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Since the late 1990s accelerated growth in health care spending coupled with a cost shift of health insurance from employers to employees has created an increased financial burden for many families. Past research suggests that financial burden due to out-of-pocket (OOP) health care costs limits access to health care and may reduce spending on other basic needs, such as food. The primary objective of this study was to assess the relationship between out-of-pocket health care expenditures and food insecurity among families with children. Secondarily, this study examined the relationship between the health status of children and household food security. This study used data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID, 2003) to test whether higher out of pocket health care expenditures increase household food insecurity for families with children. Respondents reported out of pocket expenditures for both medical services and insurance premiums in 2001 and 2002. Food insecurity was measured for the previous 12 months using the 18-item USDA Food Security Survey Module. Multivariate weighted logit analysis was conducted to model the relationship between OOP health care costs and household food security status; and child health status and household food security. There was no evidence that higher OOP health care costs were associated with household food insecurity. However, among families earning less than 300 percent of the federal poverty threshold, having private insurance did increase the likelihood of experiencing food insecurity (OR =4.77, 95% CI = 0.05 - 1.02). Households with a child in poor health were not more likely to experience food insecurity; however having a wife in poor health was associated with food insecurity (OR = 4.00, 95% CI =1.67-9.52). The findings from this study suggest that programs designed to limit OOP health care spending among moderate and low income families should evaluate the impact on household food security. / Graduation date: 2013 / Access restricted to the OSU Community at author's request from July 23, 2012 - July 23, 2013

This thesis describes the use of rational redesign to modify the properties of the enzyme Candida antarctica lipase B. Through carefully selected single-point mutations, we were able to introduce substrate-assisted catalysis and to alter the reaction specificity. Other single-point mutations afforded variants with greatly changed substrate selectivity and enantioselectivity. Mutation of the catalytic serine changed the hydrolase activity into an aldolase activity. The mutation decreased the activation energy for aldol addition by 4 kJ×mol-1, while the activation energy increased so much for hydrolysis that no hydrolysis activity could be detected. This mutant can catalyze aldol additions that no natural aldolases can catalyze. Mutation of the threonine in the oxyanion hole proved the great importance of its hydroxyl group in the transition-state stabilization. The lost transition-state stabilization was partly replaced through substrate-assisted catalysis with substrates carrying a hydroxyl group. The poor selectivity of the wild-type lipase for ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate (E=1.6) was greatly improved in the mutant (E=22), since only one enantiomer could perform substrate-assisted catalysis. The redesign of the size of the stereospecificity pocket was very successful. Mutation of the tryptophan at the bottom of this pocket removed steric interactions with secondary alcohols that have to position a substituent larger than an ethyl in this pocket. This mutation increased the activity 5 500 times towards 5-nonanol and 130 000 times towards (S)-1-phenylethanol. The acceptance of such large substituents (butyl and phenyl) in the redesigned stereospecificity pocket increases the utility of lipases in biocatalysis. The improved activity with (S)-1-phenylethanol strongly contributed to the 8 300 000 times change in enantioselectivity towards 1-phenylethanol; example of such a large change was not found in the literature. The S-selectivity of the mutant is unique for lipases. Its enantioselectivity increases strongly with temperature reaching a useful S-selectivity (E=44) at 69 °C. Thermodynamics analysis of the enantioselectivity showed that the mutation in the stereospecificity pocket mainly changed the entropic term, while the enthalpic term was only slightly affected. This pinpoints the importance of entropy in enzyme catalysis and entropy should not be neglected in rational redesign.

Storage devices are rapidly changing, and we need to adapt the OS storage software stack to keep up with the changes. Such a re-evaluation of the storage software stack is especially required for mobile platforms because they are relying on inexpensive flash storage devices having very different performance characteristics from the familiar hard disk.In this thesis work, we first show the importance of storage in mobile platforms; contrary to conventional wisdom, we find evidence that storage is a significant contributor to application performance on mobile devices. Then, we explore the solution space for flash storage; user-level library for selective logging, host-side write buffering layer, and OS buffer replacement scheme for flash storage have been studied. Finally, we build an integrated solution for smartphone storage, named Fjord. In the Fjord study, we re-design logging and RAM buffering solutions for smartphones, and also propose fine-grained reliability control mechanisms. We prove that non-volatile logging can improve storage performance remarkably. Understanding the characteristics of cloud-backed applications and controlling the reliability constraint for chosen cloud-backed applications can achieve additional significant performance gain.We implement and evaluate our solution on a real Android smartphone, and demonstrate significant performance gains for everyday apps on such platforms.

Kiekvienas mobilus įrenginys turi bateriją, o tai reiškia, kad jų darbo laikas ribotas, kadangi nėra išrasta ilgaamžė baterija. Todėl šiuo metu egzistuojanti problema - kaip pasiekti, kuo ilgesnį mobiliojo įrenginio darbo laiką, be papildomo pakrovimo. Darbo metu naudojamas mobilus įrenginys - delninukas. Iš visų delninuko baterijos energiją suvartojančių komponentų visas dėmesys skiriamas procesoriui ir atminčiai. Tyrimo metu buvo apkrautas procesorius ir atmintis ir stebimi atitinkami baterijos parametrai. Apkrovimui naudojama paprastų ir išretintų matricų saugomų stulpelių metodu daugyba. Išretintų matricų daugybos metu užimama mažiau atminties, o procesorius atlieka daugiau komandų lyginant su paprastu metodu, kuris užima daugiau atminties. Iš gautų rezultatų pamatėme, kad išretintų matricų saugomų stulpelių metodu daugyba yra daug efektyvesnė negu paprastų matricų daugyba. Todėl kuriant programas, kur reikia naudoti matricas geriau naudoti išretintų matricų stulpelių saugojimo metodo daugybą, kadangi galima sutrumpinti operacijos vykdymo laika, sunaudoti mažiau baterijos resursų ir sutaupyti atminties. / Nowadays major problem is energy consumtion in portable devices which has a battery. In this job we have evaluated energy consumption for Pocket PC. We wanted to see memory and processor influence in battery energy consumption. We have created a program which can do matrix multiplication and sparse matrix „storage by columns“ multiplication. During multiplication program takes battery information and saves it into the file. After that I have investigated the result and saw, that sparse matrix storage by columns multiplication is much more effectived than normal matrix multiplication. Sparce matrix storage by columns multiplication take less memory and more processor commands then normal matrix multiplication. We suggest to use sparse matrix storage by columns model instead simple model, because you can save much more operation time, battery resources and memory.

Smartphones form an emerging mobile computing platform that has hybrid characteristics borrowed from PC and feature phone environments. While maintaining great mobility and portability as feature phones, smartphones offers advanced computation capabilities and network connectivity. Although the smartphone platform can support PC-grade applications, the platform exhibits fundamentally different characteristics from the PC platform. Two important problems arise in the smartphone platform: how to mobilize applications and how to deliver them effectively. Traditional application mobilization involves significant cost in development and typically provides limited functionality of the PC version. Since the mobile applications rely on the embedded wireless interfaces of smartphones for network access, the application performance is impacted by the inferior characteristics of the wireless networks. Our first contribution is super-aggregation, a rapid application delivery protocol that in tandem uses the multiple interfaces intelligently to achieve a performance that is ``better than the sum of throughputs' achievable through each of the interfaces individually. The second contribution is MORPH, a remote computing protocol for heterogeneous devices that transforms the application views on the PC platform into smartphone-friendly views. MORPH virtualizes application views independent of the UI framework used into an abstract representation called virtual view. It allows transformation services to be easily programmed to realize a smartphone friendly view by manipulating the virtual view. The third contribution is the system design of super-aggregation and MORPH that achieve rapid application delivery and mobilization. Both solutions require only software modifications that can be easily deployed to smartphones.

p.37の史料1、史料2およびp.38-39は都合により掲載しておりません

One of the best opportunities to reduce pipeline accidents and subsequent product loss comes from implementing better pipeline condition assessment and fault detection systems. Transient analysis model based condition assessment is the most promising technique because pressure transients propagate entire system interacting with the pipe and any devices in the system. Transient measurements embody a large amount of information about the physical characteristics of the system. The performance of this technique has its difficulties because a highly accurate transient model is required. Real systems have numerous uncertainties and flow system components that presents a major challenge in the development of precise transient analysis models. To improve transient modelling for the performance of condition assessment, this research undertakes a comprehensive investigation into the transient behaviour of distributed and various local energy loss system components in water and gas pipelines. The dynamic behaviours that have been investigated in this research are the effect of unsteady wall resistance, viscoelasticity effects of polymer pipe, and local energy loss elements including leakages, entrapped air pockets, orifices, and blockages during unsteady pipe flow conditions. The dynamic characteristics of these system components are modelled based on the conservative solution scheme using the governing equations in their conservative form. Use of the conservative form of the equations improves the sensitivity and applicability of transient analysis in both liquid and gas pipeline systems. The numerical model results are compared to laboratory experiments in water and gas pipelines to observe the interaction between transient pressure wave and system components and to verify the proposed models. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1337145 / Thesis( Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering 2008

Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Information on the external shape and internal properties of a tree such as the branch structure, tree ring widths and formation, and defects such as resin pockets is important for many forest –and wood science researchers as well as for the forest and wood processing industries. Resin pockets are internal defects associated with some softwood species, and are undesirable in some wood applications such as furniture and veneer. A tool that is often used in research to obtain this information is the Computed Tomography scanner. The high cost of the scanner, as well as the cost of transporting logs to the scanner, limits the application range of this equipment. An alternative, lower cost method would be beneficial for many researchers interested in tree shape and macroscopic internal tree characteristics. The objectives of this study were to: - Design, construct and test a mobile system that can be used in field to obtain a three‐dimensional model of a log or tree stem indicating selected macroscopic internal characteristics and, - Interpret results to explain the occurrence and causes of resin pockets in Pinus patula from the Mpumalanga escarpment, South Africa. A system for dissecting and measuring trees in field was designed, constructed and tested. The metal frame was used to cut a stationary, fixed log into discs and obtain digital images of crosssections along the stem axis. The frame was capable of processing logs with maximum dimensions of 3 m in length and 45 cm in diameter. Software was developed to convert the digital images into three‐dimensional models of logs and trees to demonstrate properties such as the external shape of the trees, branch structure and pith location. Properties such as ring width were measured from the images obtained. The study was conducted in the Mpumalanga escarpment to obtain three‐dimensional models of Pinus patula trees and to establish the reason for formation of resin pockets in these trees. Four 3 m logs from twenty‐four trees from three compartments were dissected and digitally reconstructed into three‐dimensional models. A total of 61 cross sections with resin pockets were identified from the 2750 cross cut images taken 20 cm apart along the longitudinal axis of the log. It was not possible to accept or reject conclusively any of the existing hypotheses for the cause of resin pocket formation. The formation of Type 2 resin pockets was most probably due to felling damage during thinning operations. It seems likely that wind damage and possibly insects might be responsible for the formation of Type 1 resin pockets. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kennis in verband met die interne eienskappe van ‘n boom soos takeienskappe, jaarringwydte en vorm, en harsholtes is belangrik vir sommige bos ‐en houtkundige navorsers. Die toerusting wat huidiglik algemeen gebruik word om inligting van hierdie aard te bekom is ‘n CT skandeerder. Die metode is egter duur as gevolg van hoë kapitale koste van die toerusting sowel as die vervoerkoste van stompe na die CT‐fasiliteit. ‘n Meer ekonomiese alternatief sal vir baie navorsers van waarde wees. Harsholtes in hout lei tot afgradering van hout en fineer. Die doel van die studie was twee‐sydig: - Om ‘n stelsel te ontwerp en bou wat ‘n drie‐dimensionele model van ‘n boom kan skep wat sommige makroskopiese, interne eienskappe weergee, en - Om die voorkoms en oorsaak van harsholtes in Pinus Patula van die Mpumalanga platorand te ondersoek. ‘n Raam is ontwerp en vervaardig wat in die plantasie gebruik word. Die raam kan stompe van tot drie meter lengte met ‘n maksimale diameter van 45 cm hanteer. Die raam is gebruik om snitte deur die stompe te maak, ‘n afstandmeting tot by die gesaagde oppervlak word deur ‘n lasermeter geneem en ‘n kamera neem ‘n foto. Sagteware word dan gebruik vir die uitkenning van sekere dele in elke beeld sowel as die samestelling van ‘n drie‐dimensionele model. Data‐insameling met die raam is in Mpumalanga gedoen. Die raam is in die tydperk getoets en het goed gefunksioneer. Vier stompe elk vanaf vier‐en‐twintig bome vanuit drie afsonderlike kompartemente is verwerk op die raam en volledige drie‐dimensionele modelle geskep vir hierdie bome insluitend hul eksterne vorm, takeienskappe en pitvorm (“pith location”). Ongeveer 2750 foto’s van dwarssnitte is tydens data‐insameling geneem. Net 61 van die foto’s het harsholtes bevat. Geen definitiewe oorsaak van harsholtes kon bepaal word nie. Tipe 2 harsholtes word waarskynlik as gevolg van skade tydens uitdunning van bome gevorm. Wind en insekte lyk na die mees waarskynlike oorsake van Tipe 1 harsholtes.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:18:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2009MELO-CAPITULO1.pdf: 82281 bytes, checksum: 82f866764e23625996fbd50c82fe3c4f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-10-22 / In structural system of composite beams with slab and beam, both precast, it is necessary that shear stress is transferred from the slab to the beam through the interface to assure the composite action between beam and slab. This study has the objective of assessing the behavior of composite beams with slab and beam precast connected by pockets. For this, it was developed a computational model based on the Finite Element Method using the commercial software DIANA® 9.3, which make possible the analysis of interaction between shear stresses transferred by interface to precast beam and shear stress on the precast beam due to vertical loading. In the analysis, the behavior of these beams was compared with the behavior of beams with continuous connection, usually employed. In addition, the type of beam-slab interface (with or without shear-key) was analyzed. It is tried from this analysis to confirm some models presented in the literature for design composite beams connected by pockets. Usually, the models used to design of reinforced concrete beams to shear are slightly modified to design the composite beams connected by pockets. The results show that, in fact, there is an increase on the shear stress of precast beam due to a discrete connection provided by pockets / No sistema estrutural de vigas compostas formadas por laje e viga pré-moldadas, para que os elementos estruturais trabalhem efetivamente como um sistema composto, é necessário que as tensões na interface sejam transferidas de um elemento para o outro. Nesta linha, o presente trabalho tem o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento de vigas compostas formadas por viga e laje pré-moldadas ligadas por meio de nichos de concretagem. Para tanto, foi desenvolvido um modelo computacional, com base no Método dos Elementos Finitos, utilizado o programa comercial DIANA® 9.3, com o qual é possível analisar a interação entre as tensões de cisalhamento transferidas da interface para a alma da viga e as tensões de cisalhamento oriundas da força cortante provocada pelo carregamento vertical. Nas análises, são feitas comparações do comportamento dessas vigas com o comportamento de vigas compostas com ligação contínua, usualmente empregada. Também é avaliada a influência do tipo de tratamento da interface (com e sem chave de cisalhamento). Procura-se, assim, confirmar modelos sugeridos pela literatura para o projeto de vigas compostas ligadas mediante nichos existentes, os quais sugerem alterações nos modelos usualmente empregados no projeto de vigas de concreto. A análise dos resultados demonstra que de fato há um aumento nas tensões de compressão na viga pré-moldada devido ao fato da ligação ser discreta