The purpose of this study was to explore the visual images that Taiwanese children created to represent their mental images and ideas. They responded to three different prompts and used different materials in their constructions and drawings. The study was an empirical investigation using qualitative research methodology to analyze the artistic products that were made by Taiwanese children. Participants, 150 kindergarten through fifth grade students in three different elementary schools located in the northern region of Taipei, completed three artistic tasks during their regularly scheduled art classes. The children generated products in their classrooms. They demonstrated their artistic abilities by constructing colored, geometric-shaped pieces (Improvisation/Task One), drawing as a response to one of two wordless picture books (Speculative Drawing/Task Two), and creating and drawing the most interesting way to go to school (Creative Drawing/Task Three). As part of the study, they also completed a questionnaire about their feelings toward the artistic tasks. The children's products were analyzed and interpreted to identify the works' distinguishing characteristicsIn the Improvisation Task, the connectors were a key factor in making complex and free standing three-dimensional products. Using connectors adeptly allowed the children to display their skills of depth perception. Also, children who could manipulate shapes and color masterfully created symmetric products more frequently. In the two drawing tasks, the children used a variety of representational symbols to illustrate their individual perspectives. Those who chose to complete cartoon-style drawings demonstrated their artistic abilities most strongly. The participants were shown pictorial narratives and created drawings based upon their memories or imaginations. The children used their art as a tool that allowed them to transfer their ideas and/or realities through art mediums of their choosing. The children reflected upon the artistic tasks in their answers to a questionnaire and indicated the enjoyment they felt in completing their products. Suggestions for practical applications and ways to change the research design in further research are discussed.

Clustering gene expression data such that the diameters of the clusters formed are no greater than a specified threshold prompted the development of the Quality Threshold Clustering (QTC) algorithm. It iteratively forms clusters of non-increasing size until all points are clustered; the largest cluster is always selected first. The QTC algorithm applies in many other domains that require a similar quality guarantee based on cluster diameter. The worst-case complexity of the original QTC algorithm is (n5). Since practical applications often involve large datasets, researchers called for more efficient versions of the QTC algorithm. This dissertation aimed to develop and evaluate efficient variations of the QTC algorithm that guarantee a maximum cluster diameter while producing partitions that are similar to those produced by the original QTC algorithm. The QTC algorithm is expensive because it considers forming clusters around every item in the dataset. This dissertation addressed this issue by developing methods for selecting a small subset of promising items around which to form clusters. A second factor that adversely affects the efficiency of the QTC algorithm is the computational cost of updating cluster diameters as new items are added to clusters. This dissertation proposed and evaluated alternate methods to meet the cluster diameter constraint while not having to repeatedly update the cluster diameters. The variations of the QTC algorithm developed in this dissertation were evaluated on benchmark datasets using two measures: execution time and quality of solutions produced. Execution times were compared to the time taken to execute the most efficient published implementation of the QTC algorithm. Since the partitions produced by the proposed variations are not guaranteed to be identical to those produced by the original algorithm, the Jaccard measure of partition similarity was used to measure the quality of the solutions. The findings of this research were threefold. First, the Stochastic QTC alone wasn’t computationally helpful since in order to produce partitions that were acceptably similar to those found by the deterministic QTCs, the algorithm had to be seeded with a large number of centers (ntry ≈ n). Second, the preprocessed data methods are desirable since they reduce the complexity of the search for candidate cluster points. Third, radius based methods are promising since they produce partitions that are acceptably similar to those found by the deterministic QTCs in significantly less time.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Zhijian Pei / Donghai Wang / The U.S. economy has been depending on petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels (such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuels). Currently, about 50% of petroleum used in the U.S. is imported. Petroleum is a finite and non-renewable energy source and its use emits greenhouse gases. Therefore, it is extremely important to develop domestic sustainable alternatives for petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. Ethanol produced from cellulosic biomass can be such an alternative. However, several technical barriers have hindered large-scale, cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic ethanol. One such barrier is related to the low density of cellulosic feedstocks, causing high cost in their transportation and storage. Another barrier is low efficiency in conversion of cellulose to fermentable sugar (pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis are two major conversion processes), causing high cost in pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting increases both density and sugar yield of cellulosic feedstocks. Incorporating UV-A pelleting into cellulosic ethanol manufacturing may help realize cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic ethanol. This PhD dissertation consists of 13 chapters. An introduction is given in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 presents a literature review on related topics. Experimental studies regarding effects of input parameters (such as particle size, pressure, and ultrasonic power) on output parameters (density, durability, stability, and sugar yield) are presented in Chapters 3–4. In Chapters 5–6, comparisons are made between UV-A pelleting and ring-die pelleting (a traditional pelleting method) in terms of pellet properties (density and durability), power consumption, and sugar yield under different conditions. Next, effects of input parameters (such as biomass type, particle size, moisture content, pelleting pressure, and ultrasonic power) on power consumption are studied in Chapters 7–9. Chapter 10 presents an investigation on biomass temperature in UV-A pelleting. Chapter 11 presents an investigation on effects of UV-A pelleting on sugar yield and chemical composition of cellulosic biomass. Chapter 12 presents an investigation on influence of UV-A pelleting on biomass characteristics (such as crystallinity index, thermal properties, and morphological structure). Finally, conclusions are presented in Chapter 13.

Braškių veislių tyrimas, auginant jas balta plėvele mulčiuotose žemose trieilėse lysvėse, panaudojant lietinimo sistemą, buvo atliktas Lietuvos sodininkystės ir daržininkystės institute 2009 m. Tirtos šios braškių veislės: ‘Honeoye’, ‘Elkat’, ‘Figaro’, ‘Elsanta’, ‘Marmolada’, ‘Darselect’ ir ‘Sonata’. Bandyminis braškynas įveistas kasetėse išaugintais daigais, sodinimo schema: 1,0 + 0,35 + 0,35 × 0,2 m ( 87 719 vnt. ha-1). Žiemos pradžioje prieš didesnius šalčius, siekiant apsaugoti kerelius nuo pašalimo žiemą ir paankstinti braškių derėjimą, bandyminis braškynas uždengtas agro danga. Didžiausią antrąjį derlių po priedanga išaugino ‘Darselect’ veislės braškės (29,2 t ha-1). Taip pat labai gausiai derėjo ‘Elsanta’ veislės braškės (28,2 t ha-1). ‘Elkat’, ‘Marmolada’ ir ‘Sonata’ braškės praktiškai derėjo vienodai ir davė po 26 t ha-1 derlių. Pagal sunokusių uogų derliaus dalį atskirais laikotarpiais tirtos braškių veislės skirstomos sekančiai: standartinė ‘Honeoye’ priskiriama prie ankstyvųjų, ‘Figaro’, ‘Elkat’ ir ‘Darselect’ - prie vidutinio ankstyvumo, ‘Marmolada’ ir ‘Elsanta’ – prie vidutinio vėlyvumo, o ‘Sonata’ – prie vėlyvųjų. Labiausiai standartinės ‘Honeoye’ veislės uogas pagal išvaizdą lenkė ‘Figaro’, ‘Darselect’, ‘Elsanta’ ir ‘Marmolada’, o skoniu ‘Darselect’ uogos. Tirtų veislių uogos už standartinės ‘Honeoye’ veislės buvo tvirtesnės, išskyrus ‘Elkat’. Tyrimo rezultatus įvertinus kompleksiškai, versliniuose braškynuose galima sėkmingai auginti visas tirtas... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The research of the strawberry cultivars, growing under the white film in three-rowed beds, was carried out in Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture in 2009. These strawberry cultivars were tested: Honeoye’, ‘Elkat’, ‘Figaro’, ‘Elsanta’, ‘Marmolada’, ‘Darselect’ and ‘Sonata’. There is the planting sheme of the tested strawberry field, which was planted from sprouts, grown in cassettes : 1,0 + 0,35 + 0,35 × 0,2 m ( 87 719 vnt. ha-1). In early winter, before more extreme cold, the tested strawberry field was covered by agro-covering in order to protect little plants from cold influence and to advance the yield of strawberries. The second largest yield grown under covering was the strawberry strain ‘Darselect’ (29,2 t ha-1). ‘Elsanta’(28,2 t ha-1) strawberry cultivar also abundantly yielded. ‘Elkat’, ‘Marmolada’ and ‘Sonata’ strawberries yielded virtually the same and gave the 26 t ha-1 yield. According to ripe fruit yield in different periods, the tested strawberry cultivars are classified for the next: the standard ‘Honeoye’ is assigned to the early cultivar, ‘Figaro’, ‘Elkat’ ir ‘Darselect’- the average early cultivar and ‘Sonata’ - to the late cultivar. ‘Figaro’, ‘Darselect’, ‘Elsanta’ and ‘Marmolada’ were ahead of the most of the standard ‘Honeoye’ strawberry cultivar according to the appearance. According to the taste ‘Darselect’ berries were ahead. The tested cultivars were stronger than standard ‘Honeoye’, except ‘Elkat’. To appreciate the results of the research... [to full text]

Pagrindinis geriamojo vandens šaltinis Lietuvoje – požeminis vanduo. Geros kokybės geriamasis vanduo yra svarbus veiksnys kiekvieno žmogaus gyvenime. Šio darbo tikslas – išanalizuoti Kelmės rajono vandenviečių tiekiamo geriamojo vandens kokybę ir jo tinkamumą vartoti 2004–2010 metais. Šiame darbe nagrinėjami Kelmės rajono vandenviečių tiekiamo geriamojo vandens toksiniai (cheminiai) (fluoridai, nitratai, nitritai), indikatoriniai (bendroji geležis, manganas, permanganato indeksas) ir mikrobiologiniai (kolonijas sudarantys vienetai, žarniniai enterokokai, žarninės lazdelės (E. coli)) kokybės rodikliai 2004–2010 m. laikotarpiu. Kai kurių analizuojamų vandenviečių vandens kokybė neatitinka normų dėl per didelio fluoridų bei bendrosios geležies kiekio. Nustatyta fluoridų koncentracija 2004–2010 metais DLK (DLK=1,5 mg/l) viršijo Gailių, Kelmės, Kukečių, Šedbarų ir Verpenos vandenvietėse. Bendrosios geležies koncentracija DLK (DLK=0,2) viršijo Budraičių, Gailių, Kukečių, Liolių, Maironių, Pagryžuvio, Šedbarų, Tytuvėnų vandenviečių vandenyje. Mangano koncentracija DLK (DLK=0,05 mg/l) viršijo tik Gailių vandenvietės vandenyje. Nitratų ir nitritų vidutinė koncentracija analizuojamu laikotarpiu DLK neviršija nei vienoje vandenvietėje. Analizuojamu 2004–2010 metų laikotarpiu vidutinės permanganato indekso vertės Kelmės rajono vandenvietėse DLK neviršijo (DLK=5 mg/l). Vandens kokybė Pagal mikrobiologinius rodiklius analizuojamose Kelmės rajono neatitiko reikalavimų pagal KSV... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The main source of drinking water in Lithuania is the groundwater. Quality of drinking water and harmful substances in drinking water is an important factor in everyone‘s life. The aim of this Diploma paper – to analyze quality of drinking water in watering–places in Kelmė district and its suitability for consumption in 2004–2010. In many watering–places of Kelmė district in drinking water was found to much fluoride and iron. Average concentration of fluoride in 2004–2010 exceeded MAC (Maximum Acceptable Concentration) in Gailiai, Kelmė, Kukečiai, Šedbarai and Verpena watering–places. Average concentration of iron exceeded MAC in Budraičiai, Gailiai, Kukečiai, Lioliai, Maironiai, Pagryžuvys, Šedbarai, Tytuvėnai watering–places. Average concentration of manganese in 2004 – 2010 exceeded MAC in Gailiai watering–place. Average concentration of organic matter (permanganate index), nitrate and nitrite did not exceeded MAC. In some watering–places was found temporary microbiological pollution. In water found colony–forming units. The survey in Kelmė district towns showed that most respondents water quality regarded as good. However, information about the quality of drinking water and its changes is inadequate. Sediments are the worst characteristic of drinking water in Kelmė district watering–places. Concentration of nitrate in Kelmė district wells in most cases exceeded MAC. In many wells of Kelmė district water was very hard (°d–>21) and hard (°d–>14).

A qualitative research design that is explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature was employed in order to understand and describe the professional nurses' perception of the implementation of a quality circles programme in a public hospital in the Eastern Cape Province and to develop guidelines for the implementation of a quality circles programme in public hospitals. The data-collection techniques were individual semi-structured interviews and field notes. The sample was drawn from a population of 425 Xhosa-speaking professional nurses employed in this institution. The sample comprised eight (8) professional nurses all of whom volunteered for in-depth individual semi-structured interviews. All the respondents answered one question "How do you perceive the implementation of the quality circles programme in your hospital?" During data collection and analysis only one theme emerged, namely the perception of quality circles as a forum for discussing patient care problems and future plans. There were four broad categories in this theme, namely  Staff empowerment  Teambuilding in the nursing discipline  Maintenance of standards by nurses  Challenges to the momentum of a quality circles programme It is recommended that all three tiers of nursing management be involved in the quality circles programme to improve interpersonal, interdepartmental and intradepartmental communication and concomitantly the nursing care. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

A qualitative research design that is explorative, descriptive and contextual in nature was employed in order to understand and describe the professional nurses' perception of the implementation of a quality circles programme in a public hospital in the Eastern Cape Province and to develop guidelines for the implementation of a quality circles programme in public hospitals. The data-collection techniques were individual semi-structured interviews and field notes. The sample was drawn from a population of 425 Xhosa-speaking professional nurses employed in this institution. The sample comprised eight (8) professional nurses all of whom volunteered for in-depth individual semi-structured interviews. All the respondents answered one question "How do you perceive the implementation of the quality circles programme in your hospital?" During data collection and analysis only one theme emerged, namely the perception of quality circles as a forum for discussing patient care problems and future plans. There were four broad categories in this theme, namely  Staff empowerment  Teambuilding in the nursing discipline  Maintenance of standards by nurses  Challenges to the momentum of a quality circles programme It is recommended that all three tiers of nursing management be involved in the quality circles programme to improve interpersonal, interdepartmental and intradepartmental communication and concomitantly the nursing care. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)