This master’s thesis describes possibilities of usage of ZigBee communication protocol and integrated circuit ELM 327 in problem of realization universal diagnostic device, running by OBDII communication standards, which can be used to monitor function of all car´s electronic systems. Thesis also deals with design and realization of necessary electro technical devices and modules followed by compilation of control software and experimental measurements of these devices in real traffic flow. In the first part of project, there are reminded some basic features and parameters of OBDII, followed by description of ways how to use OBDII and adumbrating how to realize universal diagnostic system. The analysis of ZigBee system focused on XBee circuits follows. Construction, ways of data transfer and possibilities of controlling are described. Integrated circuits produced by ELM Electronics Company are introduced and possibilities of usage ELM 327 are described as requested by main task. Second part talks about designing of electronic circuits of this system, assembling schematic diagram and designing sources for production of PCB. Physical realization of these circuits and its first start is also included. Thesis finishes by dealing with practical experiences and measurements using real vehicles. This part talks also about means to improve system by several software solutions to reach more effective functioning of created device.

To better understand abiotic dynamics in Southern reservoirs receiving heated effluents, water was analyzed before and after impoundment in 330 ha North Lake. Macronutrients, metals, and chlorinated hydrocarbons were measured. Concentrations of nutrients and metals in sediments were quantified in this 2 yr study. River water prior to impoundment contained 16 times more total phosphorus, and supported 23 times more Selenastrum capricornutum cells in an algal assay than reservoir water. The reservoir has essentially no drainage and since evaporation is high, the concentrations of many dissolved solids have increased since the reservoir was filled in 1958. North Lake is now phosphorus limited. Apparently altered chemical equilibria have caused precipitation or adsorption of phosphorus with calcium and iron.

資訊式廣告即是：「單一廣告主以付費方式，透過有線電視頻道，以長時間廣告型態（不論只有2分鐘、5分鐘或長達一小時，只要能提供廣告主足夠時間詳細說明產品即可）將有關產品、服務等訊息傳達給消費者的廣告。」 過去，鮮少有研究針對資訊式廣告探討，原因不外乎資訊式廣告並非是主流的廣告形式。但在台灣，隨著有線電視頻道的開放與普及化，資訊式廣告近幾年逐為盛行，消費者只要打開電視就難以不接觸到資訊式廣告。在資訊式廣告充斥的環境下，本研究欲探究閱聽人對資訊式廣告的既存態度，在整個廣告效果中扮演的角色，進而了解閱聽人對資訊式廣告的既存態度是否影響其在接收資訊式廣告訊息時的效果。 本研究以實驗法進行，實驗中透過不同涉入度（共分為兩層次：高涉入度╱低涉入度）與論點品質（共分為兩層次：高論點品質╱低論點品質）的操控，分析閱聽人對資訊式廣告的既存態度是否和這兩個變數產生交互作用，而導致閱聽人接收訊息之後引發對訊息的支持性想法、反駁性想法、廣告態度、品牌態度、購買意圖的差異。 研究發現，受試者對資訊式廣告的既存態度的確會影響其接收不同論點品質的訊息效果，對資訊式廣告持以高既存態度者暴露於高論點品質的廣告時，比暴露於低論點品質時產生更多的支持性想法以及更高的廣告態度，但低既存態度者不論暴露於高低論點品質所產生的支持性想法、廣告態度、品牌態度確實沒有顯著差異。亦即，論點品質與既存態度的交互作用是產生於高論點品質的狀態。 會造成這樣研究結果的原因可能是在高涉入的狀態下，人們對訊息的注意度高，因此會將既存態度作為處理訊息時態度改變的起點，且高涉入度其有強化既存態度的效果。因此，原本喜歡的就更加喜歡、討厭的卻益發討厭。但在低涉入的狀態下，人們對訊息的關注程度低，較不會去思考訊息內容，因此將既存態度視為處理訊息的線索，也就是將既存態度作為訊息處理的週邊路徑，因此在態度變遷上並沒有顯著差異，而是維持原本的既存態度。 / The infomercial is a paid from of advertisement and is usually aired on cable TV. Infomercials differ from traditional advertising in length, format and content. Infomercials become more popular in Taiwan and not enough research has been devoted to exploring its effectiveness; therefore, this study aims at shedding more lights on our understanding of the persuasiveness of infomercials with different message quality and for different individuals. This study examined the effects of infomercials. A laboratory experiment was conducted to test the research hypotheses. This is a 2x2x2 between-subject experimental design. The three factors that were examined in this study were subjects' existing attitudes toward infomercial ( 2 levels: high versus low), advertising involvement (2 levels: high versus low) and argument quality ( 2 levels: high versus low). Results suggest that, subjects who were exposed to high argument quality messages and had high existing attitudes toward infomercial at the same time expressed more support thoughts and more positive advertisement attitudes than subjects who were exposed to low argument quality messages. However, no difference emerged for subjects with low existing attitude toward infomercials were exposed to high argument quality messages or low argument quality messages.

本研究主要在探討在消費者不同訊息處理途徑（中央路徑/周圍路徑）之下，網站之設計架構、訊息呈現次序與價格促銷廣告之出現時機對於消費者之喜好程度與評價的影響。 在ELM之模式下，網站之設計架構、訊息呈現次序與價格促銷廣告之出現時機，可以視為是周圍線索。當消費者具有相關知識且在高度涉入之情況下，會採取中央路徑，故此類周圍線索並不會影響消費者之喜好程度以及評價。但是當消費者缺乏能力（相關知識較低）或是沒有高度涉入的情況下，此時消費者會採取周圍路徑處理訊息，此時此類周圍線索便會對消費者產生影響。 透過在網路上進行實證研究發現，對周圍路徑消費者而言，階層式網站設計所得到的消費者喜好程度與評價都較高，且價格促銷廣告先呈現所得到的喜好程度與評價也高於價格促銷廣告後呈現者。而對於中央路徑消費者而言，網站設計架構、訊息呈現時機與價格促銷廣告出現時機對於其喜好程度與評價並無影響。 本研究之結果，對於企業在網路上針對消費者進行電子商務時，可以作為在架構網站、設計訊息內容與呈現方式時之參考，對於利用電腦、網際網路之功能以達成大量客製化（mass customization）的行銷也有相當助益。企業可以依此針對個別消費者提供適當的架構、訊息，以提高消費者之喜好、評價，進而增進其購買意願。

La thèse questionne le devenir du " contrat implicite " qui lie un salarié à une entreprise. L'extrême variabilité des conditions économiques et sociales mais aussi la révision conséquente des configurations organisationnelles conduisent chacun des acteurs à devoir opérer une redéfinition plus ou moins profonde de ses attentes à l'égard de l'entreprise. D'aucun ne peut faire l'économie d'une interrogation de " ce " qui fonde sa relation d'emploi... pas même le manager. La recherche questionne l'épreuve subjective imposée par les modifications organisationnelles sur la relation d'emploi par un regard théorique pluridisciplinaire (gestion/management et psychanalyse) sur les perceptions de brèche et de violation du contrat psychologique et par la mise en œuvre d'une approche méthodologique exploratoire mixte (quantitative et qualitative) et longitudinale. Elle vise à la fois à comprendre les résistances éventuelles à toutes formes de changement, les réactions attitudinales, comportementales et psycho-sociales conséquentes ou encore, les moyens dont dispose l'entreprise pour intégrer cette dimension subjective dans ses pratiques.

Separation of dissolved metals from aqueous solutions using liquid membrane technology is highly advantageous owing to the degree of separation achieved, efficiency and application potential. In the present investigation four types of liquid membranes - bulk liquid membrane (BLM), emulsion liquid membrane (ELM), electrostatic pseudo liquid membrane (ESPLIM) and unified liquid membrane (ULM) have been extensively studied, for their application in extraction and concentration of dissolved metals from effluents. Experiments were conducted with various metal systems to optimize both system and process conditions and to find out the effect of various parameters on the performance of the process. Different mass transport models were proposed for each type, taking diffusional and kinetic resistances into account. Models were extended for simultaneous extraction systems and were verified by different metal-carrier experiments. Good agreement was found between the concentration profiles obtained from the models and the experimental data, thereby establishing the validity of models for all the four types of liquid membranes. The stirred cell employed in BLM process eliminates emulsification and demulsification processes. It also provides simultaneous contact of the organic liquid membrane phase with aqueous feed and strip phases. Overall rate expressions for extraction and stripping in BLM are based on an assumed kinetic mechanism to explain the process qualitatively. It was found that the magnitude^ of diffusional and kinetic resistances determines the overall mass transfer coefficient. The relative magnitude of mass transfer coefficient, reaction rate constants and equilibrium constants enables to visualize the controlling regime of the process. The problem of low flux rate due to high diffusion resistances, inefficient operation and exorbitant costs encountered in bulk and supported liquid membranes (SLM) are overcome in an ELM. In the ELM process, an emulsion of organic membrane phase and aqueous inner phase, is dispersed in the continuous aqueous feed phase. This gives a highly selective and ultra thin liquid film generating a large mass transfer area for separation. Experimental results on membrane instability and emulsion swelling indicate that volumetric leakage rate depends linearly on the stirring speed and that the nature of surfactant does not have any appreciable effect on emulsion swelling. A general permeation model was developed taking into account the external mass transfer around the emulsion drop, diffusion in the drop, reaction at the aqueous-organic interface, leakage of the internal phase to the external phase due to membrane breakup and emulsion swelling due to osmotic pressure difference. Model equations with appropriate boundary conditions were numerically solved by orthogonal collocation technique for a set of model parameters obtained either from known correlations or from independent experiments. Comparison of the model predictions with experimental data from the batch permeation of chromium and other metals using carrier Alamine 336 or LIX 64N, shows that the model predictions are in very good agreement with the experimental findings. Further this model can be used to simulate the effects of various experimental conditions such as metal and hydrogen ion concentrations, carrier concentration, drop diameters, etc., for similar systems. Studies on ESPLIM were conducted with the aim of demonstrating the effectiveness of this new separation process and to develop a simple transport model for metal permeation. In the ESPLIM process, a high electrical field (3-5 kV A.C.) is used for phase dispersion. This system consists of a rectangular reactor filled with membrane solution divided into extraction and stripping cells by a centrally placed integrated type baffle which also acts as an electrode. Two more electrodes were placed in the extraction and stripping cells, where feed and strip phases are introduced from the top of the reactor. When high electrical field is applied across the electrodes, fine droplets of feed and strip are formed and are dispersed in extraction and stripping cells where simultaneous extraction and stripping occurs. The process can be viewed as simultaneous counter current extraction and stripping. The aqueous drops coalesce in the settlers at the bottom of the reactor and are removed continuously. Steady state mass transport model proposed for ESPLIM system accounts for the vertical counter-current extraction and stripping processes taking place in the extraction and stripping cells, together with the lateral transport process of the metal-complex and carrier across the two cells through the integrated baffle zone. The model equations were solved analytically to obtain concentration profiles as a function of the height of the reactor. The required parameters such as mass transfer coefficients, diffusion coefficients etc. were estimated using different correlations. Model predictions agreed remarkably well with the experimental data under various process conditions. From this investigation, it was found that ESPLIM is a simple, efficient and economical process and can be applied in a variety of situations. Based on a suitable combination of solvent extraction, dispersion and liquid membrane technique, a new type of separation system called " Unified Liquid Membrane " was developed. The ULM unit was designed and fabricated, and experiments were conducted to evaluate its performance. The ULM is basically derived from ESPLIM by changing the reactor, baffle design and dispersion technique. Aqueous feed and strip phases were atomized using compressed air through a fine nozzle and are dispersed on either side of an integrated baffle plate that divides the reactor into extraction and stripping cells. Tapering bottom of the reactor reduces the dead volume of the liquid in the settlers and the baffle plate remarkably reduces the leakage problem as well as the resistance through the baffle. Experiments were conducted using LIX 64N and Alamine 336 as carriers for copper and chromium and / or zinc. Mass transport model proposed considers both chemical and phase equilibria in extraction and stripping cells, vertical and lateral transport of carrier and complex across the extraction and stripping cells through the baffle zone. The model equations were solved using initial conditions at the top of the reactor, and equilibrium data for extraction and stripping cells. Effect of various experimental conditions and process parameters was simulated using this model and the model predictions are found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The ULM system developed in this investigation overcomes the major limitations encountered with the other types of liquid membranes while retaining all the advantages of this technology. The problem of high mass transfer resistance from bulk phase to metal permeation as in the case of BLM was eliminated by good phase dispersion. Additional resistance to mass transport from solid membrane as in the case of SLM was removed by using an integrated baffle which also avoids problems of membrane instability, pore clogging and selectivity. The complex problems of emulsification and demulsification were completely eliminated making the system much simpler and efficient. Very good phase dispersion was obtained by atomization without the need for either stirring the whole system or application of high electrical field in the reactor. The membrane liquid within the integrated baffle elements allows easy transport of different species between extraction and stripping cells while completely preventing the mixing of the two aqueous phases. The problems of leakage, swelling and occlusion were avoided due to very short residence time of the aqueous drops in the reactor. It was found that the new ULM configuration is simple, elegant, highly efficient and superior to the other types of liquid membrane systems.

「推敲可能性模式」中提到的「動機」因素，指的是個人產生的動機強弱；但若從心理學的觀點出發，我們可在動機心理學的相關文獻中發現：動機的種類所帶來的不同程度影響，則是非常重要的。因此，本研究希望把「推敲可能性模式」中的「動機」因素做延伸、補充，探討不同種類的動機因素如何影響廣告效果。期待能為「推敲可能性模式」帶來嶄新的討論空間。 以往在學術研究中，廣告效果的相關研究多從產品類別、廣告音樂、一般廣告訴求（理性訴求、感性訴求、性訴求、幽默訴求或恐懼訴求等）或消費者的人格特質與涉入程度等來探究廣告效果。事實上研究者認為：廣告效果更應與廣告訊息內容的呈現息息相關。廣告中呈現不同的需求或慾望刺激，是否使得廣告的說服效果產生差異？這樣的問題意識正好可以與上述關於「推敲可能性模式」的討論相呼應，研究者期望藉由這樣初探性的實證研究，瞭解廣告訊息中隱含的動機需求對廣告說服效果的影響。 從Maslow提出的觀點，我們可以說，各種需求之間，有先後順序與高低層次之分別，人類與生俱來的匱乏需求必須先被滿足，但Maslow提醒人們不要過於拘泥看待每一需求的順序；況且，這個社會中有許多人，他們絕大多數的匱乏需求大多得到了滿足（莊耀嘉，1990）；Maslow更指出，隨著需求階層的上升，受到滿足的人數百分比是逐漸減少的（彭運石，2001）。以台灣目前的物質水準來說，大多數的人多半是處在匱乏需求已獲得某種程度的滿足、正轉而追求更高層次之理想實現的情況。 依此推論，多數人在面對「匱乏訴求」取向的廣告訊息時，符合「資訊處理節省原理」(Haines,1974)的論點，消費者產生的深思可能性較低；在面對「存在訴求」取向的廣告訊息時，則符合「認知反應理論」之觀點，所產生的深思可能性較高。又根據「推敲可能性模式」（ELM）：當深思可能性高，中央路徑的說服特別有效；當深思可能性低時，邊陲路徑的說服效果較佳。因此，本研究衍生推論：消費者面對「生理層面匱乏訴求」的訊息時，因廣告刺激的是匱乏需求，在深思可能性較低的情況下，採用邊陲路徑說服方式之效果較佳。消費者面對「心理層面匱乏訴求」的訊息，因廣告刺激的是匱乏需求，同樣也是深思可能性較低的情況下，採用邊陲路徑說服方式之效果也較佳。相較之下，消費者面對「存在訴求」取向的訊息時，深思可能性較高，若配合中央路徑的說服方式，應有較佳效果。 研究結果分為兩大部分：主要自變項與依變項之因果關係假設檢驗、動機訴求類別與資訊路徑之關係討論。本研究主要探討動機訴求之廣告類別，在不同路徑之設計之下，所導致的廣告效果差異。統計方法上主要應用單因子變異數分析（ANOVA）與簡單線性迴歸分析（Simple Linear Regression）。檢定研究中主要自變項：中央、邊陲路徑訊息設計方式，在五個依變項：整體注意力、對主要訊息的理解度、對主要訊息的記憶度、對廣告的態度及對品牌的態度等的差異情況。

Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are adept pollinators of countless cultivated and wild flowering plants, but many species have experienced declines in recent decades. Though urban sprawl has been implicated as a driving force of such losses, urban green spaces hold the potential to serve as habitat islands for bumble bees. As human populations continue to grow and metropolitan areas become larger, the survival of many bumble bee species will hinge on the identification and implementation of appropriate conservation measures at regional and finer scales. North Texas is home to some the fastest-growing urban areas in the country, including Denton County, as well as at least two declining bumble bee species (B. pensylvanicus and B. fraternus). Using a combination of field , molevular DNA and GIS methods I evaluated the persistence of historic bumble bee species in Denton County, and investigated the genetic structure and connectivity of the populations in these spaces. Field sampling resulted in the discovery of both B. pensylvanicus and B. fraternus in Denton County's urban green spaces. While the relative abundance of B. fraternus in these spaces was significantly lower than historic levels gleaned from museum recors, that of B. pensylvanicus was significantly higher. Statistical analyses found that both bare ground and tree cover surrounding sample sites were negatively associated with numbers of bumble bee individuals and hives detected in these green spaces. Additionally, limited genetic structuring of bumble bee populations was detected, leading to the conclusion that extensive gene flow is occurring across populations in Denton County.

Thesis is aimed at the possibility of utilization of extreme learning machines and echo state networks for time series forecasting with possibility of utilizing GPU acceleration. Such predictions are part of nearly everyone’s daily lives through utilization in weather forecasting, prediction of regular and stock market, power consumption predictions and many more. Thesis is meant to familiarize reader firstly with theoretical basis of extreme learning machines and echo state networks, taking advantage of randomly generating majority of neural networks parameters and avoiding iterative processes. Secondly thesis demonstrates use of programing tools, such as ND4J and CUDA toolkit, to create very own programs. Finally, prediction capability and convenience of GPU acceleration is tested.

This thesis examines trends in the academic and professional literature around immutable data and its relationship with declarative User Interfaces (UIs). Immutable data types are preferred by academic authors due to their increased safety, and commercial languages are increasing their support for them over time. More recently, declarative UIs are an exploding topic in industry, and these are related, although not as closely as one would expect. Declarative programming tries to focus on highlevel requirements, not low-level details. It is easier to do this if functions have no side effects, and immutable data is a guaranteed way of achieving this. To highlight this property, the declarative UI framework Flutter advertises “stateless widgets”, but their existence puts in highlights the lack of this property in most widgets. Consequently, we ask whether it is feasible to build a Graphical User Interface (GUI) toolkit using purely immutable data structures. To accomplish this objective, a purely immutable GUI toolkit is sketched and partially developed using Elm, a purely functional language in which all data structures are immutable. To understand the requirements of a GUI toolkit, we categorize and put in historical context, different design paradigms for UIs and relate them to core software-design principles. Leading toolkits allow developers to visualize and manage multiple views of their interfaces, including the view hierarchy, layout, interface to business logic, and focus management. By creating a concrete example, the research aims to provide insight into the limitations of utilizing purely immutable data within a GUI framework and suggests future work to mitigate these. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)