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Although enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) and complete biological nutrient removal (BNR) systems can be operated successfully by experienced operators, the accuracy of design and strength of the scientific background need to be reinforced to enable accurate modeling and economically optimal design. One way to accomplish this would be through a better understanding of the biochemical mechanisms and microbial population dynamics that determine the reliability and efficiency of EBPR, and the utilization of this information to improve the design and operation of BNR plants. Such knowledge will also contribute to better structure of modeling tools that are used for design and educational purposes. The current body of knowledge is limited to observational studies that lack detailed biochemical explanations backed with a series of well planned experiments, and this has introduced uncertainties and inaccuracies into the biochemical and design models. Therefore, this study mainly covers a biochemical survey of the underlying metabolisms of active populations in BNR sludges. BNR biomass with biological phosphorus removal (BPR) capability was cultivated in continuous flow reactor (CFR) systems, configured as either University of Cape Town (UCT) and anoxic/oxic (A/O) systems. Following an acclimation period at 20°C, low temperature stress (5°C) was imposed on one UCT system for investigation of the response of the microbial consortium responsible from EBPR activity under cold temperature. Once a stable population with EBPR capabilities is established in each system, activities of ten enzymes that are hypothesized to be taking part in the EBPR metabolism were measured. These enzymes were selected among those that take part in major known pathways of bacterial energy and growth metabolism. Also, 13C-NMR was used as a tool to monitor the flux of labeled carbon in and out of pools of cellular storage; i.e. glycogen and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Combining the gathered information, accurate mass balances of carbons and reducing equivalents were calculated, eventually leading to determination of the biochemical pathways utilized by the EBPR consortium. Additionally, anaerobic stabilization of COD, a long debated but empirically established phenomenon, was addressed during the study. Considering the pathways proposed to be operative under different conditions imposed on the EBPR systems, a biochemical explanation for the occurrence of COD stabilization in wastewater treatment systems that incorporate anaerobic zones was proposed. Accordingly, depending on the pathways actively used by a microbial consortium, electrons stored in NADH and FADH2 can either be transferred to the terminal electron acceptor, oxygen, or they can be incorporated into storage polymers such as glycogen for future use. Such differences in metabolism reflect in the quantity of the oxygen consumed in the aerobic reactors. Thus, the correct incorporation of anaerobic stabilization of COD into process design would reduce design aeration requirements and result in economic savings during both construction and operation. / Ph. D.

This dissertation studies how the digitalization of commercial banking affects bank competition, financial stability, and monetary policy transmission. In the first chapter, The Digital Banking Revolution: Reduced Form Evidence, I use hand-collected data and a novel identification strategy to show that after adopting digital platforms, banks branchlessly operate in more markets, and mid-size banks, those with relatively high quality digital platforms but without extensive branch networks, grow faster. Further, bank balance sheet composition tilts to uninsured deposits on the funding side, and to high income borrowers on the loan side. In the second chapter, The Digital Banking Revolution: Aggregate Effects on Competition and Stability, in order to disentangle the underlying mechanisms and quantify aggregate effects, I build a structural model of the U.S. banking system and compare the observed digital equilibrium to a counterfactual without digital platforms. The model allows for endogenous adoption of digital platforms, branch networks, market entry, and accounts for digitalization among non-banks. Digitalization decreases local and national market concentration, and average markups fall in deposit and loan markets, holding fixed the size of the banking sector. Consumers capture most of the surplus created by digitalization, however it accrues mostly to wealthier segments of the economy. As for stability, it increases the average market share of lightly-regulated mid-sized banks, increases the uninsured deposits ratio of the banking sector while re-sorting uninsured deposits towards larger digital banks, and doubles credit risks associated with lending in market segments that are less-well served by digital technologies. In sum, digital banking increases competition and poses risks to financial stability. In the third chapter, Destabilizing Digital "Bank Walks", which is co-authored with Tano Santos and Luigi Zingales, we study the impact of digital banking on the value of the deposit franchise and the transmission of monetary policy through bank balance sheets. We find that when the Fed funds rate increases, deposits flow out faster and the cost of deposits increases more in banks with a digital platform. The results are similar for insured and non-insured deposits. We find that correcting for digital betas and deposit outflows results in a deposit franchise value that is significantly lower for digital-broker banks relative to a traditional bank without digital platform. We apply this analysis to Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and find that the reduced value of the deposit franchise explains why SVB was insolvent in early March 2023, even before the bank run occurred.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第25251号 / 工博第5210号 / 新制||工||1994(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科社会基盤工学専攻 / (主査)教授 安原 英明, 准教授 橋本 涼太, 准教授 澤村 康生 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Introduction : La contention médicale est définie comme toute méthode manuelle, physique ou par équipement qui immobilise ou réduit la capacité d’un patient à bouger librement son corps. Avec le développement de la sédation et de l’anesthésie générale, l’utilisation de cette méthode controversée de gestion du comportement a diminué. Objectifs : L’objectif principal de la recherche est de comparer la perception des résidents en dentisterie pédiatrique à l’égard des différentes formes de contention médicale en début et en fin de résidence. L’objectif secondaire est de déterminer les facteurs influençant la perception et l’acceptation des résidents quant à la contention médicale. Méthode : Cette étude est basée sur une approche à méthodes mixtes explicatives séquentielles. Le volet 1 est composé d’une étude transversale par enquête avec questionnaire. Le volet 2 comprend une étude qualitative avec entrevues semi-dirigées. Le questionnaire a été envoyé à 850 résidents membres du AAPD et les résidents inscrits en dernière année de leur programme ont été invités à participer à l’entrevue. Résultats: Un taux de réponse de 11% a été obtenu pour le volet 1. Huit entrevues ont été réalisées. La majorité des résidents utilisent la contention active (85%) et passive (99%). L’éducation est un des facteurs qui influencent la perception des résidents. Une distinction doit être faite entre deux concepts : capable et confortable. L’utilisation de la contention est associée avec la détresse morale pour l’intervenant. Conclusion : Ce projet dresse un aperçu de l’acceptation de la contention dans les programmes de résidences et identifie les facteurs qui influencent la perception des résidents. La contention médicale a encore sa place parmi l’armamentarium des dentistes pédiatriques. Les résidents se sentent capable d’utiliser la contention médicale. Leur niveau de confort augmente lorsque cette technique est utilisée en dernier recours dans un but précis. / Introduction: Protective stabilization (PS) is defined as any manual, physical, or equipment-based method that immobilizes or reduces the patient’s movements in order to safely deliver dental treatment. With the development of sedation and general anesthesia, the use of this behavior management technique has decreased. Additionally, there are polarized opinions on the subject among both parents and healthcare professionals. Few recent studies have been published on PS in pediatric dentistry, and none have focused on the perception of pediatric dentistry residents. Objectives: The main objective of the research is to compare the perception of pediatric dentistry residents towards different forms of PS at the beginning and at the end of their residency. The secondary objective is to determine the factors that influence the residents' perception and acceptance of PS. Method: This study is based on a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach. Phase 1 consists of a cross-sectional survey with a questionnaire. Phase 2 includes a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews. The questionnaire was sent to 850 resident members of the AAPD. Only residents in their final year of the program were invited to participate in the interview. Results: A response rate of 11% was obtained for the first part. Most residents use active PS (85%) and passive PS (99%). Eight interviews were conducted. Education influenced the residents’ perception. There is a distinction to be made between capable and comfortable. Didactic teaching and clinical exposure made the residents capable of using PS in certain specific scenarios. PS use can be associated with moral distress for the clinician. Conclusion: This project provides an overview of the acceptance of restraint use in residency programs and identifies factors influencing residents' perception. PS still has a place in the armamentarium of pediatric dentists. Residents feel capable to use PS. Their comfort level increases when PS is used as a last resort option and for a specific purpose.

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles have potential applications in targeted drug delivery and as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. Magnetite clusters are of particular interest for these applications because they provide higher magnetic flux (under a magnetic field) than individual magnetite nanoparticles, are biocompatible, and their size and compositions can be controlled. This thesis involves the controlled synthesis and characterization of clusters composed of magnetite nanoparticles stabilized with an amphiphilic block copolymer. It outlines a method to design and form well-defined and colloidally stable magnetite clusters. A Multi Inlet Vortex mixer (MIVM) was used because it is a continuous process that yields particles with relatively narrow and controlled size distributions. In the MIVM, four liquid streams collide under turbulent conditions in the mixing chamber where clusters form within milliseconds. The formation of magnetite clusters was studied in the presence of amphiphilic block copolymers containing poly (ethylene oxide) to provide steric stabilization and control of size distributions using flash nanoprecipitation. First, the mixer was tested using β-carotene as a model compound to form nanoparticles stabilized with an amphiphilic triblock copolymer poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (F127) at different Reynolds numbers and supersaturation values. Size analysis was done using dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking analysis techniques. The cluster structure was studied using electron microscopy and magnetite compositions were measured using thermogravimetric analysis. Finally, the stability of magnetite clusters was studied over time and the effect of an applied magnetite field on the colloidal stability was investigated. / Master of Science

The fact that when lime is added to clayey soils same very beneficial results are produced dates back into the remote past. It is not a new development, In the United States lime has been in use since l923. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of increasing soaking time of soil-lime mixtures on the strength, swell potential, and degree of saturation. In order to ascertain the exact composition of clay minerals, X-ray diffraction analysis was run on the soil sample. The analysis showed that the clayey soil contained a large amount of water with a greater percentage of halloysite minerals. The soil, it was concluded, was poorly crystalline and was found to be midway between montmorillonite and kaolinite group. / Master of Science