost. In this thesis, we describe the concepts of the algorithm and detail its steps. We then test it on known benchmarks, and demonstrate its real-world applicability in electronic and biological systems. In all cases, the present method outperforms the previous state of the art. This enables re-formulating optimization problems in engineering and biology as design centering problems, taking global system robustness into account.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第21364号 / 工博第4523号 / 新制||工||1704(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科建築学専攻 / (主査)教授 西山 峰広, 教授 竹脇 出, 准教授 倉田 真宏 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

No description available.

Concrete filled steel tubes are regarded as ideal frame members in seismic resisting systems, as they combine large axial and flexural capacity with ductility. The combination of the two materials increases the strength of the confined concrete and avoids premature local buckling of the steel tube. These benefits are more prominent for circular than for rectangular concrete filled steel tubes. However, most common connection configurations for circular concrete filled tubes are not economic in the US market due to (a) the desire of designers to use only fully restrained connections and its associated (b) high cost of fabrication and field welding. Research indicates that well designed partially restrained connections can supply equal or even better cyclic behavior. Partially restrained connections also possess potential capability to develop self-centering system, which has many merits in seismic design. The goal of this research is to develop a new connection configuration between circular concrete filled steel columns and conventional W steel beams. The new connection configuration is intended to provide another option for rapid assembling on site with low erection costs. The proposed connection is based on an extended stiffened end plate that utilizes through rods. The rods are a combination of conventional steel and shape memory alloy that provide both energy dissipation and self-centering capacity. The new connection configuration should be workable for large beam sizes and can be easily expanded to a biaxial bending moment connection. / Ph. D.

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in English and Afrikaans / The purpose of the study was to determine the contribution Edu-K can make to the way that people are able to actualise themselves. Two literature studies were done. The first literature study dealt with the existing theories on self actualisation. After this study a list was drawn up that consisted of the characteristics of the actualiser. The second literature study dealt with the Seven Dimensions of Intelligence, as described by Edu-K. A connection was drawn between the characteristics of the actualiser and the Seven Dimensions. A clear connection was drawn theoretically between the characteristics of the actualiser and the seven dimensions. The empirical study also shows an improvement in the academical performance as well as the characteristics of the actualiser. / Die doel van hierdie studie is om te bepaal watter bydrae Edu-Kinesiologie (Edu-K) kan lewer tot die bereiking van selfaktualisering, veral op akademiese gebied Vir die verkenning is twee literatuurstudies gedoen. Die eerste literatuurstudie het gehandel oor die teoriee wat bestaan oor selfaktualisering. Na hierdie studie is 'n vraelys oor eienskappe wat kenmerkend van selfaktualiseerders is, saamgestel. Die tweede literatuurstudie het gegaan oor die Sewe Dimensies van lntelligensie wat deur Edu-K beskryf word, en daar is 'n verband getrek tussen die Sewe Dimensies en die eienskappe van selfaktualisering. Daar is teoreties 'n duidelike verband getrek tussen selfaktualisering en die Sewe Dimensies van lntelligensie. Die empiriese studie het ook aan die lig gebring dat daar 'n verbetering in akademiese prestasie, sowel as eienskappe van selfaktualisering is na terapie. / M. Ed.(Guidance and Counselling)

This quasi-experimental study compared family formation and perceived partner support among pregnant adolescents in a prenatal care program. Participants were assigned to either an intervention group utilizing centering pregnancy (CP) prenatal care and case management, or to a comparison group receiving case management only. Partners were invited to participate in CP group sessions. This study included 173 predominantly minority pregnant adolescents ages 15–18 years who were enrolled in a prenatal program and followed one month postpartum. Family formation included living and relationship arrangements. Perceived partner support included six domains of perceived social provisions. Data were collected through participants’ self-reports using computer-assisted self-interviews. Changes in family formation and perceptions of partner support from baseline to postpartum did not differ between intervention and comparison groups. Male partners who attended at least one CP session were perceived as more supportive at both the beginning and end of the program than partners who did not attend any sessions. After combining groups, pregnant adolescents reported a significant shift in family formation and increased monetary support from partners from baseline to postpartum. Partner support is important for ensuring positive pregnancy outcomes. Additional strategies are needed to engage young fathers who do not readily provide support during pregnancy.

Submitted by Cássia Santos (cassia.bcufg@gmail.com) on 2017-01-04T09:35:23Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Iussif Mamede Neto - 2016.pdf: 8414229 bytes, checksum: dbd825fbd28378443533fac54c7a09c1 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-01-04T09:59:04Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Iussif Mamede Neto - 2016.pdf: 8414229 bytes, checksum: dbd825fbd28378443533fac54c7a09c1 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-04T09:59:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Iussif Mamede Neto - 2016.pdf: 8414229 bytes, checksum: dbd825fbd28378443533fac54c7a09c1 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Objective: To evaluate transportation (T) and centering ability (CA) of root canal preparations using continuous or reciprocating nickel-titanium endodontic files. Material and methods: Ninety-six mesiobuccal root canals of mandibular first and second molars were randomly divide into 6 groups (n=16) according to the rotary file used: Group 1- ProTaper Next®; Group 2- ProTaper Gold®; Group 3- Mtwo®; Group 4- BioRaCe®; Group 5- WaveOne Gold®; Group 6- Reciproc®. Root canals were prepared according to manufacturer’s instructions. Cone-beam computed tomography scans were obtained before and after canal preparation. Measurements were made at five different points: 2, 3 and 4 mm from the apex and 2, 3 and 4 mm below furcation. Transportation and centering ability were analyzed following the recommendations made by Gambill et al. (1996). Results: The greatest mesiodistal (MD) transportation (T) was found for Reciproc® files (p<0.05), and the greatest buccolingual (BL) T, for Reciproc®, ProTaper Gold® and ProTaper Next® files (p<0.05). The greatest mesiodistal (MD) centering ability (CA) was found for BioRaCe® files (p<0.05), and the greatest buccolingual (BL) CA, for BioRaCe® and Mtwo® files (p<0.05). Conclusion: All systems produced root canal transportation. No file system achieved perfect CA of root preparation. Reciproc® files had the greatest MD T and BL T. BioRaCe® files had the greatest MD CA, whereas BL CA was similar for BioRaCe® and Mtwo® files. / Objetivo: Avaliar o índice de transporte (IT) e a capacidade de centralização (CC) do preparo do canal radicular com instrumentos endodônticos de níquel-titânio acionados em rotação contínua e reciprocante. Materiais e métodos: Noventa e seis canais mesiovestibulares de molares inferiores (primeiro e segundo) foram aleatoriamente divididos em 06 grupos (n=16), de acordo com o instrumento rotatório utilizado: Grupo 1- ProTaper Next®; Grupo 2- ProTaper Gold®; Grupo 3- Mtwo®; Grupo 4- BioRaCe®; Grupo 5- WaveOne Gold®; Grupo 6- Reciproc®. A técnica de preparo do canal radicular obedeceu a orientação dos fabricantes. Tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico foi realizada antes e após o preparo dos canais radiculares. Foram estabelecidos 06 níveis para a realização das mensurações nas imagens: 2, 3 e 4 mm aquém do vértice radicular e 2, 3 e 4 mm abaixo da furca. O índice de transporte e a capacidade de centralização foram analizados conforme proposto por Gambill et al. (1996). Resultados: O maior IT no sentido mesiodistal (MD) foi observado com o Reciproc® (p<0,05), enquanto que no sentido vestíbulolingual (VL) foram verificados com Reciproc®, ProTaper Gold® e ProTaper Next® (p<0,05). Os maiores valores de CC(MD) e (VL) foram observados com os sistemas BioRaCe® (p<0,05) e BioRaCe® e Mtwo® (p<0,05), respectivamente. Conclusão: Todos os sistemas promoveram transporte do canal radicular. Nenhum instrumento mostrou capacidade de centralização do preparo perfeita. O Reciproc® obteve os valores maiores de IT(MD) e (VL). O sistema BioRaCe® apresentou a maior CC(MD), enquanto que no sentido (VL) o BioRaCe® e Mtwo® mostraram capacidades similares.

In this thesis, a new approach combining neural networks and genetic algorithms is presented for microwave design. In this method, an accurate neural network model is developed from the experimental data. This neural network model is used to perform sensitivity analysis and derive response surfaces. An innovative technique is then applied in which genetic algorithms are coupled with the neural network model to assist in synthesis and optimization. The proposed method is used for modeling and analysis of circuit parameters for flip chip interconnects up to 35 GHz, as well as for design of multilayer inductors and capacitors at 1.9 GHz and 2.4 GHz. The method was also used to synthesize mm wave low pass filters in the range of 40-60 GHz. The devices obtained from layout parameters predicted by the neuro-genetic design method yielded electrical response close to the desired value (95% accuracy). The proposed method also implements a weighted priority scheme to account for tradeoffs in microwave design. This scheme was implemented to synthesize bandpass filters for 802.11a and HIPERLAN wireless LAN applications in the range of 5-6 GHz. This research also develops a novel neuro-genetic design centering methodology for yield enhancement and design for manufacturability of microwave devices and circuits. A neural network model is used to calculate yield using Monte Carlo methods. A genetic algorithm is then used for yield optimization. The proposed method has been used for yield enhancement of SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor and mm wave voltage-controlled oscillator. It results in significant yield enhancement of the SiGe HBTs (from 25 % to 75 %) and VCOs (from 8 % to 85 %). The proposed method is can be extended for device, circuit, package, and system level integrated co-design since it can handle a large number of design variables without any assumptions about the component behavior. The proposed algorithm could be used by microwave community for design and optimization of microwave circuits and systems with greater accuracy while consuming less computational time.