Natural corks have long been used as wine closures. However, they are associated with causing multiple adverse effects to the wine they are attempting to preserve. Alternative closures such as synthetic corks and screw caps were developed in order to reduce and/or eliminate these problems. However, the major cause of concern regarding these closures is of consumers' acceptance. The effect of how three types of closures (Natural Cork, Synthetic Cork and Screw Cap) affected wine consumers' perceptions of the quality of wine was examined in this study. This project was divided into two experiments. The first experiment determined if frequent wine consumers could detect sensorial differences between the three closure types. The second experiment ascertained if and how regular wine consumers' perceptions were altered based on the type of closure with which the wine samples were bottled. It was determined that the wine consumers could not significantly detect a difference between any of the three closure type samples based only on sensory stimuli. The results from the second experiment found for the Chardonnay samples, the knowledge that the wine samples came from a natural cork or a synthetic cork did not significantly affect the liking, quality or purchase intent scores. However, when the panelists knew that the sample was bottled with a screw cap, they thought it was of lower quality, were less willing to buy a wine like the sample and they lowered the price they were willing to pay. For the Merlot samples, knowledge that the sample came from a natural cork caused the wine consumers to significantly increase both their opinions of the quality of the wine and the amount they were willing to pay for the wine. When they knew that the sample was bottled with a screw cap, they reduced the price they would pay for the wine. / Graduation date: 2005

The drying of sugar is the last step in the recovery of solid sugar from sugar-cane. To ensure that the sugar can be transported and stored, the final moisture content leaving the sugar mill must be carefully controlled. Data spanning periods of normal plant operation were collected at the Tongaat-Hulett Ltd Darnall sugar mill. These measurements were reconciled to achieve instantaneous mass and energy balances across the sugar dryer. Using these measurements, a general model has been developed to simulate the sugar drying. It includes ten compartments through which the sugar and drying air flow, with a mass and energy balance in each compartment. It was assumed that a "film" around the sugar crystal is supersaturated, and that crystallisation is still occurring. A sorption isotherm determining the equilibrium moisture content of the sugar, at which point mass transfer ceases, was included. The model has been matched to process measurements by adjusting the heat and mass transfer coefficients. A Dynamic Matrix Controller was developed and tested off-line on the model, using the reconciled measurement sequences. The controller manipulated the inlet air temperature in order to control the exit sugar moisture content. The model predictive control format successfully dealt with the large process dead-time (5 minutes). / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

Fifty-one subjects each performed two trials which consisted of traversing a horizontal ladder. Film records were made of each trial using a high-speed camera. Absolute and relative temporal and kinematic parameters were obtained from the film records. The conclusions were that there was no age related interaction or differences in preferred rung spacing or contact/airborne times. A Chi-Square analysis did show a preference for a specific gait pattern for the six year old age group.

A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Technology: Radiography, Durban University of Technology, 2006. / The study will determine the sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels in the x-ray department and evaluate it’s effects on the health of the radiology workers. The aim of the study is to mainly create awareness of occupational hazards posed by processing chemistry to radiology workers. / M

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1986 R43 / Master of Science / Biological and Agricultural Engineering

The primary objective of this research is the development a wind and solar-powered autonomous surface vehicle (WASP) for oceanographic measurements. This thesis presents the general design scheme, detailed aerodynamic and hydrodynamic aspects, sailing performance theory, and dynamic performance validation measurements obtained from a series of experiments. The WASP consists of a 4.2 meter long sailboat hull, a low-Reynolds number composite wing, a 2000 Watt-hour battery reservoir, a system of control actuators, a control system running on an embedded microprocessor, a suite of oceanographic sensors, and power regeneration from solar energy. The vehicle has a maximum speed of five knots and weighs approximately 350 kilograms. Results from four oceanographic missions that were conducted in the Port Everglades Intracoastal Waterway in Dania Beach [sic] Florida are presented. Water temperature, salinity and oxidation-reduction measurements recorded during these missions are also discussed. The combination of a mono-hull and solid wing in an autonomous system is a viable design for a long-range ocean observation platform. The results of four near-shore ocean observation missions illustrate the initial capabilities of the design. Future work aimed to further reduce both the mass of the wing design and the power requirements of the system will increase performance in all operating conditions and should be considered. Furthermore, the progression of the legal framework related to ocean vehicles must be pursued with respect to unmanned autonomous systems. / by Patrick Forde Rynne. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2008. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Recent years has seen a significant drive away from traditional procurement routes with contractors finding themselves with an increasing responsibility for control of design - a process they have had little experience in managing. They now have to adapt accordingly. The learning curve is steep, not least because many projects must now be delivered fast track while co-ordinating increasingly complex fabric and content of buildings without a platform of accepted good practice to manage the design process. This is a major factor preventing the UK construction industry from delivering projects on time, to budget and to the specified quality. There is a need to educate an increasing number of people in design management techniques to equip them to manage today's fast moving and demanding projects. However, many current design management tools are insufficiently developed for industry application. Therefore, to improve design management in the industry, current techniques must be modified to align them with the needs of the modern design manager. This research has developed and tested a training initiative aimed at improving design management practice within a major UK Design and Construct Contractor. It comprises a Design Management Handbook, Design Management Training, Team Support and Project Monitoring. The Design Management Handbook is the core of the training initiative. It addresses critical aspects of design management practice and provides design management tools. Training provides guidance to project teams on the tools and practices. In Team Support project teams are supported in the implementation of the new practices and tools to help embed new ways of working in company practice. Project Monitoring establishes the impact of the new practices on project performance to demonstrate that they are working and thus reinforce change. To establish the training initiative's effectiveness and key findings, the impact of the initiative on design management performance has been explored. The research has established which practices and tools were used, which were not, as well as an understanding the applicability and performance of each Handbook practice and tool. From this, barriers to implementing new design management tools in industry were identified and strategies developed in order to overcome such barriers.

INTRODUÇÃO: altos valores de pressão de suporte em pacientes obstrutivos crônicos (DPOC) podem levar a dissincronia paciente – ventilador e conseqüente aumento de trabalho e desconforto respiratório que podem ser agravados devido a tubos endotraqueais (TET) estreitos. Estudos revelam que a Compensação Automática do Tubo (ATC) pode compensar o trabalho imposto pelo tubo e melhorar o conforto respiratório, o que sugere melhora da sincronia paciente – ventilador, assunto pouco estudado na ATC principalmente em situações de obstrução ao fluxo da via aérea. OBJETIVO: comparar o desempenho entre a ATC e PSV do ventilador Evita 4. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: um simulador de 2 compartimentos (TTL Michigan) foi conectado a um ventilador drive (Bear1000), determinando quatro situações de respiração espontânea: E1 e E2R7 (esforço normal e alto com resistência normal), E1 e E2R20 (esforço normal e alto com resistência alta). O segundo compartimento foi conectado a outro simulador (Bear Lung) simulando as pressões pleural e de via aérea, o qual foi conectado ao ventilador teste Evita 4 através de dois tubos endotraqueais (TET) 7,5 e 8,5 mm. Estudamos os efeitos de 4 valores de PS (5, 10, 15 e 20 cmH2O), ATC e ATC+PSV de 5 e 10 cmH2O. Para avaliar a compensação expiratória comparamos ATC+CPAP de 5 cmH2O com CPAP de 5 cmH2O. O grupo CONTROLE foram as 4 situações de respiração espontânea com o modelo sem o TET e sem o Evita 4. Foram analisados o trabalho inspiratório total e imposto (WOB), produto pressão-tempo inspiratório total e imposto pelo tubo (PTP), produto pressão-tempo expiratório (PTPexp), pressão proximal, e tempos de disparo (Δt inicial) e ciclagem (Δt final) do ventilador teste. RESULTADOS: a ATC e ATC+PSV geralmente determinaram valores de WOB e PTP menores ou similares que a PSV na situação de maior esforço (E2). Ao contrário, nas demais situações, o WOB e PTP foram menores na PSV do que na ATC e ATC+PSV. O Δt inicial foi menor que 100 milissegundos em todas as situações nos dois modos ventilatórios. O Δt final foi menor na ATC e ATC+PSV do que na PSV em todas as situações. Na maioria das situações, a compensação expiratória da ATC+CPAP contra CPAP, determinou uma redução do PTPexp. CONCLUSÕES: na compensação do trabalho respiratório, no maior esforço, geralmente a ATC é equivalente a PSV de 5 cmH2O. No menor esforço, ATC e ATC+PSV determinam menor alivio do trabalho respiratório do que a PSV nas comparações que realizamos. A ATC e ATC+PSV sempre determinam melhor sincronia na ciclagem do que a PSV em modelo mecânico. Em CPAP, quando a ATC está ativa determina menor resistência da válvula exalatória sem alterar o controle da PEEP traqueal. / We evaluated the performance of the automatic tube compensation (ATC) and pressure support ventilation (PSV) of Evita 4 ventilator in respiratory system simulator at 4 different situations (2 effort and 2 resistance). The PSV was compared with ATC and with ATC+PSV and the CPAP with ATC+CPAP. The ATC resulted in the same work as PSV of 5 cmH2O in only 1 out of 4 simulations, in which ATC+PSV was also superior to PSV. The delay time in cycling was lower in ATC and ATC+PSV in 4 simulations. The ATC+CPAP reduced the expiratory pressure-time product in relation to CPAP. Hence, the compensation by ATC is equivalent to the PSV of 5 cmH2O. The combination ATC+PSV is more effective. The ATC and ATC+PSV provide better synchronism than PSV. The ATC expiratory compensation results in less expiratory work.

by Chow Kar Tak, Kelly, Chan Wai Shing, Cheung Wai Hung, Daniel. / Includes questionnaire in Chinese. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [33]-[35]). / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- The Room Air Conditioners Market in Hong Kong and Zhu Hai --- p.3 / Chapter 3. --- Sample Characteristics --- p.4 / Chapter 4. --- Choice Criteria of Room Air Conditioning Units --- p.7 / Chapter 4.1 --- Country of Brand --- p.12 / Chapter 4.2 --- Country of Production --- p.15 / Chapter 4.3 --- Price --- p.20 / Chapter 4.4 --- Quietness --- p.22 / Chapter 4.5 --- Reliability --- p.23 / Chapter 4.6 --- Additional Features --- p.24 / Chapter 4.7 --- Size --- p.25 / Chapter 5. --- Conclusion --- p.26 / Appendix A -List of Tables / Appendix B -Reference / Appendix C - Survey Questionnaire for Hong Kong / Appendix D - Survey Questionnaire for Zhu Hai

1. An explicit mathematical description of PEP in terms of DBP was proposed, which in the first time quantitatively clarified the ventricular and arterial effects on PEP timing. / 2. A nonlinear pressure-volume relationship which reflected the natural arterial wall properties was introduced into the asymmetric T-tube arterial model, which effectively and quantitatively described the effect of pulsatile BP on arterial parameters, e.g., compliance, PTT etc. / 3. A mathematical relationship between PAT and BP was firstly proposed as a result of the heart-arterial interaction, which simulated a significantly strong and negative relationship between PAT and SBP and between PAT and MBP but a much weaker negative relationship between PAT and DBP during exercise. The hypothesis was supported by the experiment data. To our knowledge, it is the first study describing the quantitative relation of PAT and BP by both model-based study and experimental data. / 4. A novel wearable measurable CO parameter, PTRR, was proposed and it successfully showed a significantly high and positive correlation with CO during exercise both in model simulation and in the experiments. / 5. Linear prediction models using PAT to estimate MBP and using PTRR to estimate CO were proposed and evaluated in two exercise experiments conducted on 84 subjects with different ages and cardiovascular diseases. Results showed the proposed method could achieve the accuracy required for medical diagnosis. / 6. Taken the findings in 3, 4 and 5 together, this study in the first time provided both the theoretical basis and experimental verifications of developing a wearable and direct measurement technique of CPO in dynamic exercise using multiple physiological signals measured on body surface. / Cardiac power output (CPO) is defmed as the product of mean arterial blood pressure (MBP) and cardiac output (CO), and CPO measured during peak dynamic exercise (i.e. peak CPO) has been shown as a powerful predictor of death for heart failure patients. However, so far there has been no existing device which directly measures CPO, and CPO is acquired from simultaneous measurement of MBP and CO. Further, simultaneous MBP and CO measurement during dynamic exercise is a challenge for current BP and CO methods. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new devices which are fully wearable and unobtrusive for monitoring of CPO during dynamic exercise. Since the core problem in most wearable devices is how to estimate the target cardiovascular parameter, e.g. CPO in this study, through physiological signals measured from body surface, this thesis focus on developing a direct measurement technique of CPO in dynamic exercise using multiple physiological signals measured on body surface, specifically, electrocardiogram (ECG) and photoplehtysmogram (PPG). / Finally, based on the theoretical and experimental verifications, linear prediction models were proposed to estimate MBP from PAT and estimate CO from PTRR. The results showed that PAT can estimate MBP with a standard deviation of 7.42 mmHg, indicating PAT model has the potential to achieve the accuracy required by AMMI standard (mean error within +/- 5 mmHg and SD less than 8 mmHg). The results also showed that PTRR can estimate CO with a percent error of 22.57%, showing an accuracy which was considered as clinically acceptable (percent error less than 30%). / Heart failure is the end stage of many cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, etc. Around 5.8 million people in the United States have heart failure and about 670,000 people are diagnosed with it each year. In 2010, heart failure will cost the United States $30.2 billion, and the cost of healthcare services is a major component of this total. With the resultant burden on health care resources it is imperative that heart failure patients with different risk stages are identified, ideally with objective indicators of cardiac dysfunction, in order that appropriate and effective treatment can be instituted. / In order to verify the theoretical findings, two experiments were carried out. One was incremental supine bicycle exercise conducted on 19 young healthy subjects and the other was incremental to maximum supine bicycle exercise conducted on 65 subjects, including heart failure patients, cardiovascular patients and healthy elderly. PAT showed significantly high and negative correlation with SBP and MBP, but lower correlation with DBP. PTRR showed significantly high and positive correlation with CO. / In this thesis, a model based study is conducted to address the above problem. Firstly, we deduced the mathematical expression of PEP as a function of DBP by introducing the arbitrary heart rate into the exponential mathematical description of a pressure-source model. Secondly, an asymmetric T-tube model was modified by introducing a nonlinear pressure-volume relationship where PTT was expressed as a dependent variant of BP. Thirdly, we proposed the mathematical equation between PAT and BP by coupling the modified ventricular and arterial models. Then, the relationships between PAT with systolic blood pressure (SBP), MBP and DBP were simulated under changing heart contractility, preload, heart rate, peripheral resistance, arterial stiffness and a mimic exercise condition. The simulation results indicated significantly high and negative correlations between PAT and SBP and between PAT and MBP whereas the correlation between DBP and PAT was low. / Next, we developed a novel CO index, namely pulse time reflection ratio (PTRR), expressed in terms of MBP and mean aortic reflection coefficient (Gamma(0)), from the modified asymmetric T-tube model. PTRR was further expressed in terms of PAT and inflection point area (IPA), a surrogate of Gamma(0) from the shape feature of PPG. The simulation results suggested significantly and positive relationship between PTRR and CO and between IPA and Gamma(0) during dynamic exercise. / Recently, a wearable measurable parameter, pulse arrival time or PAT, has been developed for BP measurement. PAT is the time delay from the R peak of ECG to the systolic foot of PPG. PAT consists of two timing components, the pre-ejection period (PEP) of the heart and pulse transit time (PTT). PTT is related to BP by an arterial elastic model and thus can be used to estimate beat-to-beat BP. However, PTT is difficult to be measured through a wearable device, and thus PAT is usually used as a surrogate of PTT for BP estimation, under the assumption of a constant PEP. However, PEP is not a constant but changing with physiological conditions, which may alter the PAT-BP relationship. Thus, it is important to clarify the PAT-BP relationship and address the feasibility of MBP estimation using PAT during dynamic exercise. / To summarize, the original contributions of this thesis are: / Wang, Ling. / Adviser: Y.T. Zhang. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-03, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.