The Peng-Robinson equation of state (PR EOS) is incorporated with the infinite linear association model and the monomer-dimer association model as well as two different sets of mixing rules to result in four different forms of equations of state. The reformulated PR EOS have been used to represent the vapor pressures and liquid densities of pure associating compounds. The vapor pressure and liquid density values calculated by means of the reformulated PR EOS are in good agreement with the experimental data in the literature.<p>The application of the reformulated PR EOS could be extended to represent the VLE behavior of associating systems. The capabilities of different association-incorporated EOS are compared with the Hong-Hu equation, the AMH equation and the Wilson equation, respectively. The results show that, in general, the reformulated PR EOS are superior to the Wilson equation for all tested systems with the exception of alkanol-hydrocarbon systems and at least as good as the Hong-Hu equation, the AMH equation, although the number of tested systems from Hong and Hu and Nan et al. are less than the one from the present work.<p>The excess molar enthalpies of the ethanol-n-hexane and the ethanol-cyclohexane systems at 298.15 K were measured in an LKB 2107 microcalorimeter and compared with the experimental data in the literature. Additionally, new excess molar enthalpy data, measured at 298.15 K, have been reported for the ethanol-n-hexane-cyclohexane ternary system in the present work. Smooth representations of the results are described and used to construct contours of constant enthalpy on a Roozeboom diagram. The reasonable estimates of the excess enthalpies of the three constituent-binary mixtures can be obtained from both the Liebermann-Fried model and the Flory theory. <p>Finally, an attempt has been made to represent, simultaneously, both VLE and excess enthalpy behavior of the ethanol-n-hexane and ethanol-cyclohexane systems by using the Wilson equation and one of the reformulated PR EOS. Both the reformulated PR EOS and the Wilson equation could be extended to predict the ethanol-n-hexane-cyclohexane ternary system at 298.15 K with the binary interaction parameters determined from the experimental VLE data of the three constituent-binary mixtures. The calculated results show that the reformulated PR EOS is better than or as good as the Wilson equation in predicting the excess enthalpies of selected binary and ternary systems involving one associating species. However, quantitative discrepancies with the experimental data are observed.

Association mapping (AM), based on linkage disequilibrium, is a complementary strategy to traditional quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping for describing associations between genotypes and phenotypes in crop plants. Yellow endosperm colour, an important quality trait in durum wheat (<i>Triticum turgidum L. var. durum</i>), was studied to determine the potential of AM to (1) identify previously reported QTL using a genome wide scan and (2) to determine allelic association of the phytoene synthase 1 (Psy1) gene using a candidate gene analysis. At present, a number of QTL for endosperm colour have been identified, and phytoene synthase, the initial enzyme of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, has been associated with QTL on the group 7 chromosomes which are considered to play a significant role in expression of yellow pigment concentration. CIE 1976 b*, a light reflectance measurement, and water-saturated butanol extracted pigments were assessed on a collection of 93 elite accessions from a variety of geographic origins, and genotyped with 245 markers. Population structure was assessed using genetic distance and Bayesian model based approaches, identifying five sub-populations consistent with breeding origin and pedigree. Association analysis identified significant associations with yellow endosperm colour on all chromosomes, including several previously identified QTL as well as new regions for genomic dissection. Pairwise LD mapping of Psy1-B1 and Psy1-A1 located the genes to chromosomes 7B and 7A respectively, to regions which have previously been identified for yellow pigment concentration QTL. The results of this study indicate that AM can be used to complement traditional QTL mapping techniques, and identify novel QTL for further study.

In contemporary Sweden political participation among foreign-born Swedes is viewed as low and it is well known that foreign-born individuals do not use their voting rights to the same extent as the general population. At the same time there are numerous ethnic associations around the country who work with various activities involving political, democratic and integration issues. This study aims to study how four members of a Somali association regard, relate to and work with politics, democracy and integration. The study is based on these four people, but also on their relationship with authorities and other agencies in the community. The conclusion of this study shows in brief that the desire to participate politically is great, but that democracy and politics is accessible to all, depending on the level of language skills and what political knowledge the individual has. The study problematizes the concept of integration, whether it should be seen as an immigrant question that should be conducted by the immigrants or not. The informants have a vision that the democratic and political work they are engaged in in Sweden will be used to establish a democracy in their home country Somalia in the future. / I dagens Sverige ses politiskt deltagande, bland utlandsfödda svenskar som lågt och det är välkänt att utlandsfödda inte nyttjar sin rösträtt i samma utsträckning som befolkningen i övrigt. Samtidigt finns det åtskilliga etniska föreningar runt om i landet som genom aktiviteter arbetar med politisk, demokratisk och integrerande verksamhet. Denna undersökning syftar till att studera hur fyra medlemmar ur en somalisk förening ser på, förhåller sig till och arbetar med politik, demokrati och integration. Studien utgår ifrån dessa fyra personer, men handlar även om deras relation till myndigheter och andra instanser i samhället. Slutsatsen av denna studie visar i korthet att viljan att deltaga politiskt är stor, men att demokratin och politiken är mer eller mindre tillgänglig för alla, beroende på vilka färdigheter individen har i språk och samhällskunskaper. I studien problematiseras begreppet integration och huruvida det ses som en 'invandrarfråga' som bör bedrivas av invandrare eller inte. Det finns även en vision från informanternas sida att arbetet de bedriver kring demokratin och politiken i Sverige i framtiden ska kunna användas för att upprätta en demokrati i hemlandet Somalia.

Polymer solutions in which there are strong specific interactions between the polymer and the solvent are of interest in a number of biological applications. Of particular interest are polymer solutions in which supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) is the solvent, because polymer processing with CO2 is an important application of green chemistry. Unfortunately, experimental data on the phase behavior of polymer - CO2 systems are relatively scarce, as are models that describe the phase behavior of such systems. The focus of this research is therefore on developing a thermodynamic model based on lattice theory for calculating phase behavior of high pressure polymer solutions with specific intermolecular interactions. A new model, termed the LELAC (Lattice-based Extended Liquid Activity Coefficient) model is proposed based on the gART-L model of Sukhadia and Variankaval. The new model incorporates the compressibility effect at high pressures. The parameters of the model are (1) the equilibrium constant for association between a polymer segment and a solvent, (2) the specific interaction energy between a polymer segment and a solvent, and (3) the dispersion interaction energy. The dispersion interaction energy is calculated using Regular Solution Theory and therefore depends on the pure component properties. One or both of the remaining parameters is obtained from independent measurements such as FT- IR spectra. Alternatively, the two parameters can be obtained by fitting data. Cloud point curves of polymer - CO2 systems have been successfully correlated (1.3 % error) with the new model. Also, using fitted parameters from cloud point data, the sorption behavior of CO2 in polymers has been predicted. The polymer investigated include PBMA, PVAc and Polyacrylates. Comparison of cloud points with those obtained using the SAFT model revealed that the new model performs better than the SAFT model (3.6% error) with two adjustable parameters. The use of FT-IR to investigate interactions between CO2 and a number of polymers has been studied. The results confirm that complexes are formed between CO2 and PMMA, PEMA, PBMA, PVMK, and PVAc. A complex of PVC and CO2 is reported and a new mechanism involving a carbon oxygen triple bond is postulated for this system.

The birth rate in Taiwan has declined year by year, which not only implies a potential decline in the economic growth momentum but also delivers a warning signal to the education system. Facing the difficulties derived from reduced classes and insufficient enrollment, schools realize the importance of establishing a distinctive and attractive image, which would help increase the public understanding of their intrinsic values and meanwhile broaden the sources of top-tier applicants. These in turn would ensure schools sustainable growth and development. This paper discusses the influence of art and culture events held by universities and colleagues on their school image, to explore whether holding such events would benefit schools in terms of establishment of brand image and thereby brand identification for students, parents, alumni and community colleges. In this paper, a questionnaire survey is conducted by using the measurement dimensions of Keller¡¦s Brand Knowledge in 1993. The paper reveals that demographic variables explain the differences in school image. Moreover, positive school image is attributable to the benefits of brand association and the attitude of brand association, of which the latter is considered more influential compared to the former. Lastly, on the basis of the research findings, this paper investigates the implications to the education system, aiming at providing references for the purpose of strategy formulation in the future.

The smartphone market compete closely in Taiwan. there are many companies not only develop the function of product actively, they pay attention to value added of brand and wish it can raise their profit. Because brand association is the core value of brand. So this object of study is smartphone and we want to know the relationship between brand association and purchase intention in whole smartphone market by consumer view point. Furthermore we analysis what different with dissimilar brands and the effect of consumer characteristics This study adopted the research of questionnaire as study method. The target is the resident in Taiwan and uses convenience sampling method. We try to understand what kind of relationship of brand association¡Bconsumer characteristics and consumer purchase intention in consumer¡¦s mind. There are 224 usable responses and we used SPSS soft ware to access the methods of statistic analysis and testifies hypothesis of this research. It has the following conclusions 1. This research find brand association are significantly correlated with consumers purchase intention in smartphone market 2. There are the remarkable differences with brand association and purchase intention in dissimilar brands 3. It shows that consumer characteristics have the remarkable difference with some research variables. This research not only testifies hypothesis but also collects the management means to be the reference. Wish these references could be helpful for academic and business practice. It has the following management means 1. Deepen importance of brand association and the effects of brand association to consumer purchase intention is also suitable to smartphone market 2. In order to creative and maintain competition advantage¡Athe companies must inspect what different between their own brand association and opponent¡¦s own constantly.

After 1978, Chinese government initiated the transformation of the relationship between state and society. It was a process that the actor of state retreated gradually from market and society, meanwhile market and society developed slowly in the space which released by state. The state had different attitude toward market and society, as a result the market made a quicker development than the society. The society developed in the state and the market. The trade association in China could be divided into three types: state-led, spontaneous and eclectic. All of them are founded in the space released by state and the market. It reflected that in planned economy the trade associations still could be driven by the market. The trend of trade promotion associations¡¦ development are the state-led trade promotion associations will become more independently, and it would turn into the modern trade management system. Also the spontaneous promotion associations would develop fast. At that time, it would be hard to differentiate these two kind trade associations. According to the analysis above, the conclusion of this study are: First, Chinese government should continue to reform the SOEs, abolish the unsuitable privilege of administration department and rebuild the state-led trade associations. Second, give support to the newly build trade promotion associations and encourage the creative thinking. Third, cancel the dual management system and implement the systematic management. Fourth, allow the rational competition and regularize the behaviors of trade promotion associations. Finally, complete the supervised system, make the specific rules for trade promotion associations and develop other economical NGOs to make the balance effect.

The goal of data mining is to help market managers find relationships among items from large datasets to increase profits. Among the mining techniques, the Apriori algorithm is the most basic and important for association rule mining. Although a lot of mining approaches have been proposed based on the Apriori algorithm, most of them focus on positive association rules, such as R1: ¡§If milk is bought, then bread is bought¡¨. However, rule R1 may confuses users and makes wrong decision if the negative relation rules are not considered. For example, the rule such as R2: ¡§If milk is not bought, then bread is bought¡¨ may also be found. Then, the rule R2 conflicts with the positive rule R1. So, if two rules such as ¡§If milk is bought, then bread is bought¡¨ and ¡§If milk is not bought, then bread is not bought¡¨ are found at the same time, the rules which is called coherent rule may be more valuable.In this thesis, we thus propose two algorithms for solving this problem. The first proposed algorithm is named Highly Coherent Rule Mining algorithm (HCRM), which takes the properties of propositional logic into consideration and is based on Apriori approach for finding coherent rules. The lower and upper bounds of itemsets are also tightened to remove unnecessary check. Besides, in order to improve the efficiency of the mining process, the second algorithm, namely Projection-based Coherent Mining Algorithm (PCA), based on data projection is proposed for speeding up the execution time. Experiments are conducted on real and simulation datasets to demonstrate the performance of the proposed approaches and the results show that both HCRM and PCA can find more reliable rules and PCA is more efficient.

Population based association studies in crops that were established by domestication and early breeding can be a valuable basis for the identification of QTLs. A case control design in a population is an ideal way to identify maximum candidate sites contributing to a complex polygenic trait such as drought. In the current study, marker loci associated with drought related QTLs were identified in sugarcane (Saccharum spp), one of the most complex crop genomes, with its polyploid nature (>8), chromosome number (&gt;100) and interspecific origin. The objectives of this investigation were: 1) development of genic markers, which can be used for marker-assisted selection of drought tolerant genotypes of sugarcane. 2) genotypic characterization of sugarcane population at drought related loci using EST-SSR markers. Using 55 microsatellite markers, 56 polymorphisms were scored among 80 modern sugarcane genotypes. Homogeneity of the population was confirmed by determining the distribution of allele frequencies obtained by random genomic microsatellite markers. This analysis was conducted in the STRUCTURE program and the population was divided in 3 subgroups based on the allelic distribution. Phenotypic data to evaluate drought tolerance among the genotypes was collected by measuring chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf temperature and leaf relative water content. A generalized linear model in SPSS was used to find association between marker loci and phenotypic data. Markers with significant association (P 0.001 level) with the trait were subjected to linear regression to screen the spurious associations. Based on the results, 21 EST-SSR markers and 11 TRAP markers related to drought-defining physiological parameters were considered as genuine associations in this study. Fifty-six polymorphisms produced by 13 EST-SSR primers were used to produce genetic similarity matrix for 80 genotypes. Dendrogram prepared from this genetic similarity matrix will be useful in selecting parents carrying diversity at drought specific loci.

Voluntary associations representing numerous types of recreation users and environmental issues have flourished across the landscape in America. However, the literature has not sufficiently studied these associations and their role in collaborative natural resource management. A lack of understanding of voluntary associations has not only limited managers’ ability to accommodate changing values of the American public, but also resulted in tremendous costs for land management agencies. This dissertation was aimed at gaining a better understanding of outdoor recreation and environmental voluntary associations and their involvement in collaborative forest management. Five objectives guided this study: (1) assessing the organizational characteristics of voluntary associations; (2) exploring organizational concerns about forest management issues; (3) examining organizational leaders’ experiences in collaborating with the Forest Service; (4) evaluating the perceived effectiveness of collaboration efforts with the Forest Service, and (5) developing and testing a social psychological model to predict members’ participation in organizational activities. To achieve our research goals, a case-study approach utilizing a mixed-methods research framework was employed. The Sam Houston National Forest (SHNF) located in New Waverly, Texas served as the geographic focus of this research. Semi-structured interviews and a web-based survey were conducted with members in selected voluntary associations that are currently involved in collaborative forest management at SHNF. The findings identified stakeholder attributes and interests, validated assumptions held regarding voluntary groups and assessed collaboration effectiveness, and helped to uncover alternative explanations for members’ differential participation in voluntary associations. The study offers a conceptual bridge linking several areas of study including inter-organizational collaboration, environmental communication, outdoor recreation studies, and volunteerism.