Alternate, cost effective disposal methods must be developed for reducing phosphorous and nitrogen loading from land application of animal waste. Cofiring coal with animal waste, termed dairy biomass (DB), is the proposed thermo-chemical method to address this concern. DB is evaluated as a cofired fuel with Wyoming Powder River Basin (PRB) sub-bituminous coal in a small-scale 29 kW_(t) low NO_(x) burner (LNB) facility. Fuel properties, of PRB and DB revealed the following: a higher heating value of 29590 kJ/kg for dry ash free (DAF) coal and 21450 kJ/kg for DAF DB. A new method called Respiratory Quotient (RQ), defined as ratio of carbon dioxide moles to oxygen moles consumed in combustion, used widely in biology, was recently introduced to engineering literature to rank global warming potential (GWP) of fuels. A higher RQ means higher CO_(2) emission and higher GWP. PRB had an RQ of 0.90 and DB had an RQ of 0.92. For comparison purposes, methane has an RQ of 0.50. For unknown fuel composition, gas analyses can be adapted to estimate RQ values. The LNB was modified and cofiring experiments were performed at various equivalence ratios (phi) with pure coal and blends of PRB-DB. Standard emissions from solid fuel combustion were measured; then NO_(x) on a heat basis (g/GJ), fuel burnt fraction, and fuel nitrogen conversion percentage were estimated. The gas analyses yielded burnt fraction ranging from 89% to 100% and confirmed an RQ of 0.90 to 0.94, which is almost the same as the RQ based on fuel composition. At the 0.90 equivalence ratio, unstaged pure coal produced 653 ppm (377 g/GJ) of NOx. At the same equivalence ratio, a 90-10 PRB:LADB blended fuel produced 687 ppm (397 g/GJ) of NO_(x). By staging 20% of the total combustion air as tertiary air (which raised the equivalence ratio of the main burner to 1.12), NO_(x) was reduced to 545 ppm (304 g/GJ) for the 90-10 blended fuel. Analysis of variance showed that variances were statistically significant because of real differences between the independent variables (equivalence ratio, percent LADB in the fuel, and staging intensity).

No description available.

No description available.

Trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental, prospectivo, comparativo, do tipo antes e depois, realizado no Centro Educativo de Enfermagem para Adultos e Idosos. Objetivo geral: avaliar o impacto do Protocolo Staged Diabetes Management no controle metabólico dos pacientes diabéticos do Centro Educativo de Enfermagem para Adultos e Idosos da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo. Objetivos específicos: caracterizar a população do estudo, segundo variáveis sociodemográficas — sexo e idade — e clínicas — tipo de diabetes, tempo de diagnóstico e co-morbidade —; descrever a evolução do tratamento e dos sinais e sintomas dos pacientes estudados; descrever e comparar o índice de massa corporal (IMC), perfil glicêmico, lipídico e da pressão arterial dos pacientes diabéticos, antes e depois da implementação do Protocolo SDM; avaliar o conhecimento dos pacientes diabéticos acerca de sua doença, antes e depois da implementação do Protocolo SDM e descrever a satisfação dos pacientes, depois da implementação do Protocolo SDM. A população foi constituída por 54 pacientes diabéticos do tipo 1 e do tipo 2, que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, de agosto de 2003 a abril de 2005. Para a coleta de dados, foram utilizados formulários, questionários, fichas de registros e exames laboratoriais, em três pontos denominados P0 — inicio do estudo; P6 — seis meses após o início do estudo, e P12 — o final do estudo. Na análise dos dados, utilizou-se o programa estatístico SPSS-11.5. Para a apresentação dos dados, os pacientes foram subdivididos em dois grupos G1 e G2. No grupo G1, foram alocados os pacientes diabéticos que encontravam-se no P0 em bom controle metabólico para cada um dos parâmetros clínicos, e no G2 os que estavam fora dos valores considerados como bom controle metabólico. Os resultados mostraram que a população do estudo caracterizou-se por pacientes adultos e idosos, com idade entre 29 e 78 anos, com mediana de 60 anos; com predomínio do sexo feminino, 74,1%. Quanto ao tipo de diabetes, a maioria, 96,3% é do tipo 2; o tempo de diagnóstico cuja mediana foi de 6,0, as co-morbidades mais freqüentes foram hipertensão, obesidade, dislipidemia e problemas vasculares. Quanto ao IMC, observou-se uma redução que não foi significativa para os grupos G1IMC e G2IMC. No que se refere a Hemoglobina A1c, houve redução significativa no G2HbA1c (p≈0) de 1%, sendo que a redução foi de 8,8±1,2% para 7,8 ±1,1%. No G1, em relação ao perfil lipídico, houve aumento significativo do LDL (p≈0) de 88,3±19,9 mg/dl para 111,4±24,4 mg/dl, e redução significativa do HDL (p≈0), de 56,2±10,9 mg/dl para 44,4±9,2 mg/dl. Quanto ao colesterol total e os triglicerídeos, não houve diferença significativa. No grupo G2, houve redução significativa do colesterol total (p≈0) de 229,9±20,2 mg/dl para 207,9±48,3 mg/dl e aumento significativo do HDL (p≈0) de 34,5±2,3 mg/dl para 41,0 ±14,5 mg/dl. Não houve diferença significativa para os triglicerídeos. No que se refere à pressão arterial sistólica, no G1PAS, não houve diferença significativa. No G2PAS, houve redução significativa (p≈0) de 146,0±8,8 mmHg para 128,8±9,9 mmHg. Quanto à pressão arterial diastólica, no G1PAD, não houve diferença significativa. No G2PAD, houve redução significativa (p≈0) de 89,5±7,6 mmHg para 72,2±6,5 mmHg. Quanto ao conhecimento dos pacientes acerca dos cuidados para o controle metabólico, houve aumento significativo (p≈0), com destaque para os tópicos referentes a diabetes mellitus: conceito, fisiopatologia e tratamento; atividade física e alimentação. Conclui-se que a implementação de um atendimento ao paciente diabético por equipe multiprofissional, contribuiu para melhorar o seu controle metabólico e a satisfação dos pacientes. / It is an almost-experimental study, prospective, comparative, with a model of before and after, performed in the Nursing Educational Center for Adults and Elders. General Objective: evaluate the impact of using the Staged Diabetes Management Protocol in controlling the diabetics patients metabolism, in the Nursing Educational Center for Adults and Elders at the Nursing School of the University of Sao Paulo, in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. Specific Objectives: to characterize, the studied population, according to social-demographics variables – sex and age –, to clinical variables – diabetes type, time of diagnosis and co-morbidity –; to describe the evolution of treatment and of the signals and symptoms of the studied patients; to describe and to compare the IMC, the glicemic profile, the lipid profile and the arterial blood pressure, of the diabetic patients, before and after implementing the SDM Protocol; to evaluate de knowledge, that the diabetic patients have, before and after implementing the SDM Protocol and to describe the satisfaction of the patients, before and after implementing the SDM Protocol. The population was constituted by 54 diabetics patients types 1 and 2, which met the inclusion and exclusion criteria from August 2003 to April 2005. Data was collected with forms, questionnaires, register cards and lab exams, in three points denominated P0-beginning of the study; P6–six months after the beginning, and P12–at the end of the study. The data was analyzed with the statistical program SPSS-11.5. The patients were divided into two groups G1 and G2. In G1, were allocated diabetics patients that, at P0 had a good metabolic control for each of the clinic parameters; and in the group G2, the patients that did not present laboratory values in ranges considered as good metabolic control. The results showed that the studied population, was typified by adults and elderly patients, with ages between 29 and 78 years, median of 60 years; predominance of the female sex, 74,1%. Most of the studied population were diabetics type 2, 96,3%; the median of diagnostic time was of 6 years. The most frequent co-morbidities were hypertension, obesity, dislipedimia an vascular problems. The reduction in the body mass index was not a significant, between groups G1IMC e G2IMC. The A1c hemoglobin had a significant reduction in the group G2HbA1c (p≈0) of 1%, from 8,8±1,2 to 7,8 ±1,1. In the group G1, the lipid profile had a significant increase of LDL (p≈0), from 88,3±19,9 mg/dl to 111,4±24,4 mg/dl, and a significant reduction of HDL (p≈0), from 56,2±10,9 mg/dl to 44,4±9,2 mg/dl. The total cholesterol and the triglycerides levels did not show a significant change. In group G2, there was a significant reduction of total cholesterol (p≈0) from 229,9±20,2 mg/dl to 207,9±48,3 mg/dl and a significant increase of HDL (p≈0) from 34,5±2,3 mg/dl to 41,0±14,5 mg/dl. There was not found a significant difference for triglycerides. The systolic arterial pressure, in G1PAS, did not show a significant difference; but in G2PAS, occurred a significant reduction (p≈0) from 146,0±8,8 mmHg to 128,8±9,9 mmHg. The systolic arterial pressure, in G1PAD, did not present a significant difference; but in G2PAD, there was a significant reduction (p≈0) from 89,5±7,6 mmHg to 72,2±6,5 mmHg. The patient’s knowledge about the procedures for metabolic control, increased significantly (p≈0); with relevance for the topics referred to diabetes mellitus: concepts, physiopathology and treatments; physical activity and nutrition. In conclusion the implementation of the program for diabetics patients, involving a multi-professional team, contributed to improve the metabolic control and the satisfaction of the patients.

Trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental, prospectivo, comparativo, do tipo antes e depois, realizado no Centro Educativo de Enfermagem para Adultos e Idosos. Objetivo geral: avaliar o impacto do Protocolo Staged Diabetes Management no controle metabólico dos pacientes diabéticos do Centro Educativo de Enfermagem para Adultos e Idosos da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo. Objetivos específicos: caracterizar a população do estudo, segundo variáveis sociodemográficas — sexo e idade — e clínicas — tipo de diabetes, tempo de diagnóstico e co-morbidade —; descrever a evolução do tratamento e dos sinais e sintomas dos pacientes estudados; descrever e comparar o índice de massa corporal (IMC), perfil glicêmico, lipídico e da pressão arterial dos pacientes diabéticos, antes e depois da implementação do Protocolo SDM; avaliar o conhecimento dos pacientes diabéticos acerca de sua doença, antes e depois da implementação do Protocolo SDM e descrever a satisfação dos pacientes, depois da implementação do Protocolo SDM. A população foi constituída por 54 pacientes diabéticos do tipo 1 e do tipo 2, que atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, de agosto de 2003 a abril de 2005. Para a coleta de dados, foram utilizados formulários, questionários, fichas de registros e exames laboratoriais, em três pontos denominados P0 — inicio do estudo; P6 — seis meses após o início do estudo, e P12 — o final do estudo. Na análise dos dados, utilizou-se o programa estatístico SPSS-11.5. Para a apresentação dos dados, os pacientes foram subdivididos em dois grupos G1 e G2. No grupo G1, foram alocados os pacientes diabéticos que encontravam-se no P0 em bom controle metabólico para cada um dos parâmetros clínicos, e no G2 os que estavam fora dos valores considerados como bom controle metabólico. Os resultados mostraram que a população do estudo caracterizou-se por pacientes adultos e idosos, com idade entre 29 e 78 anos, com mediana de 60 anos; com predomínio do sexo feminino, 74,1%. Quanto ao tipo de diabetes, a maioria, 96,3% é do tipo 2; o tempo de diagnóstico cuja mediana foi de 6,0, as co-morbidades mais freqüentes foram hipertensão, obesidade, dislipidemia e problemas vasculares. Quanto ao IMC, observou-se uma redução que não foi significativa para os grupos G1IMC e G2IMC. No que se refere a Hemoglobina A1c, houve redução significativa no G2HbA1c (p≈0) de 1%, sendo que a redução foi de 8,8±1,2% para 7,8 ±1,1%. No G1, em relação ao perfil lipídico, houve aumento significativo do LDL (p≈0) de 88,3±19,9 mg/dl para 111,4±24,4 mg/dl, e redução significativa do HDL (p≈0), de 56,2±10,9 mg/dl para 44,4±9,2 mg/dl. Quanto ao colesterol total e os triglicerídeos, não houve diferença significativa. No grupo G2, houve redução significativa do colesterol total (p≈0) de 229,9±20,2 mg/dl para 207,9±48,3 mg/dl e aumento significativo do HDL (p≈0) de 34,5±2,3 mg/dl para 41,0 ±14,5 mg/dl. Não houve diferença significativa para os triglicerídeos. No que se refere à pressão arterial sistólica, no G1PAS, não houve diferença significativa. No G2PAS, houve redução significativa (p≈0) de 146,0±8,8 mmHg para 128,8±9,9 mmHg. Quanto à pressão arterial diastólica, no G1PAD, não houve diferença significativa. No G2PAD, houve redução significativa (p≈0) de 89,5±7,6 mmHg para 72,2±6,5 mmHg. Quanto ao conhecimento dos pacientes acerca dos cuidados para o controle metabólico, houve aumento significativo (p≈0), com destaque para os tópicos referentes a diabetes mellitus: conceito, fisiopatologia e tratamento; atividade física e alimentação. Conclui-se que a implementação de um atendimento ao paciente diabético por equipe multiprofissional, contribuiu para melhorar o seu controle metabólico e a satisfação dos pacientes. / It is an almost-experimental study, prospective, comparative, with a model of before and after, performed in the Nursing Educational Center for Adults and Elders. General Objective: evaluate the impact of using the Staged Diabetes Management Protocol in controlling the diabetics patients metabolism, in the Nursing Educational Center for Adults and Elders at the Nursing School of the University of Sao Paulo, in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. Specific Objectives: to characterize, the studied population, according to social-demographics variables – sex and age –, to clinical variables – diabetes type, time of diagnosis and co-morbidity –; to describe the evolution of treatment and of the signals and symptoms of the studied patients; to describe and to compare the IMC, the glicemic profile, the lipid profile and the arterial blood pressure, of the diabetic patients, before and after implementing the SDM Protocol; to evaluate de knowledge, that the diabetic patients have, before and after implementing the SDM Protocol and to describe the satisfaction of the patients, before and after implementing the SDM Protocol. The population was constituted by 54 diabetics patients types 1 and 2, which met the inclusion and exclusion criteria from August 2003 to April 2005. Data was collected with forms, questionnaires, register cards and lab exams, in three points denominated P0-beginning of the study; P6–six months after the beginning, and P12–at the end of the study. The data was analyzed with the statistical program SPSS-11.5. The patients were divided into two groups G1 and G2. In G1, were allocated diabetics patients that, at P0 had a good metabolic control for each of the clinic parameters; and in the group G2, the patients that did not present laboratory values in ranges considered as good metabolic control. The results showed that the studied population, was typified by adults and elderly patients, with ages between 29 and 78 years, median of 60 years; predominance of the female sex, 74,1%. Most of the studied population were diabetics type 2, 96,3%; the median of diagnostic time was of 6 years. The most frequent co-morbidities were hypertension, obesity, dislipedimia an vascular problems. The reduction in the body mass index was not a significant, between groups G1IMC e G2IMC. The A1c hemoglobin had a significant reduction in the group G2HbA1c (p≈0) of 1%, from 8,8±1,2 to 7,8 ±1,1. In the group G1, the lipid profile had a significant increase of LDL (p≈0), from 88,3±19,9 mg/dl to 111,4±24,4 mg/dl, and a significant reduction of HDL (p≈0), from 56,2±10,9 mg/dl to 44,4±9,2 mg/dl. The total cholesterol and the triglycerides levels did not show a significant change. In group G2, there was a significant reduction of total cholesterol (p≈0) from 229,9±20,2 mg/dl to 207,9±48,3 mg/dl and a significant increase of HDL (p≈0) from 34,5±2,3 mg/dl to 41,0±14,5 mg/dl. There was not found a significant difference for triglycerides. The systolic arterial pressure, in G1PAS, did not show a significant difference; but in G2PAS, occurred a significant reduction (p≈0) from 146,0±8,8 mmHg to 128,8±9,9 mmHg. The systolic arterial pressure, in G1PAD, did not present a significant difference; but in G2PAD, there was a significant reduction (p≈0) from 89,5±7,6 mmHg to 72,2±6,5 mmHg. The patient’s knowledge about the procedures for metabolic control, increased significantly (p≈0); with relevance for the topics referred to diabetes mellitus: concepts, physiopathology and treatments; physical activity and nutrition. In conclusion the implementation of the program for diabetics patients, involving a multi-professional team, contributed to improve the metabolic control and the satisfaction of the patients.

This is an outline of the journey of James Campese’s La Vita Nuova. It began as a raw script entitled Sunsets in Nantucket, which I originally encountered during the spring of 2006. After edits, research and meetings it became a successful work which was presented as a staged reading on March 1st, 2009. This thesis describes how I worked with James to transform the script into its final product, managing both the delicacy of the script and the writer. Included is research on New Play Dramaturgy that helped me find the most effective way to work with the script, then taking the final version and preparing it for a reading, inserting actors into the world James and I had created and exposing that world to an audience. The results were positive as we had a very receptive audience who enjoyed the play.

The full height truss frame (FHTF) is an exciting new residential framing system in response to the need for low floor-to-floor steel construction. The FHTF has the potential to provide low floor-to-floor heights, a column free first floor area, an integrated frame that uses the entire height to resist loads, and the capacity to resist both gravity and lateral loads. Because of its configuration, the full structural height can be used to resist loads. A FHTF is made up of stacked floor trusses that result in one full height truss spanning the entire width of the building. The FHTF is constructed in a conventional manner one floor at a time. The strength, inertia, and truss height will increase as each floor is added. Therefore, the construction sequence will affect the final stresses in the members. The purpose of this thesis was to analyze and design two prototype FHTFs, to compare the economy of the prototypes with similar staggered truss frames, and to develop an approximate method to calculate staged member stresses. Each prototype was analyzed using a computer program and designed according to the 2001 American Institute of Steel Construction Load and Resistance Factor Design. The prototypes were used to assess the strength and serviceability of the structures, and the results of the staged analysis were used to validate the numerical method developed to approximate a staged loading sequence based on the non-staged dead load results. The results of the analysis and design of the prototypes was the initial step in confirming the viability of the FHTF for use in the residential multistory market. FHTFs can be designed with preexisting procedure, and are capable of offering low floor-to-floor heights. The prototypes exhibited excellent lateral stiffness against wind loads. The numerical method for estimating the staged dead load accurately approximated the results of the analysis preformed by ETABS. The numerical method can be used to simulate a variety of sequences in order to optimize the stages. Lastly, the FHTF was shown to be competitive with the staggered truss systems in terms of material usage, fabrication, and construction.

To be married is an important thing in a life. It almost only happened once in alifetime. Therefore, it¡¦s very important for a woman to choose a proper bridal gown for her. Accordingly, it is also a critical issue how to design a bridal gown for thecustomers to meet their requirement.Through rich data collected, the thesis was analyzed from both view ofconsumption and supply aspects.¡CMeanwhile, case study method was used to wellunderstand the characteristics and current situation of bridal gown industry inAmerica. After compared analysis of crossed cases, the followings were concluded,I. Freely product design. Bridal gowns are belonging to life-staged products. The designers can seldom consider the durability of the products and designatethem freely. Hence, The competitive advantages are determined by abilities of the designer in the bridal industry. II. Prices into opposing extremes. The prices are divided into opposing extremes in the bridal industry. Except for materials and labor costs, the key point to pricing is design and this is one of characteristics in the bridal industry.Different business models make the prices into opposing extremes as well. III. Leadership of design.¡COf the American bridal business, the salesperson sells the bridal gowns to the retailers or end users directly. The Americans buy the bridal gowns and this is totally different from Taiwanese. In U.S, high divorce rate comes up with high re-married rate. This would make wedding ages diversified. And designs create fashions which make a brand¡¦s advantage ofunique. IV. Differentiation is one of competitive advantages. There are many ways tomake different from others, such as service quality, stylish design, and price. InU.S, people would like to pay more to have higher service quality and stylishproduct design.

The majority of the research conducted on consumer choice phenomena focuses on how choices are made and the processes that lead up to those choices. While these are essential aspects within the breadth of choice knowledge that exists today, little research has been conducted on the options that are rejected during this process. Thus, the overarching goal of this dissertation is gain an understanding of consumer choice processes and outcomes through the lens of a nearly chosen alternative. Specifically, this dissertation investigates how the decision process can cause a close second option to be rejected when the chosen option is found to be unavailable.As a means of achieving these goals, I first demonstrate the phenomenon that consumers do not always select a close second option when the first choice option is unavailable, contrary to the prediction of economic rationality. Next, I propose that the decision process itself, specifically the use of a tie-breaking attribute to differentiate between close options, triggers a choice outcome that does not include the original second choice option, but rather an alternative that possesses this tie-breaking attribute. Finally, I examine the implications that the preference reversal phenomenon described above has for retailers and manufacturers.My original interest in this phenomenon stems from anecdotal evidence provided by a variety of informants. Although this evidence helped me to recognize the prevalence of rejected second choice options, experimental design is used to investigate this phenomenon and the boundary conditions that confine this effect. Consequently, my dissertation consists of 6 experiments. Experiment 1 and a pilot study establish the effect and investigate the theoretical process that account for my findings. Experiments 2 through 4 rule out alternative explanations and add support towards the existence and prevalence of the effect. Finally, Experiments 5 and 6 explore the impact of these results for improving the performance of marketing managers. It is my belief that incorporating the dynamic effects of the second-most preferred option may ultimately lead to more accurate and sophisticated prediction of buyer choices, more effective retailing and personal selling strategies, and more profitable management of product line portfolios.

This project started with my naive and utopian hypothesis: 'Is there any one experience, equally memorable for everybody, that affects people‘s ordinary lives in a meaningful way afterward?‘ To explore this matter from multiple angles, I needed a research location that already had strongly staged experiences with a clear theme, diverse actors, and its own narratives. And I hit upon the right place: Disneyland Paris. To discuss 'the experience‘, I categorized peoples‘ different impressions of their experiences at Disneyland Paris. When I interviewed staff and visitors on their way out of Disneyland Paris, some people said that their experience had been awful, while others said it had been fantastic. What makes for such different responses to the same place? Two theorists declare, 'Experiences are inherently personal and no two people can have the same experience, because each experience derives from the interaction between the staged event (like a theatrical play) and the individual‘s state of mind‘ (Pine Ⅱand Gilmore, 1998). Since the individual‘s state of mind cannot be grasped and is a broad research term, in this thesis I am mostly concerned with the key experience-generating elements: age and social role. The ultimate purpose of this project is to investigate the pre-and post-experience at the entrance and exit of a given venue for a special experience with a clear theme, that bridge connecting visitors‘ and staff‘s everyday experiences to the staged experience. The practical outcome of this research-led project consists mainly of various trials of a procession that engages visitors at the borders of the venue. This research will consist of the following: 1) Analytical reflection upon visitors‘ and staff‘s one-day experience in a Disney theme park, based on narrative structure and perception of time, 2) Observations of different time perceptions in adults and children, 3) Definition of flow of experience (pre-experience / main experience / post-experience), and 4) Presentation of a new model of participatory stories in a given theme1 to smooth the flow of experience. 1Disneyland Paris was my chosen site for the theoretical background, and the practical methodologies are developed through Konstfack‘s 2011 spring exhibition. What this project intends to do, however, is not to upgrade the experiences in both, but rather to focus on the experiments in order to vary the existing definitions of the flow of experience. The final outcome is intended to be applied to the diverse venues that aim to offer their visitors special experiences with a clear theme. This has been an in-depth exploration of how experience design can be applied as a renewing force, or 'twist‘, to help people experience immersive moments and to gain unforgettable memories which, in turn, influence their future experiences. / <p>Research question: How can experience design be used to connect the daily experience of visitors and staff with memorable commercially staged experiences in an existing theme park (e.g. Disneyland Paris)?</p>