Resonators are one of the most important parts of electronic products. They provide a stable reference frequency to ensure the operation of these products. Recently, the electronic products have the trend of miniaturization, which rendered the size reduction of the resonators as well [1]. Better design of the resonators relies on a better understanding of the crystals' nonlinear behavior [2]. The nonlinearities affect the quality factor and acoustic behavior of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System) and nano-structured resonators and filters [3]. Among these nonlinear effects, Drivel Level Dependence (DLD), which describes the instability of the resonator frequency due to voltage level and/or power density, is an urgent problem for miniaturized resonators [2]. Langasite and GaPO4 are new promising piezoelectric material. Resonators made from these new materials have superior performance such as good frequency-temperature characteristics, and low acoustic loss [2]. In this thesis, experimental measurements of drive level dependence of langasite resonators with different configurations (plano-plano, single bevel, and double bevel) are reported. The drive level dependence of GaPO4 resonators are reported as well for the purpose of comparison. The results show that the resonator configuration affects the DLD of the langasite resonator. Experiments for DLD at elevated temperature are also performed, and it was found that the temperature also affects the DLD of the langasite resonator.

The current investigation examined the singular and interactive effects of anxiety sensitivity (AS) and perceived control over anxiety-related events in the prediction of panic symptoms using a biological challenge paradigm. Two hundred and twenty-nine participants (mage = 21.02, SD = 7.55, 124 females) were recruited from the greater Burlington, Vermont community. Results indicated that pre-challenge AS, but not perceived control over anxiety-related events, significantly predicted post-challenge panic attack symptoms, anxiety focused on bodily sensations, and interest in returning for another challenge (behavioral avoidance). There were no interactive effects between AS and perceived control over anxiety-related events. For the physiological measures, pre-challenge AS was predictive of change in skin conductance level (pre-post challenge), and pre-challenge perceived control over anxiety-related events was predictive of change in respiration rate (breathes per minute). No significant effects were evident for heart rate and there were no significant interactive effects between AS and perceived control over anxiety-related events for any of the physiological variables. Findings of the investigation are discussed in relation to the role of AS and perceived control over anxiety-related events in terms of vulnerability for panic psychopathology.

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the moderating role of the physical concerns domain of anxiety sensitivity (AS) in the relation between smoking rate and panic vulnerability variables, both concurrently and prospectively, among a community-based sample of 125 daily smokers (60 females; Mage = 26.02 years, SD = 10.98). As hypothesized, there was a significant interaction between AS Physical Concerns and smoking rate in relation to agoraphobic avoidance, such that at higher levels of AS Physical Concerns and higher smoking rates, there was a risk for increased agoraphobic avoidance (3.6% unique variance). Contrary to prediction, however, the interaction between AS Physical Concerns and smoking rate did not significantly predict the tendency to catastrophize about bodily sensations, body vigilance, or lifetime history of panic attacks. In regard to the prospective analyses, there was a significant interaction between AS Physical Concerns and smoking rate in relation to Time 2 anticipatory anxiety, such that at higher levels of AS Physical Concerns and higher rates of smoking, there was a significant risk for an increase in anticipatory anxiety over the three-month follow-up period (5% unique variance). Contrary to prediction, the interaction between AS Physical Concerns and smoking rate did not significantly predict the occurrence of panic attacks during the three month follow-up period. The current findings suggest that daily smokers smoking at higher rates with high AS Physical Concerns may be more prone to engage in avoidance (Time 1 findings) and show increases in worry about potentially threatening events in the future (Time 2 anticipatory anxiety findings). This interaction appears to be relatively specific to only some aspects of panic-relevant vulnerability factors. This pattern of findings may be used to conceptually guide the refinement of etiological models of panic vulnerability that involve smoking behavior.

The electric pulp test (EPT) has been shown to be a valuable tool in assessing pulp vitality. One of its drawbacks, however, is its high number of false positives. The purpose of this study was to determine if qualifying the type of sensation elicited by the test could lower the percentage of false positive responses. A retrospective chart review of an eleven-month period was conducted, examining all patients with necrotic teeth tested with the EPT. Of 189 teeth, when the patient responded to EPT at first sensation 23.3% of teeth were incorrectly identified as vital. When the patient was asked to respond only if they felt an uncomfortable sensation, the false positive rate was lowered to 8.5%, a statistically significant difference. No association was found between the teeth reclassified as necrotic and age, gender, type of tooth, or number of canals.

This dissertation examined the effect of year-long study abroad program on the development of intercultural sensitivity among the Mainland Chinese high school students. The sample consisted of 50 study abroad participants and 50 students on home campus. The instrument Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) was employed to assess the intercultural sensitivity level of Mainland Chinese students before and after study abroad experience. The paired samples t-test results reveal that study abroad students did not make statistically significant gains in the overall intercultural sensitivity through participation in the year-long study abroad program. Although there were statistically significant differences in the posttest ethnorelative scales between study abroad students and students on the home campus, the study abroad students did not make significantly greater progress in their overall intercultural sensitivity between the pretest and posttest than the comparison group. The regression results indicated that the independent variable of total amount of previous intercultural experience significantly contributed to the development of intercultural sensitivity.On average, study abroad students participants were in the stage of Minimization as measured by IDI prior to study abroad and remained at the same stage by the conclusion of the study abroad experience. The findings imply that the study abroad program needs to provide support to increase students’ skills and sensitivity so that they can deal effectively with cultural differences.

In this paper, an Export Decision Support Model applied to the Czech Republic is developed, with the aim of finding export opportunities. The model functions using a filtering process in which a stream of data composed of numerous socio-economic indicators representing the world trade is analysed. For their construction, an extensive literature review was developed relying strongly on a previous EDSM targeted as well for the Czech Republic, as at the moment no explicit rule exist describing its appropriate composition. Then, if a given market, determined by its associated matrix of indicators, fulfils the conditions of the model, then it is retrieved as an export opportunity. After the model construction, it is supplied with two streams of data, for 2010 and for 2014 and, the hypothesis that for both years the output is equal is evaluated. With the intention to infer if the constructed model needs periodical recalibrations for its appropriate use. Finally, a local sensitivity analysis is deployed uncovering the behaviour of the different parameters of the model, a novel approach not yet implemented in an EDSM tailor made for the Czech Republic. JEL Classification F10, F13, F23, M31 Keywords export opportunity, entrepreneurship, international marketing, sensitivity analysis, trade Author's e-mail...

5α-reductases (5αRs) catalyse reduction of 4-pregnene steroids, most notably the androgen testosterone to its more potent metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Well-characterised isozymes of 5αR are designated 5αR1 and 5αR2. Inhibitors of 5αR, finasteride (a 5αR2 inhibitor) and dutasteride (a dual 5αR1 and 5αR2 inhibitor), are utilised in conditions where a reduction in androgen action is desired, including benign prostatic hyperplasia. Although 5αR2 is predominantly expressed in reproductive tissues, both isozymes, but particularly 5αR1, are expressed in metabolic tissues including liver and adipose and both metabolise glucocorticoids as well as androgens; therefore inhibition of 5αR may have consequences for metabolic health. This thesis addresses the hypotheses that 5αR1 inhibition with dutasteride decreases insulin sensitivity and causes dysregulation of the HPA axis in humans. Metabolism and the HPA axis were studied in men prior to and following 3 months of dutasteride (0.5 mg daily; n=16), finasteride (5 mg daily; n=16) or control (tamsulosin MR; 0.4 mg daily; n=14). Glucose disposal during hyperinsulinaemia was the primary endpoint, measured during a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp, with d2-glucose and d5-glycerol tracers. Peripheral insulin sensitivity for both glucose uptake and NEFA suppression decreased with dutasteride versus both finasteride and control, while hepatic insulin sensitivity was preserved. Body fat increased with dutasteride, though was not accompanied by changes in metabolic or inflammatory gene transcript abundance in subcutaneous adipose biopsies, nor any differences in abdominal adipose depots on post-treatment MRI. Subtle dysregulation of the HPA axis was evident with both 5αR inhibitors, though to a greater degree with dutasteride and changes were largely compensated for. In support of this study, this thesis also describes the development, validation and application of two novel liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry assays; establishing compliance by measuring serum drug levels, and demonstrating effects of 5αR inhibitors on androgen metabolism and adrenal steroidogenesis by measurement of testosterone, DHT and androstenedione. In conclusion, 5αR1 inhibition with dutasteride, but not finasteride, induces peripheral insulin resistance and increases body fat. Findings presented may have important implications for patients prescribed dutasteride for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

This thesis presents a study of the electrical properties and gas sensitivity of thin films of four different organic materials. These are: (i) Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of tetrabutylammonium Ni(dmit)(_2) complex (Bu(_4)-Ni(dmit)(_2) complex) mixed with tricosanoic acid (TA); (ii) thin films of polypyrrole (PPy) mixed with palmitic acid (PA) obtained using the LB technique followed by two solid state reactions; (iii) cast films of polycyanopropylmethylsiloxane (PCMS); and (iv) LB films of a co-ordination polymer?5,5' methylenebis (N-hexadecylsalicydeneamine) (MBSH) (poly(CuMBSH)). LB films of (Bu(_4)-Ni(dmit)(_2) complex)/TA were characterised by electrical measurements?(AC in the frequency range 10(^2)-10(^6) Hz) at room temperature. For the other three types of films, characterisation of the structure and electrical behaviour (DC and AC in the frequency range 10(^2)-10(^6) Hz) on varying the temperature (in the range 90 - 298 K) and during the exposure to benzene, ethanol, acetonitrile and water (concentrations in the range 10(^2) -10(^5) ppm) was undertaken. During exposure to vapours, reversible changes in the electrical properties of the films were observed. The electrical behaviour and the changes during exposure to vapours were interpreted in terms of models in the literature, assuming a bulk dissolution of the vapours in the organic films. In all cases an 'anomalous' response to water was observed. For poly(CuMBSH), this effect was interpreted in terras of a Low Frequency Dispersion. The device characteristics for gas sensing applications are also discussed. Estimated minimum detectable concentrations were between 1-100 ppm for the three organic solvent vapours. Moreover, it is shown that the fi-equency behaviour for the admittance changes of the PCMS and poly(CuMBSH) devices could be exploited for the improvement of the sensitivity of a single device. The unique response of all the films to water vapour could be useful for its discrimination.

I analyze the effect of various risks faced by commercial banks on the executive compensation in banking industry. Commercial bank executives are risk averse due to the regulatory pressure in addition to board governance mechanism. Commercial banks face various risks because of the regulatory mechanism and unique asset structure of the firm. So, it is expected that they should associate their own pay and pay-performance sensitivities (PPS) with the risks their banks face. I find that bank executives associate their performance based pay with both idiosyncratic risk and systematic risk. But they associate their fixed pay only with systematic risk. The risk based PPS is also affected by the idiosyncratic risk but not by the systematic risk. Both asset return risk and insolvency risk have significant positive effect on PPS. Bank executives put significantly higher emphasis on the fixed compensation in terms of salary and bonus, and significantly lower emphasis on the performance based compensation. They also put minimum emphasis on the risk based PPS although they put significant emphasis on return based PPS. These indicate the risk-averse nature of the bank executives due to the regulatory pressure in addition to board governance mechanism.

To build novel electronic noses for mimicking biological olfactory systems that consist of olfactory receptor arrays with large surface area and massively-diversified chemical reactivity, three dimensional (3D) vertical aligned ZnO nanowire arrays were employed as active materials for gas detection. ZnO nanowire arrays share 3D structures similar to mammalian olfactory receptor arrays, with thousands of vertical nanowires providing a high reception area which can significantly enhance the sensors’ sensitivity. Meanwhile, with different material decorations (such as SnO2, In2O3, WO3 and polymers), each array of nanowires can produce a distinguishable response for each separate analyte, which would provide a promising way to improve the selectivity. Both patterned grown well-aligned and wafer size random-distributed 3D nanowire array sensing devices are investigated. Several different types of gas sensors have been investigated in this dissertation. Metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors based on 3D metal oxides/ZnO vertical nanowire arrays have detected NO2 and H2S down to ppb level, and five gases of NO2, H2S, H2, NH3, and CO have been discriminated. Active self-powered gas sensors based on 3D metal oxides/ZnO vertical nanowire arrays have been successfully fabricated and worked well for H2S and NO2 detection. With the decoration by mixture of PEDOT polymer with metal oxide nanoparticles, ZnO vertical nanowire array gas sensors have fast response and recovery time as well as good sensitivity to volatile organic gases of acetone, methanol and ethanol. A novel ionization sensor also has been built by ZnO vertical nannowire arrays, and this device could be able to ionize air under safety operation voltage.