The purpose of this study was to determine if a didactic approach to assertion training (AT) that focused on cognitive skills was as effective as a behavioral approach to assertion training in a study population of overweight women who resided in an American military community in Germany. The study sought to determine if the two approaches differed statistically significantly in effecting decrease in degree of discomfort and increase in response probability of making an assertive response when in a stressful interpersonal situation.A review of assertive literature reflected a preponderance of studies that utilized college students, psychiatric in-patients or hospitalized patients as subject populations. Thus, a non-college and non-psychiatric in-patient population of overweight women, depicted in the literature as non-assertive and unhappy, was selected as the study's population.The 23 subjects were volunteers from self-help weight loss groups who professed difficulty in their dieting efforts. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the didactic approach group or the behavioral approach group.The didactic approach to AT focused on the cognitive aspects of AT with little interaction or overt involvement on the part of the subject. The behavioral approach to AT utilized the behavior therapy techniques of rehearsal, role play, practice, modeling, and combinations thereof with active participation on the part of the subject.The design of the study was a two factor mixed design with repeated measures on one factor (pre- and post-test scores). The dependent variables in the study were the scores on the measures of degree of discomfort and response probability on the Gambrill and Richey Assertion Inventory (GRAI), a self-report measure of assertive behavior.Difference of means t tests disclosed no statistically significant differences for pre-test scores on the GRAI or demographic data measures between the two groups. A repeated measures analysis of variance was computed for both degree of discomfort and response probability measures; there were no statistically significant differences between the groups at the .05 level of acceptance. However, statistical significance was found at the .01 level for trials on both measures.The conclusion reached was that since the two approaches did not differ statistically significantly in outcome measures there was no real difference between the two approaches to AT. The findings of statistical significance on trials reflects that both approaches increased assertiveness at a greater than chance level of confidence. The success of the didactic approach offered support for concluding that one can learn or change psychologically while only sitting, looking, and listening.Implications of the study include: (1) the behavioral approach to AT need not be the only presentation method to effect assertive change in the subject and (2) a didactic approach to AT or other aspects of human behavior may be of importance in that the method allows for larger groups of subjects and therefore, a more efficient use of therapeutic time and resources. In addition, (3) do we often place too much emphasis on the need for the individual to be involved or "active" in our processes to reflect or demonstrate internal change?Recommendations for possible replication of this study included:Include a third treatment group that utilizes a cognitive-behavioral approach to further investigate the cognitive aspects of the treatment. 2. If a similar population is used, obtain three and six month post treatment data relative to assertiveness and weight loss to test treatment effectiveness over extended periods of time. 3. Include an IN VIVO assertive experience to investigate if the didactic approach effectively transfers to real life situations.

This thesis report describes the development of concepts regarding how weight can be reduced to the analytical instrument Biacore 4000. This thesis has resulted in five different concept proposals, all of which is solutions to reduce the instrument's weight. The thesis started with a pre-study where the instrument's structure and function were studied using both Solid Works, the opportunity to study the instrument in real life were also possible done. During this phase, a weight study was conducted as well, in which the instrument's weight distribution was studied and mapped. Following the initial phase, the work proceeded by developing concrete concepts to reduce the weight of the instrument where focus mainly was on the two cabinets. In addition, another two concepts were revealed, both with a more general approach. At the final phase of the thesis, the concepts were compiled and evaluated among themselves and the initial instrument. The thesis resulted in a study of the instrument's structure and weight distribution, with suggestions on how weight may be reduced for the instrument. The result factors such as materials, and manufacturing were aspects that were taken into consideration. At the final section of the report, suggestions for further work in which different aspects are discussed can be found. / Denna examensrapport beskriver arbetet kring att ta fram konceptförslag för hur vikten kan minskas för analysinstrumentet Biacore 4000. Arbetet har resulterat i fem olika konceptförslag som alla bidrar med att minska instrumentets vikt på ett eller annat sätt. Arbetet började med en förstudie där instrumentets uppbyggnad och funktion studerades, detta skedde både i CAD-programmet Solid Works och genom att studera instrumentet i verkligheten. Efter det inledande momentet genomfördes en viktstudie där instrumentets viktfördelning utreddes och kartlades för att se vad det är i instrumentet som väger. Efter den inledande fasen påbörjades arbetet med att ta fram konkreta koncept till att minska vikten för instrumentet. Fokus ligger främst på instrumentets två kabinett då det framkommit ur den inledande fasen att detta är mest lämpligt. Utöver detta har det även framkommit två koncept med en mer generell infallsvinkel. Vid den avslutande fasen av examenarbetet har koncepten sammanställts och utvärderats sinns emellan där resultat för- och nackdelar presenteras. Examensarbetet har resulterat i en studie kring instrumentets uppbyggnad och viktfördelning med tillhörande förslag på hur vikten kan tänkas minska för instrumentet. Resultatet involverar faktorer så som material, kostnader och tillverkning och dessa har varit aspekter som det tagits hänsyn till genom arbetets gång. I den avslutande delen av examensrapporten finns det förslag på fortsatt arbete där samt en diskussion som berör olika aspekter kring det utförda arbetet. Nyckelord: Viktstudie, konceptförslag, 3D-CAD, hållfasthetssimuleringar

This thesis research was conducted to test the hypothesis that the survival and growth of both neonatal and postweaning piglets can be improved by nutritional modulations. Two experiments were carried out to 1) evaluate effects of birth weight on mortality, growth performance, and efficiency of sow-reared piglets; and 2) determine the effects of a phytochemical (Yucca schidigera) on growth performance of postweaning pigs. In the first experiment, piglets (n=160) from 18 multiparous sows (Landrace X Large White) were used. Body weight of all piglets were recorded immediately after birth, d 7, d 14, d 21 and d 35 of their age. Individual milk consumption of piglets was estimated using the weigh-suckle-weigh method. Average daily gain and mortality were recorded. To analyze the effects of birth weight on future BW and growth, piglets were classified based on their birth weight into four categories of A: 0.7-1.09 kg, B: 1.10-1.49 kg, C: 1.50-1.89 kg and D: >1.90. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results indicated that low birth weight of pigs not only increased (P < 0.05) their incidence of mortality but also negatively impacted (P < 0.05) their whole-body growth. Interestingly, surviving low-birth-weight piglets had a higher (P < 0.05) rate of efficiency to utilize milk nutrients for growth than larger littermates. In the second experiment, two 21-day trials using 21-d-old postweaning piglets (n=111) were performed (d 21 to 42 of age). In the first trial, pigs were assigned to one of the three groups fed diets supplemented with 0 (control), 120 ppm or 180 ppm of Yucca powder (BIOPOWDER). The second trial was conducted as the first trial except that the basal diet contained 0.2 percent L-citrulline (an effective precursor of arginine). Body weight, average daily gain and feed intake of all pigs were measured weekly in both trials. At the last day of experiment, 2 h after the last meal, jugular blood samples were taken from all pigs in both trials for amino acid analysis. One-way ANOVA was used to statistically analyze the data. When the basal diet did not contain citrulline, dietary supplementation with BIOPOWDER did not affect (P > 0.05) any of the measured variables related to growth performance. However, supplementing an appropriate dose of this yucca extract (120 ppm) to a citrulline-fortified diet increased growth performance and feed efficiency in these animals. Adequate availability of arginine is required for BIOPOWDER to exert its anabolic effect on piglet growth and its regulatory action on improving the efficiency of nutrient utilization in young pigs. These findings have important implications for nutritionally modulating the growth of neonatal pigs and, therefore, the swine industry worldwide.

Four research experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of dietary enzyme inclusion (phytase and NSPase) on broiler performance parameters, processing yields, and bone mineralization. In Experiment 1, a 35-day grow out trial was conducted to investigate the effect of three commercially available phytase enzymes on growth performance and bone mineralization in phosphorus deficient corn/soy based diets. Increasing the level of available phosphorus (aP) in the control diets resulted in improved bird performance and bone ash data. The presence of dietary phytase in phosphorus deficient diets resulted in improvements in growth parameters and bone mineralization. Regression analysis confirmed that phytase supplementation can potentially increase the bioavailability of phosphorus in broiler diets up to 0.15 to 0.20 percent, however, the responses varied according to the enzyme used and inclusion level. In Experiment 2, a 42-day grow out trial was conducted to analyze the effects of NSPase inclusion on broiler performance and processing parameters when supplemented in diets with varying protein and energy concentrations. Reduced protein and energy levels reduced bird performance throughout the trial. The inclusion of both NSPase enzymes resulted in improvements in feed conversion throughout the starter and grower periods (day 26 of age). The results from this trial showed that NSPase inclusion can improve broiler performance and processing parameters. In Experiments 3 and 4, a battery trial and a floor trial were conducted to determine the effects of phytase and NSPase enzyme co-administration on growth and bone ash in low phosphorus diets. Increasing the level of available phosphorus resulted in increased bird performance and bone ash. The inclusion of phytase enhanced bird performance and bone mineralization. NSPase inclusion in diets containing low levels of phytase had improvements in bird performance during early stages of growth. The enhanced effects associated with dual administration of phytase and NSPase were not observed in a full grow out trial during later stages of growth. These four experiments indicate that phytase and NSPase enzyme inclusion in broiler diets have the ability to enhance bird performance, processing yield, and bone mineralization.

Thesis--PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.97-107).

Thesis (D. Clin. Pharm.)--University of Queensland, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Nurs.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-103).

Background: China accounts for a quarter of the total number of induced abortion worldwide. Induced abortion is considered as one of the risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcome in subsequent pregnancy. The effects of induced abortion on premature delivery were investigated in both China and western countries, and most of the studies showed that increased risk of preterm birth was associated with increasing number of induced abortion. However, the association between low birth weight (LBW) and multiple induced abortions is still controversial. Objectives: To explore the association between LBW and previous induced abortion history, and to investigate the effects of preterm birth on the association. Methods: This case-control study used data from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Nan Fang Hospital, between December 2011 and June 2012. We recruited 402 LBW (less than 2500 g) infants as our case group and 407 normal weight infants as the control group. Chi-square test and t-test were used for descriptive analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was run to yield odds ratios (OR) of LWB for multiple induced abortion adjusting for sex, birth order, maternal previous diseases and age, antenatal care received, and inter-pregnancy interval. Mediation effect of preterm status was investigated. Results: We observed a higher proportion of women with multiple induced abortions in LBW group (18.4% versus 11.1%, p value=0.003). Mothers with previous multiple induced abortion were 68.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 11.0% to 155.3%) more likely to have LWB infants, compared with those who did not have induced abortion history or only once. After adjustment also for preterm status, the adjusted OR reduced to 1.332 (95% CI: 0.682 to 2.602) and the association became non-significant. Mediation test confirmed that preterm status was a mediator factor between multiple induced abortion and LBW. Conclusion: Overall, multiple abortions had an effect on LBW mainly through shortening the gestational duration of infants. Either premature delivery or LBW, the effect of multiple abortions on subsequent pregnancy was confirmed in this study. To reduce the perinatal mortality and morbidity, it is not enough only through postpartum care for preterm birth and LBW. The prevention and intervention strategies are urgently needed for reducing the induced abortion rate. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

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