This thesis was concerned with investigating a visual-illusionary phenomenon that co-occurs with post-traumatic anxiety symptoms. More specifically, individuals who report recurring specific memories of a fearful event (RSM) also tend to report a persistent illusion of movement (PIM) upon prolonged visual fixation (Tym, Dyck & McGrath, 2000). The development of a visual test (i-Test) designed to reliably elicit PIM has enabled research to be conducted on the nature and correlates of this type of visual disturbance. The present research aimed: 1) To develop a standard protocol for assessment of PIM and RSM; 2) to test the reliability of the i-Test in eliciting PIM in a student sample 3) to test the predictive relationship between dissociation and anxiety symptoms with PIM and RSM 4) to formulate and test a hypothesis regarding a mechanism underlying PIM. The first study screened 142 participants for RSM and PIM using self-administered questionnaires designed by Tym (personal communication, 2001). There was an unexpectedly high rate (54.2%) of PIM and RSM (37.3%) in the sample, which appeared to be the product of questionnaire design limitations. Two semi-structured interviews were developed and subsequently tested on a new sample of 50 participants in Study 2. Study 2 documented intra-rater and inter-rater reliability co-efficient of sufficient strength to indicate good reliability for the semi-structured interviews. The results of Study 2 indicate that PIM is a relatively stable symptom over a 30-minute and one-week test-retest time frame. / The onset time for PIM was relatively consistent between participants, with a mean latency of approximately 7 seconds. The oscillation rate of PIM was relatively consistent between individuals, with a mean average oscillation of approximately 0.8Hz. The third study tested a sample of 148 participants using the revised assessment protocols. The base rate for PIM (16.2%) and RSM (18.9%), and the concordance rates (46% to 54%) were slightly stronger than the Tym et al. (2000) community based study (33%). In addition to this, 11 other illusionary phenomena were documented, however none of these visual symptoms significantly correlated with RSM. The average oscillation rate is comparable to the rate documented in Study 2, further establishing the consistency of the reported rate of PIM oscillations between individuals. In Study 3, each participant was assessed for levels of dissociation (Dissociative Experiences Scale), somatic arousal (Mood and Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire – Anxious Arousal Scale) and anxiety sensitivity (Anxiety Sensitivity Index). The results indicate that gender and dissociation significantly predict RSM status, and self-reported levels of anxious-arousal significantly predict PIM status. A multiway frequency analysis between the sub-components of RSM and PIM revealed that the physiological arousal inducing properties of the recurring memory is the only significant predictor of PIM. / The observed relationship between RSM and PIM may reflect the broader relationship between anxiety and dissociation. A pulsatile hypothesis was proposed as a feasible mechanism underlying PIM, due to the rhythmical nature of the visual disturbance, the range of the documented oscillations, and its specificity to psychological disorders characterised by cardiovascular sensitivities. All participants were administered the i-Test prior to and following aerobic exercise aimed at increasing pulse rate to 80% of maximum load. An increase in physical exertion significantly increased the latency of PIM onset, but did not impact on the rate of PIM. PIM rate appeared relatively consistent between individuals at 0.6Hz to 0.8Hz at the pre-exercise condition. Several participants who reported PIM also displayed obvious nystagmoid-like movements during the i-Test perceptual task. The role of eye-movements in PIM requires further investigation by future ophthalmological research. The final aim of Study 3 was to investigate the relationship between RSM/PIM and flicker sensitivity. Through the use of a Critical Flicker Frequency/Fusion task (CFF), each participant’s sensitivity to flicker was determined. In addition to detecting sensitivity thresholds, CFF is also considered to be a reliable indicator of the level of cortical arousal. / The results of this study suggest that individuals with RSM have a higher sensitivity to flicker than other participants, however there was a non-significant relationship between CFF and PIM. The lack of relationship between PIM and CFF may be due to issues concerning statistical power and effect-size. Future research is required to investigate this link in more detail. The overall results of this thesis suggest that i-Test elicited PIM is a reliable phenomenon that is associated with higher rates of traumatic memories when compared with persons who do not report this visual symptom. The strength of the association between RSM and PIM, however, does not support the use of the i-Test as a marker for the presence of RSM outside a clinical sample. The reliability of PIM as a phenomenon and its association with anxiety symptoms may be of theoretical importance in enabling future research to investigate the relationship between visual symptoms and anxiety-related pathology.

Abstract SMT process is the most critical process to influence products quality in electronic assembly house process. Especially,the solder paste printing control is the key process to determine the yield rate of SMT quality. To own the capability to control quality of solder paste printing is the important thing what assembly house have to face it¡C For the purpose of gaining good SMT yield & solder paste printing stability ,the study use six sigma management technique & procedure (DMAIC--Define¡BMeasure¡BAnalyze¡BImprove & Control) make the main factors of solder paste printing¡Aincluding Printing speed¡BScraper pressure¡BStencil clean frequency¡Ato be the experiment factors of DOE(Design of Experiment)¡CThe DOE minimize the experiment number of times and provide a way of 2 levels factorial design combine RSM(Response Surface Methodology) experiment to get the optimization combination of factors¡¦ levels. Then evaluate how the optimization combination of factor levels to influence the quality of SMT¡C The study final found that there are a surprised & satisfied result on SMT yield improvement caused by optimization combination of factors¡¦ levels which 2 levels factorial design combine RSM experiment generated. It can provide the procedure & methodology for SMT assembly house reference to improve yield rate .

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The growing contribution of wind energy to utility grids has sparked interest in small-scale wind turbines and thus a growing global cumulative installed capacity. Small-scale wind turbines find use in the saving of cost of electricity or for the carbon footprint reduction of small farms and small-holdings, as well as the electrification of rural communities. A goal of any wind turbine is to produce power at as low of a cost per unit energy as possible. Thus, a generator with a high power density and high efficiency is essential. The reluctance synchronous machine (RSM) is a strong competitor in this regard. Additionally, the RSM is a robust brushless topology that has good properties of manufacturability. However, studies published on the use of RSMs as generators in wind turbines is limited. This study serves to explore the performance and controllability of an RSM as a generator in a small-scale 9:2 kW wind turbine. For maximum power capture, it is desirable to have a wind turbine vary its rotor speed. However, there is a limit to the power that the generator may produce and so techniques are employed to reduce the captured power when operating above the rated wind speed. A turbine controller is developed that employs a speed-controlled maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique for maximum power capture and soft-stalling of the blades to reduce power capture at excessive wind speeds. The RSM is modelled along with a turbine simulation model, complete with a wind source generator, to evaluate the performance of the system. Speed-controlled MPPT is known to sacrifice torque smoothness for fast tracking performance. To mitigate these harsh effects on the drivetrain, the speed reference of the generator is filtered to provide an average response to the optimal speed reference. This is shown to reduce the frequent and excessive speed, torque, and electrical power variations though optimal performance is not possible. However, any reduction on drivetrain fatigue that will maximise operation time of the turbine is considered an important gain. The RSM proves to have qualities that are applicable to wind turbine applications with its high efficiency, good manufacturability properties, low cost, and high robustness. Its higher power density over induction machines is also favourable though power electronics are required for optimal operation of the machine. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die groeiende bydrae van wind energie te nut roosters het aanleiding gegee tot belangstelling in kleinskaalse wind turbines en dus 'n groeiende w^ereldwye kumulatiewe geïnstalleerde kapasiteit. Kleinskaalse wind turbines vind ook gebruik in die besparing van koste van elektrisiteit, of vir die koolstofvoetspoor vermindering van klein plase en klein-hoewes, sowel as die elektrifisering van landelike gemeenskappe. Een van die doelwitte van enige wind turbine is om krag te produseer teen so laag van 'n koste per eenheid energie as moontlik. Dus, 'n kragopwekker met 'n hoë krag digtheid en hoë doeltreffendheid is noodsaaklik. Die reluktansie sinchroonmajien (RSM) is 'n sterk mededinger in hierdie verband. Daarbenewens is die RSM 'n robuuste borsellose topologie wat goeie eienskappe van vervaardigbaarheid het. Maar studies oor die gebruik van RSMs as kragopwekkers gepubliseer in die wind turbines is beperk. Hierdie studie dien om die prestasie te ondersoek en die beheerbaarheid van 'n RSM as 'n a kragopwekker in 'n klein-skaal 9:2 kW wind turbine te verken. Vir maksimum krag vang is dit wenslik dat die wind turbine sy rotor spoed wissel. Maar daar is 'n beperking op die krag wat die kragopwekker kan produseer en daarom work tegnieke gebruik om die gevange krag te verminder wanneer daar bo die gegradeerde wind spoed gewerk word. 'n Turbine beheerder word ontwikkel wat werk om 'n spoedbeheer maksimum kragpunt dop tegniek vir maksimum krag vang en die sagtestaking van die lemme krag vang deur oormatige wind spoed te verminder. Die RSM is gemodeleer saam met 'n turbine simulasie model kompleet met 'n wind bron kragopwekker om die prestasie van die stelsel te evalueer. Spoedbeheerde maksimum kragpunt dop is bekend om wringkrag gladheid vir 'n vinnige dop prestasie te offer. Om hierdie harde gevolge op die kragoorbringstelsel te versag is die spoed verwysing van die kragopwekker gefiltreer om 'n gemiddelde reaksie op die optimale spoed verwysing te verskaf. Dit word getoon om gereelde en hoë spoed, wringkrag en elektriese krag variases te verminder al is optimale prestasie nie moontlik nie. Enige afname van aandrystelsel moegheid wat operasie tyd van die turbine maksimeer word beskou as 'n belangrike gewin. Die RSM bewys eienskappe wat van toepassing is op die turbine aansoeke na aanleiding met sy hoë doeltreffendheid, goeie vervaardigbaarheid eienskappe, lae koste end ' hoë robuustheid. Sy hoër krag digtheid oor induksiemasjien is ook gunstig al is drywingselektronika nodig vir optimale werking van die masjien.

Diplomová práce se zabývá prouděním v hydrocyklónu. Hydrocyklón je separační stroj, kterým slouží k oddělování pevných částice z kapaliny (nejčastěji z vody). Díky tangenciálnímu vstupu do zařízení nastává silné vířivé proudění, které způsobuje přisávání vzduchu přes horní a dolní výtok. Toto vzduchové jádro hraje důležitou roli v separaci částic. Výpočty jsou provedeny pomoci CFD.

The first part of the dissertation presented a potentially novel aerobic, thermophilic, and cellulolytic bacterium identified as Brevibacillus sp. Strain JXL which was isolated from swine waste. Strain JXL can utilize a broad range of carbohydrates including: cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), xylan, cellobiose, glucose, and xylose. In two different media supplemented with crystalline cellulose and CMC at 57°C under aeration, strain JXL produced a basal level of cellulases as FPU of 0.02 IU/ml in the crude culture supernatant. When glucose or cellobiose was used besides cellulose, cellulase activities were enhanced ten times during the first 24 h, but with no significant difference between the effects caused by these two simple sugars. After the end of the 24 hour period, however, culture with glucose demonstrated higher cellulase activities compared with that from cellobiose. Similar trend and effect on cellulase activities were also observed when glucose or cellobiose served as a single substrate. The optimal doses of cellobiose and glucose for cellulase induction were 0.5 and 1%. These inducing effects were further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, which indicated the presence of extracellular protuberant structures. These cellulosome-resembling structures were most abundant in culture with glucose, followed by cellobiose and without sugar addition. With respect to cellulase activity assay, crude cellulases had an optimal temperature of 50°C and optimal pH range of 6-8. These cellulases also had high thermotolerance as demonstrated by retaining more than 50% activity after 1 h at 100°C. In summary, this is the first study to show that the genus Brevibacillus may have strains that can degrade cellulose. In the second part of the dissertation, the effect of Cellulose- and Organic-Solvent based Lignocellulose Fractionation (COSLIF) (Zhang, Y.-H. P.; Ding, S.-Y.; Mielenz, J. R.; Elander, R.; Laser, M.; Himmel, M.; McMillan, J. D.; Lynd, L. R. Biotechnol. Bioeng.2007, 97 (2), 214−223) pretreatment conditions on sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) feedstock was studied using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Batch experimental matrix was set up based on response surface method's central composite design in two factors to determine the effects of reaction time and temperature on the yield of simple sugars after a sequential pretreatment-enzyme hydrolysis process. Accordingly, changes in delignification, total reducing sugar (TRS) yield, glucan retention, digestibility and overall sugar yields resulting from various combinations of reaction times and temperatures were determined. The results suggested that both pretreatment temperature and reaction time were significant factors, although temperature was more so than reaction time. COSLIF pretreatment conditions of 50°C and 40 min were found to be the optimum pretreatment conditions for the saccharification of SSB. At the end of pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis, maximum values of 51.4% delignification, 85% overall glucose yield, and 44% overall xylose yield at an ACCELERASE®1500 loading of 0.25 mL/g sweet sorghum bagasse were achieved. Optimum ACCELERASE®1500 dosage of 0.1 mL/g of sweet sorghum bagasse was identified which resulted in an overall glucose yield of 82.2%±1.05. An effort has also been made to prescribe predictive models which represented the correlation between independent variables (reaction time and temperature), and dependent variables (delignification, and overall glucose yield) using RSM. The significance of the correlations and adequacy of these models were statistically tested for the selected objective functions. The outcomes suggested very competent and statistically adequate regression models which provided quantitative information both for delignification and overall glucose yield for the batch experiments studied.

Yes / The fluidized bed coating system is a conventional process of particles coating in various industries. In this work, an experimental investigation was conducted using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to optimize the coating mass of particles in a top-spray fluidized bed coating. The design of experiments (DOEs) is a useful tool for controlling and optimization of products in industry. Thus, DOE was conducted using MINITAB software, version 16. This process used a sodium silicate solution for coating the sodium percarbonate particles. The effect of the fluidization air flow rate, atomization air flow rate and liquid flow rate on the coating mass in the top-spray fluidized bed coating was investigated. The experimental results indicated that the coating mass of particles is directly proportional to the liquid flow rate of the coating solution and inversely proportional to the air flow rate. It was demonstrated that the flow rate of the coating solution had the greatest influence on the coating efficiency. / Metallic Material Processing Research Group, ACECR, Branch of Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.

<p>Istraživanja u okviru disertacije usmerena su na razvoj vakuumskog postupka su&scaron;enja voća. Konstruisan je prototip laboratorijske vakuumske su&scaron;are i optimizovan proces su&scaron;enja vi&scaron;anja i borovnica. U cilju optimizacije procesa su&scaron;enja ispitan je uticaj nezavisno promenljivih procesa, temperature i pritiska, na parametre kvaliteta osu&scaron;enog voća (aktivnost vode, sadržaj ukupnih fenola, ukupnih monomernih antocijana i vitamina C, antioksidativnu aktivnost, promenu boje, teksturu i sposobnost rehidratacije). Proces su&scaron;enja optimizovan je kori&scaron;ćenjem metode odzivnih povr&scaron;ina (engl. Response Surface Methodology, RSM).<br />Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da tehnika su&scaron;enja voća u vakuumu daje odlične rezultate u pogledu očuvanja visokovrednih komponenata voća i ima perspektivu za &scaron;iru primenu u zanatskim i poluindustrijskim postrojenjima.</p> / <p>Research in the framework of the thesis focuses on the development of fruit vacuum-drying process. Laboratory vacuum dryer prototype was constructed. Cherries and blueberries vacuum drying process was optimized. In order to optimize the drying process, the influence of independent variables of the process (temperature and pressure) on the quality parameters of dried fruit (water activity, total phenol content, total monomeric anthocyanins and vitamin C, antioxidant activity, colour change, texture, and rehydration capability) was investigated. The drying process was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).<br />There is the possibility of application of the results in plants at semi-industrial and industrial level.</p>

Pseudomonas brassicacearum a la particularité de générer une diversité intraclonale aussi bien in vitro qu'en conditions naturelles dans la rhizosphère de plantes. Ce phénomène de variation phénotypique commun chez les bactéries est un processus d'adaptation aux environnements changeants. Des données de transcriptomique issues de puces à ADN, contenant aussi bien des séquences codantes que non codantes, nous ont permis d'identifier les gènes dont l'expression est altérée et surtout de relier ce phénomène à l'expression d'ARN non codants régulateurs (ARNnc) de type Rsm qui sont sous le contrôle du système à deux composants GacS/GacA. Nous avons montré que des mutations ponctuelles dans les gènes gacS ou gacA sont à l'origine de cette variation phénotypique et que l'expression de l'un des trois gènes rsmX, rsmY ou rsmZ permet de restaurer le phénotype de la souche sauvage. L'importance de ces ARNnc dans la survie de la bactérie aux fluctuations de son environnement est dénotée par la duplication de rsmX en un gène que nous avons nommé rsmX-2, dont la fonction a été validée. Nos données suggèrent une activation exclusive des gènes rsmX-1 et rsmX-2 par GacA et l'intervention de régulateurs additionnels dans le cas de rsmY et rsmZ. Au vu de la redondance fonctionnelle de ces quatre ARNnc, nous avons investigué leur niveau d'expression et leur stabilité dans différentes conditions de culture et montré des différences pour les quatre ARNnc. En réponse à une carence en nutriments, l'expression des ARNnc Rsm est fortement activée et atteint son maximum quand le ppGpp est détecté dans le milieu, suggérant un lien entre le système Gac/Rsm et la réponse « stringente ». / The plant-beneficial bacterium Pseudomonas brassicacearum forms phenotypic variants in vitro as well as in planta during root colonisation under natural conditions. Transcriptome analysis of typical phenotypic variants using microarrays containing coding as well as non-coding DNA fragments showed differential expression of several genes relevant to secondary metabolism and of the small non-coding RNA (ncRNA) genes rsmX, rsmY and rsmZ, which was characterized by down-regulation. Naturally occurring mutations in the GacS/GacA two-component system accounted for phenotypic switching. The importance of these ncRNAs in the survival of the bacteria to changing environments is denoted by the duplication of rsmX gene, which we called rsmX-2 and whose function has been validated. Our data suggest an exclusive activation of rsmX-1 and rsmX-2 genes by GacA and the involvement of additional regulators in the case of rsmY and rsmZ. Given the functional redundancy of these ncRNAs, we investigated their expression level and stability in different culture conditions and showed differences for the four ncRNAs. In response to nutrient depletion, the four ncRNAs expression is strongly activated and reaches its maximum when the ppGpp is detected in bacterial cells, suggesting a link between the Gac/Rsm system and the "stringent" response. Determining the level of each Rsm ncRNA, which is defined by a balance between synthesis and degradation of each transcript, shows the maintenance of a very important pool of RsmZ compared to other ncRNAs.

<p>Sporedni proizvodi industrijske prerade voća, trop borovnice i maline, postupcima su&scaron;enja i mlevenja prevedeni su u oblik pogodan za aplikaciju u prehrambene proizvode. Ovako dobijeni sastojci imaju visok sadržaj prehrambenih vlakana, esencijalnih masnih kiselina poput linolne i &alpha;-linolenske, a karakteri&scaron;e ih i izbalansiran odnos PUFA/SFA. Od makronutrijenata, u najvećoj koncentraciji prisutni su K, Mg i Ca. Imajući u vidu da su glavne fitohemikalije bobičastog voća polifenolna jediinjenja, u proizvedenim funkcionalnim sastojcima određen je sadržaj ukupnih rastvorljivih polifenola, antocijana i flavonoida, kao i sastav i sadržaj odabranih polifenolnih jedinjenja primenom LC/MS-MS tehnike.<br />Primena osu&scaron;enih i samlevenih tropova kao sastojaka prehrambenih proizvoda ispitana je u formulaciji bezglutenskog keksa, sa ciljem njegovog funkcionalnog obogaćivanja. Za optimizaciju formulacije keksa kori&scaron;ćen je postupak odzivne povr&scaron;ine (RSM), a formulacija u kojoj je bezglutenska sme&scaron;a zamenjena sa 28,2% tropa borovnice i 1,8% tropa maline dobijena je kao optimalna, uzimajući u obzir sve zadate kriterijume. Dodatkom ova dva funkcionalana sastojka u gorenavedenom odnosu, postignuto je značajno pobolj&scaron;anje nutritivnih svojstava bezglutenskog keksa, a dobijeni proizvod po kvalitetu može da parira komercijalno dostupnim funkcionalno obogaćenim keksovima, namenjenim zdravoj populaciji.<br />Rezultati dijetetske interventne studije sprovedene na 20 zdravih, normalno uhranjenih ispitanika ženskog pola, ukazuju da se konzumiranjem kreiranog bezglutenskog keksa u količini od 32 g dnevno, postiže značajna redukcije LDL holesterola, i povećanje nivoa adiponektina u krvi, a budući da se ovaj adipocitni-sekretorni protein dovodi u vezu sa antiinflamatornim i antiaterogenim potencijalom u tretmanu metaboličkog sindroma i dijabetesa tipa 2, može se očekivati protektivno dejstvo kreiranog bezgutenskog keksa.</p> / <p>Blueberry and raspberry pomace, by-products from fruit juice industry, were processed into the new food ingredients by drying and grinding. The obtained functional ingredients are characterized by high content of dietary fibres and essential fatty acids (linoleic and &alpha;-linolenic acid), as well as by optimal ratio of PUFA/SFA. The main macronutrients in dried and ground pomace are K, Mg and Ca. The content of total phenolic compounds, anthocyanins and flavonoids were determined, as well as composition and content of individual phenolic compounds using LC/MS-MS in order to evaluate their antioxidant potential.<br />In the form of dried powder, blueberry and raspberry pomace were used as ingredients in formulation of gluten-free cookies. Response surface methodology (RSM) approach was applied to obtain optimal ingredients proportion. Formulation in which gluten-free flour mixture is substituted with 28.2% of the blueberry and 1.8% of the raspberry pomace was found to be optimal following the used optimization criteria. Addition of blueberry and raspberry pomace has led to a remarkable improvement in nutritional properties, and resulted in a product with similar nutritional profile with commercially available gluten containing cookies.<br />Dietary intervention study on a group of 20 healthy, normal weight female subjects was conducted to investigate the health effect of the created gluten-free cookies. The results showed a significant reduction in levels of LDL cholesterol, and an increase in plasma concentrations of adiponectin, suggesting a potential positive effect of the created product on human health.</p>

Mudanças econômicas e hábitos alimentares incorretos estão contribuindo para maior ingestão calórica nas populações dos centros urbanos. Intensificam-se as pesquisas para a obtenção de ingredientes com menor valor calórico. Neste trabalho, foram avaliados os efeitos da Polidextrose (Litesse®II), Salatrim (Benefat®) e Sucralose (Splenda®) em substituição à gordura hidrogenada e sacarose em formulação de pão para hambúrguer. Avaliou-se a dureza, volume, umidade, cor e valor calórico pela Metodologia da Superfície de Resposta (MSR). Os resultados mostraram que os ingredientes utilizados sugerem grande potencial para o desenvolvimento de produtos panificados com valor energético reduzido, e a sobreposição das superfícies permitiu obtenção de formulações otimizadas. / Economic changes and incorrect nutrition habits are causing more calories ingestion in the populations of the urban centers. Substitution of fat and sugar on diet has being object of intense research in the attempt to producing foods without these ingredients or with reduction of amount normally used. In this work the effect of the Polidextrose (Litesse® II), Salatrim (Benefat®) and Sucralose (Splenda®) had been tested in substitution to the hydrogenated fat and sucrose in hamburger buns formulas. It was evaluated firmness, volume, moisture, color and caloric value using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The results showed that the used ingredients suggest great potential for the development of bakery products with reduced energy value. Surfaces intersections allowed to obtain optimized bread formulas.