Ministry research project (D. Min.)--Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-104).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010. / Prepared for: Center for Public Policy. Title from resource description page. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (B.A.)--Haverford College, Dept. of Philosophy, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

<p>The semicircular canals of the vestibular system detect angular head rotations and play a fundamental role in guiding motor reflexes during locomotor behaviors. While extensive research has documented the relationship between the semicircular canal shape (i.e. radius of curvature and canal length) and locomotor behaviors, levels of intraspecific variation in primates are relatively unknown. Predictive models using these metrics to reconstruct locomotion in extinct animals are generally based on one individual per species. Furthermore, the influence of body size and to a lesser degree brain size heavily influences overall canal morphology.</p><p>This study documents intraspecific variation in the size, shape and orientation of the semicircular canals in relation to changes in function, brain size, and body size via analysis of high resolution CT scans of large samples of extant primate species. I test the hypothesis that the extent of intraspecific variation differs across a sample of primates, reflecting the intensity of selective pressure on canal shape in species that require agility during locomotion. I also examine whether spatial constraints resulting from the size of the skull (reflected by the size of the brain) affect canal radii of curvature and canal orthogonality more strongly than observed agility during locomotion. </p><p>To this end, data was gathered from high-resolution CT images of museum specimens. For the comparative analysis, 14-matched pairs of adult extant primate species were selected that contrast in agility and brain size in closely related genera. CT images of these specimens were used to measure functional measures of canal sensitivity (e.g., canal radii of curvature, orthogonality). This data was used to test hypotheses concerning intraspecific and interspecific variation in semicircular canal functional morphology. This data was then combined with a larger mammalian dataset culled from the literature, to further test hypotheses relating to body-size and brain size dependent variation in individual canal metrics. </p><p>Evaluation of levels of intraspecific variation support the hypothesis put forth by Billet et al. (2012), that selection on canal morphology is relaxed in animals with slow locomotor behaviors, who are observed to have higher levels of intraspecific variation. Analyses of interspecific variation provides tentative support for the use of canal orthogonality in reconstructive models, most especially in canal angles that seem least effected by other constraints—brain size, etc. However, locomotor signals are complex and brain/skull interactions can potentially produce misleading results when reconstructing locomotor behaviors. This work highlights the importance of critically assessing comparative groups used for inferring behaviors in both extinct and extant animals.</p> / Dissertation

Atualmente o gerenciamento empresarial necessita de uma otimização nos recursos disponibilizados em busca de melhorias na produtividade e qualidade de produtos ou serviços, podendo tornar-se um diferencial para manter clientes. A simulação computacional pode contribuir com esta otimização, permitindo testar alterações para diferentes cenários propostos. Também pode auxiliar na compreensão das contribuições que estas alterações provocam nos processos existentes, para que se tenha um maior conhecimento de como os sistemas funcionam. Outra característica da simulação computacional é prever o comportamento futuro de sistemas, auxiliando no processo de tomada de decisão. O objetivo principal desta dissertação é a análise e avaliação da introdução da simulação computacional em uma empresa que fabrica câmaras pneumáticas de motocicletas, onde foi desenvolvido um estudo de caso. Para atingir este objetivo foram definidos os seguintes passos: identificação dos procedimentos recomendados pela literatura para estudos de simulação; execução destes procedimentos e análise do processo de implantação utilizado. Inicialmente o estudo de caso consistiu de reuniões com os gerentes para uma apresentação primária do estudo e definição do processo que poderia ser simulado. Então, foram executados os passos do método considerado e feita a análise do contato inicial da empresa com a ferramenta de simulação. Após, houve uma análise do aprendizado adquirido no processo de implantação. Finalmente, concluiu-se que o uso eficiente da técnica depende do envolvimento das pessoas conhecedoras e usuárias do processo simulado, também percebeu-se a necessidade de promover estudos futuros que aprofundem a investigação dos aspectos comportamentais envolvidos na introdução de uma nova ferramenta no ambiente fabril. / Currently, enterprise management requires an optimization of available resources aiming improvements in productivity and quality of products or services, becoming a differential for the customers. Computational simulation can contribute for such optimization, allowing testing changes for different scenarios proposed. Also it can help to understand their contributions in existing processes, to know better how systems operates. Another issue of computational simulation is predict the future behavior of systems, collaborating in the decision making process. The main goal of this dissertation is to analyze and evaluate the introduction of computational simulation in a company that produces rubber inner tubes. To reach this objective, the following steps were defined: identification of the literature recommended procedures in simulation studies; execution of these procedures; the analysis of the implantation process practiced. It was developed a case study in the rubber inner tubes company. The case study consisted initially in meetings with managers for an initial presentation of the study and definition of processes that could be simulated. Then, it was perform the steps of considered method and analysis of the first contact of the company with the simulation tool. Thus, there was learning about these deployment processes. Finally this dissertation concluded that the efficient use of the technique depends on the involvement of experts and users of the simulated process. This work raised need to promote further studies to deepen research on behavioral aspects involved in a introduction of a new tool in manufacturing environment.

Atualmente o gerenciamento empresarial necessita de uma otimização nos recursos disponibilizados em busca de melhorias na produtividade e qualidade de produtos ou serviços, podendo tornar-se um diferencial para manter clientes. A simulação computacional pode contribuir com esta otimização, permitindo testar alterações para diferentes cenários propostos. Também pode auxiliar na compreensão das contribuições que estas alterações provocam nos processos existentes, para que se tenha um maior conhecimento de como os sistemas funcionam. Outra característica da simulação computacional é prever o comportamento futuro de sistemas, auxiliando no processo de tomada de decisão. O objetivo principal desta dissertação é a análise e avaliação da introdução da simulação computacional em uma empresa que fabrica câmaras pneumáticas de motocicletas, onde foi desenvolvido um estudo de caso. Para atingir este objetivo foram definidos os seguintes passos: identificação dos procedimentos recomendados pela literatura para estudos de simulação; execução destes procedimentos e análise do processo de implantação utilizado. Inicialmente o estudo de caso consistiu de reuniões com os gerentes para uma apresentação primária do estudo e definição do processo que poderia ser simulado. Então, foram executados os passos do método considerado e feita a análise do contato inicial da empresa com a ferramenta de simulação. Após, houve uma análise do aprendizado adquirido no processo de implantação. Finalmente, concluiu-se que o uso eficiente da técnica depende do envolvimento das pessoas conhecedoras e usuárias do processo simulado, também percebeu-se a necessidade de promover estudos futuros que aprofundem a investigação dos aspectos comportamentais envolvidos na introdução de uma nova ferramenta no ambiente fabril. / Currently, enterprise management requires an optimization of available resources aiming improvements in productivity and quality of products or services, becoming a differential for the customers. Computational simulation can contribute for such optimization, allowing testing changes for different scenarios proposed. Also it can help to understand their contributions in existing processes, to know better how systems operates. Another issue of computational simulation is predict the future behavior of systems, collaborating in the decision making process. The main goal of this dissertation is to analyze and evaluate the introduction of computational simulation in a company that produces rubber inner tubes. To reach this objective, the following steps were defined: identification of the literature recommended procedures in simulation studies; execution of these procedures; the analysis of the implantation process practiced. It was developed a case study in the rubber inner tubes company. The case study consisted initially in meetings with managers for an initial presentation of the study and definition of processes that could be simulated. Then, it was perform the steps of considered method and analysis of the first contact of the company with the simulation tool. Thus, there was learning about these deployment processes. Finally this dissertation concluded that the efficient use of the technique depends on the involvement of experts and users of the simulated process. This work raised need to promote further studies to deepen research on behavioral aspects involved in a introduction of a new tool in manufacturing environment.

No description available.

The inner city has been the site of many efforts to respond to economic decline and social stresses. Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) represent a new form of governance that plays an important role in the revitalization of inner-city districts. This work considers how the Strathcona Business Improvement Association (BIA), a BID located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada can contribute to the sustainable social and economic development in the Downtown Eastside district. The Strathcona BIA is distinguished from most other North American BIDs as its territory includes a large number of industrial properties. Low-income residents and industry in Strathcona currently face the prospect of being displaced by the construction of market housing. A review of literature that considers the processes affecting the inner city is combined with a review of best practices of BIDs to inform recommendations for the Strathcona BIA. A vision for Strathcona that meets the Vancouver Agreement's key objective of 'revitalization without displacement' involves three main components: 1) a public realm that is truly open to everybody; 2) a hub for cultural performance and production where artists can make, display, and sell their work; and 3) a green, specialized industrial cluster that employs local residents and innovates in a competitive marketplace. There are a multitude of activities that the Strathcona BIA may undertake to assist in the sustainable revitalization of the neighbourhood. A good starting point for the BIA involves a partnership with the stakeholders in the community to participate a municipal urban planning process to institutionalize a vision of the community in an Official Development Plan (ODP). The ODP can then serve as an important tool that guides interventions and activities pursued by the multitude of stakeholders in the community, including the BIA. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

About 8.3% of individuals diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) are diagnosed with comorbid depression, a higher rate than the general adult population. This project examined the differences of depression symptoms experienced between diabetic and matched non-diabetic individuals and the relationship of daily activity and nutrition behaviors with depression between these groups. The 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was utilized to assess: depression symptoms, diabetic glycemic control as measured by glycoginated hemoglobin (HbA1c), amount of physical activity, percentage of macronutrients, daily frequencies of foods consumed, and the use of nutritional food labels to make food choices. A sample of diabetic (n = 451) and non-diabetic individuals (n = 451) were matched to on age, gender, ethnicity, and education. The diabetic individuals experienced greater depression on both continuous and ordinal diagnostic variables. Counter to expectation, there was no relationship observed between depression and HbA1c in diabetic individuals, r = .04, p > .05.

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a study of linear spaces with special emphasis of linear transformations, norms, and inner products.