The purpose of this investigation was to examine the seasonal change in the nutritional protein status of adolescent wrestlers who lost weight for competition. Additionally, this study determined if changes in plasma proteins and amino acids could be prevented through nutritional education and dietary supplementation. Twenty-seven adolescent wrestlers (14.8-18.1 yr) were divided into two groups for study during a three month period. One group received a nutritional education and supplement program, the other group served as a control. Height, weight, percent body fat, and free fat weight were measured during wrestling season. Venous blood samples were drawn and analyzed for essential (E) and nonessential (NE) plasma amino acids, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), retinol-binding protein (RBP), prealbumin (PA), albumin (AL), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Four, 4-day dietary records taken during the season were analyzed for protein, carbohydrate, fat, and total calories. The results demonstrated that weight, percent body fat, and fat free weight decreased significantly during the experimental period (p<0.001), with no significant differences between treatment and control groups. The blood RBP and PA decreased significantly during the experimental period (p<0.01), whereas AL didNot change. Most of the amino acids did not show significant decreases during the experimental period whereas the total essential amino acids showed a decreasing trend (p<0.05), the total nonessential amino acids did not change. The subjects' average caloric intake showed significant decreases during the experimental period (p<0.001). The wrestlers failed to meet the RDA for energy and protein intake. It was concluded that nutritional status of adolescent wrestlers appears to be diminished as a result of weight loss during the season. / Human Performance Laboratory

The aim of this study was to determine in an empirical manner whether the phenomenon of hearing loss due to the exposure to volatile organic solvents was present in the gasification plants of a petrochemical factory. The experimental groups included unexposed (N=20) workers, workers (N=20) exposed to noise and workers (N=19) exposed to noise and volatile organic solvents. The following assessments were made: diagnostic audiometry for the assessment of hearing thresholds; biological monitoring of ortho-cresol and hippuric acid for the biological markers of toluene; passive air sampling and noise measurements. Questionnaires were completed by the three groups to collect information about age, ethnicity, smoking habits, alcohol consumption and work history regarding the exposure to ototoxic substances as well as the period of employment. There were no statistically significant differences between the average ages of the three groups, but more of the workers in the noise group were from a higher age group. This age composition and the work history of the noise group were considered as possible influences on the results of this hearing study. The results of the passive air sampling show that the levels of volatile organic solvents were lower than the occupational exposure limits on the day of sampling. The biological monitoring shows that the markers, namely hippuric acid and o-cresol, were lower than the biological exposure indices. The noise group was exposed to sound pressure levels of 79-90 dB(A) and the noise + hydrocarbon group to levels of 85-88 dB(A). The average hearing thresholds of the noise group were at most of the frequencies (0.5-8 kHz) significantly higher (p≤0,05) than that of the noise + hydrocarbon group. The average hearing thresholds of the control group were overall lower than the noise group's hearing thresholds, but on average a little higher than the noise + hydrocarbon group's hearing thresholds. No relationship was found in this study between the exposure to volatile organic solvents (for example toluene that was used as marker in this study) and the elevation of hearing thresholds of workers at the gasification plants of the petrochemical factory. / Thesis (M.Sc.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

This study deals with the importance of the steps of grief and forgiveness in the recovery of the emotionally wounded person. The basis theoretical research clearly showed that God is the source of healing and forgiveness. The most important words for forgiveness in the Old Testament is salach, nasa and kaphar while aphiemi, apoluo and charizoma are the most important words for forgiveness in the New Testament. A special focus was consequently placed on these different words and the one overwhelming fact that repeatedly came to the fore was that, if a person has been granted forgiveness by God, he should also forgive his transgressor. The meta-theoretical research has clearly shown that both grief and forgiveness consist of a process that has to be worked through. Losses may be experienced as a result of traumatic events and when these losses affect a person negatively, they must be grieved over. Usually before a person has not completed his grief work, he can not move on to forgiving his offender. For the purpose of the empirical study, five cases of people who experienced trauma were selected and studied. The study highlighted the importance of considering the unique personal history of each individual, especially with reference to unresolved traumatic experiences in this person's past. From each of these case studies the importance of forgiveness came strong to the fore as a determining factor regarding the healing process of the emotionally wounded person. In the practical theoretical section a pastoral model is presented within which the different phases of the process of grief, as well as the process of forgiveness, are very prominent. The six phases of grief are I) shock and denial, 2) anger, 3) depression, 4) bargaining and wishful thinking, 5) sorrow, 6) forgiveness, resolution and acceptance. The process of forgiveness consists of three phases and nine steps. Phase one is the preparation for forgiveness and consists of the following four steps: 1) Forgiveness must be understood. 2) Recognize that forgiveness is necessary. 3) Identify the emotions involved. 4) Confront the hate. Phase two is really the core of forgiveness and consists of the following three steps: 5) bearing the pain, 6) setting boundaries to protect oneself, 7) releasing those who have wronged us. Phase three is oriented toward the possibility of starting over and consists of the following two steps: 8) assuming responsibility, 9) longing for reconciliation. This is a model that can affectively be applied in the pastoral guidance of persons who are struggling with unresolved grief, and consequently are not able to forgive. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

This study deals with the importance of the steps of grief and forgiveness in the recovery of the emotionally wounded person. The basis theoretical research clearly showed that God is the source of healing and forgiveness. The most important words for forgiveness in the Old Testament is salach, nasa and kaphar while aphiemi, apoluo and charizoma are the most important words for forgiveness in the New Testament. A special focus was consequently placed on these different words and the one overwhelming fact that repeatedly came to the fore was that, if a person has been granted forgiveness by God, he should also forgive his transgressor. The meta-theoretical research has clearly shown that both grief and forgiveness consist of a process that has to be worked through. Losses may be experienced as a result of traumatic events and when these losses affect a person negatively, they must be grieved over. Usually before a person has not completed his grief work, he can not move on to forgiving his offender. For the purpose of the empirical study, five cases of people who experienced trauma were selected and studied. The study highlighted the importance of considering the unique personal history of each individual, especially with reference to unresolved traumatic experiences in this person's past. From each of these case studies the importance of forgiveness came strong to the fore as a determining factor regarding the healing process of the emotionally wounded person. In the practical theoretical section a pastoral model is presented within which the different phases of the process of grief, as well as the process of forgiveness, are very prominent. The six phases of grief are I) shock and denial, 2) anger, 3) depression, 4) bargaining and wishful thinking, 5) sorrow, 6) forgiveness, resolution and acceptance. The process of forgiveness consists of three phases and nine steps. Phase one is the preparation for forgiveness and consists of the following four steps: 1) Forgiveness must be understood. 2) Recognize that forgiveness is necessary. 3) Identify the emotions involved. 4) Confront the hate. Phase two is really the core of forgiveness and consists of the following three steps: 5) bearing the pain, 6) setting boundaries to protect oneself, 7) releasing those who have wronged us. Phase three is oriented toward the possibility of starting over and consists of the following two steps: 8) assuming responsibility, 9) longing for reconciliation. This is a model that can affectively be applied in the pastoral guidance of persons who are struggling with unresolved grief, and consequently are not able to forgive. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

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A deep interest in how relationships, specifically romantic partnerships, cope with and survive tragedies, guides this research. My research question was: What are the narratives of intact bereaved couples whose children have died after receiving palliative care for a life-limiting illness? Five couples were interviewed who had lost their children ranging in age from 1-14 years of age. This loss occurred between 2 to 9 years previous to this study. The purpose of this narrative research study was to better understand the ways in which intact marital partners/couples coped together with the stress and grief involved in having a child with a life-limiting condition and then having that child die after receiving palliative care. A secondary aim was to bring forth their voices through their narratives as a means to address the stigmatization and isolation often experienced by those who are bereaved, especially those who have lost a child. This project informs professionals who are working with couples undergoing the struggle of a child's critical illness or who are working with bereaved couples. Each couple's narrative account was written in story format. In addition to the rich information gained from reading the holistic stories, 5 themes emerged through a categorical content analysis which were: 1) the last thing you worry about are issues about us, 2) accommodating one another's coping, 3) recognizing sources of support and limitations, 4) two souls against the world, and 5) we have a common bond : lessons and legacy of the child.

This thesis quantitatively investigates gaseous electron-ion recombination in an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) at a transient level by utilizing the dark shadows/streaks seen in gaseous secondary electron detector (GSED) images immediately after a region of enhanced secondary electron (SE) emission is encountered by a scanning electron beam. The investigation firstly derives a theoretical model of gaseous electron-ion recombination that takes into consideration transients caused by the time constant of the GSED electronics and external circuitry used to generate images. Experimental data of pixel intensity versus time of the streaks is then simulated using the model enabling the relative magnitudes of (i) ionization and recombination rates, (ii) recombination coefficients, and (iii) electron drift velocities, as well as absolute values of the total time constant of the detection system, to be determined as a function of microscope operating parameters. Results reveal the exact dependence that the effects of SE-ion recombination on signal formation have on reduced electric field intensity and time in ESEM. Furthermore, the model implicitly demonstrates that signal loss as a consequence of field retardation due to ion space charges, although obviously present, is not the foremost phenomenon causing streaking in images, as previously thought. Following that the generation and detection of gaseous scintillation and electro- luminescence produced via electron-gas molecule excitation reactions in ESEM is investigated. Here a novel gaseous scintillation detection (GSD) system is developed to efficiently detect photons produced. Images acquired using GSD are compared to those obtained using conventional GSED detection, and demonstrate that images rich in SE contrast can be achieved using such systems. A theoretical model is developed that describes the generation of photon signals by cascading SEs, high energy backscattered electrons (BSEs) and primary beam electrons (PEs). Photon amplification, or the total number of photons produced per sample emissive electron, is then investigated, and compared to conventional electronic amplification, over a wide range of microscope operating parameters, imaging gases and photon collection geometries. The main findings of the investigation revealed that detected electroluminescent signals exhibit larger SE signal-to-background levels than that of conventional electronic signals detected via GSED. Also, dragging the electron cascade towards the light pipe assemblage of GSD systems, or electrostatic focusing, dramatically increases photon collection efficiencies. The attainment of such an improvement being a direct consequence of increasing the `effective' solid angle for photon collection. Finally, in attempt to characterize the scintillating wavelengths arising from sample emissive SEs, PEs, BSEs, and their respective cascaded electrons, such that future photon filtering techniques can be employed to extract nominated GSD imaging signals, the emission spectra of commonly utilized electroluminescent gases in ESEM, such as argon (Ar) and nitrogen (N2), were collected and investigated. Spectra of Ar and N2 reveal several major emission lines that occur in the ultraviolet (UV) to near infrared (NIR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The major photon emissions discovered in Ar are attributed to occur via atomic de-excitation transitions of neutral Ar (Ar I), whilst for N2, major emissions are attributed to be a consequence of second positive band vibrational de-excitation reactions. Major wavelength intensity versus gas pressure data, for both Ar and N2, illustrate that wavelength intensities increase with decreasing pressure. This phenomenon strongly suggesting that quenching effects and reductions in excitation mean free paths increase with imaging gas pressure.

This thesis examines the relationship between tax-loss selling (TLS), where investors with taxable gains sell stocks that have declined in value just before the fiscal year-end to generate offsetting tax losses, and managers?? incentives to influence stock prices, either through increased disclosure or by engaging in upwards earnings management. Firms whose stock prices represent greater potential tax losses in investors?? portfolios at year-end are predicted to increase their disclosure level in June to prevent further share price falls due to TLS, and have higher levels of accruals. Using the number of discretionary, market-sensitive news releases in the Signal G announcement database to measure disclosure frequency, this thesis finds that, for a sample of 14,713 firm-year observations drawn from all ASX firms for the years 1994 to 2007, stocks with larger negative returns have higher disclosure in June, after controlling for size, performance, risk and external financing dependence. This is particularly true of small mining and exploration companies that are more reliant on voluntary disclosure as a vehicle for lowering information asymmetry. This increased disclosure does not appear to contribute to the higher July returns earned by stocks that experienced significant TLS in June. Disclosure frequency is negatively associated with the magnitude of operating and total accruals, suggesting that earnings management is less likely for firms with higher disclosure. There is also evidence that smaller firms with poor stock price performance have higher levels of operating accruals and thus may be more likely to engage in earnings management.