Wing shape and echolocation are two novel adaptations in the Chiroptera and are strongly influenced by environmental conditions. Wing shape is influenced by environmental clutter. Shorter, broader wings allow for more maneuverable flight, and are advantageous for bats living in highly cluttered environments. Longer, narrower wings help bats to increase flight speed, and are best suited for bats living in more open environments. It is likely that wing shape is also influenced by temperature, given the potential for wings to act as thermoregulatory appendages. Wings provide a thermal gradient across their surfaces, dissipating excess heat from the body. However, the importance in thermoregulation in determining wing size is unknown. If thermoregulation is a strong selective pressure, bats in hotter, more arid regions should have larger wings. Environmental conditions also influence echolocation pulse design. Echolocation pulses must successfully reach a target and generate an audible echo despite atmospheric attenuation. High-duty cycle (HDC) pulses, calls with longer durations than the interval between them, are particularly useful in environments with high amount of environmental clutter. HDC echolocators use an acoustic fovea and Doppler shift compensation to detect the fluttering wings of insect prey in dense vegetation. However, the flexibility of these pulses is limited by the bat's acoustic fovea. Wing shape and echolocation combined form an adaptive complex, providing bats with a highly specialized system of foraging. Climate change poses an enormous risk to a bat's foraging success, because rising ambient temperatures are likely to change the selective pressures on wing size (due to the potential thermoregulatory benefits) as well as prey detection volumes of the bat's echolocation (because sound propagation is influenced by temperature). As an adaptive complex any selection on either wings or echolocation is likely to influence changes in the other, with consequences for the foraging efficiency of bats. The potential impact of climate change on the foraging efficiency of bats can be gauged by the bats' adaptive responses to different climatic conditions over their geographic range. I examined these two traits in different localities across the geographic range of the Cape horseshoe bat, R. capensis to determine if wing and echolocation parameters are adapted to current climatic conditions. I measured wing area and echolocation parameters at sites within the distribution of R. capensis that were representative of the different climates across its range. I measured wing areas using digital image analysis software, and I measured echolocation parameters using a microphone array system. Temperature was a predictor in the top fitting linear mixed effects models for both wing area and prey detection volume. For differences in wing area, body mass was the only significant explanatory variable. However, body mass may itself be influenced by environmental conditions. NDVI, latitude, and average winter minimum temperature significantly related to differences in prey detection volume. My results indicate geographic variation in both wing area and prey detection volume, an indication that these traits are adapted to local climate conditions. Geographic variation in wing area is a consequence of body mass, which may or may not be a function of climate. However, geographic variation in prey detection volume is directly influenced by the environment. Therefore, increases in ambient temperature due to human-induced climate change are likely to have an effect on the foraging efficiency of R. capensis.

No description available.

This dissertation is composed of three articles analyzing the use of sensory rooms in schools to support student need as well as its use in other settings. Sensory rooms are rooms equipped with a variety of resources, strategies, and equipment to support an individual in de-escalation. They have been implemented in various settings including schools, psychiatric units, and correctional facilities. The first article in this dissertation explores the current available research on the use of sensory rooms in various settings. Research shows that sensory rooms are used in a wide variety of settings including but not limited to therapeutic settings, educational settings, and correctional settings. This article will explore how sensory rooms are used in each of these settings, as well as the effectiveness of the space on the targeted population. The second article of this dissertation explains a study conducted to identify how a sensory room is currently being used in a school setting. The study takes place in a school in an urban district. This specific school houses the partial-inclusion/sub-separate social-emotional/behavioral special education program. Special education staff involved in the program identified a need for a sensory room and worked together to create one. This study identifies how teachers are using the sensory room, how effective it is in supporting students in de-escalation as well as how teachers are supporting students in using the sensory room. The third article in this dissertation connects the research described in the first article with the findings of the study conducted to create a practitioner’s guide to creating a sensory room. This article will bring all of the information together to provide cohesive insight into how to most successfully create a sensory room in a specific setting. Information from this article can inform educators, therapists, clinicians, and service providers to create the most effective sensory room for their targeted population in their own setting.

The objectives of this research were to establish a semi-descriptive sensory language that describes the attributes of calamondin fruit and develop yogurt products flavored with calamondin and test consumers’ acceptance of the products. A total of 89 sensory terms were established by trained panelists to describe calamondins. Yogurt products were developed with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% calamondin pulp. Results demonstrated that no significant difference (P>0.05) occurred for consumers’ acceptance of yogurt appearance and texture, and significant differences (P<0.05) occurred for consumers’ acceptance of yogurt flavor and overall liking. Generally, the yogurt with 10% honey and the yogurt with 10% honey and 5% calamondin pulp were well accepted by consumers. The consumers were grouped into 6 clusters based on their prefences. The majority (60%) of the consumers liked moderately yogurts with 10% honey, and 0% and 5% calamondin pulp respectively.

No description available.

The effects of smoking cigarettes on sensory gating, P50 and stimulus-bound gamma band (32-48 Hz) oscillations were examined in two paradigms: paired-tone and oddball. During a paired-tone paradigm, our previous work (Crawford, McClain-Furmanski, Castagnoli, & Castagnoli, Neuroscience Letters 317(2002) 151-155) found heavy smokers exhibited chronic (rather than acute) effects in the frontal region: (1) larger P50 and GBO responses; (2) greater P50 and GBO sensory gating suppression, as well as earlier GBO sensory gating suppression. During an oddball paradigm, we (McClain-Furmanski, Crawford, Castagnoli & Castagnoli, in prep.) found an acute effect between 0 and 20 ms post-stimulus in the GBO, however we were unable to determine whether this effect was due to nicotine or the act of smoking. In the present study, participants were 24 heavy cigarette (20+/day) right-handed, non-depressed smokers with no known medical or psychiatric problems, and no known familial history of psychiatric problems. In the morning, they were tested after abstaining overnight and after smoking a cigarette containing either 1.1 mg of nicotine, or a denicotinized cigarette (< 0.04 mg). In study 1 (oddball paradigm), although some effects were found related to nicotine and/or smoking, observed as condition by group interactions with the groups changing differently across conditions, they differed in temporal and spatial localization from those hypothesized. Thus, the present study was unable to differentiate between nicotine effects and effects due to the act of smoking. In study 2 (paired-pulse paradigm), in traditional evoked potential analysis, we observed signficant chronic sensory gating, as measured by the ratio of N40-P50 amplitude in response to the second tone (S2) as compared to the response to the first tone (S1). The effect was greatest at the hypothesized location (FCZ). In time series analysis of the underlying GBO, we replicated our earlier findings in that S2/S1 effects could be detected across 60 msec of the response. These results are discussed in relation to the neurochemistry and neural processes underlying sensory gating at GBO production, as well as in relation to the known and hypothesized psychpharmacological effects of smoking tobacco. Furthermore, these results are related to the theorized basis of addiction. / Ph. D.

Designing a school for children with Autism was a very enriching experience for me. Being a kid in a school is already a very challenging experience but for an autistic kid it can be very overwhelming. Our building codes does not even include someone on the Autism spectrum and hence it is our responsibly as an architect to help create architecture which does not ignore kids with any kind of disability as they have been ignored enough by our society. I wanted to create a safe haven for autistic kids where they could develop their potential to the maximum. The vision for the project was to create an environment that both shelters and challenges these children. Shelter being at the heart of human need for safety and challenge being key to a child's development. This thesis explores how there could be various degrees of blending experienced in an educational institution with relation to its surrounding environment. This connection with nature and its surroundings could be an important source of inspiration that promotes well-being, health, and emotional comfort for the children. / Master of Architecture / This thesis explores how there could be various degrees of blending experienced in an educational institution with relation to its surrounding environment. This connection with nature and its surroundings could be an important source of inspiration that promotes well-being, health, and emotional comfort for the children.

Energy regulations have shifted commercial retail cases from fluorescent to light emitting-diode lights (LED), however the effect of LED light on milk quality (flavor and nutritional content) has not been thoroughly studied. Packaging efficacy of light protecting additives (LPA) in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was studied for protection against light-induced oxidation of high-temperature short-time (HTST) 2% milk under fluorescent (1882±993 lux) and LED light (915±150 lux). Milk quality measures included oxidation level, riboflavin (Rb) retention, headspace volatiles, and sensory evaluation were analyzed to determine the interaction between light source, packaging material, and storage time. HDPE packaging included translucent package (0% TiO2) serving as control (light-exposed, light-protected: foil and plastic overwrap) and three LPA packages (low (1.3% TiO2), high (4.9% TiO2), yellow). Rb concentration decreased among all packages (40%-60%) after 72h for both lights. Volatile aldehydes (TBARS), increased in all packages (23%-82%) during storage over 72h at 4C. Sensory evaluation (triangle test) revealed detectable flavor changes at a TBARS value of 0.11 mg/L; LPA packages saw this change starting at 4h and continued through 72h. The high package protected milk flavor effectively at 4h under fluorescent light; yellow package was effective for 4h under LED light. Despite detectable sensory differences, acceptability scores (9-point hedonic scale) were significantly greater for milk exposed to LED light in light-protected and high packages (p<0.05). We conclude that LED light may be less harmful to milk flavor vitamin content, but packaging needs to be improved to maintain milk's ideal flavor past 4h of light exposure. / Master of Science in Life Sciences

For this thesis, I engage in a comprehensive study of Deaf culture by learning American Sign Language (ASL) and immersing myself within the Deaf community. My objective is to gain insights into their unique modes of interaction, daily lives, and spatial preferences. The research is motivated by the aspiration to apply this profound understanding to the design of a deaf-friendly academic building on Gallaudet University's campus. It is also motivated by the multi-sensory experience of architecture and it's impact on the users experiencing the space. Situated prominently in front of the historic Union Market, which serves as a gathering point for people from all corners of Washington, D.C., the envisioned building aims to bridge the gap between Gallaudet University's enclosed campus and the bustling city. Through an innovative design approach, it seeks to impart a new identity to the campus, fostering inclusivity and connectivity. The design process involves a meticulous analysis of the campus site across three distinct scales: city/campus, building, and user. Each scale informs different design moves of the proposed academic building through the exploration of the relationship between: the user and the building, the building and the campus, and the campus and the city. This approach ensures a holistic integration of new information, resulting in a structure that not only embraces DeafSpace principles but also addresses the broader context of the urban environment. Beyond architectural aesthetics, the proposed structure will play a pivotal role in revitalizing the neglected part of the campus. By integrating Hansel Bauman's DeafSpace principles, it will serve as an example of how architecture can be enabling rather than disabling through discovering what accessibility means to the Deaf community, creating a vibrant hub that harmonizes with the existing environment and brings new life into the overlooked area. This research not only contributes to a deeper understanding of Deaf culture but also showcases the potential of architectural design to facilitate meaningful connections, foster inclusivity, and rejuvenate neglected spaces within educational institutions. / Master of Architecture / For this thesis, I explore Deaf culture by learning American Sign Language (ASL) and engaging with the Deaf community. My goal is to understand their unique ways of communicating and living, which will inform the design of a new academic building at Gallaudet University, a school for the Deaf. This research is inspired by the idea that architecture can deeply affect how people experience spaces. The proposed academic building will be located near the historic Union Market in Washington, D.C., creating a connection between the university's campus and the city. This design aims to give the campus additional space that fosters inclusivity, connectivity, and accessibility. To create this design, I carefully studied the campus from three perspectives: the city and the campus, the building itself, and the individual user. This supports an understanding of how the new building interacts with its surrounding urban environment and its users. The design will incorporate DeafSpace principles, developed by architect Hansel Bauman, which focus on the specific needs of the Deaf community. The new building is intended to make the campus more accessible and welcoming, transforming an underused part of the university into a vibrant, engaging space. This project highlights how understanding Deaf culture can lead to better architectural designs that foster inclusion and revitalization within educational environments.

Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Modulation Dysfunction are Sensory Integration Disorders that are widely known to occupational therapists practicing in the paediatric occupational therapy field. These disorders have been the subject of numerous research studies that have managed to clarify and explain relations of these disorders with sensory processing as well as their prevalence in different diagnostic groups. Such a clarified relationship is between Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Discrimination, while Sensory Modulation Dysfunction is reported to occur in various diagnostic groups. Developments over the past decade in the field of Sensory Integration proposed that Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Modulation Dysfunction be regarded as two patterns of a Sensory Processing Disorder and suggested that these two disorder patterns occurred concomitantly. Clinical experience, however, resulted in the researcher questioning the above proposed concomitant relationship and hypothesised that there was a specific relation between Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity (Sensory Modulation Dysfunction). This study was directed at investigating the relationship between Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity. A review of the literature that described these two disorder patterns yielded reference to theories that underpin Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity. From these theories it was possible to identify some common ground between Developmental dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity that could potentially support a relation. The Sensory Profile, Sensory Profile School Companion and the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests were used to assess and identify Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity. Obtained data were statistically analysed and compared and did not produce a statistically significant positive relation between Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity, but yielded some weak correlations in supplementary analysis. These weak correlations have value in terms of sensory responsiveness tendencies in the presence of types of dyspraxia. Clinical analyses of the data set were performed to examine the incidence of types of dyspraxia in the sample with sensory over- or under responsiveness. These analyses demonstrated a greater presence of Developmental Dyspraxia in the population with Sensory Under-responsivity. The clinical analyses provided the researcher with additional information that was taken into account when conclusions were made. It also contributed to the recommendations that were made at the end of Chapter 5. Discussion of results was directed at explaining correlations and interpreting the implications of those correlations. A discussion of possible problems included considering possible flaws in the method and procedure that could have contributed to the research outcome. Recommendations were directed at proposals for future research and recommendations for clinical practice. Copyright / Dissertation (MOccTher)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Occupational Therapy / unrestricted