The demand for functional foods is on the rise. These are food products that, besides providing energy and nutrients for life, provide additional health benefits. Xylitol, a five-carbon sugar alcohol, is a possible functional food, as well as a sugar replacement. The cost of xylitol has led manufacturers to add inulin, a nondigestible oligosaccharide, as an extender. Both xylitol and inulin have been suggested to provide added health benefits beyond being a reduced calorie replacement for sugar. We tested their impact on several human health parameters (fecal weight, fecal pH, fecal% Ill moisture, blood lipids, blood glucose, and fecal micro flora) with two age groups, "older" (62.3 ± 9.63 y, n= 17) and "younger" (23.3 ± 2.02 y, n= 18). Participants were given two different treatments: A, 7.5 g xylitol and B, 7.5 g of xylitol in combination with 7.5 g of inulin. Treatment schedules were as follows: 2 weeks with one treatment, followed by a 2-week washout period, and 2 weeks with the treatment they had not previously taken. Comparisons were then made between each treatment and the washout period. Due to the low number of participants, we were unable to obtain substantial significance on most observations, but important trends were detected. Treatment with xylitol by itself caused a decrease in stool mass compared to washout (control) values, while the addition of inulin reversed the decrease. This effect is important, as an increased stool mass is associated with a healthy gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Xylitol by itself or with added inulin provided for a more acidic colonic environment, which aids in mineral absorption and inhibition of pathogenic microbes. Both treatments were also noted to cause an increase the frequency of bowel movements compared to washout. As sugar replacements, it was observed that both treatments were associated with a decreased post-prandial blood sugar level from washout, indicating a benefit in blood glucose control. As for blood lipid values, xylitol caused a decrease, compared to washout, in triglycerides and VLDL levels while increasing HDL levels. However, the addition of inulin increased, from washout, the younger age group's serum triglycerides, but did not change xylitol 's effects on VLDL and HDL levels of either age group. In the fecal micro flora, it was seen that taking the xylitol treatment caused a decrease, from washout, in amounts of all microbes studied, while the addition of inulin increased the fecal Lactobacilli counts of the older age group. Interestingly, stool qualities responded differently by age. Both treatments made the older population's stool more firm, while the same treatments made the younger population's stool more loose. Despite the added benefits, there was an increase in flatulence-small with the xylitol treatment, but nearly a three-fold increase with the addition of inulin. In conclusion, xylitol alone or with the addition of inulin can be labeled as a functional food

The reaction of dimethyldioxirane with a series of cis/trans-1,2-dialkylalkenes was carried out and produced the corresponding epoxides in high yield. As expected, the relative reactivity at 23 ºC of the cis-alkenes was at least 8-fold greater than that of the trans-counterparts with the magnitude of the relative reactivity increasing with increased steric bulk. Enhanced selectivity for cis- versus trans-alkene epoxidation was observed at lower temperatures. The reaction of dimethyldioxirane with selected alkenes was carried out in various solvent conditions (dried acetone:acetonitrile (1:9), dried acetone:methanol (1:9), dried acetone:carbon tetrachloride (1:9) and acetone:water (Xwater = 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05)) and produced the corresponding epoxides in high yield. The reactivity of dioxirane with simple di- and trialkylalkenes was enhanced as the polarity and hydrogen bonding capability of the solvent system were increased. Little to no change in reactivity was observed in the non-polar solvent system. Epoxidation of trisubstituted alkenes by dioxirane showed a greater rate enhancement in polar protic solvents compared to that for the epoxidation of the disubstituted alkenes. The epoxidation of an allylic alcohol by dimethyldioxirane showed a large increase in the non-polar solvent system compared to that in acetone. The reaction of dimethyldioxirane with the allylic alcohol also exhibited less of a rate increase in polar protic systems than its alkyl counterpart. Activation parameters for the epoxidation of cis/trans-1,2-dialkylalkenes by dioxirane in dried acetone and the previously mentioned solvent systems were determined using the Arrhenius method. In general, the ∆G‡ and ∆H‡ terms were greater for the reaction of dimethyldioxirane with trans-alkenes as compared to those for the corresponding cis-isomers regardless of solvent or alkyl steric bulk. The calculated ∆S‡ terms appeared essentially independent of steric bulk or solvent composition and were roughly identical, within experimental error, for all of the five cis/trans pairs. The ∆∆G‡ values, a comparison of the trans- to the cis-isomer data, yielded values of 1.2 to 1.8 kcal/mol in dried acetone for the five pairs of alkenes and appeared to be dependent on relative steric interactions. The ∆∆G‡ values for the epoxidation of cis/trans-alkenes carried out in solvents other than acetone showed no change from the value obtained in acetone. The experimental activation parameter data in dried acetone were consistent with predictions from ab initio calculations based on a spiro transition state model.

Inter-site interference distribution acts as a basic limitation on how much performance a network service provider can achieve in an urban network scenario. There are many different ways of controlling this interference levels. One such method is tuning the antenna downtilt depending on the network situation. Antenna downtilt can also be seen as a powerful tool for load balancing in the network. This thesis work involves a study of the impact of the antenna downtilt in an urban environment, involving non-uniform user distribution. A realistic dual ray propagation model is used to model the path gain from the base station to a UE. Such a propagation model is used along with a directional antenna radiation pattern model to calculate the overall path gain from the base station to a UE. Under such modeling, the results of the simulations show that the antenna downtilt plays a crucial role in optimizing the network performance. The results show that the optimal antenna downtilt angle is not very sensitive to the location of the hotspot in the network. The results also show that the antenna downtilt sensitivity is very much dependent on the network scenario. The coupling between the antenna downtilt and the elevation half power beamwidth is also evaluated.

The target of this thesis is to fabricate through Silicon via (TSV) structures based on Si-bench technology for high-speed transmission interface. In this process, Si via with a depth of 250 £gm were formed by dry etching on a 500 £gm thick <111> Si wafer. The TSV were then obtained by removing the bottom of the silicon wafer using grinding technique. To reduce microwave loss of high frequency signal transmission, we oxidized the TSV by oxygen wet oxidation at a temperature of 1000 oC. Finally, conductive paths through the TSV were formed by filling silver epoxy into the via and dry at a temperature of 200 oC for 1 hour. The s parameters of the high speed TSV structure was characterized by a Vector Network Analyzer. Si-bench technology can effectively improve system integration and performance while reducing cost and size of the module package. . Key words: Through silicon via, microwave loss, s parameters

The objective of this study was to monitor the effects on physical and reproductive parameters in mares supplemented with Ractopamine HCl (RAC), in an effort to provide some insight concerning the use of RAC in horse diets. Physical deviation was recorded via measurements of body weight (BW), muscle size, and fat deposition. Reproductive deviation was recorded via ultrasonographic measurement of follicular growth and ovulation, while hormonal analyses were conducted for leptin and luteinizing hormone (LH). Data analyses of physical measurements indicated an effect of RAC supplementation (P<.001) as treated horses had a greater increase in BW compared to the controls. Treatment horses increased gaskin circumference (P<.001) compared to horses on the control diet. Both groups showed an increase in rump fat with the treated horses gaining less (P<.05). A similar effect was revealed in body fat percentage (P<.01) with the treated horses gaining less when compared to the controls. No statistical differences were noted for changes in forearm circumference or rib fat. No change was derived for length of estrous or pre-ovulatory follicle size between groups. When analyzing the data from first to last cycle in the treatment group, length of estrous was significantly (P<.05) shortened over the 90-day study. Upon analysis of serum leptin concentrations, the control group had a significantly (P<.001) higher overall concentration as compared to the treated horses; however, no difference was noted for normalized data, though RAC supplementation may have caused the profile of leptin to become more erratic. Analysis of LH concentrations revealed a strong trend (P=0.0527) of RAC-supplemented horses having a lower mean concentration of LH throughout the 90-day study as compared to the controls. Means were also analyzed for day and treatment by day effects, suggesting possible trends (P=0.2944 and P=0.1591 respectively) of seasonality. Area Under the Curve (AUC) was calculated for individual horses and analyzed for treatment effects. Only a trend (P=0.1631) was noted for RAC-supplemented horses having a smaller AUC (80.10 ± 29.72) as compared to the controls (140.60 ± 27.50).

Blood samples were collected from 602 white-tailed deer (WTD) (Odocoileus virginianus) between October 2008 – October 2009, from 15 different counties throughout Texas. White-tailed deer were evaluated for serum biochemical parameters (total protein, albumin, calcium serum, phosphorus, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total bilirubin, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, globulins, albumins to globulins ratio, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and magnesium) and the following variables were recorded: age, gender, county of collection, season, capture method, and status based on captive or free-ranging. The 14 biochemical parameters were compared for WTD among age groups fawns (<12 months), yearlings (≥12 months - <24 months) and adults (≥24 months), gender, season (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter), status (captive or free-ranging) and capture method (physical restraint, anesthetized using physical restraint method of drug administration, anesthetized using dart gun method of drug administration, drop-netted, net-gunned, or hunter harvested). The data collected for these parameters was used to establish normal ranges for a comprehensive metabolic panel (serum chemistry panel) for WTD in Texas. These reference ranges will be used for both captive and free-ranging WTD to improve diagnostic screening and disease monitoring. Captive vs. free-ranging status was statistically significant in WTD for 7 of the 14 physiological parameters. Significant differences and trends were observed among the three age groups. Calcium and phosphorus had an inverse relationship with age, while glucose had a direct relationship with age. Gender was statistically significant for 7 of 14 parameters. Anesthetized WTD vs. non-anesthetized had the greatest impact on mean blood chemistry values. Values for total serum protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, and globulins were higher for non-anesthetized WTD. Glucose, BUN, and AST mean values for higher for anesthetized WTD.

Flexural mechanism design is one of the latest field for mechanism researches in these recent years. In this paper, it will address one method of normalized dimensional parameters. According to the traditionally change of the appearance of flexural hinge, the different parameters will be designed through to the differences of several combination. On the other hand, we use the Finite Element Method to analyze the kinematics behavior of different hinges. Finally, we come up with a series of complete data that provide designers a reference for designing.

Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dynamics is affected by hydrodynamic forces such as added mass and viscous drag force. Both of added mass and drag force coefficients can be measured by a set of Planar Motion Mechanism (PMM) tests; however, it is costly. In this study, an economic method for identifying hydrodynamic parameters of ROV is given. A simplified nonlinear ROV dynamics model with twelve unknown hydrodynamic parameters in six degrees of freedom was derived for simulations. The identification is based on experimental data obtained by projective mapping method which is utilized to measure the planar motions of a ROV. Then least-squares optimization is performed by comparison between the theoretical simulations and the actual motion measurements. But, an optimization computation involving a large number of parameters is likely to get trapped in a local minimum. Therefore, to reduce the number of parameters to be optimized, some models of simple motions such as surge, sway, surge and sway, yaw, and heave are decoupled from the ROV dynamic model. A commercial ROV ¡§Seamor¡¨ that equipped with two vertical thrusters, two horizontal thrusters, and a depth sensor is used for identification. The experiments for measuring ROV motions of surge, sway, surge and sway, and yaw were performed in a swimming pool in National Sun Yat-sen University. A video camera is utilized to capture ROV for position estimation using projective mapping method. As for the heave motion of ROV, the experiment was conducted offshore the Shio-Liu-Qiu Island and the ROV depth was measured by an onboard pressure sensor. Then, optimal hydrodynamic parameters are identified in sequence of surge, heave, yaw, sway, and then surge and sway. Verification experiments were performed and the simulation results with the optimum values of hydrodynamic parameters show good agreement with the measured data from verification experiments.

Thermal fatigue failure, due to the fracture of solder bumps which was cased by the coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch deformation, is frequently encountered in flip-chip package. Therefore, this thesis attempts to study the effects of geometric parameters variation on lead-free flip-chip package under temperature cycling test. First, we used the finite element method to simulate the thermal loading response of lead-free flip-chip. The accumulated equivalent creep strain and accumulated creep strain energy density of the lead-free solder bumps were calculated, and were used to predict the thermal fatigue life of lead-free flip-chip package. The Taguchi method is applied to obtain the optimal design parameters in order to enhance reliability of the lead-free flip-chip under temperature cycling loading. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) is also used for estimating the influence of the factors quantitatively. The obtained results can be adopted as references for the lead-free flip-chip package design.

<p>Performance monitoring in communication networks, which isthe main topic of this thesis, is an essential part ofperformance and network management. The applications cover anumber of different areas such as daily operations andmaintenance, usage information for billing purposes, customerreports, traffic control, planning, and dimensioning.</p><p>The main purpose of the thesis is to develop a single methodfor measurement of the most significant network performanceparameters in IP networks. It is a continuation from a previouslicentiate thesis that focused on performance monitoring incell-based networks.</p><p>The development of a measurement method that combines activeand passive approaches using monitoring blocks is the maincontribution of this work. A traffic flow performance meterbased on these principles has been implemented as an extensionto the open source flow meter NeTraMet and tested. Theresolution and precision of the results are determined by thesize of the monitoring block, which is the method’s mainparameter. Relevant statistical issues regarding packet lossesand delays are analysed. Finally, the measurement method isdiscussed in the context of applications, as well as networkand service management systems in general.</p>