Imaging of the osseous structures of the temporomandibular joint is best accomplished using computed tomography (CT). Cone beam CT offers a reduced radiation dose and improved spatial resolution compared to multislice helical CT. This study evaluates comparative dosimetry for temporomandibular joint imaging using two different cone beam CT systems, the Hitachi CB MercuRay and Kodak 9000 3D. These systems demonstrate differing properties with respect to field-of view sizes, operational technique factors, and spatial resolution. The Kodak 9000 3D unit offers an effective radiation dose reduction of greater than ten-fold compared with the Hitachi CB MercuRay, depending on kVp and mA. A subsequent clinical study evaluating the effect of spatial resolution on the ability to detect osseous changes related to temporomandibular joint degenerative disease found no significant difference in diagnostic efficacy between high and low spatial resolution images, however, observers consistently associated high spatial resolution with superior image quality.

Research suggests that pro-social skills and self-regulatory abilities are necessary for healthy child development and are prerequisites for interacting in the school classroom in ways that avoid disruption and distress. Children without pro-social skills struggle to engage in positive social interaction with peers and may respond disruptively to classroom challenges. Increasing concerns in schools regarding problem behaviour displayed by students such as kicking, hitting and talking out of turn have been reported in the research. These behaviours often lead to a disruptive classroom environment, negative peer interaction and, according to teachers, remain the most challenging aspect of classroom management. Schools typically deal with problem behaviour by implementing rules and expectations for desired student behaviour. While these expectation-focused approaches have shown some positive effects, they do not directly teach skills for positive interaction and effective self-management of emotions. Conflict resolution education and mindfulness programmes have shown positive effects for improved pro-social skills and self-regulatory abilities in children. This thesis describes a combined conflict resolution-mindfulness group intervention that was implemented in one primary school classroom with children aged between six and seven years. The intervention involved teaching children four skills for effective conflict resolution and self-regulation over a period of four weeks. Repeated measures and teacher ratings of positive and negative peer interaction were used to assess programme effects. A single case AB replication design was used. The repeated measures findings indicated no change in positive or negative peer interactions for all nine focus children. Teacher reports of behaviour related to positive and negative peer interaction for all children in the classroom showed good effects. Possible reasons for the lack of change in the repeated measures findings include the young age of the children and an insufficient number of sessions and skill practice opportunities.

This study investigates the effect of changes in map scale on the error in the development of areal map units and their associated erosion severity measurements of New Zealand’s (NZ) Land Use Capability (LUC) surveying system. A map scale of 1:50,000 was used in the underlying data (i.e., a LUC survey) of an Erosion Susceptibility Classification (ESC) system, which was developed by Bloomberg and others (2011) of the University of Canterbury for the Ministry for the Environment’s (MFE) 2010 proposed National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry. The ESC was intended for local erosion management decisions, yet most literature would classify the map scale of 1:50,000 as more appropriate for regional management issues. Thus, this study will test two finer 1:10,000 scale datasets against the current 1:50,000 national LUC areal map units and their erosion severity measurements of the underlying data for the ESC system, to quantify the level of agreement. This study first attempted to identify a unique discriminating parameter of high erosion severity. A case study was conducted in the Sherry River catchment, located in the Tasman District of the South Island, NZ. The Sherry River Case Study had two aims; the first was to investigate the correlation between the Melton ratio and LUC erosion severity. This was accomplished by calculating the Melton ratio, a tested morphometric factor that describes basin (watershed) ruggedness, using Irvine’s (2011) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) debris-flow model. The product of this GIS debris-flow model, a calculated Melton ratio ≥ 0.50 with the areal extent outlined by a River Environment Classification (REC) order one polygon, were designated the areas of interest (AOIs). The Melton ratio was then tested against LUC erosion severity using the Spearman’s Ranked Correlation Coefficient, within the designated AOIs. A field investigation was conducted to verify debris-flow in GIS identified AOIs. Only five of the thirteen AOIs identified showed evidence of debris-flow. Two were un-checked due to accessibility and the others had a high degree of fluvial activity, which indicates a high probability that surface evidence of alluvial erosion deposition was erased. Nominal association between the two measurements of erosion (Melton ratio and LUC erosion severity) was found at the map scales of 1:50,000 or 1:10,000. Therefore the Melton ratio was not recommended as an independent parameter of erosion severity. The second aim of the Sherry River Catchment study was to assess the sensitivity of empirically generalised LUC areal map units and their erosion severity measurements to spatial resolution, that is, what is the effect of agreement between the smallest measurable value when looking at LUC map units and their erosion severity measurements recorded at two different map scales. A hard classification accuracy assessment was chosen to accomplish this objective. An accuracy assessment is a statistical model, which provides a probability of error (uncertainty), in essence a goodness-of-fit measurement, and quantified the agreement between a sample and reference dataset. This was accomplished by the calculation of an Overall accuracy (i.e., overall thematic agreement), Producer’s accuracy, and a User’s accuracy analytical statistics. The Producer’s accuracy refers to the probability that an area of sampled erosion severity category in the sample map is classified as such according to the reference map, while the user’s accuracy refers to the probability that a point labelled as a certain erosion severity in the sample map has that severity rating in reality (i.e., according to the reference map). An accuracy assessment also includes a second goodness-of-fit test, the Kappa statistic (K ̂), which measures the agreement between the sample and references map as well as chance agreement. An accuracy assessment of the AOIs within the Sherry Catchment Study area using an 85% significance criterion was conducted. This accuracy assessment investigated a sample LUC survey measured at the map scale of 1:10,000, as compared to the referenced underlying data of the ESC (1:50,000 map scale). Overall accuracy was marginal (69%) with equally marginal levels of Producer’s and User’s accuracy. The Kappa statistic showed a marginal level of significance according to Landis and Koch (1977) (K ̂ = 44%). The disagreement seen between the two LUC surveys, which were empirically developed using different map scales, provides evidence of high spatial resolution sensitivity, when comparing areal map units and erosion severity measurements. To further investigate evidence of spatial resolution sensitivity in LUC surveying, a second case study was conducted using a LUC survey across a broad geographical area of the Manawatu-Wanganui Region of the North Island, NZ. A sample dataset from the LUC survey, empirically generalised at 1:10,000 map scale by the Horizons Regional Council, was compared to the referenced underlying data of the ESC. There was a moderately-strong consistency found between the assessors of each LUC survey using Spearman’s Ranked Correlation Coefficient. This provides evidence of limited surveyor bias, as each map was made using empirical judgment. The accuracy assessment’s overall agreement was 63% and as for the previous case study, had equally low Producer’s and User’s accuracy levels. The Kappa statistic for this case study was K ̂= 46%, a moderate chance agreement. This evidence, along with the evidence provided by the Sherry River Catchment Case study, suggested that the MFE’s ESC system is sensitive to changes in map scale and that any decision based on it will have different results when its underlying data is produced at different spatial resolutions. It is therefore recommended that MFE reassess the map scales and resolutions of its underlying data, given that the ESC’s purpose is for local level environmental management, before imposing the system as a regulatory requirement in the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry.

The main purpose of the project was to create an initial lab set-up for a dig-ital in-line holographic microscope and a reconstruction algorithm. Different parameters including: light source, pin-hole size and distances pinhole-object and object-camera had to be optimized. The lab set-up is to be developed further by a master student at the University of Nairobi and then be used for malaria detection in blood samples. To acquire good enough resolution for malaria detection it has been found necessary to purchase a gray scale camera with smaller pixel size. Two dierent approaches, in this report called the on-sensor approach and the object-magnication approach, were investigated. A reconstruction algorithm anda phase recovery algorithm was implemented as well as a super resolution algorithm to improve resolution of the holograms. The on-sensor approach proved easier and cheaper to use with approximately the same results as the object-magnication method. Necessary further research and development of experimental set-up was thoroughly discussed. / Projketet har gått ut på att bygga en billigare och enklare metod för att identifiera malaria i blodprover. Malaria är ett stort problem i en mängd områden i världen. Flera av dessa är fattiga och kan i nuläget inte tillhandahålla den här tjänsten till sin befolkning. Förutom att dyr apparatur krävs måste även utbildad personal lägga ner mycket tid för att kolla en stor mängd blodprover för att statistiskt säkerställa om en person har malaria eller inte. Vårt mål var att bygga en labbuppställning för "Digital in line holographic microscopy" och en rekonstruktionsalgoritm som en masterstudent vid Nairobi universitet ska fortsätta utveckla. Vi kom också fram till vilken upplösning som krävdes för att kunna urskilja malaria i blodproverna. Digital in line holographic microscopy går till så att man har en ljuskälla som riktas genom ett pinnhål, ljuset som går genom pinnhålet ljuser upp det prov, blodproverna i vårt fall, man vill undersöka och det resulterande ljuset fångas på en kamera. Med kunskap om fourieroptik går det att rekonstruera den digitala bilden man fångat på kameran, innan rekonstruktion är den ett hologram vilken är svårtydd. Labbuppställningen byggdes delvis med en 3D printer. För att förbättra resultaten implementerades flera algoritmer vilka lade ihop en mängd förskjutna bilder till en bättre bild, så kallad super resolution. Vi lyckades inte komma till den upplösning som krävdes för att urskilja malaria men gjorde en grundlig förstudie och en utförlig beskrivning av det arbete som väntar den student som fortsätter med projektet. Framför allt beskrevs värden på parametrar och vilken typ av kamera som ska användas för att optimera uppställningen.

The hydrogeology, stable isotope distribution, and chemical distribution of Cl- and NO3--N within the Battersea Drainage Basin in southern Alberta were investigated. The Battersea Drainage Basin is characterized by widespread spreading of livestock manure on irrigated farmland and a high density of feedlots, creating concern about groundwater quality in the region. Past research has used conventional piezometers to study the source, distribution and fate of nitrate in the shallow groundwater. The key component of this research involved using the new technique of high-resolution profiling to determine the distribution, source, fate, and transport of nitrate in the shallow geological groundwater environment. High-resolution profiles of δ2H indicated groundwater throughout the glaciofluvial deposits and between 5.4 and 13.7 m below ground in glaciolacustrine deposits contained values > -150.0‰ and tritiated waters (> 0.08 TU). This suggested that this water recharged within the past 60 years. At depth 5.4 to 13.5 m BG, lower δ2H values did not coincide with detectable tritium, indicating the groundwater was much older and not vulnerable to agricultural contamination. High-resolution profiles of Cl- and NO3--N (solid core and squeezed pore water data) showed concentrations of these ions up to 411 and 219 mg L-1, respectively, in the glaciofluvial deposits. Concentrations of Cl- and NO3--N decreased to less than 50 mg L-1 (Cl-) and the Drinking Water Standard for NO3--N (10 mg L-1) in the underlying glaciolacustrine and glacial till deposits at most sites. Comparison to the high-resolution δ2H profiles suggested the high nitrate concentration in the glaciofluvial sediments is agricultural in origin. High concentrations for Cl- and NO3--N (up to 257 and 209 mg L-1, respectively) observed in glacial till and glaciolacustrine deposits below 6.0 m BG at two sites (LB5a and LB6) did not coincide with modern water, indicating the source of high nitrate is geologic in origin. The NO3--N to Cl- ratios suggested denitrification was not appreciable in the glaciofluvial deposits. However, denitrification may be a cause of decreased nitrate in the underlying fine textured deposits at certain sites. Interpretation of the high resolution profiles also suggested that the major conduit for nitrate migration is in near-surface glaciofluvial sediments via advection. The distributions of δ2H, Cl- and NO3--N with depth suggest that transport in the underlying glaciolacustrine and glacial till deposits is diffusion dominated, thus acting as a sink and removing nitrate from the permeable zone. However, the presence of fracturing in the oxidized zone of glacial tills and glaciolacustrine deposits suggests that transport may occur via advection through fracturing and diffusion in the material matrix. High-resolution profiling of δ2H, Cl- and NO3--N proved to be valuable in obtaining information regarding the distribution, source, and transport of groundwater and nitrate in the shallow groundwater environment at a level of detail that cannot be readily obtained through use of conventional piezometers.

In this dissertation I present my approach and findings regarding the development of a simulation model for a small scale renewable energy system. A brief introduction provides the reader with the background as to why there is a need for such a simulation package. The project objectives, research methodology and the research contributions originating from the project is also described. A literature study was done on all the relevant technologies constituting the renewable energy system as well as the techniques required to model the system. A system breakdown identified the various sub modules as well as how they interface with each other. The simulation model was tested by using Alexander bay, South Africa, as a case study. The results obtained from the various modules were discussed and found to correlate with what was expected. Although not contained within the project’s scope, an additional analysis of the effect of the wind data’s resolution on the probable power output of a wind turbine was performed leading to a hypothesis regarding the estimation of a more accurate probable power output extrapolation from data with a coarse resolution. / Thesis (MIng (Computer and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

In this dissertation I present my approach and findings regarding the development of a simulation model for a small scale renewable energy system. A brief introduction provides the reader with the background as to why there is a need for such a simulation package. The project objectives, research methodology and the research contributions originating from the project is also described. A literature study was done on all the relevant technologies constituting the renewable energy system as well as the techniques required to model the system. A system breakdown identified the various sub modules as well as how they interface with each other. The simulation model was tested by using Alexander bay, South Africa, as a case study. The results obtained from the various modules were discussed and found to correlate with what was expected. Although not contained within the project’s scope, an additional analysis of the effect of the wind data’s resolution on the probable power output of a wind turbine was performed leading to a hypothesis regarding the estimation of a more accurate probable power output extrapolation from data with a coarse resolution. / Thesis (MIng (Computer and Electronic Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

High resolution molecular spectroscopic techniques are useful tools to accurately probe energy differences between quantum states of molecules. These energy levels are inherently dependent on the underlying potential functions, which ultimately govern the structures and dynamics of molecules. Thus, the detailed characterization of potential energy profiles through molecular spectroscopy provides important information about molecular properties. Given the increased structural and dynamic complexity of large molecules, small compounds serve as excellent prototypes to establish quantum mechanical models that accurately characterize quantum states and ultimately potential energy functions of various molecular classes. This thesis describes the use of rotational and rovibrational spectroscopy to probe one such class: four-membered heterocycles. Rotationally-resolved vibrational spectra of four-membered rings including β-propiolactone (c-C3H4O2), 3-oxetanone (c-C3H4O2), azetidine (c-C3H6N) and silacyclobutane (c-C3H8Si) were recorded below 1200 cm-1 using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) with synchrotron light at the far infrared beamline of the Canadian Light Source (CLS). Additionally, Fourier transform microwave (FTMW) spectroscopy was used to study the pure rotational spectra of β-propiolactone and silacyclobutane for the first time. This allowed the accurate characterization of the ground vibrational state and molecular structure in support of the rovibrational analysis. The far infrared vibrational modes of these four molecules were analyzed individually initially and followed by a global fit of all observed transitions of each molecule. Unique spectroscopic signatures arising from Coriolis coupling(β-propiolactone, 3-oxetanone), tunneling motions (azetidine, silacyclobutane) and the large amplitude ring puckering vibration (3-oxetanone, azetidine, silacyclobutane) were revealed and treated. The resultant Hamiltonian models used for each molecule account for the observed spectra as the spectroscopic constants are consistent across the ground state and all vibrationally excited states studied. Collectively, these studies have provided a highly effective working protocol for the treatment of high resolution rovibrational data to model the dynamic behaviour of real molecules.

In exploring Tiv and Inuit conflict resolution processes, this study found astute principles in operation. The case study groups afforded expanded understandings of human conflict and conflict resolution based upon time tested cultural approaches. These approaches recommend people oriented models to problem solving, which reach beyond problems to transform the parties involved in the process. These are purported to be durable means to deal with issues; for if people change positively, their issues are easily transformed as well. Indigenous ideologies of conflict also challenge conventional processes of legal adjudication and offer traditional wisdoms with potential to assist in mediating seemingly intractable and deadly conflicts. Although separated by thousands of miles, Tiv of the Benue Valley in present day Nigeria and Inuit of Northern Canada provide fascinating case examples in their converging cultural ideologies. They have key conditions in common; the use of creative conflict resolution tools and methods within quasi egalitarian social arrangements. Also, while faced with rapidly changing social dynamics, both groups have tenaciously held unto their original cultural tenets for conflict resolution and peacemaking. Their differences are just as compelling; of immediate significance is population size. Inuit are much fewer in number, less than a hundred thousand people and live in smaller settlements. The Tiv group is larger, almost three million people who live in larger urban or rural settings. Inuit brave extremely cold weather conditions for much of the year while Tiv find ways to survive extremely hot weather conditions. Each has shared worthy wisdom for resolving conflicts facing their peoples at various levels; interpersonal conflicts, intergroup violence, youth violence and aggression, as well as cultural principles to prevent social vices such as suicides, murder and generally deteriorating social competencies. This qualitative inquiry integrates narrative, ethnographic and indigenous methodologies to investigate Tiv and Inuit use of original conflict resolution and peacemaking processes usually accomplished through creative means such as storytelling, dance, songs, games, ritual, proverbs, sayings and community processes. Specific attention is paid to the strengths and challenges faced in the practice and application of indigenous theories of conflict and peace. Findings are then incorporated into the contemporary discourse on conflict, peace, justice, conflict resolution and peacemaking. The study is informed by theories of decolonization, indigenous legal theory, post colonialism and conflict transformation.

The aim of this thesis is to improve coreference resolution in Swedish by providing a hybrid approach based on combining data-driven methods and linguistic knowledge. Coreference resolution here consists in identifying all expressions in a text that have the same referent, for example, a person or an object. The linguistic knowledge is based on Accessibility Theory (Ariel 1990). This is used for guiding the  selection of likely anaphor-antecedent pairs from the set of all possible such pairs in a text. The data-driven method adopted is Memory-Based Learning (MBL), a supervised method based on the idea that learning means storing experiences in memory, and that new problems are solved by reusing solutions from similar experiences (Daelemans and Van den Bosch 2005). The referring expressions covered by the system are names, definite descriptions, and pronouns. In order to maximize performance, we use different classifiers with a specific set of linguistically motivated features for each type of expression. The great majority of features used for classification are domain- and language-independent. We demonstrate two ways of using this method of linguistically motivated selection of anaphor-antecedent pairs. First, the amount of training examples stored in memory  is reduced. We find that for coreference resolution of definite descriptions and names, the amount of training data can thereby be reduced with only a minor loss in performance, but for pronoun resolution there is a negative effect. Second, selection can be used for improving on coreference resolution results. This is the first step in our hybrid approach to coreference resolution, where the second step is the application of an MBL classifier for determining coreference between the selected pairs. Results indicate that this hybrid approach is advantageous for coreference resolution of definite descriptions and names. For pronoun resolution, there is a negative effect on recall along with a positive effect on precision. / För att köpa boken skicka en beställning till exp@ling.su.se/ To order the book send an e-mail to exp@ling.su.se