The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that Americans consume at least three servings of whole grain foods per day to reduce the risk of chronic disease and to help with weight maintenance. However, most Americans fall short of this recommendation. To reduce the prevalence of chronic disease, overweight, and obesity, health educators should promote healthy behaviors at young ages. The purpose of this study was to measure whole grain intake in college students and to determine its association with body mass index (BMI), a measure of overweight and obesity. The participants (N=164) were recruited from a freshmen level nutrition course (of 485 students) at Virginia Tech in spring of 2004. Students kept food records to record their usual diets for 14 days, and had their height and weight measured by the researchers in order to determine their BMI. On average, the students consumed 5.4±1.7 (mean±SD) servings of grain based foods per day, of which 13% (0.71±0.76 servings) were from whole grain foods. The students who were in the normal weight range (based on their BMI) consumed more servings of whole grains per day than the overweight and obese students (ANOVA with linear contrasts; p<0.05). Results from this study indicate that whole grain intake is low in college students, but similar to the national average, and higher in students with a normal body weight. Efforts should be made to help develop healthy eating habits in this population, including increasing whole grain intake. / Master of Science

This paper will present an online approach for friction approximation to be utilized in con- cert with whole body control on humanoid robots. This approach allows humanoid robots with ankle mounted force-torque sensors to extrapolate information about the friction constraints at the hands during multi-contact poses without the addition of hardware to the platform. This is achieved by utilizing disturbance detection as a method of monitoring active forces at a single external point and deriving available friction force at said contact point in accordance with Coulomb's Law of Friction. First, the rigid body dynamics and required compliant humanoid model optimization are established which allow incorporation of friction constraints. These friction constraints are then informed by monitoring of external forces, which can be used as an indicator of slip based on tangential force. In practice, the robot with operational multi-contact whole body control is navigated to the desired contact surface and normal force only contact is initiated. Using an iterative coefficient estimation based on the achieved system forces, the robot tests the boundaries of its operable force range by inducing slip. Slip detection is utilized as the basis for coefficient estimation, which allows the robot to further understand its environment and apply appropriate forces to its contact points. This approach was implemented on a simple 3 link model to verify expected performance, and then on both the simulated model of Virginia Tech's ESCHER robot and in practice on the actual ESCHER platform. The proposed approach was able to achieve estimation of slip parameters, based largely on time spent measuring, actual friction coefficient, and the available contact force. Though the performance of the proposed approach is dependent on a number of variables, it was able to provide an operational parameter for the robot's whole body controller, allowing expansion of the support region without risking multi-contact slip. / Master of Science / This paper presents an approach for humanoid robots to use their hands to approximate the friction parameters of contact surfaces without prior knowledge of those parameters. This is accomplished as part of the robot’s control system and integrated into its balancing and movement operating system so that it may determine these parameters without ceasing operation. The proposed approach relies on the force sensors typically embedded in the ankles of bipedal robots as its sole force input, so no additional hardware need be added to the robot in order to employ this functionality. Once placed in contact, the robot is able to approximate the forces at its hand with these sensors, and use those approximate values as the basis for estimating the static friction coefficient of the system, in accordance with Coulomb’s Law of Friction. The robot’s onboard controller is able to utilize this information to ensure that it does not overestimate the available force that may be applied at the contact point, using prior knowledge of the robot model’s range of motion. In practice, the robot with this functionality is navigated to the desired contact surface and a hand contact that does not risk slip is initiated. Using an iterative coefficient estimation based on the achieved system forces, the robot tests the boundaries of its operable force range by inducing slip. Slip detection is utilized as the basis for coefficient estimation, which allows the robot to further understand its environment and apply appropriate forces to its contact points. This approach was implemented on a simple 3 link robot model to verify expected performance, and then on both the simulated model of Virginia Tech’s ESCHER robot and in practice on the actual ESCHER platform. The proposed approach was able to achieve estimation of slip parameters, based largely on time spent measuring, actual friction coefficient, and the available contact force. Though the performance of the proposed approach is dependent on a number of variables, it was able to provide an operational parameter for the robot’s whole body controller, allowing expansion of the support region without risking multi-contact slip.

Yes / Pantoea stewartii is known to be the causative agent of Stewart's wilt, which usually affects sweet corn (Zea mays) with the corn flea beetle as the transmission vector. In this work, we present the whole-genome sequence of Pantoea stewartii strain M009, isolated from a Malaysian tropical rainforest waterfall. / University of Malaya via High Impact Research Grants (UM C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/CHAN/01 no. A-000001- 50001 and UM C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/CHAN/14/1 no. H-50001-A000027)

Yes / The comet assay is a sensitive method used to detect DNA damage, measuring DNA breaks and alkali labile lesions in eukaryotic cells. Here, the use of whole blood in the alkaline gel electrophoresis method is described. Two hundred and seventy blood samples from individuals were examined: 120 healthy individuals, 65 suspected or pre-cancerous individuals and 85 cancer patients. Each sample was divided into two identical volumes in different falcon tubes. The blood was prepared and stored by adding the same amount of RPMI medium and 10% DMSO. Using the Student’s t-Test, the data showed a p value = 0.59 for Olive tail moment (OTM) and 0.16 for % tail DNA, and no statistically significant differences between the two methods, with or without treatment. In conclusion, using whole blood instead of isolated lymphocytes saves time, is still very sensitive and requires less than 20 µL of blood from each individual.

As the technology of robotics intelligence advances, and new application areas for mobile robots increase, the need for alternative fundamental locomotion mechanisms for robots that allow them to maneuver into complex unstructured terrain becomes critical. In this research we present a novel locomotion mechanism for mobile robots inspired by the motility mechanism of certain single celled organisms such as amoebae. Whole Skin Locomotion (WSL), as we call it, works by way of an elongated toroid which turns itself inside out in a single continuous motion, effectively generating the overall motion of the cytoplasmic streaming ectoplasmic tube in amoebae. This research presents the preliminary analytical study towards the design and development of the novel WSL mechanism. In this thesis we first investigate how amoebas move, then discuss how this motion can be replicated. By applying the biological theories of amoeboid motility mechanisms, different actuation models for WSL are developed including the Fluid Filled Toroid (FFT) and Concentric Solid Tube (CST) models. Then, a quasi-static force analysis is performed for the CST model and parametric studies for design, including power efficiency and force transition characteristics, are presented. / Master of Science

The purpose of this study is to investigate the teachers’ described experiences of advantages as well as disadvantages of Arne Trageton’s write to read-method (“ASL”) in contrast to the code-oriented traditional way of teaching. The aim of this study is furthermore to depict the teachers’ opinions on whether they experience that the ASL-method is unfavourable for students in general. This study will also investigate the teachers’ standpoint regarding choice of reading and writing method. The following questions form the basis of this study: Which advantages or disadvantages do the teachers experience with the ASL-method relative to using the code-oriented traditional way of teaching? Do the teachers experience that the ASL-method is unfavourable for some students? Do the teachers only use the ASL-method or do they combine many different reading and writing methods in their teaching? How do the teachers explain their decision in that matter? This study is based on a qualitative method and interviews were performed to acquire knowledge of the teachers’ experiences. The major theoretical approaches of this study are Arne Trageton’s, the founder of the ASL-method, theories concerning the ASL-method and the socio-cultural perspective on learning. The result of the study demonstrates that the ASL-method is described as advantageous because the students’ interests, creativity, motivation and self-confidence increased when using the ASL-method, in contrast to using the traditional way of teaching. The ASL-method was also described as easier to individualize in comparison with the traditional letter-based teaching. The disadvantage with the ASL-method, in contrast to using the traditional teaching, was mainly the fact that the computers and tablets sometimes did not work properly. Overall the ASL-method was described as a good method because all students could participate in the teaching despite their capacity. Speech technology and word editing programs on the tablets were described as descent support for students with slower motor development, difficulties in reading or writing and second language students. Even though the ASL-method was considered a superior method, the method was not described to be sufficient by itself.

The view regarding social units as entities in their own right disappeared from scientific consideration in the mid-twentieth century as much for political and ideological reasons as scientific ones. Yet group psychotherapy rediscovered these ideas. The problem to re-establish them scientifically is lack of empirical methodology for investigating whole groups. / The study integrated theories of groups as psychic entities from sociology, social psychology and group psychotherapy to form hypotheses about therapeutic groups" functioning. Four dimensions of whole-group function were derived: Structure, Cognitive Organisation, Affect, and Action Coherence. An observational instrument, the "Group Function Record," was developed, categories defined for each dimension and a procedure established to rate minute-by-minute group function from videotaped psychotherapy groups. Therapists" Interventions were also recorded. The instrument treats the group as the object of study and quality of collective functioning is rated irrespective of members present or their roles. Reliability was established and ratings were made of one latency and four adolescent yearlong groups. / Results substantiated an eight-phase developmental sequence derived from the group development literature and outlined a theory of group formation. The most challenging, but creative state was found to be when the group is whole with all members in communication, though it is unstable and often managed by breaking into subgroups. A linear relation existed showing that the smaller the group, the better it functions. Groups also function best with one or two members missing, but more absentees threaten the group’s existence. More highly organized groups are more stable, but tend to destabilize when they become self-reflective. Homeostatic self-correcting tendencies and a close relationship between affective and action changes were evident. Change towards unpleasurable affect is associated with change from cooperation to conflict and vice versa. Crises tend to be precipitated by affective change, but correct themselves within the next minute or two. The effects of Therapists" Interventions towards members, the group or both were analyzed. Group interventions initially tend to reduce functionality, followed by improvement after several minutes; member interventions have inconsistent effects; interventions to group and members in the same minute tend to produce immediate improved function. / The findings and their implications for therapeutic goals and technique with adolescents are discussed in relation to the theoretical background. Considerable merit is found in the collective mentality theories, many of whose postulates are validated. Indications for therapeutic technique are outlined from the findings. The method provides a different view of group process posing new questions and suggesting simple techniques are therapeutically potent. Further avenues of research are suggested.

Campus dormitories for the University of North Texas house over 5500 students per year; each one of them requires certain comfortable living conditions while they live there. There is an inherit amount of money required in order to achieve minimal comfort levels; the cost is mostly natural gas for water and room heating and electricity for cooling, lighting and peripherals. The US Department of Energy has developed several programs to aid in performing energy simulations to help those interested design more cost effective building designs. Energy-10 is such a program that allows users to conduct whole house evaluations by reviewing and altering a few parameters such as building materials, solar heating, energy efficient windows etc. The idea of this project was to recreate a campus dormitory and try to emulate existent energy consumption then try to find ways of lowering that usage while maintaining a high level of personal comfort.

Chenopodium quinoa, a South American pseudocereal, has valuable agricultural traits such as salt tolerance and drought tolerance, and it has beneficial nutritional properties such as high protein content and a complete amino acid profile. However, problems including disease susceptibility, low harvest index, lodging, seed shattering, low heat tolerance, and saponin content plague quinoa. Genetic resources for quinoa are needed to fix these problems and make quinoa more available throughout the world. We used ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) to create a mutant population of QQ74 quinoa (USDA GRIN PI 614886) of 5,030 mutant families. We did whole exome sequencing (WES) on 44 mutant families. Using the recently published quinoa reference genome and MAPS, a mutation detection pipeline, we found a mutation rate of 11.35 mutations/Mb in these families. We also used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to calculate a mutation rate of 21.67 mutations/Mb in an additional nine mutant families. To demonstrate the utility of this population as a genetic resource, we found an EMS-induced nonsense mutation in the betalain synthesis pathway that prevents red betacyanins from accumulating in the hypocotyl of quinoa. With the mutation rates in our population, we calculate that analysis of 300 mutant families will yield 3-7 mutations in any gene of interest, which will facilitate forward and reverse genetic studies in quinoa.

During Work Integrated Learning, pre-service mentoring helps to prepare final-year education students for the workplace. For the purpose of this study, seven pre-service teachers and their mentor teachers formed scholarly communities of practice. Selfregulated professionalism was initiated by implementing the principles of self-regulated learning using a constructivist Whole Brain® Thinking mix as epistemological grounding. Participatory action research was enriched and a Whole Brain® Participatory Action Research Design was used to contribute to the scholarship of mentoring in the education context and the new meaning-making of our current understanding of what action research entails. A baseline study was conducted ten months prior to the commencement of the Whole Brain® Participatory Action Research study. The responses from the Senior and FET Phase pre-service teachers and their mentor teachers in the two online surveys provided an information base for the participatory action research process. The rationale for using Whole Brain® Participatory Action Research was that no scholars have examined a collaborative perspective on pre-teachers, mentor teachers and a university faculty. This particular research design has never before been used in the context of pre-service teacher education. The Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument® was initially completed by the participants and myself as the principal researcher to inform reflective practice and to create awareness of our thinking preferences. Action research was conducted by the pre-service teachers in their classroom practice and executed by the mentor teachers in their mentorship practice. I employed action research during the scholarly communities of practice sessions with the participants. Peer mentoring, Whole Brain® Mentoring and blended mentoring were innovatively introduced in the mentor teachers’ and my own mentoring practice as an essential part of the self and the we becoming agent(s) of transformation. The development of a Comprehensive Whole Brain® Mentoring Model for the education context is shared as an outcome of this study. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Humanities Education / PhD / Unrestricted