This thesis proposes an enhanced ampere-hour counting method based on the depth-of-discharge (DOD) to estimate the state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) for lead-acid batteries. Not only the losses at different discharging currents, but also the releasable capacity at the exhausted state caused by the larger discharging current are considered and compensated. Furthermore, the SOH is revaluated at the exhausted state by the maximum releasable capacity, consequently leading to more accurate SOC estimation. Through the experiments that emulate practical operations, the experimental results reveal that the maximum error is less than 6 %.

Underreporting in dietary assessment has been linked to dietary restraint (DR) and social desirability (SD). Thus, this study investigated accuracy of reporting energy intake (EI) of a laboratory meal during a 24-hour dietary recall (24HR) in 38 healthy, college-aged (20.3 +/- 1.7 years), normal-weight women (22.4 +/- 1.8 kg/m2), categorized as high or low in DR and SD. Participants consumed a meal (sandwich wrap, chips, fruit, and ice cream) and completed a telephone 24HR. Accuracy of reported intake = (((reported intake - measured intake)/measured intake) x 100) [positive numbers = overreporting]. Overreporting of EI was found in all groups (meal accuracy rate = 43.1 +/- 49.9%). An interaction of SD x individual foods (p < 0.05) occurred. SD-High as compared to SD-Low more accurately reported EI of chips (19.8 +/- 56.2% vs. 117.1 +/- 141.3%, p < 0.05) and ice cream (17.2 +/- 78.2% vs. 71.6 +/- 82.7%, p < 0.05). An effect of SD occurred, where SD-High as compared to SD-Low more accurately reported meal EI (29.8 +/- 48.2% vs. 58.0 +/- 48.8%, p < 0.05). For measured meal EI, an effect of DR occurred where DR-High consumed less than DR-Low (437 +/- 169 kcals vs. 559 +/- 207 kcals, p < 0.05). An interaction of DR x food type (p < 0.05) occurred where DR-High as compared to DR-Low consumed less sandwich wrap (156 +/- 63 kcals vs. 210 +/- 76 kcals, p < 0.05) and ice cream (126 +/-73 kcals vs. 190 +/- 106 kcals, p < 0.05). For reported meal EI, an effect of DR occurred where DR-High reported consuming less than DR-Low (561 +/- 200 kcals vs. 818 +/- 362 kcals, p < 0.05). An interaction of DR x individual foods (p < 0.05) occurred where DR-High reported consuming less ice cream than DR-Low (145 +/- 91 kcals vs. 302 +/- 235 kcals, p < 0.05). Overreporting EI from a laboratory meal was prevalent. However, those high in SD were more accurate in reporting intake, particularly of high-fat foods. Future research is needed to investigate factors that contribute to overreporting.

Cooperative learning has emerged to be a preferred teaching-learning model in South Africa since the inception of Curriculum 2005 (C2005) emphasising Outcomes-based education (OBE). However, the documented success rate of cooperative learning in mathematics was experienced in small group sizes (emanating h m small class size) of about five learners. This study, therefore, aims at affording mathematics teachers and learners of crowded classes an opportunity to effectively use cooperative learning, namely the Hour-glass model in mathematics lessons. The prevalence of crowded classes in the majority of South African schools seems to inhibit the effectiveness of cooperative learning in mathematics. The big cooperative group size of about eight learners in South African context results in very complex lines of communication between learners. The teacher spends more time trying to manage off-task behaviour of learners instead of engaging them in active participation in the learning of mathematics. The combined quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. For the former, the study orientation in mathematics (SOM) questionnaire and the mathematics academic achievement test were used to collect data with regard to the influence of the Hour-glass model on the learners' learning skills in mathematics, and on the mathematics academic achievement respectively. A specific true experimental design, namely, the Solomon Four-group design, was used because of a large sample size (n > 500), and its credited ability to control the sources of threats to internal validity. For the latter the lesson observation and interviews were conducted to collect information about the influence of the Hour-glass model on learners' social skills during cooperative learning in mathematics. The groups that received the treatment (i.e. Hour-glass model) achieved higher scores of practical significance in mathematics academic achievement test than the groups that did not receive the treatment The Hour-glass model also yielded positive social skills among learners during mathematics learning. The teachers who applied the Hour-glass model revealed that they coped easier with crowded mathematics classes when using cooperative small groups. However, the Hour-glass model did not significantly influence learners' learning skills in mathematics. Certain logistical and administrative limitations emerged with regard to the implementation of the Hour-glass model in the usual school setting. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Cooperative learning has emerged to be a preferred teaching-learning model in South Africa since the inception of Curriculum 2005 (C2005) emphasising Outcomes-based education (OBE). However, the documented success rate of cooperative learning in mathematics was experienced in small group sizes (emanating h m small class size) of about five learners. This study, therefore, aims at affording mathematics teachers and learners of crowded classes an opportunity to effectively use cooperative learning, namely the Hour-glass model in mathematics lessons. The prevalence of crowded classes in the majority of South African schools seems to inhibit the effectiveness of cooperative learning in mathematics. The big cooperative group size of about eight learners in South African context results in very complex lines of communication between learners. The teacher spends more time trying to manage off-task behaviour of learners instead of engaging them in active participation in the learning of mathematics. The combined quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. For the former, the study orientation in mathematics (SOM) questionnaire and the mathematics academic achievement test were used to collect data with regard to the influence of the Hour-glass model on the learners' learning skills in mathematics, and on the mathematics academic achievement respectively. A specific true experimental design, namely, the Solomon Four-group design, was used because of a large sample size (n > 500), and its credited ability to control the sources of threats to internal validity. For the latter the lesson observation and interviews were conducted to collect information about the influence of the Hour-glass model on learners' social skills during cooperative learning in mathematics. The groups that received the treatment (i.e. Hour-glass model) achieved higher scores of practical significance in mathematics academic achievement test than the groups that did not receive the treatment The Hour-glass model also yielded positive social skills among learners during mathematics learning. The teachers who applied the Hour-glass model revealed that they coped easier with crowded mathematics classes when using cooperative small groups. However, the Hour-glass model did not significantly influence learners' learning skills in mathematics. Certain logistical and administrative limitations emerged with regard to the implementation of the Hour-glass model in the usual school setting. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

This dissertation examines four disadvantaged groups in the labour market from a variety of perspectives. Specifically, I looked into older workers, younger workers, nonstandard workers and female workers. In the first chapter, I examine the effects of Ontario eliminating mandatory retirement in 2006 on the labour force participation of older workers and the unemployment of younger workers. My second chapter examines the relationship between nonstandard employment and the subsequent workplace profitability. In my final chapter, I examine the interaction effect of employment status and gender on the issue of work hour mismatches. The first chapter examines the impact of recent labour policy change at a national/provincial level. I find positive and significant effects for the labour force participation rate of older workers in Ontario in the five years following the legislation change of banning mandatory retirement in Onatrio. Similar results are found for both men and women; however, the magnitude of this effect is somewhat smaller for men. In addition, the empirical analysis also reveals a short-run rise in the unemployment rate of younger workers. The second chapter examines the financial implication of nonstandard employment at an organizational level. The results suggest that nonstandard employment is positively associated with subsequent workplace profitability, after controlling for factors that might also affect profitability. Moreover, this significant positive relationship between nonstandard employment and subsequent profitability is primarily driven by capital intensive manufacturing, the real estate/rental/leasing, the retail/trade/consumer service, and the education and health services industries as well as smaller workplaces. Larger workplaces and the rest of the private sector do not display significant results. The final chapter looks into how employment status and gender systematically impact work hour preferences at an individual level. The findings indicate that there is a significant interaction effect between nonstandard employment and gender. Female nonstandard workers prefer to work more hours. Male workers, both nonstandard and standard, are more likely to prefer to work fewer or the same hours. These results conform to labour market trend of increasing labour force participation rates of females and a declining trend among males.

This dissertation examines four disadvantaged groups in the labour market from a variety of perspectives. Specifically, I looked into older workers, younger workers, nonstandard workers and female workers. In the first chapter, I examine the effects of Ontario eliminating mandatory retirement in 2006 on the labour force participation of older workers and the unemployment of younger workers. My second chapter examines the relationship between nonstandard employment and the subsequent workplace profitability. In my final chapter, I examine the interaction effect of employment status and gender on the issue of work hour mismatches. The first chapter examines the impact of recent labour policy change at a national/provincial level. I find positive and significant effects for the labour force participation rate of older workers in Ontario in the five years following the legislation change of banning mandatory retirement in Onatrio. Similar results are found for both men and women; however, the magnitude of this effect is somewhat smaller for men. In addition, the empirical analysis also reveals a short-run rise in the unemployment rate of younger workers. The second chapter examines the financial implication of nonstandard employment at an organizational level. The results suggest that nonstandard employment is positively associated with subsequent workplace profitability, after controlling for factors that might also affect profitability. Moreover, this significant positive relationship between nonstandard employment and subsequent profitability is primarily driven by capital intensive manufacturing, the real estate/rental/leasing, the retail/trade/consumer service, and the education and health services industries as well as smaller workplaces. Larger workplaces and the rest of the private sector do not display significant results. The final chapter looks into how employment status and gender systematically impact work hour preferences at an individual level. The findings indicate that there is a significant interaction effect between nonstandard employment and gender. Female nonstandard workers prefer to work more hours. Male workers, both nonstandard and standard, are more likely to prefer to work fewer or the same hours. These results conform to labour market trend of increasing labour force participation rates of females and a declining trend among males.

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil funcional do esôfago e a prevalência de refluxo gastroesofágico (RGE) em pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar. Métodos: Foram analisados prospectivamente entre Junho de 2005 a Novembro de 2006, 55 pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre. Os pacientes foram submetidos a esofagomanometria estacionária e pHmetria esofágica ambulatorial de 24 horas de um e dois eletrodos antes de serem submetidos ao transplante pulmonar. Resultados: A esofagomanometria foi anormal em 80% dos pacientes e a pHmetria revelou RGE ácido patológico em 24%. Os sintomas digestivos apresentaram sensibilidade de 50% e especificidade de 61% para RGE. Noventa e quatro por cento dos pacientes com DPOC apresentaram alteração à manometria, sendo a hipotonia do esfíncter inferior o achado mais frequente (80%). Pacientes com bronquiectasias apresentaram a maior prevalência de RGE (50%). Conclusões: RGE é achado freqüente em pacientes com doença pulmonar avançada. Na população examinada, a presença de sintomas digestivos de RGE não foi preditiva de refluxo ácido patológico. A contribuição do RGE na rejeição crônica deve ser considerada e requer estudos posteriores para seu esclarecimento. / Objective: To assess the prevalecence of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) and esophageal motor profile in lung transplant candidates. Methods: Between July 2005 and November 2006, a prospective study was conducted in 55 candidates for lung transplantation. Patients underwent esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH testing before undergoing transplantation as an attempt to obtain the prevalence of reflux in this subset. Results: Abnormal esophageal manometry was documented in 80% of the patients and abnormal GER was documented in 24% of the patients. Reflux-related symptoms presented sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 61% for GER, respectively. Ninety-four per cent of the patients with COPD presented an abnormal esophageal manometry, and hipotensive lower esphincter was the most common finding (80%). Bronchiectasis patients presented the highest prevalence of GER (50%). Conclusions: GER is highly prevalent in end-stage lung disease. Reflux-related symptoms was not preditive of gastroesophageal reflux. The contribuition of GER to chronic rejection and allograft dysfunction must be considered and needs to be addressed in future studies.

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil funcional do esôfago e a prevalência de refluxo gastroesofágico (RGE) em pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar. Métodos: Foram analisados prospectivamente entre Junho de 2005 a Novembro de 2006, 55 pacientes candidatos a transplante pulmonar da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre. Os pacientes foram submetidos a esofagomanometria estacionária e pHmetria esofágica ambulatorial de 24 horas de um e dois eletrodos antes de serem submetidos ao transplante pulmonar. Resultados: A esofagomanometria foi anormal em 80% dos pacientes e a pHmetria revelou RGE ácido patológico em 24%. Os sintomas digestivos apresentaram sensibilidade de 50% e especificidade de 61% para RGE. Noventa e quatro por cento dos pacientes com DPOC apresentaram alteração à manometria, sendo a hipotonia do esfíncter inferior o achado mais frequente (80%). Pacientes com bronquiectasias apresentaram a maior prevalência de RGE (50%). Conclusões: RGE é achado freqüente em pacientes com doença pulmonar avançada. Na população examinada, a presença de sintomas digestivos de RGE não foi preditiva de refluxo ácido patológico. A contribuição do RGE na rejeição crônica deve ser considerada e requer estudos posteriores para seu esclarecimento. / Objective: To assess the prevalecence of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) and esophageal motor profile in lung transplant candidates. Methods: Between July 2005 and November 2006, a prospective study was conducted in 55 candidates for lung transplantation. Patients underwent esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH testing before undergoing transplantation as an attempt to obtain the prevalence of reflux in this subset. Results: Abnormal esophageal manometry was documented in 80% of the patients and abnormal GER was documented in 24% of the patients. Reflux-related symptoms presented sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 61% for GER, respectively. Ninety-four per cent of the patients with COPD presented an abnormal esophageal manometry, and hipotensive lower esphincter was the most common finding (80%). Bronchiectasis patients presented the highest prevalence of GER (50%). Conclusions: GER is highly prevalent in end-stage lung disease. Reflux-related symptoms was not preditive of gastroesophageal reflux. The contribuition of GER to chronic rejection and allograft dysfunction must be considered and needs to be addressed in future studies.

abstract: In 2007, Arizona voters passed House Bill (HB) 2064, a law that fundamentally restructured the Structured English Immersion (SEI) program, putting into place a 4-hour English language development (ELD) block for educating English language learners (ELLs). Under this new language policy, ELL students are segregated from their English-speaking peers to receive a minimum of four hours of instruction in discrete language skills with no contextual or native language support. Furthermore, ELD is separate from content-area instruction, meaning that language and mathematics are taught as two separate entities. While educators and researchers have begun to examine the organizational structure of the 4-hour block curriculum and implications for student learning, there is much to be understood about the extent to which this policy impacts ELLs opportunities to learn mathematics. Using ethnographic methods, this dissertation documents the beliefs and practices of four Arizona teachers in an effort to understand the relationship between language policy and teacher beliefs and practice and how together they coalesce to form learning environments for their ELL students, particularly in mathematics. The findings suggest that the 4-hour block created disparities in opportunities to learn mathematics for students in one Arizona district, depending on teachers' beliefs and the manner in which the policy was enacted, which was, in part, influenced by the State, district, and school. The contrast in cases exemplified the ways in which policy, which was enacted differently in the various classes, restricted teachers' practices, and in some cases resulted in inequitable opportunities to learn mathematics for ELLs. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction 2013

Orientador: Jose Antonio Siqueira Dias / Acompanha 1 CD-R / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T09:20:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lopes_PauloHenriquedeOliveira_M.pdf: 1347912 bytes, checksum: 86c17d3e935cd0c95c11539e4590d844 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: O aumento da poluição nos grandes centros urbanos tem levado a uma busca incessante de soluções tecnológicas para a substituição dos veículos com motor a combustão por outra fonte de energia, sendo que os veículos elétricos têm se apresentado como uma das alternativas mais promissoras para um futuro próximo. Entretanto, um dos problemas a resolver na utilização de veículos puramente elétricos é o abastecimento (recarga das baterias) nas ruas. Neste trabalho é apresentado o projeto, desenvolvimento e implementação de um protótipo de um ponto de fornecimento de energia elétrica pré-paga usando cartões indutivos. O protótipo desenvolvido operou dentro das especificações e normas aplicáveis ao setor de medida de energia elétrica. Outras aplicações para este equipamento estão sendo estudadas, como por exemplo na venda de energia elétrica para residências de baixa renda. / Abstract: The increasing in pollution caused by combustion engines in large cities has motivated the search for new technologies to replace these engines, and the electrical vehicle is a promissing alternative in the near future. However, one of the problems that remains to be solved is charging these vehicles in the streets. This works presents the design, development and implementation of a pre-paid point of sale of electrical energy equipment which uses inductive cards. The developed prototype meets the specifications and rules of the Brazilian electrical sector for the energy meters. Other applications for this pre-paid energy meter are being considered, as, for example, in selling pre-paid energy to low. / Mestrado / Eletrônica, Microeletrônica e Optoeletrônica / Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica