An overview is presented of the principle, scope and major applications to date of the use of atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) for monitoring the kinetics of release of flavour volatiles in real time. There are four major areas in this thesis that extend from the measurement of flavour molecular mobility in sugar solutions, to the investigation of APCI-MS as a diagnostic tool for classifying apple cultivars and predicting age of cheese. Headspace techniques are the most extensively employed techniques in food analysis to measure volatile compounds, which play a central role in the perceived quality of food. The use of APCI-MS to measure aroma headspace availability with the addition of solutes was evaluated for two sugars of differing chain lengths (fructose and fructooligosaccharide (FOS)). In vitro aroma release was investigated at equilibrium using APCI-MS. An increase in the concentration of fructose above 25 % (w /w) was shown to significantly (p < 0.05) increase the release of ethyl butyrate, ethyl acetate and benzaldehyde into the gas phase above the aqueous solutions. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H NMR) was used to investigate the nature of solvent-sugar-aroma interactions with a view to explain the differential availability of aroma volatiles in sweetened and biopolymer rich solutions. The T1 relaxation times, and diffusion coefficients, provided preliminary clues as to the interactions between water, aroma and biopolymer. In the case of in vivo measurement, aroma perception was dependent on two key factors – firstly the equilibrium gas phase concentration of the aroma compounds within the oral/ nasal cavity and secondly the dynamic interaction of the compound with food and saliva (persistence). The overall process was influenced by the properties of the flavour compounds (i.e. its hydrophobicity) and the physiological conditions of the mouth, nose and throat during consumption of the food. A comparison was made between the intensities of anisaldehyde, furaneol and guaiacol in the headspace above simple solutions of water, to demonstrate the impact of matrix on flavour release in a frozen dairy dessert. The oral and nasal persistence of aromas following swallowing samples of a model frozen dairy dessert was investigated by collecting expired air from nose and mouth over 60-seconds. The decay curves (which illustrates persistence) of volatiles in breath showed that furaneol was the most persistent aroma, due to its hydrophilic nature and low volatility, that is expressed by the vapour pressure values of the pure compound. It is presumed to interact with the nasal mucosa, thereby prolonging persistence and potentially offering a significantly different perceptual profile to the less persistent compounds (Hodgson, Parker, Linforth, & Taylor, 2004). Thus, real time APCI-MS headspace data could be used to validate mathematical modelling of flavour release (Harvey & Barra, 2003). The feasibility of APCI-MS volatile compound fingerprinting in conjunction with chemometrics as a new strategy for rapid and non-destructive food classification was demonstrated when 202 clarified monovarietal juices extracted from apples differing in their botanical and geographical origins were characterised. Partial Least Square-Linear Discriminant Analysis (PLS-LDA) gave 100 % correct classification for the categorization by cultivar. Another PLS regression model was built to interpret and predict the age of Cheddar using headspace data from GC-MS and APCI-MS. The RMSEP and R2 values for the prediction model were 3.94 and 0.85 respectively. This further established the applicability of multivariate statistical technique as a tool to monitor the quality of foodstuff. Throughout the thesis, recommendations regarding practical implications for APCI-MS analysis and applications are demonstrated and discussed.

Little is known about the food practices of UK university students. 'Student food' often carries a negative connotation of being 'improper' or 'unhealthy'. This thesis investigates the accounts of food practices offered by undergraduate students at the University of Nottingham. This thesis introduced Goffman's ideas of self-presentation of everyday life to examine the main theoretical approaches in the study of food and eating. Students' discourse about food practices at three stages was examined: food practices at home, in university accommodations, and in private accommodations. This thesis shows students' self-presentation through their discourse about the transitions in food practices in these three living situations. The focus in students' discourse shifts gradually from constructing institutional images to personal images, as students acquired more autonomy in food practices. When talking about the period before university, students' self presentation emphasised 'institutional images' or 'family images'. When they talked about food practices after entering university, their 'personal images' gradually became more prominent. This thesis also provides an account of students' discourse about Science, technology and food, using a case study of Genetically Modified (GM) food. Students' discourse about GM food was associated with their self presentation as Natural Science or Humanities and Social Science (HSS) students. This thesis concludes that students' discourse about food has shown that their self- presentation was often constructed according to what they expected their audience to consider as appropriate for university students in UK society. The university period was portrayed as a transition in developing their personal images as they learned to present themselves as responsible independent beings in the society and located themselves within particular communities of knowledge. This thesis suggests that university students' food practices are shaped by various factors. The assumption that students do not care about their food and eating should be challenged. Furthermore, this thesis also demonstrates the way in which people talk about GM food. This is to show that, in order to understand people's views about GM food, it is important to take their self- presentation into account when interpreting their responses.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce. Johannesburg 1991. / This dissertation has studied the past and present problems together with the advances associated with the affordability of special residential housing for middle-income whites in the private sector, residing in the Republic of South Africa. The emphasis of this study has been in the assessment of the problem from the viewpoint of the specific factors which tend to influence affordability for a potential purchaser specifically when involved in a first-time homeownership situation. [Abbreviated Abstract. Open document to view full version]

Training and support for community health workers is envisaged to positively shape a better effective health care system at the grass root level. All community health workers need adequate resources as they scale up treatment and support for people living in poor resource settings. The aim of this research report is to explore how the preparation and support processes for Community Health Workers influences their role in delivery of home-based care services in the Bushbuckridge Sub district during the period of April- July 2010.

Introduction: About sixty million of home deliveries occur worldwide every year. The vast majority of them in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) where most of all out of health facility deliveries are attended by relatives and traditional births attendants . Poor hygienic conditions, ignorance of clean birth practices and lack of skills to manage the complications when they occur, make home deliveries unsafe for the mothers and their new-borns. Thus, getting pregnant women to give birth at health facility is critical in the efforts to improve reproductive health outcomes in many LMIC.

The purpose of the study was to develop instruments to determine what teachers and experts think ought to be taught, what is taught, and what is known concerning consumer education in clothing and textiles programs in home economics in the public secondary schools of Bay County, Florida. The specific objectives examined, analyzed, and reported the findings of the assessment of consumer education as taught in clothing and textiles classes in a sample of secondary schools. The review of literature included background information regarding consumer education, consumer legislation affecting textiles and clothing, and consumer education research in the schools. / The test items were formulated in relation to those concepts identified in the Florida 1974 Free Enterprise and Consumer Education Act including: advertising, appliances, banking, budgeting, credit, governmental agencies, guarantees and warranties, home and apartment rental and ownership, law, motor vehicles, professional services, and taxes. A questionnaire was developed to ascertain what teachers and experts think students ought to know and estimated amount of class time spent regarding these identified concepts of consumer economics as related to clothing and textiles. This questionnaire was utilized in the test development as were the Florida Guides, Textiles and Clothing and Clothing Management, Production and Services. Sixty-five questions were developed and pilot tested with 45 secondary home economics students in Broward County, Florida. The test was revised on the basis of the item analysis made by the Office of Evaluation Services at The Florida State University. / Data were collected from 131 senior high school students in two public schools of Bay County, Florida. Seventy first semester clothing and textiles students were assigned to the experimental group whereas 61 home economics students who had not had clothing and textiles were assigned to the control group. / It was concluded that the test was reliable due to an analysis coefficient (K-R 20) which was .90 when administered to the experimental group and .89 when administered to the control group. / The t test was used to determine if there was a significant difference in the mean of the test scores of the experimental group and the control group. No significant difference was found between the mean score of the experimental and control groups. Students in both groups received an average score of 65 percent on the instrument. It appears that teachers are incorporating consumer education in all areas of the school curriculum as well as in specific clothing and textiles classes. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-01, Section: A, page: 0135. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1980.

Drape is a fabric characteristic defined as a fabric's ability to hang gracefully. Occasionally problems in garment drape occur affecting a garment's final appearance. Undesirable garment drape often occurs because of the manufacturer's desire to save fabric by positioning patterns more closely in the marker. This study was designed to investigate apparel industry specifications affecting the resultant drape of garments, and to subjectively and objectively measure the relationship of grain alignment to fabric and garment drape. / A mailed, random national survey of 990 apparel manufacturers was conducted. Data from 70 surveys were analyzed. Fifty-two respondents made markers at the surveyed establishment, and twenty-three of these tilted patterns off-grain in their markers. / Data obtained from the survey were utilized to establish tilt values for quantitative analysis of fabric drape and shear properties. Twelve tilt combinations were examined. No significant differences were found between the drape coefficients of control drape samples and those with tilt variations. Generally, all three shear values increased as tilt angles increased across all fabrics. Bending and shearing properties were significantly correlated with each other, but not with drape coefficient values. / Subjective evaluations of fabric and garment drape were conducted. Twenty-one apparel design students participated in the study by evaluating fabrics draped on a pedestal and skirts constructed in each tilt variation. Fabric drape amount was more highly correlated with the drape coefficient than was drape preference. Students were unable to correctly evaluate off-grain skirts consistently. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-08, Section: B, page: 3269. / Major Professor: Mary Ann Moore. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1994.

The purpose of the study was to develop and field test an instrument that can be used to observe and record the presence of sexist teacher behaviors in the home economics classroom. The instrument developed consists of behavioral descriptors used in conjunction with frequency response columns. / To help assure that the instrument developed would be valid, a jury of nationally recognized researchers in the area of educational sexism evaluated the instrument developed. The instrument was revised several times during its development based on the recommendations of the jury, a pilot study and a work session. / Upon completion of the instrument, a field test was conducted using the instrument to observe and record the behaviors of 15 Florida home economics teachers as viewed on 64 videotaped segments of vocational home economics and consumer-homemaking classes (grades 7 through 12). / Based on ten percent of the tape segments, the percentage of agreement among all three observers on behaviors observed and recorded was .63. The percentage of agreement over time for each of the observers was determined (.87, .80 and .83) by comparing instruments completed one week apart. / The following conclusions were formulated: (1) Based on the review of the jury of nationally recognized researchers in the area of educational sexism and the supporting evidence in the review of literature, it was concluded that the behaviors included in the instrument developed identify sexist teacher behaviors found in the classroom. (2) The results of the field test would indicate that the behaviors identified in the instrument developed are observable when using videotapes of classroom instruction. (3) Based on the results of the field test, the instrument developed achieved consistent results over time by individual observers and a high percentage of agreement among observers indicating reliability in observing and recording sexist teacher behaviors. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 44-11, Section: A, page: 3305. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1983.

The relationship between sex-role orientation and family decision making in the purchase of major household furnishings and major clothing items by newly-married couples was the focus of this study. Questions regarding these decisions represented salient attributes of the products and the stages of the decision process. Sex-role orientation was measured by the Osmond-Martin Sex-Role Attitude Scale, a 32-item additive scale, which differentiates between "modern" and "traditional" individuals. / A sample of 148 couples who were in their first marriages, who had been married from six months to three years, who had no children and were not expecting a child, and who lived in Tallahassee, Florida, were selected for the study. A mail-out survey was conducted and both husbands and wives completed questionnaires. A 78 percent response rate was obtained and 101 questionnaires were usable for analysis. / Four couple-sex-role orientations were identified among the usable sets of data. These orientations included: (1) both spouses modern, (2) both spouses traditional, (3) husband modern/wife traditional, and (4) husband traditional/wife modern. / Data were analyzed by MANOVA, Wilcoxin Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks Tests, and t-tests. No statistical differences were seen in decision making as related to couple-sex-role orientation as tested by a one-way MANOVA. / When traditional wives were compared with modern wives and traditional husbands with modern husbands, however, statistical differences were identified in reponse patterns concerning purchase decisions (t-tests and Wilcoxin tests were employed for analysis). Modern wives perceived themselves having more influence in pricing decisions, making the final decision to purchase, and doing initial shopping for purchases than traditional wives perceived themselves having. Modern husbands perceived themselves having more influence in first noticing the need for household furnishings and selecting the fabric for goods, but less influence in pricing than traditional husbands perceived themselves having. / Results tended to agree with sex-role theory. Modern wives were influential in areas previously thought to be husband-dominated (especially pricing decisions) and modern husbands were influential in wife-dominated areas (especially selection of fabrics). / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-09, Section: A, page: 2782. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1984.

The primary purpose of the study was to determine whether the middle school and senior high school adolescents' self-esteem and locus of control can be predicted from their age, sex, race, religion, grade level, report card grades, position in the family, and attitudes toward mother, father, and teacher. The secondary purpose was to compare the relationship between the adolescents' self-esteem and locus of control. Data were collected by responses to two demographic questionnaires, The Cornell Socialization Inventory, The Self-Esteem Scale, and The Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire from 449 middle and high school adolescents in eight selected counties in Florida. / The data were analyzed utilizing the Pearson correlation coefficients, the Stepwise multiple regression technique, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) model. Analysis of the data provided the basis for the following conclusions: (1) In order of importance, the independent variables used to predict the adolescents' self-esteem were the adolescents' sex, attitude toward teacher, age, report card grades, religion, attitude toward father, attitude toward mother, grade level, and race. Position in the family was not selected as a variable to predict the adolescents' self-esteem. (2) In order of importance, the independent variables used to predict the adolescents' locus of control were the adolescents' attitude toward teacher, attitude toward mother, sex, age, race, attitude toward father, report card grades, position in the family, religion, and grade level. (3) There was a very low, but significant relationship between adolescents' self-esteem and locus of control. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 44-07, Section: A, page: 2069. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1983.