Laser induced shock experiments were performed to study the dynamics of various solid state material processes, including shock-induced melt, fast rate fracture, and elastic to plastic response. Fast rate fracture and dynamic yielding are greatly influenced by microstructural features such as grain boundaries, impurity particles and alloying atoms. Fast fracture experiments using lasers are aimed at studying how material microstructure affects the tensile fracture characteristics at strain rates above 106 s-1. We used the Z-Beamlet Laser at Sandia National Laboratories to drive shocks via ablation and we measured the maximum tensile stress of aluminum targets with various microstructures. Using a velocity interferometer and sample recovery, we are able to measure the maximum tensile stress and determine the source of fracture initiation in these targets. We have explored the role that grain size, impurity particles and alloying in aluminum play in dynamic yielding and spall fracture at tensile strain rates of ~3x106 s-1. Preliminary results and analysis indicated that material grain size plays a vital role in the fracture morphology and spall strength results. In a study with single crystal aluminum specimens, velocity measurements and fracture analysis revealed that a smaller amplitude tensile stress was initiated by impurity particles; however, these particles served no purpose in dynamic yielding. An aluminum-magnesium alloy with various grain sizes presented the lowest spall strength, but the greatest dynamic yield strength. Fracture mode in this alloy was initiated by both grain boundaries and impurity particles. With respect to dynamic yielding, alloying elements such as magnesium serve to decrease the onset of plastic response. The fracture stress and yield stress showed no evidence of grain size dependence. Hydrodynamic simulations with material strength models are used to compare with our experiments. In order to study the strain rate dependence of spall in aluminum we used a shorter pulsed laser and thinner targets. From these experiments we do not observe an increase in spall strength for aluminum up to strain rates of ~2x107 s-1. / text

We draw on a unique dataset for energy use by manufacturing firms in 18 Sub-Saharan African countries to estimate the relationship between energy intensity of production and firms' characteristics. Our results show that lower levels of energy intensity are associated with export activity, foreign ownership, size and capital-labor ratio, while higher levels of energy intensity are associated with a higher share of fuels in total energy consumption. We do not find a statistically significant relationship between energy intensity and the age of capital equipment or ownership of a generator, while our results on quality management certification are inconclusive.

Syftet med studien var att undersöka om det fanns skillnader i engagemanget till Facebook beroende på graden av extraversion, självkänsla, ålder och kön. Självkänsla handlar om hur man uppskattar sitt eget värde och kompetens. Extroverta individer trivs i sociala sammanhang och söker konstant efter bekräftelse, vilket är deras drivande kraft. Facebook är den mest populära sociala median tillgänglig idag. En hypotes för studien var att kvinnor hade större engagemang till Facebook än män. Deltagarna var 150 studenter varav 56 män. Datainsamlingen genomfördes med en enkät som bestod av fyra delar för att mäta Facebookengagemang, hur aktiv man är i andras aktiviteter på Facebook, självkänsla och extraversion. Resultatet visade att det fanns ett negativt samband mellan Facebookengagemang och självkänsla. Kvinnor hade ett större engagemang till Facebook än män. Ett bredare urval hade varit till studiens fördel. Flera hypoteser bekräftades av undersökningen. Framtida forskning kan fokusera på sociala jämförelser på Facebook.

Given the great promise of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) as a therapeutic modality, the aim of the present study is to develop and optimise a technique that uses externally applied focused ultrasound energy and remote, ultrasound-based treatment monitoring to destroy subcutaneous fat safely, effectively and non-invasively. Based on initial cavitation and temperature measurements performed ex vivo in excised porcine fat at four different frequencies (0.5, 1.1, 1.6 & 3.4MHz) over a range of pressure amplitudes and exposure durations, it was concluded that 0.5MHz is the optimal frequency for this application since it is capable of instigating inertial cavitation at relatively modest pressures while enhancing focal heat deposition. Histological assessment of tissue treated above the cavitation threshold at 0.5MHz both ex vivo and in vivo demonstrated damage to adipocytes and connective tissue. Furthermore, a good correlation was identified between the energy of broadband emissions detected by the passive cavitation detector (PCD) and the focal temperature rise at 0.5MHz during ex vivo experimentation, which could be exploited as a tool for non-invasive monitoring of successful treatment delivery. In addition, localisation of cavitation activity by means of passive cavitation detection was achieved and shown to provide a strong indicator of the location of induced histological damage. Based on the specific requirements identified during initial experimentation, an application-specific HIFU transducer, cavitation detector and real-time treatment monitoring software was developed and tested ex vivo. This treatment system was found capable of producing extensive damage to adipocytes and collagen confined to the subcutaneous fat layer at the desired treatment depth, which coincided with the location of cavitation activity as displayed by the real-time treatment monitoring software.

The purpose of this study is to compare persons with trained voices and persons with untrained voices in their abilities to utilize tactile-kinesthetic feed-back when attempting to control vocal intensity.

The purpose of this study was to determine the pitch and intensity level characteristics found in the vibrati of preferred oboe players whose vibrato was ranked by a panel of experts. The investigation also sought to discover factors that distinguish the preferred oboe vibrato from vibrato that is less preferred.

Efficient function of the left ventricle (LV) is achieved by coherent behaviour of its circumferential and longitudinal myocardial components. Little was known about the direct association between the long and minor axis velocities and the overall haemodynamics generated by ventricular systolic function such as aortic waves. The forward running expansion wave (FEW) during late systole contains important information about the condition of the LV and its interaction with the arterial system. The aim of this thesis was to underpin the mechanics and timing of the LV wall velocities, which are associated with the deceleration of flow. Both invasive and noninvasive data have been analysed in canines and humans and the following conclusions can be drawn. LV long axis peak shortening velocity lags consistently behind the minor axis, representing a degree of normal asynchrony. The FEW is seen to have a slow onset before a rapid increase in energy. The slow onset corresponds with the time that the long axis reaches its peak velocity of shortening. After both axes reach their respective maximum shortening velocity they continue to contract, although at a slow steady velocity until late ejection when there is a sudden simultaneous change of shortening velocity of both axes. This time corresponds with peak aortic pressure and the rapid increase in energy of the FEW. The time that the minor axis reaches its maximum velocity of shortening interestingly coincides with the arrival of the reflected wave at the LV during mid-systole. During canine aortic manipulation through the introduction of total occlusions along the aorta, the sequence of events observed in control conditions remains unchanged. In humans both LV wall movement and carotid wave intensity can be measured successfully using non-invasive methods. The FEW is generated when the last long axis segment begins to slow. The minor axis begins to slow before this time and corresponds to the time of peak aortic flow.

Master of Science / Department of Kinesiology / Craig A. Harms / Subjects with prehypertension are at risk for developing hypertension (HTN). Hypertension is associated with low-grade systemic inflammation (LGSI). Aerobic exercise training (ET) is a proven means to reduce both blood pressure and LGSI in healthy and diseased subjects. Recently, high intensity interval training (HIIT) has been show to elicit similar cardiovascular and metabolic adaptations as ET in healthy and at-risk populations in a more time efficient manner. Therefore, we hypothesized that HIIT would elicit greater reductions in blood pressure and LGSI than ET. Twelve pre-hypertensive subjects (systolic blood pressure 127.0 ± 8.5 mmHg; diastolic blood pressure 86.2 ± 4.1 mmHg) were randomly assigned to an ET group (n=5) and a HIIT group (n=7). All subjects performed an incremental test to exhaustion (VO2max) on a cycle ergometer prior to, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks of training. Resting heart rate and blood pressure were measured prior to and three times a week during training. LGSI was measured via high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) prior to, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks of training. ET subjects performed an eight week exercise training program at 40% VO2 reserve determined from the VO2max test, while HIIT subjects performed exercise at 60% peak power determined from the VO2max test. ET group trained four days/week while HIIT trained three days/week. ET exercised for 30 minutes continuously at a constant workload and cadence of 60 rpm while HIIT performed a protocol on a 1:1 work-to-rest ratio at a constant workload and cadence of 100 rpm. Both groups showed similar (p<0.05) decreases in mean arterial (ET = -7.3%, HIIT = -4.5%), systolic (ET = -6.6%, HIIT = -8.8%), and diastolic (ET= -9.7, HIIT= -8.2%) blood pressure. HIIT decreased in LGSI (-33.7%) while ET did not change LGSI (p>0.05). VO2max increased ~25% with both HIIT and ET with no differences (p>0.05) between groups. These data suggest both HIIT and ET similarly decreased resting blood pressure and increased VO2max while HIIT was effective in decreasing LGSI in subjects who were pre-hypertensive.

Master of Science / Food Science - Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health / Kadri Koppel / Understanding the physiological activation and genetic variation of the sweet taste receptor (T1R) can improve formula optimization for products intended for a population of genetically diverse people. Computer modeling and cell culture techniques have thoroughly described the structure and binding sites of the T1R. The structure contains two subunits (T1R2 and T1R3) with multiple domains where sweet molecules can interact. The interaction takes place between individual molecules and amino acid residues of the T1R. The residues with which individual molecules interact differs between sweeteners. Person-to-person differences in the residue sequence of the T1R can arise from variation in the genes that encode the T1R (TAS1R), potentially effecting the function of the receptor. As a result of the specificity of binding interactions, genetic variation may affect sensitivity to some sweeteners, while sensitivity to other sweeteners remains normal. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that the level of person-to-person sweetness sensitivity variation may differ for each sweetener depending on the binding site of the molecule and site of T1R variation. The T1R structure, binding sites, and genetic variation will be reviewed, as well as potential parameters to predict the degree of sensitivity variation and formulation strategies to minimize the effects of sensitivity variation.

Ph.D. (Geography) / Please refer to full text to view abstract