Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-96).

Thesis (M.S.)--Villanova University, 2006. / Chemistry Dept. Includes bibliographical references.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are defined in terms of qualitative atypicalities in social communication and interaction in the presence of restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests and activities (RRBs). Part of the main criteria for RRBs is hyper/hypo reactivity to sensory input, which appear to be particularly prevalent in the auditory domain and could result in atypical behaviours (APA, 2013). Despite the crucial role that sensory processing plays in learning, attention, cognitive and brain maturation, emotional regulation, and social communication development in humans (e.g., Ahn et al., 2004; Bundy et al., 2007), it remains unclear what precisely causes the sensory atypicalities observed in ASD or how they are associated with the development of key autistic symptomatology such as impairments in social communication (e.g., Jones et al., 2009; Leekam Prior & Uljarević, 2011). Thus, the main aim of the present thesis is to explore the nature of the auditory sensory issues and their relationship with core symptoms (i.e., RRBs and communicative ability) in ASD and the broader autism phenotype (BAP). In addition, the associations among speech perception and production, and communication were investigated. Four studies were conducted using adult samples with and without ASD. Chapter 2 reports findings indicating that the perception of intensity and frequency auditory parameters influence the severity of RRBs and that primary auditory discrimination abilities are characterised by high variability in ASD. Chapters 3 & 4 present evidence showing that the relationship between auditory intensity perception and sensation avoiding behaviours contribute to the communicative difficulties observed in adults with ASD or high levels of autistic traits. Chapter 5 provides a direct demonstration of deficits on primary syllable stress perception in ASD and its role on the speech production abnormalities and socio-communicative atypicalities in ASD. Taken together, the outcome of these investigations highlights the importance of considering the development of core autistic symptoms as an interactional multi-developmental process, which extends into the general population.

Master of Science / Food Science Institute / Kadri Koppel / Oxidation of meat decreases consumer acceptance and reduces market value making it an important problem for the meat industry. Odor and flavor of meat are significantly affected by lipid oxidation and researchers continue to explore new ways to control meat oxidation. Natural antioxidants, irradiation and oxygen treatments are major areas of research in meat lipid oxidation. In recent studies researchers have been exploring ways to extend shelf life of meat and in many case rely on sensory results. This report deals with sensory methods used to measure changes associated with treatments and outlines how researchers are using these methods.

No description available.

In our current ocular-centric society few spatial experiences stimulate the full penchant of our senses. Most experiences of space can be reduced to a single experience of sensory bliss. How do we create a functioning civic environment which addresses the full spectrum of sensory phenomena, stimulating the performance of life, allowing individuals the opportunity to express their unique individuality? What role does architecture play in the phenomenon of lived space? How do we create such a place? In my view such a place should not only be accessible to the selected few, but should be a commonality in an urban realm shared by all, appreciated by all, experienced by all. In an increasingly consumerist society there is an immense need for non-commercial space without the prerequisite of money. For this environment to be successful, it should be easily accessible and used on a frequent basis with enough diversity in activities sustaining the ever-changing user requirements. The architectural interventions should be an active participant within the larger stage set of activities. How do we develop an architectural language that enhances our sensory experience of the built environment? Can this be that we are striving once again to create real places and spaces for people and communities to engage in? / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Architecture / unrestricted

While research has shown the positive impact of sensory cues and cue- congruency on emotion and behavior in retail store atmospheres, these cues have primarily been investigated in isolation or in pairs. Consequently, little is known on how multi-sensory cues in interplay impact on consumer emotions and purchase behaviors. In addition, research has not yet provided any clear conceptualization of congruency in marketing when designing retail store atmospheres, other than stating that some cues are expected to match, therefore become pleasantly perceived. Thus, the main purpose of this research is to examine and show how multi-sensory cues in interplay and congruency can be utilized in creating a retail store atmosphere to enhance consumer emotions and purchase behaviors. To address the purpose, a sequential method was adopted with four essays. The first essay explores multi-sensory interplay in marketing contexts with a literature review that forms the basis for a research agenda. The second essay employs focus groups to highlight the congruency between cues, products and the retail setting, and identifies which category of cues is in need of investigation. The third essay uses field experiments to investigate two congruent visual, auditory and olfactory cues (six cues in total) in a retail setting, and their impact on consumer emotion and purchase behavior. The final essay, also use field experiments to examine and duplicate one cue from each sense, and employs these together in interplay, to show how multi-sensory cues in interplay impacts emotions and purchase behaviors. This research concludes that multi-sensory cues in interplay in a retail store atmosphere have a greater impact on consumer emotions and purchase behaviors than single visual, auditory and olfactory setting-congruent sensory cues. Among single sensory cues, those perceived as complementary in the atmosphere, specifically auditory and olfactory in an already visual dominated atmosphere, have the largest impact on consumer emotions and purchase behaviors. Overall, this research signifies that congruent multi-sensory cues in interplay emerge as reliable predictors for the influence on consumer arousal, valence, time spent, touching, browsing and purchasing Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.

Understanding these neurodevelopmental disorders will help oral health professionals provide safe and effective care.

The source level of echolocation pulses is an essential parameter because it has an impact on the range at which bats perceive their environment and, most importantly, at which they detect prey. Echolocation pulse source level is under the control of the echolocator and its operational range is likely to vary with body size and foraging habitat because these determine the operational range needed by the bat. This study thus attempted to answer the following questions; (1) is the source levels of animal acoustic signals different in different situations? (2) Does body size and foraging habitat affect the source levels of animal acoustic signals? There are only a few studies that report on the source levels of echolocation pulses of free-ranging bats because of the difficulty of measuring the distance of the bat from the recording microphone. This distance is essential in calculating source levels of echolocation pulses. I used multiple microphone array system to investigate the echolocation sound signals, three-dimensional (3-D) acoustic flight paths and source levels of echolocation pulses at 10 cm standard reference distance from the mouth of a free-flying frequency-modulated (FM) bat, Neoromicia capensis and quasi-constant frequency (QCF) bat, Tadarida aegyptiaca. The two bat species differ in body size and foraging habitat. I found as predicted, that T. aegyptiaca, the larger of the two species and an open-air aerial hawker, emitted echolocation pulses of higher source levels and therefore had greater maximum detection distances than the smaller, clutter-edge aerial hawker, N. capensis. Tadarida aegyptiaca emitted echolocation pulses with an average of 146.9±4.6 (range 137.7 - 154.8) dB peSPL during emergence from the roost and an average of 143.0±4.9 (range 136.4 - 153.3) dB peSPL during foraging, extending the known range of free-flying bats. Neoromicia capensis emitted echolocation pulses with an average of 129.3±4.0 (range 119.3 - 138.7) dB peSPL during emergence from the roost and average of 132.8±5.0 (range 117.8 - 142.9) dB peSPL during foraging. As anticipated, I found N. capensis to be emitting echolocation pulses of higher source levels during foraging than when it emerged from the roost. However, there was no significant difference in the source levels of T. aegyptiaca between emergence from the roost and foraging habitat. The estimated maximum detection distances for the three insect size categories i.e. small, medium and large was greater for T. aegyptiaca than N. capensis. My data therefore suggests that bats might adjust their echolocation pulse source levels to suit their foraging habitat and situation.

Native Warm Season Grasses (NWSG) provide excellent wildlife habitat and are well adapted to the Southeastern United States. Steaks that were obtained from cattle fed NWSG in the stocker phase and finished on grain and tall fescue were subjected to simulated retail display for 0, 3, 6, and 9 days (graininished) and 0, 3, and 6 (forageinished) days respectively. Grain finished carcasses graded as choice and select while forage finished carcasses were both select and standard. Fat percentage was higher and moisture was lower in steaks from grain finished carcasses when compared to forage finished cattle. Lipid oxidation was lower in forage finished steaks on day 6 (0.35mg malonaldehyde/kg) than grain finished steaks (0.5mg malonaldehyde/kg). The overall acceptability scores given by consumers for both treatment groups were between like slightly and like moderately.