Bakgrund: Alla patienter som opereras i generell anestesi löper risk för perioperativ hypotermi. Obehandlad hypotermi kan leda till fysiologiska komplikationer och orsaka lidande för patienten och utgör en risk för patientens säkerhet samt ökade vårdkostnader. Enligt den teoretiska modellen Perioperative Patient Focused Model ansvarar operationssjuksköterskan för säker vård och behöver förebygga och behandla perioperativ hypotermi. Det finns olika metoder för att förhindra hypotermi, det saknas dock tillräcklig kunskap om dessa bland vårdpersonal och därför finns ett behov av att sammanställa och utvärdera den aktuella evidensen av perioperativ hypotermiprevention. Syfte: Sammanställa olika metoder och deras effektivitet för förebyggande av perioperativ hypotermi hos vuxna patienter i generell anestesi. Metod: Deskriptiv litteraturstudie med systematisk ansats baserad på 22 kvantitativa randomiserade kontrollstudier analyserade med hjälp av narrativ syntes. Resultat: Aktiva metoder för hypotermiprevention är effektivare än passiva metoder, där varmluftstäcke var den effektivaste metoden. Andra effektiva metoder, speciellt när överkroppen inte kan täckas intraoperativt, är värmemadrass samt värmda infusionsvätskor. Samtidigt pekar resultatet på att flera olika metoder bör användas tillsammans, varav minst en aktiv metod, och alla patienter oavsett ingrepp har nytta av att få preoperativ uppvärmning. Slutsats: Även om det är svårt att helt förhindra perioperativ hypotermi hos alla patienter är det möjligt att förebygga och begränsa dess omfattning genom att kombinera olika befintliga metoder baserat på operationssjuksköterskans perioperativa bedömning av patienten. / Background: All patients who undergo surgery under general anesthesia are at risk of perioperative hypothermia. Untreated hypothermia can lead to physiological complications and cause suffering for the patient, thereby posing a risk to the patient's safety, as well as increased healthcare costs. According to the Perioperative Patient Focus Model the operating room (OR) nurse must provide safe care and thereby prevent and treat perioperative hypothermia. There are various methods to prevent hypothermia, however, there is a lack of sufficient knowledge about these among healthcare personnel and therefore there is a need to compile and evaluate the current evidence of perioperative hypothermia prevention. Aim: To compile different methods and their effectiveness for the prevention of perioperative hypothermia in adult patients under general anesthesia.  Method: Descriptive literature study with a systematic approach based on 22 quantitative randomized control trials analyzed using narrative synthesis. Results: Active methods of hypothermia prevention are more effective than passive methods, forced air blanket being the most effective method. Other effective methods, especially when the upper body cannot be covered intraoperatively, are heating mattresses and warmed infusion fluids. At the same time, the results indicate that several different methods should be used together, of which at least one active method, and all patients, regardless of surgery intervention, benefit from preoperative warming. Conclusion: Although it is difficult to completely prevent perioperative hypothermia in all patients, it is possible to prevent and limit the extent by combining different existing methods based on the operating nurse's perioperative assessment of the patient.

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of applying fill soil around existing trees and mechanisms for species tolerance to soil compaction, both common site disturbances in urban forestry. Groups of 22-year-old white oak (Quercus alba) and 13-year-old sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) were subjected to one of three treatments: a control, fill (20 cm of subsoil spread over the root zones), and compacted fill (same as fill soil, but compacted). Additionally, individual trees had tree wells (fill soil pulled away from trunks), or not. After three years, treatments had no consistent effect on tree growth, chlorophyll fluorescence, or soil respiration. However, soil treatments disrupted normal soil moisture patterns at both sites. Roots of white oak grew into fill layers, although overall root growth was not significantly affected by treatment. Sweetgum roots grew very little into fill soils. However, root distribution shifted upward in the original soil under uncompacted fill. Other factors associated with raising the soil grade, such as soil trafficking and root severance, may be largely responsible for the tree decline often attributed to construction fill. Another experiment investigated the relationship between tolerance of wet soils and the ability to grow in compacted soils. It was hypothesized that tree species tolerant of wet soils would have opportunities for root growth in compacted soil when high soil moisture reduced soil strength. Seedlings of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), a species intolerant of inundation, and silver maple (Acer saccharinum), a bottomland species, were grown in a loam soil maintained at various combinations of soil strength and soil matric potential. In moderately compacted soil (1.5 g cm-3 bulk density), maple seedlings, but not dogwoods, had greater root growth rate, root length per plant, and ratio of root length to root dry weight in the wet soil (0.006 MPa soil matric potential) than in the moist and dry soils (0.026 and 0.06 MPa, respectively). No such effect was detected in highly compacted soil (1.7 g cm-3). It can be concluded that silver maple roots can grow in moderately compacted soil when high soil water content decreases soil strength, whereas dogwood is unable to take advantage of this opportunity. / Ph. D.

The objectives of this dissertation are to: 1) identify the aspects of shopping environments that are important to people; and 2) identify strategies to maintain the cultural relevance and viability of traditional marketplaces in the new global economy. This dissertation uses a Content Identifying Methodology (CIM) to determine preferences of general Thai shoppers for different shopping environments in Bangkok, Thailand. The procedures include preference rating, scene description, and respondents' background surveys. Data were analyzed using factor analysis, content analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), canonical correlation analysis, and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). In addition, interviews with designers and developers of shopping environments are used to establish implications for future development, design, and renovation of shopping environments. Three major factors, environmental, shopping, and background, were found to influence preferences for shopping environments. The environmental factors include the perceived environmental types; spacious and well-organized spatial configurations; physical content, such as fresh products, vegetation, and sitting areas; and environmental conditions, such as maintenance level, crowdedness, and cool temperatures. Shopping factors include recreational and value shopping. Respondent's background factors include shopping behaviors and socio-economic backgrounds, such as age and household economic status. Shoppers prefer certain shopping environments based on their shopping purpose: recreational versus value shopping. Recreational shopping appeals to young, single, and big group shoppers at modern malls, which provide the most opportunities for exploring, recreating, and socializing. Value shopping appeals to older, married, and large family shoppers at traditional markets that offer the high quality fresh products at low price. The dissertation's findings are consistent with previous studies and support theoretical explanations in the environmental perception and assessment field. Coherence, complexity, legibility, and mystery, and the concept of affordance influence preference; and are useful in making recommendations. The results indicate that, by identifying the preferences and perceptions of Thai shoppers, it is possible to preserve important aspects of the traditional Thai marketplace. This is achieved by incorporating aspects of traditional Thai markets into new shopping environments; and enhancing existing traditional markets to give them broader appeal and make them more viable in today's economy. / Ph. D.

Increasingly tighter budgets, changes in government role/function, declines in staff resources, and demands for increased accountability in the transportation field have brought unprecedented challenges for state transportation officials at all management levels. Systematic methodologies for effective management of a specific type of infrastructure (e.g., pavement and bridges) as well as for holistically managing all types of infrastructure assets are being developed to approach these challenges. In particular, the intrinsic characteristics of highway system make the use of multi-objective optimization techniques particularly attractive for managing highway assets. Recognizing the need for effective tradeoff tools and the limitations of state-of-practice analytical models and tools in highway asset management, the main objective of this dissertation was to develop a performance-based asset management framework that uses multi-objective optimization techniques and consists of stand-alone but logically interconnected optimization models for different management levels. Based on a critical review of popular multi-objective optimization techniques and their applications in highway asset management, a synergistic integration of complementary multi-criteria optimization techniques is recommended for the development of practical and efficient decision-supporting tools. Accordingly, the dissertation first proposes and implements a probabilistic multi-objective model for performance-based pavement preservation programming that uses the weighting sum method and chance constraints. This model can handle multiple incommensurable and conflicting objectives while considering probabilistic constraints related to the available budget over the planning horizon, but is found more suitable to problems with small number of objective functions due to its computational intensity. To enhance the above model, a hybrid model that requires less computing time and systematically captures the decision maker's preferences on multiple objectives is developed by combining the analytic hierarchy process and goal programming. This model is further extended to also capture the relative importance existent within optimization constraints to be suitable for allocations of funding across multiple districts for a decentralized state department of transportation. Finally, as a continuation of the above proposed models for the succeeding management level, a project selection model capable of incorporating qualitative factors (e.g. equity, user satisfaction) into the decision making is developed. This model combines k-means clustering, analytic hierarchy process and integer linear programming. All the models are logically interconnected in a comprehensive resource allocation framework. Their feasibility, practicality and potential benefits are illustrated through various case studies and recommendations for further developments are provided. / Ph. D.

Cakes were prepared with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) at 0, 50, and 75% replacement for sucrose by weight of sugar and pregelatinized cross-bonded waxy corn starch added at 0, 0.5, and 1% by weight of flour. The water was adjusted to allow for the moisture content (literature value) of the syrup. Cakes were tested freshly baked, after 3 days of room temperature storage, and after 14 and 45 days of frozen storage (-16°C). The pH, specific gravity, and sugar composition by HPLC were determined for the cake batters. Baked cakes were evaluated for moisture content, volume, and crust and crumb color. Photographs were taken to record the overall appearance. Sensory evaluation of crust and crumb color, moistness, tenderness, flavor, and overall acceptability were completed on all variations after each storage time. The HFCS level and storage time were significant variables. The addition of starch had no effect on the quality of the cakes. Acceptable cakes were made at all levels of HFCS replacement for sucrose. Crust and crumb color were significantly (P < 0.0001) darker and volume was significantly (P < 0.0001) lower for cakes containing HFCS, however, there was little difference in cakes made with the two levels of HFCS (SO and 75%). Storage did lower the overall quality of the cakes, but not significantly in all cases. Moisture content of the cakes stored for 14 days was equal to that of freshly baked cakes. Crust and crumb color continued to darken slightly with storage. A satisfactory cake suitable for frozen storage may be prepared using HFCS. / M.S.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of different chemicals on the preservation of crab waste at room temperature. In Exp. 1, .2 and .4% NaOCI and H₂O₂ were used and the waste was stored for 17 d. In Exp. 2, NaCI (10%), NaNO₂ (1%), NaOCI (.4%), NaN₃ (.065%), KN0₃ (.1%), Tert butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) (50 ppm), and I₂ (25 ppm) were used. After mixing with the chemicals the waste was stored for 21 d. In Exp. 3, the waste was treated with NaCI (100/0), NaNO₂(10/0) and NaN₃(.065%) and the mixtures were kept for 20, 30 and 40 d. In the first experiment the waste treated with .4% NaOCI preserved better than for the other treatments, with lower (P < .05) NH₃ and trimethylamine (TMA). In Exp. 2, treatment with NaCI, NaNO₂ and NaN₃ did not produce any change in the physical characters of the crab waste. The TMA, indole and NH₃ were lower (P < .05) and no H₂S was detected in the waste treated with those chemicals. In Exp. 3, treatment with NaCI did not alter the physical characteristics of crab waste. The waste had lower (P < .05) NH3, TMA and indole on d 20, 30 and 40 than those treated with NaNO₂ and NaN₃. / Ph. D.

An innovative sampling technique employing extractant impregnated membranes is presented for the selective sorption and stabilization of specific oxidation states of chromium. Polymer-based selective ion traps employing the extractants tricaprylmethylammonium chloride (Aliquat-336) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (DEHPA) were used for the selective removal and enrichment of the anionic forms of Cr(VI) and cationic forms of Cr(III), respectively. Results show Aliquat-336 and DEHPA effectively remove Cr(VI) and Cr(III) from aqueous solutions. Extraction efficiency is independent of source concentration from 1-50 ppm but is dependent upon time, pH of the source, ionic strength, extractant concentration, composition of source phase, and choice of stripping agent and stripping agent concentration. Optimum conditions for Cr(VI) and Cr(III) were determined to be 1 v/v% Aliquat-336 and 30 v/v% DEHPA; an extraction time of at least 3-5 days; source phase pH between 3-5; and 1 M NaOH/ 0.5 M HNO3 as stripping agent for Cr(VI) and Cr(III) species, respectively. Batch extraction efficiencies of 97 +/- 3 % were obtained for the optimal conditions. Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) was used for total chromium determination. UV-VIS spectrometry was used for Cr(VI) determination. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed the physical structure of the polymeric supports and subsequent impregnation was evidenced by the SEM images. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic results provided the elemental composition of the Versapor-450 membrane to be 71. 5% C, 7.0% O, 9.5% Cl and 12.0% N. The Whatman PP membrane was and 100.0 % C. Elemental composition of 1 v/v% Aliquat-336 on Versapor-450 and Whatman PP membrane was 92.3% C, 0.8% O, 3.6% N, and 3.3% Cl and 94.3% C, 3.3% N, and 2.4% Cl, respectively. Elemental composition of 30 v/v% DEHPA on Versapor-450 and Whatman PP membranes were 78.8% C, 3.4% P, 17.8% O and 76.3% C, 19.3% O, 4.4% P, respectively. Column studies under simulated groundwater conditions utilizing the extractant impregnated membranes showed no statistical difference in Cr(VI) recoveries from those obtained in batch experiments. Cr(III) extraction revealed a statistical difference in analyte recovery vs. batch experiments. This is attributed to the lowered pH and cationic interferences present in simulated groundwater. / Ph. D.

With historic ruins as a project vehicle, this thesis investigates connections to an existing structure through materials and spatial relationships. The proposed intervention, guided by design elements and preservation methods, reflects a sensitive approach and provides a transition between our built heritage and an adapted form of architecture. / Master of Architecture

Instant puddings were prepared using ultra-high-temperature (UHT) processed and conventionally (HTST) processed milk at 6°C and 23°C in six replicates of a 2X2 factorial design to determine the effect of milk type and temperature on apparent viscosity and gel strength of pudding. Apparent viscosity was estimated from linespread readings on separate 25 ml samples of pudding measured at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes after preparation. Gel strength was determined from penetrometer readings on separate warm and refrigerated 100 ml samples of pudding measured at 15, 30, 60, and 90 minutes after preparation. Consumer evaluations of flavor and texture of the puddings were obtained as well as word descriptors of UHT milk by those consumers who had tried the product. A five-point hedonic scale of 1=dislike extremely to 5=like extremely was used by 200 consumers to register their perceptions of flavor and texture of the puddings. Apparent viscosity was greater with HTST milk, warm milk, and longer elapsed time. The combination of cold milk and shorter time was least viscous. Gel strength of refrigerated pudding was greater for HTST milk, cold HTST, and longer time. Nonrefrigerated pudding was firmer for HTST milk and cold milk. Shortest time resulted in softest gel strength, with no difference between other time periods. Although values from objective measures differed between puddings made with UHT and with HTST milk, consumer responses to the texture and the flavor of the puddings were similar for the four milk type by temperature variations. / M.S.

The prevalence of diabetes is sufficiently high to be classified as an epidemic, and 20-40% of these patients are expected to develop diabetic nephropathy, a leading cause of end-stage renal failure. Studies have identified a correlation between diabetic nephropathy and hypoxia in renal tissue in human studies. Increased oxygen consumption has been associated with the proton transport protein, uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2), which uncouples the mitochondria. Previous research has reported elevated levels of UCP-2 in diabetic renal tissue. Consequently, it is crucial to determine how different preservation methods affect the detectability of UCP-2 in renal tissue for clinical applications. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Western blotting for detecting UCP-2 in snap frozen, fresh untreated, formalin-fixed, methyl carnoy-fixed, and RNA later-preserved rat kidneys. Preliminary trials were conducted to identify the optimal antibody combinations, followed by testing on various preserved tissues. The antibodies produced non-reproducible, unspecific, and unselective results. Additionally, technical challenges, such as gels adhering to membranes and low protein concentrations in some samples, rendered the results inconclusive. Further investigations are necessary to explore additional antibodies and variables that may influence the detection of UCP-2 in differently preserved tissues. Overall, this study highlights the complexity and challenges in developing reliable protocols for UCP-2 detection in preserved renal tissue, indicating that significant optimization is still required for consistent results.