Thesis (M.Com.(Communication Management))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Abstract in English. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

No description available.

No Abstract Provided

Th. Ph. D.--Linguistics--Cambridge (Mass.)--MIT, 1994. / Bibliogr. p. 193-206. Index.

Introduction: The role of muscle forces in determining bone micro-architecture and strength in children is poorly understood as limited evidence relies on surrogate measures of muscle force such as muscle size. The objective of this thesis was to explore the role of muscle area, peak forces from neuromuscular performance tests and physical activity in determining bone properties at the radius and tibia in children. Methods: 37 boys and 42 girls (mean age 10.5; SD 1.6y) had their dominant forearm and lower leg imaged using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and high resolution pQCT (HR-pQCT). Bone mass, density, area and estimated strength were assessed. Muscle area was determined from the pQCT scans and grip strength measured via a handheld dynamometer. Peak force from a single maximal push-up performed on force platforms and the number of standard push-ups completed in a single attempt were recorded. Countermovement and standing long jump maximal forces were recorded, impulse and power were calculated, and average standing long jump distance was measured. Physical activity was measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children. Sex, maturation (estimated age from peak height velocity), weight and limb length (ulna and tibia) were controlled in the linear regression models. Variance predicted (R2) by models using muscle area, neuromuscular performance measures as independent predictors (squared partial r) of bone properties are reported. Results: Grip strength and muscle area independently predicted 14-18% of the variance in bone area at the distal radius and 9-22% of the variance in bone strength at the distal and shaft sites of radius. Peak push-up force predicted 10% of the variance in trabecular number at the distal radius. Muscle area independently predicted 5-28% and countermovement and standing long jump forces and impulses predicted 6-10% of the variance in bone area, cortical content or density at the tibia shaft. Standing long jump power predicted 5-8% of the variance in bone area and cortical density at the tibia shaft. Physical activity predicted 9% of the variance in trabecular number at the distal tibia. Discussion: Thesis findings support the use of muscle area as a surrogate for muscle forces and identified neuromuscular performance measures that will guide targeted exercise interventions aiming to optimize bone strength development in children.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:52:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Arquivototal.pdf: 2281149 bytes, checksum: d14380e3a4dd073ce04f00366150d758 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-09-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This study investigated and analyzed the existence of music performance anxiety among music students of the Universidade Federal da Paraiba (UFPB), in the context of instrument music classes. In this survey 28 students coming from pre-college, undergraduate and graduate music program from UFPB took part, in a total of four classes coordinated by faculty members of the UFPB Music Department. As a research procedure psychological tests that assessed levels of state-trait anxiety, music performance anxiety and participant observation were applied. They were undertaken during the semester final recitals of each class. From the analysis, comparison and correlation of the results of psychological tests and participant observation, we found levels of state-trait anxiety above what was predicted by normative samples and consistent with those of studies conducted in other parts of the world, with orchestra musicians and professional choirs. We also found levels of anxiety in music performance similar to existing research, and clear physical signs and behavioral of musical performance anxiety. The analysis of research variables: gender, education, age, occupation and level of demand confirmed some of the assumptions in the literature and brought new findings, which opened space for further discussion and research. These results confirm the hypothesis that anxiety in music performance is a widespread phenomenon that can affect musicians of any age, level or technical training, from students to professionals. Therefore, our data are indicative of the existence of actual music performance anxiety among music students of the UFPB, alerting us to the occurrence of a factor detrimental not only to performance, but also to the health and psychological well-being of musicians. / O presente trabalho investigou e analisou a existência da ansiedade em performance musical entre os alunos de música da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), no contexto das classes coletivas de instrumento. Fizeram parte desta pesquisa 28 alunos vindos dos cursos de Extensão, Bacharelado, Licenciatura, e Pós-Graduação em Música da UFPB, participantes de quatro turmas coletivas, coordenadas por professores do Departamento de Música. Como procedimento de pesquisa foram aplicados testes psicológicos que avaliaram os níveis de ansiedade de estado-traço e ansiedade em performance musical e empreendida observação participante durante os recitais de final de semestre de cada uma das turmas. A partir da análise, comparação e correlação dos resultados dos testes psicológicos e da observação participante, encontramos níveis de ansiedade de estado-traço acima do que era previsto pelas amostras normativas e compatíveis com os de estudos realizados em outras partes do mundo, com músicos de orquestras e de corais profissionais. Também encontramos níveis de ansiedade em performance musical semelhantes aos de pesquisas existentes, além de sinais físicos e comportamentais visíveis. A análise das variáveis de pesquisa: gênero, escolaridade, idade, profissão e grau de exigência confirmou algumas das hipóteses presentes na literatura e trouxe novos achados, os quais abrem espaço para outras discussões e pesquisas. Estes resultados confirmam a hipótese de que ansiedade em performance musical é um fenômeno generalizado, que pode acometer músicos de qualquer idade, nível técnico ou formação, desde estudantes à profissionais. Ainda, os dados aqui obtidos são indicativos reais da existência de ansiedade em performance musical entre os alunos de música da UFPB, alertando-nos para a ocorrência de um fator prejudicial não só à performance, mas também a saúde e ao bem-estar psicológico do músico.

This thesis describes an investigation of some of the factors which govern the operation of the commercially important Li-SOCl2 cell. Electrode processes at lithium anodes and C-SOCl2 cathodes have been studied using the technique of Faradaic impedance. A kinetic interpretation of the results has been advanced. Additionally some aspects of the formation and nature of LiCl films, which frequently cover the anode surface have been revealed from the decomposition of the numerical data. The impedance study further yielded kinetic data relating to the lithium dissolution process. Complementary preliminary studies of the impedance of glassy carbon-SOCl2 cathodes have shown that the cathode process is complicated.

Master of Science / Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering / Ajay Sharda / In the agriculture industry, in-field efficiency of tractors is critical information for operators and producers. Properly matching tractor to implement using real-world tractor performance characteristics is the primary factor that effects in-field efficiency. Currently, tractor testing is primarily conducted in a controlled lab environment to quantify attributes such as power take-off (PTO) power and fuel consumption. However, in-field quantification of these attributes is necessary to gain a full understanding of the machine’s performance. Therefore, this study was conducted with two primary objectives: 1) develop a data acquisition system to measure real-time tractor performance at varying machine states during field operations, and; 2) evaluate the performance of tractors individually and compared to each other. Studies were conducted to test multiple different sized tractors with varying implements used in a specific crop production cycle; these tractors included two smaller 71 HP machines, a 90 HP and a 100 HP machine. The primary performance comparison goals were to evaluate the performance efficiency differences between a cabin and open station machine of the same size, and to evaluate the differences in performance between two similarly sized machines. A custom data acquisition (DAQ) system developed comprises of a torque sensor, flow meter, and GPS to acquire target performance parameters using a National Instruments cRIO system. The PTO torque sensor and fuel flow meter were tested and validated in a controlled lab using a PTO dynamometer and fuel scale. Validation field studies conducted showed that the DAQ system captured real-time performance parameters; strong correlation was observed between power, speed, and fuel consumption.   Using the real-time data allows for a better understanding of the relationship between machine and implement, as well as a more thorough understanding of the effect of terrain and crop load on fuel consumption and PTO power. The peak torque values through the implement drivetrain and their frequencies coupled with the average breakdown of power consumption by the implement gives the manufacturer and producer the opportunity to modify usage trends or design, respectively. Spatial fuel consumption data on a tractor by tractor basis allows varying machines to be compared directly based on their efficiency. Testing of the two smaller tractors took place on the same day in a uniform field. While the data did not indicate any difference between open station and cabin machines, strong correlation was observed between both operating speed and PTO mode selection and performance efficiency. The testing of the two larger tractors was done on sequential cuts of alfalfa on the same field; to account for this, bales were geotagged and weighed to produce a forage density map. Data from testing yielded two main results; the first being that the fuel consumption rate of each tractor and operation can be accurately predicted using an equation using PTO power and operating speed as variables. The equation that defines the fuel consumption for the swathing operation predicts the fuel consumption within 10% over 75% of the time in both sized machines. Data recorded by the DAQ system yields the information necessary to give the manufacturer a thorough understanding of how machines and implements interact with each other, as well as how external factors effect machine performance.

Currently, there are over 2.2 million people incarcerated in the United States. The growing epidemic of the prison industrial complex creates a critical situation; performance studies offers significant ways to address the increasing problems of incarceration. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the intersection of academic literature connecting penal studies, food studies, and performance studies. I argue that an analysis of food as a performance medium serves as an alternative means for understanding how prisoners negotiate prison life. Food as a performance medium also exposes the operation of the prison industrial complex.