This thesis focuses on modern methods of language description. It introduces several controlled grammars, describing in detail the tree controlled grammar. The thesis is based on relatively new technique of syntax analysis using tree controlled grammars. The process of this analysis is described in detail, followed by a design of parallel-processing of this analysis. We managed to succesfully implement this design, speed up the syntax analysis and therefore achieve the main goal of the thesis.

Published Article / The aim of the study was to determine the influence of controlled breathing on school principals' stress relief. The research sample consisted of six primary school principals purposefully selected on the basis of years of school principal experience and the voluntary attendance of a stress alleviation workshop. Based on an interpretive paradigm employing a mixed-methods research approach, a structured questionnaire was used to compare participants' levels of stress before and after attendance of a stress alleviation workshop that focused on controlled breathing. By means of in-depth individual interviews the manifestation of the influence of controlled breathing on participants' stress relief was investigated. Data from the structured questionnaires were analysed as frequencies and mean scores. Through qualitative content analysis data from the individual interviews were analysed as emerging categories and themes. It was found that the regular practising of controlled breathing resulted in participants' stress relief with main improvements related to revitalised energy levels, restored clarity of thinking and improved interpersonal relationships. The findings contribute to research on constructive ways of stress relief within the school environment.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 20-23, 2003 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / M/A-COM has developed a chip set designed specifically for miniaturized ballistic telemetry applications. One key component of this chip set is a dual port voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). This device allows for independent optimization of both modulation and tuning parameters at the chip level. In the dual port architecture, the modulation port of the VCO may be tailored for the peak (frequency) deviation requirements of each system, while still permitting the device to tune over entire SLOWER band. Additionally, M/A-COM has developed S band power amplifiers (PAs) for medium power (500mW, 1W and 2W) telemetry applications. These new PAs are very efficient, (>45% PAE) when operated in saturation. This improved efficiency means these components may be integrated into transmitters with a miniaturized form factor. The excellent thermal performance of these new PAs allows them to be packaged in commercial plastic packages which are robust in high shock/high vibration applications. This paper reviews the design of each MMIC device and presents system performance data.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)--Durban University of Technology, 2009 / Objective: The efficacy of manipulation as compared to placebo in the treatment of two groups of weight trainers with Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Dysfunction. Methods: Twenty patients (n=20), using randomised sampling were allocated to two intervention groups. Patients in each group received four treatments each over a two-week period and assessed at initial, one week, two weeks and one month follow ups. Objective measures included Algometer and Inclinometer readings. Numerical Pain Rating Scales (NRS), Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) measured subjective outcomes. Results: Manipulation demonstrated significant improvement in objective findings. Subjective outcomes did not show significant difference between the manipulation and placebo groups. Conclusion: Manipulation, when compared to placebo, can be considered as an effective treatment intervention for the treatment of AC joint dysfunction with particular reference to objective outcomes. Although, caution needs to be utilised in accepting this outcome due to limitations in sample size, subjective measure sensitivity and specificity as well as the stringency of the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

In this thesis, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is used to characterize Micro Fibrillated Cellulose (MFC) produced by two different methods according to their size and shape. For one of these MFC-types, their interaction with the humidity in the atmosphere is investigated and their swelling is calculated. MFC is a relatively new material based on cellulose fibres extracted from wood. This study is performed in co-operation with Stora Enso research centre. Stora Enso is a renewable material company which uses mostly wood based raw materials in their production. The measured swelling is ~ 5 % and depends on the number of elementary fibrils included in the fibre. / Atomkraftsmikroskopi (AFM) har använts för att karakterisera Mikro Fibrillerad Cellulosa (MFC), som är producerad med två olika produktionsmetoder, med avseende på deras storlek och form. För en av dessa MFC-typer så är deras påverkan av en varierande fuktig atmosfär undersökt och deras svällning är uträknad. MFC är ett relativt nytt material baserat på cellulosafibrer från trä. Detta examensarbete är utfört i samarbete med Stora Enso forskningscentrum. Stora Enso är ett företag fokuserat på förnyelsebara material som använder mestadels träbaserade råmaterial i deras prodiktion. Den uppmätta svällningen är ~ 5 % och beror av antalet elementära fibriller som ingår i fibern.

Systematic reviews have consistently found that moderate intensity physical activity levels at or above a threshold value of 150 minutes per week reliably deliver cardiovascular, metabolic and musculo-skeletal health benefits. As a result, this threshold value has been widely adopted as an aspirational, public health goal throughout the world. However, while epidemiological and laboratory studies have established clear links between physical activity and sleep outcomes, the evidence base does not yet provide guidelines on minimum levels of exercise likely to reduce insomnia symptoms and improve sleep quality. Such a guideline, if evidence based, could greatly clarify advice, and accelerate the use of physical activity goals to improve sleep outcomes in behavioural sleep medicine and public health. This thesis examined the current public-health recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week in relation to sleep outcomes. To commence, it established a population-level pattern of the relationship between levels of physical activity and sleep quality by reviewing relevant epidemiological evidence. Exploratory analyses were then conducted using data from an ongoing longitudinal study of physical activity and health outcomes among older people (aged 65 years and above) in which respondents were classified as walking at or above, or below the recommended threshold of 150 minutes per week. In regression models controlling for health and demographic factors, these analyses showed that higher levels of walking were significantly and independently associated with a lower likelihood of either reporting insomnia symptoms (OR = 0.67 (95% CI = 0.45 0.91) p=0.04), or experiencing poor sleep efficiency (OR = 0.70 (95% CI = 0.52 0.94 p=0.02). Using the same data, the predictive validity of this activity threshold was then confirmed in a 27-year survival analysis which showed a significantly decreased all-cause mortality risk associated with the higher level of walking (HR = 0.75 (95% CI = 0.65 - 0.86) p<0.01). These findings offered proof of concept that physical activity-sleep relationships operated on a continuum, with sleep benefits possible even at relatively low levels of activity. Experimental evidence on the acute and sustained effects of physical activity on sleep quality was then analysed and discussed. Outcomes from this review, together with the preliminary analyses described above, were then used to inform the design of a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effects on sleep quality of increasing physical activity to currently recommended levels among sedentary people with insomnia. A total of 41 sedentary adults meeting DSM-IV criteria for insomnia (30 female; mean age 59.8??9.5) were randomised to a physical activity group (???150 minutes moderate intensity activity/week) or a waiting list control group. The principal outcome was Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) change 6 months post baseline; secondary outcomes were anxiety (using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory) and depression (Beck Depression Inventory II). Physical activity was assessed using Actigraph GTX3+ accelerometers. Outcomes were assessed in univariate general linear models, adjusted for baseline confounders. Activity and sleep assessments did not differ at baseline. At 6 months post baseline the intervention group engaged in 213 min/week of moderate intensity PA, compared to the control group (82 min/week). Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed significant improvement in the ISI score at 6 months F(1,28) = 5.16, p=0.03), adjusted means difference = 3.37, with an adjusted Cohen's d =.78 (95% CI 0.10 1.45). There was a significant improvement in trait anxiety, and depression outcomes post-intervention, F(6,28)=4.41, p=0.05, and F(6,28)=5.61, p=0.02, respectively. The results showed that increasing activity in line with current guidelines could deliver clinically significant improvements in sleep quality and mood outcomes among inactive adults with insomnia. While the effect sizes are modest, the pattern of results reported here allow for two conclusions with clear implications for public health: 1) measures to increase levels of physical activity above the currently recommended threshold of 150 minutes per week could usefully be added to other approaches to insomnia management; and 2) the likelihood of improved sleep quality should be routinely added to those evidence-based cardiovascular and metabolic benefits most frequently associated with increased physical activity in behaviour change initiatives.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / November 04-07, 1991 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / Recent advancements in high-speed Digital Signal Processing (DSP) concepts and devices permit digital hardware implementation of relatively high-frequency signal processing, which formerly required analog circuitry. Systems utilizing this technology can provide a high degree of software programmability; improved reproducibility, reliability, and maintainability; immunity to temperature induced drift errors; and compare favorably in cost to their analog counterparts. This paper describes the DSP implementation of a software programmable, digital frequency multiplexed FM system providing up to 4 output multiplexes, containing up to 36 subcarrier channels extending up to 4 MHZ, and accommodating modulating frequencies up to 64 kHz. System overall design goals and the implementation of these goals are presented.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 26-29, 1998 / Town & Country Resort Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California / This paper discusses the design, configuration, and operation of a satellite station built for the Center for Space Telemetering and Telecommunications Laboratory in the Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Engineering at New Mexico State University (NMSU). This satellite station consists of a computer-controlled antenna tracking system, 2m/70cm transceiver, satellite tracking software, and a demodulator. The satellite station receives satellite telemetry, allows for voice communications, and will be used in future classes. Currently this satellite station is receiving telemetry from an amateur radio satellite, UoSAT-OSCAR-11. Amateur radio satellites are referred to as Orbiting Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio (OSCAR) satellites.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 22-25, 2001 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / M/A-COM, Inc. has developed a highly integrated transmitter chip set for wireless telemetry applications under a U.S. Army Development Contract. The chip set is comprised of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), a silicon synthesizer/phase locked loop (PLL), and a family of power amplifiers (PA's). The chip-set is designed to operate over the military L and S Band frequencies as well as the lower commercial ISM band. Using these components, M/A-COM has produced IRIG compliant transmitter modules for ballistic telemetry applications. These modules have been successfully flight tested by the Army Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. This paper reviews the transmitter system architecture and presents test data for the transmitter module and individual components.

Harmonic domain models have been developed for Thyristor Controller Reactors (TCR) and other power electronic devices. Recently, these models have been extended to describe not just the steady-state harmonic interactions but harmonic transients as well. However, these dynamic models consistently do not incorporate models for controls. On the other hand, for the TCR as a FACTS Controller, dynamic models are available in which only the fundamental frequency component of the Controller is included; excluding harmonic interactions presumes that these do not affect the dynamics of the Controller. This thesis describes the development of a Harmonic State Space (HSS) model of a three phase TCR. As an extended state space description, this model describes the dynamics of the Controller while capturing harmonic interactions. It also includes the effect of switching instant variation which significantly improves the effectiveness of the model and allows the controller feedback characteristics to be included. The result of this model was validated with a purely time-domain simulation in PSCAD/EMTDC. Using the HSS to model a power system with TCR, it is illustrated that harmonic interactions play a significant role in the dynamics of the system. It is observed that for the specific system analysed, the least-damped pole-pair which dominates the dynamics of the system is associated with the 5th harmonic. Failure to include interactions with this specific harmonic produces an inaccurate dynamic description. Preliminary to the development of HSS model, a linearised harmonic domain model of a TCR which establishes the harmonic interactions across the device is also developed. Results of this model are validated with a time-domain simulation. This characterisation paves the way for a reduced harmonic state space model that is used in the HSS model. The principles and procedures established in this thesis can be applied to the development of models for other FACTS Controllers or HVDC links.