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Madiba, Thomas Khomotjo. "Evaluation of dental emergency outcomes of the Oral Health Fitness Classification of the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) in Gauteng - South Africa." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/30881.
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Background: The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) like other Defence Forces of the world, conducts medical classification on their members. This medical classification has, as one of the components, an Oral Health Fitness (OHF) classification which is done according to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) standards. The aim of the Oral Health Fitness classification is to standardize dental readiness, assess oral health, prioritize dental care, minimize the number of dental emergencies (DE), and emphasize the importance of good oral health to all active duty and reserve forces. Medical classification is conducted by the South African Military Health Services (SAMHS). Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the dental emergency outcomes of the Oral Health Fitness classification of the SAMHS in Area Military Health Unit Gauteng (AMHU GT), South Africa Objectives: To determine dental emergency rate for the SAMHS, analyse the dental emergencies and to make recommendations regarding dental emergencies to the SAMHS Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective record analyses of members of the SANDF that received an OHF classification of 1 and 2 in AMHU GT in 2009. The AMHU GT members were followed up for a year to determine if they developed dental emergencies. Data analysis included frequency tables, chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The dental emergency rate for AMHU Gauteng was 307/1000 per year. The type of dental emergencies were: 58.5% dental restorations, 13% extractions and related complications, 4.3% crown and bridge, 3.9% emergency root canals, 9.9% recementations, 3.6% denture related problems while other emergencies were 6.8%. Patients were more likely to experience a dental emergency if they were white, female, of OHF 2 classification and older than fifty years of age. Conversely they were least likely to experience a dental emergency if they were black, male, of OHF 1 classification and in the age group 31-40. Conclusion: The dental emergency rate of 307/1000 per year for the SANDF is high compared to military health units from other countries and it was influenced by race, age and gender. The types of dental emergencies were mainly preventable.Dissertation (MChD)--University of Pretoria, 2012.
Community Dentistry
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Hassaini, Leila. "Étude de la Morphologie et des Propriétés de Biocomposites Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrateco- 3-Hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/Farine de Grignons d’Olive." Thesis, Lorient, 2016. http://www.theses.fr/2016LORIS427/document.
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Ce travail a pour objectif de développer des biocomposites à base de poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalérate) (PHBV) et de farine grignons d'olive (FGO) préparés par mélange fondu. Il s'articule autour de quatre parties. La première partie comprend une étude de la morphologie et des propriétés physiques des échantillons biocomposites PHBV/FGO aux taux de charge de 10, 20 et 30% en masse. Les résultats indiquent que le système PHBV/FGO se caractérise par une séparation de phase dont le nombre et la taille des particules de FGO augmentent avec le taux de charge. De plus, la stabilité thermique et les propriétés barrières vis à vis de la vapeur d'eau et de l'oxygène ont diminué. Par contre, l'incorporation de la FGO dans le PHBV induit une augmentation du module d'Young qui s'accentue avec le taux de charge. La même tendance est également observée avec le module de conservation déterminé par DMA. Dans la seconde partie, l'impact du PHBV-g-MA comme agent compatibilisant dans les biocomposites PHBV/FGO a été évalué en fonction du taux de charge. La caractérisation morphologique du système ternaire a révélé que la présence du PHBV-g-MA dans les biocomposites PHBV/FGO induit une meilleure adhésion interfaciale entre les particules de la FGO et la matrice PHBV en raison des interactions charge-matrice. En conséquence, une nette amélioration des propriétés mécaniques, viscoélastiques et barrières aux gaz (vapeur d'eau et oxygène) est observée. Dans la troisième partie, une modification chimique de la FGO avec le trimethoxy (octadecyl)-silane (TMOS) et son influence sur la morphologie et les propriétés physiques de biocomposites PHBV/FGO: 80/20 ont été étudiées. Les résultats révèlent une dispersion fine et homogène de la FGO traitée au TMOS dans la matrice PHBV avec en apparence moins de microvides en comparaison avec le biocomposite non modifié. Les propriétés physico-mécaniques du biocomposite PHBV/FGO modifiée sont sensiblement améliorées. La dernière partie consacrée à une étude du vieillissement hygrothermique dans l'eau de mer à 25 et 40°C de films de biocomposites PHBV/FGO: 80/20 avant et après modification, révèle que la FGO favorise la cinétique de dégradation du système PHBV/FGO indépendamment du traitement. Toutefois, le biocomposite PHBV/FGO traité avec des organo-silanes se caractérise relativement par une résistance à la dégradation hygrothermique à 25 et 40°C par rapport au reste des échantillons biocompositesThis work aims to develop a biocomposites based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalérate) (PHBV) and olive husk flour (OHF) prepared by melt compounding. It's articulated around four parts. The first part includes a study of the morphology and physical properties of the PHBV/OHF biocomposite samples at the loading rates of 10, 20 and 30 wt%. The results indicate that the PHBV/OHF system is characterized by a phase separation whose number and size of OHF particles increases with the loading rate. Moreover, the thermal stability and the barrier properties against water vapor and oxygen have decreased. On the other hand, the incorporation of the OHF in the PHBV matrix induces an increase in the Young's modulus which is accentuated with filler content. The same trend is also observed with the storage modulus determined by DMA. In the second part, the effects of PHBV-g-MA used as the compatibilizer for PHBV/OHF biocomposites were evaluated as a function of the loading rate. The morphological characterization of the ternary system revealed that the presence of PHBV-g-MA in the PHBV/OHF biocomposites induces better interfacial adhesion between the OHF particles and the PHBV matrix due to filler-matrix interactions. Consequently, a significant improvement in the mechanical, viscoelastic and gas barrier properties (water vapor and oxygen) is observed. In the third part, a chemical modification of OHF with trimethoxy(octadecyl)-silane (TMOS) and its influence on the morphology and physical properties of PHBV/OHF: 80/20 biocomposites was studied. The results reveal a fine and homogeneous dispersion of the TMOS-treated OHF in the PHBV matrix with apparently fewer microvides compared to the unmodified biocomposite. The physical and mechanical properties of the modified PHBV/OHF biocomposite are significantly improved. The last part devoted to a study of the hygrothermal aging in sea water at 25 and 40°C of films of biocomposites PHBV/OHF: 80/20 before and after modification reveals that the OHF promotes the degradation kinetics of the PHBV/OHF system regardless of treatment. However, the organo-silane-treated PHBV/OHF biocomposite is relatively characterized by a resistance to hygrothermal degradation at 25 and 40°C compared to the rest of the biocomposite samples
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Benson, Kathleen M. "Suicide Resilience Among Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans: Sense of Coherence as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Traumatic Experiences and Suicidality." University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1381007889.
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Zhou, Juannan. "Marks of Design/." Baltimore, MD : University of Baltimore, 2008. http://www.marks-of-design.com.
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Radman, Romeo. "Study of the effects of oligosaccharides in liquid cultures of Penicillium chrysogenum." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2002. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/93y1q/study-of-the-effects-of-oligosaccharides-in-liquid-cultures-of-penicillium-chrysogenum.
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Oligosaccharides and polysaccharides have different effects on the morphology and production of secondary metabolites by Penicillium chrysogenum P2 (ATCC 48271). Addition Of oligosaccharides, derived from sodium alginate and locust bean gum, to submerged cultures of P. chrysogenum P2, at milligram per litre concentration (150 mgL-1), increased secondary metabolite levels and spore production, caused changes in morphology and gerRiination of spores, and affected the production of Reactive Oxygen Species. The source of the oligosaccharides controlled their effects on the cultures. Oligosaccharides when added to submerged cultures of P. chrysogenum P2 increased both penicillin G and extracellular levels of 6-aminopenicillanic acid concentrations. The oligosaccharides had no significant effects on biomass levels. Locust bean gum-derived oligosaccharides (mannan oligosaccharides, DP 5-8), showed the highest levels of enhancement in both penicillin G and 6-aminopenicillanic acid concentrations. Sodium alginate-derived oligosaccharides, (oligoguluronate, DP 7 and oligomannuronate, DP 7), also induced elicitation of penicillin G and 6-aminopenicillanic acid. Oligomannuronate was shown to be more effective than oligoguluronate. In P. chrysogenum P2 cultures mannan, oligomannuronate and oligoguluronate oligosaccharides enhanced yields of penicillin G by 101%, 78% and 59%, respectively. Addition of mannan, oligomannuronate and oligoguluronate oligosaccharides enhanced the levels of 6- aminopenicillanic acid by 39%, 26% and 19%, respectively. The addition of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides to spores of P. chrysogenum P2 in liquid medium had varying (inhibitory or stimulatory) effects on germination, germ-tube and clump development. The addition of oligosaccharides to submerged cultures of P. chrysogenum P2 showed effects on clump size and hyphal tip numbers. Mannan oligosaccharides had the greatest effect on morphology followed by oligomannuronate and oligoguluronate oligosaccharides. Oligosaccharides also speeded-up the sporulation and increased the concentration of spores of P. chrysogenum P2 in liquid cultures. Mannan oligosaccharides had the greatest effect followed by oligomannuronate and oligoguluronate oligosaccharides. 8-aminonaphthalene-1,3,6-trisulphonate-tagged oligosaccharide studies showed that the oligosaccharides pass through the cell wall of P. chrysogenum P2 suggesting a possible mechanism through modulation of gene function. The elicitation pattern was shown to be similar to untagged oligosaccharides. Oligosaccharides and polysaccharides were shown to inhibit production of Reactive Oxygen Species in P. chrysogenum P2. The highest level of inhibition was elicited by mannan followed by oligornannuronate and oligoguluronate oligosaccharides, and then locust bean gum and alginate. The results of the study showed the potential of oligosaccharides as elicitors of secondary metabolites in P. chrysogenum P2 as a filamentous fungus model. Understanding the elicitation mechanism could provide routes for ftirther exploitation of the potential of filamentous fungi in production of commercial products.
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Pascoe, Susan. "Significance for trusts of land of some key aspects of the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 2004. https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/significance-for-trusts-of-land-of-some-key-aspects-of-the-trusts-of-land-and-appointment-of-trustees-act-1996(df15036a-1fed-4b2e-81aa-899629e9495e).html.
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Choi, Byung Jin. "Kinematic design, motion/force coordination, and performance analysis of force controlled wheeled vehicles /." Digital version accessible at:, 1998. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/utexas/main.
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Andrew, Victoria. "Efficient numerical evaluation of the scattering of acoustic waves by arrays of cylinders and bodies of revolution of arbitrary cross section." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2015. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/efficient-numerical-evaluation-of-the-scattering-of-acoustic-waves-by-arrays-of-cylinders-and-bodies-of-revolution-of-arbitrary-cross-section(636d62f5-e93f-4ba9-b25f-e4816336b2d0).html.
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Wave scattering from periodic arrays is ubiquitous in applied mathematics, and has received a great deal of attention over the past century, not least due to the physical significance of understanding the reflection and transmission of plane waves from such arrays in the contexts of electromagnetic waves, acoustics, water waves and elasticity. The aim of the thesis is to develop an accurate and efficient numerical method to solve for the reflection and transmission of an acoustic plane wave from arrays of arbitrary shaped obstacles that have an axis of symmetry aligned in a direction perpendicular to the array. We are particularly interested in the difficult case when the characteristic length scale of the scatterers, and the periodic spacing of the array are of the same order of magnitude as the wavelength of the incident wave. It is shown that the boundary value problem for the infinite array can be reduced to an integral equation over a central representative cell containing a single scatterer, which can then be solved using the boundary element method. Particular attention is paid to the convergence of the resulting periodic Green's function. Using established methods to calculate the reflection and transmission coefficients, we develop a new method to increase the rate of convergence of the periodic Green's function in both two and three dimensions.
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Hartny-Mills, Lauren. "Site fidelity, social structure and spatial distribution of short-finned pilot whales, Globicephala macrorhynchus, off the south west coast of Tenerife." Thesis, University of Portsmouth, 2015. https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/site-fidelity-social-structure-and-spatial-distribution-of-shortfinned-pilot-whales-globicephala-macrorhynchus-off-the-south-west-coast-of-tenerife(c171ef9e-7879-4fd0-89f7-82af8fea55f5).html.
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The conservation management of wild cetaceans depends on knowledge of their population structure and dynamics, and how human activities impact upon resource use and behaviour. The short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) is believed to possess a complex social structure, with a high degree of bonding among familial group members that results in natal group philopatry. As the subject of intense tourism activity, the pilot whale population around the Atlantic island of Tenerife was studied to determine spatial distribution, the degree of site fidelity, and the social structure from 2005-2008, using behavioural data and a photo-identification image database consisting of ca. 55,000 photographs compiled by citizen scientists. There were 382 well-marked individuals identified, which varied in the degree of site fidelity from those encountered throughout the study period to those that were only seen once. At least 22 individuals were matched to a previous study, demonstrating residency spanning 19 years. The distribution of whales in the study area was not random or uniform, and higher rates of encounter occurred offshore at depths of 800-2100 m. The area is important for breeding, calving and foraging, with a core area measuring 99.1 km2 identified. Social analyses, based on the associations of photo-identified individuals, suggested that the study area contains groups of animals with long-term, constant relationships, with 11 longitudinally stable social clusters identified using hierarchical cluster analysis. However a large proportion of the population forms short-term bonds or has no apparent affiliation with other conspecifics. Future studies should focus on increasing the extent of study area as the full ranging behaviour of the pilot whales may not have been encompassed here. The long-term site fidelity and stable relationships demonstrated in this island-associated population, may need to be more closely monitored, given the increasing concerns about anthropogenic disturbance in the Canary Islands.
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Grace, Philippa Christian. "On track or off the rails? : a phenomenological study of children's experiences of dealing with parental bereavement through substance misuse." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2012. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/on-track-or-off-the-rails-a-phenomenological-study-of-childrens-experiences-of-dealing-with-parental-bereavement-through-substance-misuse(379644dd-c607-4ee8-b8c5-fd1d17239d84).html.
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Parental bereavement has widely been considered, in the context of child development and well being, to be one of the most traumatic events that can occur in childhood. Parental bereavement through substance misuse is a previously unresearched aspect of bereavement research, and a previously unresearched aspect of ‘hidden harm.’ This qualitative research looks at the lived experiences of four girls who have been parentally bereaved through substance misuse, using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). IPA serves the dual purposes of ‘giving voice’ to these previously unheard voices, and interpreting their experience of dealing with bereavements, through the lens of psychological theory and the wider canon of bereavement research. The information for the analysis was collected in individual meetings with each of the girls, gathered through semi structured interviews which took place over one to four meetings. Life for all the girls was difficult and complicated as a consequence of their parents’ troubled lives, and for all the girls their lives were marked by multiple losses and adverse childhood events both before and after their mother’s or father’s death. The analysis tries to capture the children’s narratives about their lives as a journey in which one girl is managing to stay ‘on track’, whilst the others have gone ‘off the rails.’ None of the girls had made a deliberate choice to be ‘off the rails’, yet the environment in which they live meant their life journey is a stormy one, with no safe haven, and their lives have not offered them the ‘lifelines’ they needed in order to stay ‘on track’, and navigate their way through this traumatic event. They feel shame for their disruptive manifestations of grief, for the ways in which they ‘cope ugly.’ They now have ‘spoiled identities’, and are struggling to achieve a sense of self that will help them to make the transition to adulthood. The experience of the fourth girl demonstrates the ways in which she works to achieve her personal identity, preserve her ‘reputation’, and the secure attachment she needed, in order to police her potentially disruptive manifestations of grief. In the context of this research ‘on track’ or ‘off the rails’ are positioned as more helpful constructs than ‘normal’ and ‘complicated’ grief. The findings of this small scale research demonstrate the risks and inaccuracies in accepting the conclusion of large scale research studies which seem to indicate parental bereavement is not a risk factor for child wellbeing when family variables are taken in to account. Instead it demonstrates the ways in which dealing with parental bereavement, especially when compounded by other complex life events and insecure attachments, can result in children being positioned as ‘bad’ rather than ‘sad’ as villains rather than victims, children for whom their troubled lives and loss offer ‘no excuse’ for their troubled grieving. More research is needed to understand more about the lives and experiences of this vulnerable sub group of parentally bereaved children.
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Mohtasham, Parya. "Investigation of the effect of static magnetic field on production of industrially viable microbial products." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2017. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/q56v9/investigation-of-the-effect-of-static-magnetic-field-on-production-of-industrially-viable-microbial-products.
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Static magnetic field (MF) has a range of applications in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries from medical devices and tissue engineering to wastewater treatment. The effect of MF on microbial cultures has been investigated by some researchers. However, the findings have been inconsistent. Extensive, systematic and comprehensive investigations are needed before potential application of MF in the industry. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of MF on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains for production of industrially viable products. To this end, an MF generator (MFG) was coupled with small-scale 100 mL shaken flasks (SFs) and bench-top 2 L stirred tank bioreactors (STRs). The effect of MF on two Gram-positive (Bacillus licheniformis NCIMB 8874 and Bacillus subtilis NCTC 3610) and one Gram-negative (Pseudomonas putida KT2440) bacterial strains was investigated with focus on production of two industrially viable products (bacitracin A and polyhydroxybutyrate (P(3HB)). P(3HB) was chosen as a valuable product of recent interest, produced by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, making it a good candidate for this research. Bacitracin A was chosen as a model antibiotic produced by B. licheniformis. Experiments were carried out in SF cultures of B. licheniformis with circulation rate of 10 mL. min-1 through MFG producing 28 mT static MF. While there was no notable difference in the specific growth rate between the test and the control cultures, a decrease in the highest concentration of bacitracin A by 23% was observed. Subsequently, the experiment was extended to 2 L STRs with the same circulation rate (10 mL. min-1), but at two MF intensities of 28 mT and 10 mT. The former, showed no notable effect on bacitracin A production or cell growth. The latter experiment, however, resulted in 27% increase in the highest bacitracin A concentration. As bacitracin A concentration in the culture medium started to decrease due to unfavourable alkaline conditions, the next fermentation was carried out under pH control at 6-7. In this fermentation, bacitracin A concentration continued to increase in both MF exposed and control cultures without a notable difference between the two. However, substrate uptake, growth profile and total carbohydrate concentrations changed considerably. These changes suggest a shift in cellular metabolism leading possibly to biosynthesis of other products including extracellular polymeric substances. The STR system was then coupled with MFG of 18 and 28 mT intensities at a circulation rate of 10 mL. min-1, and used for production of P(3HB) by B. subtilis and P. putida. Neither of the two MF intensities led to any considerable changes in growth profile, cell morphology or P(3HB) production in B. subtilis STR system. On the other hand, a considerable change in morphology was observed in P. putida cultures. Also, P(3HB) concentration in the culture exposed to MF increased by 15% under 18 mT and by 29% under 28 mT. These novel findings suggest a great scope for further investigations of this system for potential industrial applications.
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Toylan, Gamze. "Reading 'The League of Gentlemen' : study of the creation process of a comedy/horror series." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2014. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/96x09/reading-the-league-of-gentlemen-study-of-the-creation-process-of-a-comedy-horror-series.
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Television production’s ‘hidden labour’ lies concealed behind what we see on our screens. This thesis investigates the creation of The League of Gentlemen, a show that is considered a ‘special moment in television’, unpacking the end product and mapping the critical elements within the show’s creation process, to make this ‘hidden labour’ visible. It examines the The League’s production ecology to understand how this cultural breakthrough came to be, and contributes to broader discussions about the BBC’s broadcasting environment and comedy production in the 1990s. This thesis is the first study of The League that combines a detailed textual analysis with production studies, media history and media anthropology. Through its multi-method approach this study yields new insights into the creation process of The League. Through a very detailed analysis, this case study illuminates how the initial idea and the key textual devices (location, character and narrative) developed through various media and creation stages, revealing who and what shaped this process. Through original interviews it gives a voice to various contributors, including the costume designer and the producers, who are often overlooked because of the strong authorial signature of the writers/performers. Therefore, the study sheds light onto some of the ‘hidden professions of television’ and updates our understanding of the creation process and the final product in the light of these new insights. The study of The League’s creation process illustrates that each production is unique and faces different challenges. It reveals that despite major structural and cultural changes at the BBC in the 1990s, which some considered a crisis inimical to creativity, innovation and craftsmanship, there was still room for innovation and creative freedom. The 1990s were not simply a period of crisis in BBC programme making, as some commentators suggested at the time, but an exemplar of how the production ecology was changing. As this study shows, while comedy production is clearly constrained by larger organisational structures and strategies, it also depends crucially on the individuals involved in making comedy, and how they work together. This study highlights that culture production is the sum of all the small moments that happen on the ground - in the corridors of media organisations, in TV studios, during phone conversations - and during the many little decisions made by thinking, feeling and interacting individuals. It is the coming together of these small moments that shape what we see on our screens.
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Kabir, Md Shahidul. "Evaluation and adaptation of molecular approaches for detection and characterization of viruses of the respiratory tract." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2011. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/8zyvw/evaluation-and-adaptation-of-molecular-approaches-for-detection-and-characterization-of-viruses-of-the-respiratory-tract.
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This study was designed for the development of novel methods for isothermal amplification of nucleic acids using phi29 and Bst DNA polymerases in the detection and characterization of pathogenic viruses of the respiratory tract. High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis was used in this study for screening similar sequences to avoid unnecessary sequencing from genomic libraries and detection of common pathogenic viruses of the respiratory tract. Four different structures of DNA linear double stranded DNA (dsDNA, 48 kb), linear single stranded DNA (ssDNA, 3.6 kb), small circular dsDNA (2.6 kb) and a large circular dsDNA (8.6 kb) were used as representatives of different types of viral nucleic acids for the evaluation of phi29-amplification at limiting concentrations. Phi29-amplification of linear ds, large and small circular dsDNA could be amplified 10-100-fold but ssDNA could not be amplified at all. Alternative protocols were adapted for ligating ssDNA and dsDNA to construct large concatemers for efficient phi29-amplification. Phi29-amplification of ssDNA was found to increase >10-fold when it was ligated using T4 RNA ligase in the presence of a large excess of background ssDNA compared to that in the absence of background ssDNA. T4 DNA ligase-mediated phi29-amplification of double stranded cDNA (dscDNA) was found to increase >105-fold compared to non-ligated dscDNA. CircLigaseä II ssDNA ligase was used for circularization of ssDNA and aid phi29-amplification. CircLigaseä II ssDNA ligase-mediated phi29-amplification of ssDNA was found to increase >107-fold compared to non-ligated sscDNA. A method named RT-Bst was developed for simultaneous reverse transcription and Bst DNA polymerase amplification of cDNA in the same reaction. In a qualitative PCR assay, RT-Bst was found to be more efficient than the QuantiTectä reverse transcription kit (QIAGEN, Crawley, UK). The RT-Bst method was used for amplification of cDNA in 70 nasopharyngeal samples for detection of a panel of 12 pathogenic viruses of the respiratory tract. The performance of multiplex RT-Bst PCR detection of pathogenic viruses was comparable to that of multiplex one-step RT-PCR (performed in this study) and more efficient than immunofluorescence (performed by a hospital diagnostic laboratory). The RT-Bst protocol was further modified using tailed random primers to develop another protocol for whole genome amplification designated RT-Bst Single Primer Amplification (RT-Bst SPA) as a cheaper alternative to sequence independent single primer amplification. HRM analysis was used in this study to demonstrate its application for low cost screening of similar sequences to avoid unnecessary sequencing task from whole genome libraries prepared from MS2 RNA and tissue culture media positive for influenza B and hRSV. HRM analysis was also used for rapid and low cost detection of common pathogenic viruses of the respiratory tract. It is proposed that RT-Bst and RT-Bst SPA have the potential for sequence independent amplification of RNA sequences for subsequent multiplex PCR detection, and other downstream applications. HRM analysis can be used for rapid and cost effective detection of pathogenic viruses of the respiratory tract. However, a more detailed study will be required for further optimization and validation of the developed protocols for appropriate commercialization as kits.
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Alex, Roji. "The politics of representation in Indian media : implications of the portrayal of Hindus and minority groups." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2015. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/97051/the-politics-of-representation-in-indian-media-implications-of-the-portrayal-of-hindus-and-minority-groups.
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This thesis explores the politics of representation in Indian media with special focus on news television’s portrayal of issues concerning Christian community. The portrayal of communities is studied in relation to the dynamics of engagement between India’s rapidly expanding news television and the growing Hindutva (Hinduness) movement which espouses an exclusivist and majoritarian ideology, demanding a Hindu nation for Hindus. In its endeavor to understand this complex issue it focuses on India’s two national news networks – Aaj Tak in Hindi, the country’s most popular news broadcaster, and Headlines Today, a leading English-language network – locating their ways of engagement with the Hindutva movement. The thesis, which looks at the nationalist movement’s involvement with the print media and cinema in India, claims that the socio-political situation in the country helped the Hindutva groups to realign the threads of nationalism with that of Hindu nationalism by re-organizing and redefining their ideology to suggest a particular version of national identity and citizenship. The news television, while passing through various stages of evolution, has been engaging with a number of dominant ideologies. In recent decades, the right-wing Hindu ideology has been a powerful force in Indian politics and its engagement with news television, particularly Hindi language television, has been visible in the media narratives on various socio-political and cultural issues. The thesis claims that news television’s treatment of communal issues has helped the creation of a Hindutva public sphere. In the process, the thesis argues, India’s minority communities have been threatened, having to bear the brunt of this new alignment, undermining the secular tradition of India and contributing to anti-minority rhetoric. Drawing on a range of methods – including focus groups of news consumers, face-to-face, in-depth interviews with media personnel, as well as detailed content analysis of news reports, the thesis argues that Hindi news television, driven by market values, created new avenues and vistas for the Hindu nationalists to engage with the public. News television’s association with the Hindutva groups, it is suggested, helped construct a new national identity and a new Indian-ness, conforming to Hindutva ideology.
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Maine, Valerie. "The Post-Combat Couple Adjustment Questionnaire: A Preliminary Validation." Antioch University / OhioLINK, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1363614143.
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Adegoke, Ebenezer Olalekan. "A study of the role of women in the burial rituals of the Ife of southwestern Nigeria." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 1995. https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/a-study-of-the-role-of-women-in-the-burial-rituals-of-the-ife-of-southwestern-nigeria(2fe0ba0a-eda2-4c21-9ee6-5cf5fd416d98).html.
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Choi, Leo. "Analysis of the effects of spatial localisation of transgenes on expression of recombinant proteins in CHO-DG44 cells." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2012. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/analysis-of-the-effects-of-spatial-localisation-of-transgenes-on-expression-of-recombinant-proteins-in-chodg44-cells(76d0a965-9c12-4745-a6a9-ada226dfe2a0).html.
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Chinese hamster ovary cell lines are commonly used as host for production of recombinant protein both in research and in the biotech industry. Recombinant cell lines are generated through random integration of multi-cistronic plasmid vector containing the genes of interest and selection marker gene into the host genome. The recombinant cell lines require several rounds of limiting clonal dilution to isolate stable high expressing clones. Stable high expression of the genes of interest is a rare and desired trait in recombinant clonal cell lines. Despite being clonal, cell lines eventually become heterogeneous and lose productivity. The Mammalian genome resides as packaged chromatin in the nucleus, which is a highly organized structure with specialized spatial and functional compartments. Increasingly, evidence is pointing to the interaction between plasmid and nuclear architecture as a factor that affects expression and stability. This project is based on the hypothesis that certain locations within the three-dimensional structure of the nucleus are more favourable for stable high-level expression of recombinant genes, integration of transgene into these specific location will produce high expressing stable cell linesTo prove the hypothesis a set of far-red reporter gene expressing recombinant clonal cell lines were generated to use as model cell lines. These cell lines were characterized over 80 days of continuous culture to determine their expression and stability. Flow cytometry results showed that all cell lines showed heterogeneity and gradual loss of expression of the far-red gene. Majority of the cell lines loss 80% of their gene copy number by day 25 of continuous culture. The possibility of using telomeric repeat sequences and nuclear bodies as nuclear landmarks was explored in order to develop tools that can be used to study the localization and interactions of the integrated recombinant genes and the CHO genome in the nuclear environment. Telomeric repeat sequences were far too numerous and scattered to use as nuclear landmark. While PML nuclear bodies and Cajal bodies appeared to be randomly positioned. The possibility of cross-species chromosome painting using FACS sorted Chinese hamster chromosome as paints was investigated, results showed that two copies of chromosome 1 and a copy of chromosome 4 along with segments of other chromosomes 7 and X&Y are conserved in the CHO genome. This finding allowed us to further explore the localization of chromosomes in the interphase nuclei. Results showed that the CHO cell equivalent of hamster chromosome 4 does not have a preferred radial localization in the interphase nuclei. FISH data also showed that the site of reporter gene integration is variable and that the integrated plasmid does not have a preferred radial position within the nuclei. These findings indicated that the CHO nuclei in our cell lines do not have a common nuclear organization.
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Prince, Tessa. "Evaluation of the utility of probiotics for the prevention of infections in a model of the skin." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2012. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/evaluation-of-the-utility-of-probiotics-for-the-prevention-of-infections-in-a-model-of-the-skin(8eecb539-d661-4ce9-900d-8c75064e29fa).html.
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Probiotics have been defined as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. The beneficial effects of probiotics in the gut are well described and roles including immunomodulation and colonisation resistance have been documented. Recent reports suggest that topical use of probiotic bacteria may be an effective strategy to promote skin health or inhibit disease. Therefore, in this thesis the potential of probiotics to protect skin from pathogenic bacteria was assessed using primary keratinocytes as a model system, and the skin pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus. The ability of three probiotics, L. reuteri ATCC 55730, L. rhamnosus AC413 and L. salivarius UCC118 to inhibit the growth of S. aureus was tested using well-diffusion assays and spot on the lawn assays. All three probiotics inhibited the growth of S. aureus in well-diffusion assays, though this property was dependent on growth medium. Inhibition of S. aureus growth was principally via the production of organic acids rather than bacteriocin production. Next, to determine whether probiotics could protect keratinocytes, confluent normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) were infected with S. aureus (106 CFU/ml) in the presence or absence of the probiotic (108 CFU/ml). NHEK viability was measured using trypan blue exclusion assays. L. reuteri had a significant protective effect on NHEK when applied 1h prior to (P=0.0003), or simultaneously with S. aureus (P=0.002). L. reuteri did not however protect NHEK when applied 1h after S. aureus addition. There was no change in the number of viable S. aureus in cell culture assays. To determine whether the protective effect was due to the inhibition of adhesion, NHEK were either pre-exposed to the probiotic for 1h, simultaneously exposed to the probiotic and S. aureus for 1h, or exposed to the probiotic 30 minutes after S. aureus addition for 1h. Pre-exposure of NHEK to L. reuteri (exclusion) and simultaneous exposure to L. reuteri and S. aureus (competition) resulted in significantly less staphylococci adhering to NHEK (P=0.03 and P=0.008 respectively). However when L. reuteri was added after S. aureus (displacement), the number of adherent staphylococci was not reduced. The necessity of S. aureus adherence for the inactivation of NHEK was demonstrated using a α5β1 integrin blocking antibody. Finally, to compare the innate response of NHEK to probiotics with S. capitis and S. aureus, TLR-2, antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expression and IL-8 production were measured. TLR-2 protein (but not mRNA) expression was reduced in the presence of S. aureus (P=0.018). NHEK pre-exposed to S. capitis prior to S. aureus infection however, exhibited elevated TLR-2 protein and mRNA expression (P<0.0001 and P=0.009 respectively). NHEK pre-exposed to L. reuteri prior to S. aureus had no significant change in TLR-2 expression compared to untreated controls. ELISAs demonstrated that IL-8 production was significantly increased in NHEK pre-exposed to L. reuteri prior to S. aureus infection (P=0.0001). In conclusion, L. reuteri protected NHEK from the toxic effects of S. aureus at least partly through competitive exclusion of binding sites on NHEK. Finally, NHEK innate responses to probiotic bacteria were akin to those to the skin commensal, S. capitis. L. reuteri induced expression of a neutrophil chemoattractant, suggesting it could be of importance in priming the innate immune response against S. aureus infections. Taken together, these results suggest that probiotic bacteria could be used prophylactically within skin creams and soaps to prevent S. aureus colonisation and infection in skin.
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Theodorou, Andria Soteri. "Screening and delineation of molecular mechanisms of action of HbF inducing agents for the treatment of β-thalassaemia." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 2015. http://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/screening-and-delineation-of-molecular-mechanisms-of-action-of-hbf-inducing-agents-for-the-treatment-of-thalassaemia(fbad43de-f2b2-49a1-980b-b6dfcc1a25c5).html.
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Current agents used for pharmacological reactivation of foetal haemoglobin (HbF) have limited application due to moderate therapeutic properties, variable patient response and potential cytotoxic effects. Therefore, identification of novel HbF inducing agents is still a major research goal to this day. Identification of new potential HbF inducers has been mainly based on screening of drug libraries. However, this approach has not been very successful in generating new promising agents. In the current project, I employed two approaches for identifying potential HbF inducers: 1) screening of agents that are structurally similar to compounds with known HbF inducing activity; 2) investigating molecular pathways of a known HbF inducer with the aim of identifying suitable targets for therapeutic manipulation and target-based drug design. The first approach involved screening of eleven xanthines including caffeine and nine hydroxystilbenic derivatives of resveratrol as potential HbF inducers. However, none of the agents had a potent enough HbF inducing activity in order to be considered as promising therapeutic agents. In the second approach, decitabine was chosen based on its high HbF inducing activity and moderate cytotoxicity in K562 cells and primary human erythroid cultures. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to characterise epigenetic changes in the β-globin gene locus, and quantitative real-time PCR for investigation of changes in gene expression levels of ten erythroid-related genes, in the presence of the agent. A quantitative iTRAQ proteomic approach coupled with mass spectrometry was used for identification of changes in the proteome of decitabine-treated and un-treated primary human erythroid cultures. The findings suggest that decitabine induces HbF production through activation of signal transduction pathways rather than through hypomethylation of gene promoters. One such possible pathway is the NF-κB pathway. Among the differentially expressed proteins, twenty-seven proteins were associated with the action of decitabine. Two of those proteins, ARHGAP4 and EGLN2, were previously implicated in hydroxyurea-mediated induction of γ-globin gene expression and hypoxia-mediated erythropoiesis, respectively. In addition, the de-ubiquitinating enzyme USP11 was substantially modulated in the presence of decitabine. The exact role of these proteins in γ-globin expression remains to be established.
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Obi, Juliana. "Synthesis of analogues of dicoumarol and their measurement as inhibitors of NQO1." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2016. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/synthesis-of-analogues-of-dicoumaroland-their-measurementas-inhibitors-of-nqo1(985aa4d2-437d-46ff-aadd-8f72ab9887c9).html.
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A variety of novel and effective inhibitors of NQO1 was synthesized. The inhibitors were classified as 'asymmetrical' and 'halfway stage' analogues of dicoumarol. The synthesis of these inhibitors was achieved through the application of different techniques such as 'borrowing hydrogen methodology', thermal and microwave irradiation and reductive C-C cleavage using NaBH3CN. One of the most potent analogues was toxic (IC50 = 9.2 ± 0.3 μM) towards the non-small cell lung cancer cell line, A549.A selection of the most potent inhibitors was re-modified as prodrugs in order to improve drug penetration through the barrier of the cell membrane. This was achieved by conjugation with a delivery agent related to the natural product antheminone A. The synthesis involved a multi-step reaction sequence involving the use of natural product (-)-quinic acid as a precursor. A range of prodrugs were synthesized which exhibited toxicity towards the A549 cancer cell line.
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Bellew, Sarah Louise. "Investigation of the response of groups of wave energy devices." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2011. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/investigation-of-the-response-of-groups-of-wave-energy-devices(3db5db0d-a6af-4715-9f0b-19d53cf6dcf4).html.
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Placing wave energy devices within close proximity to each other can be beneficial as the costs of deployment, maintenance and infrastructure are reduced significantly compared to if the devices are deployed in isolation. A mathematical model is presented in this thesis which combines linear wave theory with a series of linear driven harmonic oscillators to model an array (group) of floating wave energy devices which move predominantly in heave (vertically) in a train of incident regular waves. Whilst similar mathematical models have been used previously to investigate interactions between fluids and groups of structures, much of the published work does not address array configurations or device constraints that are relevant to designers of structure-supported array devices. The suitability of linear theory for application to closely spaced arrays is assessed in this thesis through comparison to small-scale experimental data and by evaluation of the magnitude of second-order hydrodynamic forces. Values of mechanical damping and mass are determined for each element of an array in order to achieve the maximum power from an array of floats without requiring the knowledge of the motion of every float within the array in order to apply the forces to any one float. Further to this, the analysis of floats of varying geometry is performed in order to assess the possibility of array optimisation through the variation of float geometries within a closely spaced array.It is shown in this thesis that linear theory provides a reasonable prediction of the response of floats that are sufficiently close together to interact for most wave frequencies to which the arrays are likely to be subjected. Under the assumption of easily implementable mechanical damping, it is determined that the power output from an array of floats of equal geometry can be increased by specifying different magnitudes of mechanical damping on each float independently of the radiation damping. Variations in submerged float geometries for the purpose of manipulating array characteristics according to the incident wave frequency are best applied through the variation in draft of a single geometry. Variations in submerged float geometry which occur close to the free surface are found to be of the greatest significance. Where the float is uniform in cross-section, the most appropriate method to select float drafts within an array is found to be based on the evaluation of the total damping on each float.
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Mentasti, M. "Implementation of molecular techniques in the diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease and in the investigation of legionella outbreaks." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2016. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/9z94y/implementation-of-molecular-techniques-in-the-diagnosis-of-legionnaires-disease-and-in-the-investigation-of-legionella-outbreaks.
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Background. Legionnaires’ Disease (LD) is a mild to severe, potentially lethal, respiratory syndrome caused by members of the Legionella genus, in particular L. pneumophila serogroup (sg) 1 alone causes about 95% of culture confirmed cases. The infection is usually acquired by inhalation of aerosols originating from contaminated fresh water sources, consequently typing of both clinical and environmental isolates is crucial to rapidly identify the possible source and prevent further cases. Legionellae are difficult to isolate by culture, moreover as respiratory samples are not available for up to 65% patients, alternative techniques are needed to diagnose LD and maximise the amount of typing data that can be obtained to aid investigations. Urinary antigen detection and serology provide very limited information regarding the infecting strain, while the advent of PCR and Sanger sequencing has allowed reliable diagnostic and typing methods to be introduced. Objectives. The aim of this study was to improve existing diagnostic and typing molecular assays, and to develop new ones to further standardise diagnostic and typing procedures across members of the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group for Legionella Infections (ESGLI). Utility of the assays was assessed in both routine and outbreak scenarios. Methods. A wide range of both in silico and in vitro experiments were used to design and validate specific oligonucleotides to improve detection and typing of L. pneumophila. Genomic DNA was manually extracted and prepared for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) using Illumina platforms. A bioinformatic approach was used to design a WGS based typing scheme and decipher the evolution of L. pneumophila sg1 Sequence Type (ST) 47, a major disease-causing strain. Results. A real-time PCR detecting L. pneumophila and sg1 specific targets was validated with international colleagues and made available to ESGLI members. Sequence based typing was improved and expanded, and specific typing guidelines produced. A 50 gene core-genome MLST was identified as the best approach to improve the current typing method. ST47 was shown to be a ‘chimera’ between ST109 and ST62, and a specific real-time PCR was designed to detect this strain. Conclusions. The results of this study allowed researchers to obtain faster and more accurate diagnosis of LD, and L. pneumophila typing data from both isolates and primary samples. A metagenomics approach is presently under evaluation to obtain typing results by WGS directly from clinical and environmental samples.
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Lilienthal, Gary I. "The development of the tort of passing-off." Thesis, Curtin University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/886.
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This thesis investigates the historical development of the tort of passing-off. Morison said that the term “passing off” indicates the act of offering goods for sale with an accompanying misrepresentation, either by words or by conduct as to the origin of the goods, whereby the purchaser has been misled and business has been diverted from the plaintiff to the defendant.1 It is called a strict liability tort because the plaintiff does not need to show any wrongful intention on the part of the defendant, fraud apparently having been abandoned as an element for proof in the tort of passing-off.The composite research question of the thesis is in two parts, as follows: ‘Has the historical development of the tort of passing off resulted in the tort becoming a strict liability tort? If so, why and how did this development take place?'The tort of passing-off derives from the direct rule by the English Kings of earlier times, and was developed both as a general regulatory instrument to control industry, and in particular to make industry more war-ready.2 The tort of passing-off has a very substantial history in the jurisprudence of the medieval and late middle ages craft gilds and counties of the United Kingdom. The purpose of this thesis is to set out how the tort developed from the ordinances of gild and county jurisprudence into the royal courts, and to see whether, why and how from that form of development it developed as a strict liability tort.
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Miguel, Andres Israel. "Contribution of the anconeus muscle to the elbow kinematics : range of motion of 90° of flexion-extension and pronation-supination." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2016. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/contribution-of-the-anconeus-muscle-to-the-elbow-kinematics-range-of-motion-of-90-of-flexionextension-and-pronationsupination(457e1132-6600-4954-ae28-c8c7b9553247).html.
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The anconeus, a small triangular muscle positioned on the posterolateral part of the elbow joint, has been the subject of considerable research without a satisfactory conclusion being reached regarding the role it plays during normal elbow kinematics. The aim of this investigation was to elucidate the function of the anconeus muscle and find the relative contribution that it makes to elbow kinematics by examining relative electrical muscle activity and elbow kinematics both before and after anconeus defunctioning carried out using a local anaesthetic (lidocaine). The study was performed through an examination of the myoelectric activity of the representative elbow flexor and extensor muscles (biceps brachii and triceps brachii) and the elbow kinematics and kinetics. Right-handed, healthy volunteers performed elbow flexion-extension and supination-pronation movements in both horizontal and sagittal planes before and after blocking of the anconeus. The kinematics and kinetics of the elbow were assessed using inertial sensors, and muscle electrical activity was recorded using surface electromyography. In the following stage of the study, the anconeus muscle was blocked through an injection of lidocaine and then the flexion-extension and pronation-supination movements were repeated. The relative electrical activity results from the anconeus before blocking clearly indicate that the activity of the muscle was higher during the extension portion of the flexion-extension cycle, suggesting that it behaves as an extensor muscle. However, from the paired sample t-test analysis, it was found that blocking of the anconeus had no effect on the kinematics and kinetics of the elbow, including the angular velocity, net torque, power and net joint work. Moreover, the angular velocity data for the elbow, before and after the blocking for all movements, showed a linear trend with slopes and Pearson's correlations close to unity, indicating no apparent difference on the elbow kinematics. In addition, the relative electrical activity of the biceps and triceps brachii muscles did not alter significantly following blocking of the anconeus. These findings suggest that the anconeus muscle is a relatively weak elbow extensor as it is likely that the small contribution that the anconeus provides during extension before blocking is compensated by the triceps brachii after the anconeus is deactivated. In order to provide additional weight and support to the findings of the experimental study, a computational model of the elbow joint was created in Abaqus CAE with the aim of investigating the contribution of the anconeus during the flexion-extension motion. In particular, the effect on the range of motion and contact area of the elbow joint was investigated both before and after anconeus blocking. The analysis was done in a range of motion of 90°, starting with the elbow extended 30° and ending flexed 120°. The elbow joint model considered cortical bone, trabecular bone, cartilage, collateral ligaments, the anconeus, biceps brachii and triceps brachii. The results of the investigation indicated that the anconeus muscle does not produce a significant change in the range of motion and contact area in the articulation, an outcome that supports the findings of the experimental investigation.
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Alves, e. Sousa João. "Application of the zone method of radiation analysis to simulation of the non-steady state operation of metal reheating furnaces." Thesis, University of South Wales, 1995. https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/studentthesis/application-of-the-zone-method-of-radiation-analysis-to-simulation-of-the-nonsteady-state-operation-of-metal-reheating-furnaces(c544eb24-3d4a-4ce8-9c86-193de548e5d0).html.
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The zone method for analysing radiative heat transfer has been widely applied for furnace modelling, and is extensively reported in the open literature. The main reason for the application of this method lies in the accuracy with which it solves the radiant transfer in hot enclosures. Thus, it is generally the preferred method when it is essential to predict accurately the temperature distribution in the furnace. Its application, however, has been limited in most cases by the need to over-simplify the furnace conditions. These simplifications include the need to modify the furnace shape and zoning arrangement, the load representation, and the simulation of convection. Another significant feature of most applications of the zone method is the restriction of the simulation to steady-state conditions. This Ph.D. project aims to eliminate some of these constraints and, therefore, improve application of the zone method to furnaces. Hence, full transient conditions were simulated for different zone models, which varied in complexity from a single gas zone model to a full 3D multi-zone version. The exchange factors required in the zone method were calculated by a Monte-Carlo method using RADEX, a suitable computer code which enabled the furnace geometry to be accurately represented as well as the load, which could be simulated by a series of individual components instead of a single big slab covering the entire hearth surface area. Two different furnaces were modelled, namely a steel reheating furnace and a heat treatment furnace. Experimental data from production were used to validate the heat treatment system mathematical model. Parametric studies were then performed for both furnaces. The predictions clearly demonstrate the need for multi-zone transient models since the load temperature-history was significantly different from that predicted by a simpler long-furnace model. Another aim of the project was to produce reliable data concerning the convective heat transfer in furnaces. This parameter is often ignored in furnace modelling, or if included has been restricted to a crude single empirical value (usually 5 - 10 W/m2K). This can produce erroneous results in applications where the flame and combustion products temperatures are low, as in heat treatment furnaces. In these cases convection may play a more important role than is currently assumed. A mass transfer technique was employed in order to determine heat transfer coefficients for the heat treatment furnace for a variety of load arrangements and firing conditions. These coefficients which were significantly higher (25 - 45 W/m2K) than the usually assumed crude values were subsequently used in the mathematical models of the furnace performance.
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Tokbaeva, Dinara. "Charismatic leadership of media businesses : a case study of leaders of two media businesses in the post-Soviet states of Russia and Kyrgyzstan (1991-2016)." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2017. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/q5266/charismatic-leadership-of-media-businesses-a-case-study-of-leaders-of-two-media-businesses-in-the-post-soviet-states-of-russia-and-kyrgyzstan-1991-2016.
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This is a comparative case study of two media business leaders, one from Russia and one from Kyrgyzstan. Alexei Kharitonov of the Abak-Press and Kylychbek Sultanov of the Computer Press both started media companies after the break-up of the Soviet Union and managed to grow them from small businesses into the present media holdings. In comparing the media holding from Russia, which is the former Soviet Union’s largest economy, and the one from Kyrgyzstan, which is one of the smallest economies of the post-Soviet space, this will allow us to capture the processes of private media maturation in countries with a shared Soviet past, yet with a different present. The observed time frame is 25 years from the fall of the Soviet Union (1991-2016). Only 13 media holdings in both Russia and Kyrgyzstan were found to meet the criteria of financial self-sustainability without any reliance on state/foreign funds. The data came from 54 in-depth semi-structured interviews with company founders/owners, senior and junior staff, media experts, academics, representatives of competing businesses, and failed media entrepreneurs. Data collection took place in Ekaterinburg and Bishkek in 2014-16, and it was supported through a University of Westminster scholarship. Theory-wise, this research is focused on the concepts of charisma, media leadership and media entrepreneurship. The main argument is that Max Weber’s (1947) theory of charismatic authority is applicable to media business leaders in emerging economies. Charisma is a rare and transitory phenomenon (Yukl, 2013). This research argues that the charismatic authority of media leaders in the post-Soviet states is not only the closest to Weber’s original idea, but also morphs into the legal-rational authority of media managers once such companies enjoy financial stability. The reason for this can be explained through the turbulent nature of the media markets being formed (Vartanova, 2013) and the cultural character of the leadership which finds itself able to fit in certain contexts (Walter and Bruch, 2009). Moreover, in the fast-paced transition economy settings, the transformation from charismatic authority to legal-rational authority may take place within a single person. The Weberian theory of charismatic authority is discussed in this research alongside Alan Bryman’s (1992) findings on charisma in organisations and John Kotter’s (1982, 2012) model for the appraisal of general managers. In particular, Kotter’s framework for analysing the personal and background characteristics of company leaders is applied to analyse the maturation of leadership within privately-owned media businesses in Russia and Kyrgyzstan.
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Oh, Changkyu. "Isolierung und Charakterisierung des testisspezifisch exprimierten Gens HASH der Maus." Doctoral thesis, [S.l. : s.n.], 2000. http://webdoc.sub.gwdg.de/diss/2000/oh/index.html.
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Ivory, Rachel L. "Combat Service and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a Violent Crimes Predictor in OEF/OIF Veterans." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4067.
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There is an established link between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and criminal activity. Of every 100 veterans who served during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), 11 to 20 percent are diagnosed with PTSD each year. Previous research has documented that veterans are incarcerated at higher percentages compared to nonveteran inmates, though little published research examines incidence of PTSD relative to violent crime. Using Agnew's general strain theory as the foundation, the purpose of this correlational study was to examine combat service, PTSD, and specific violent crimes as defined by the FBI as murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assaults; while controlling for branch of service, age, and sex. The sample consisted of 46 OEF/OIF inmates (federal and state) 9 of whom were convicted of a violent crime. Results from the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that combat service, PTSD, sex, and branch of service were not statistically significant predictors of imprisonment of OEF/OIF veterans for violent crime. Age, however, was statistically significant p = .029. The findings of this study contribute to social change by providing policymakers and prison administrators nuanced information (i.e., characteristic information - age, sex, branch of service, etc.) about the needs of this unique prison population with regards to reintegration. This may in turn contribute to improved reintegration initiatives to enrich the lives of veterans, their families, and the communities where veterans reside when returning from war. Focusing on reintegration will be very beneficial.
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Gould, Matthew. "An economic analysis of the Councils of the United Nations." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2014. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/8yqqv/an-economic-analysis-of-the-councils-of-the-united-nations.
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This thesis consists of three pieces of research focussed on the Councils of the United Nations, predominantly the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). We consider three broad questions: which countries typically get on to the UNSC in its current form; which countries ought to get on to the UNSC; and how well might proposed changes to the UNSC steer it towards such ideals. In order to address the latter two questions it is sensible to begin by investigating how the current system works and if there are any particular characteristics which influence the chances of a country being elected to the UNSC. In Chapter 2 we develop a model to test the significance of a country’s characteristics on their probability of election to the UNSC. Chapter 3 then starts by developing a set of theoretical tests which can be applied to council voting systems, such as the selection of UNSC members from the UN General Assembly. The tests score a voting system based on how well the distribution of power in the council meets the power one would expect under a system where country representatives cast their vote in the council based on the outcomes of country or regional-level referendums. We then apply this, using the implied probabilities of election which are a consequence of the results of Chapter 2, to the UNSC election process. We then finish by applying the tests of Chapter 3, which consider how equitable a proposal is, together with a further test of procedural efficiency, to each of the proposed reforms to the UNSC election process.
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Al, Bakr Waleed Rashed Ebrahim. "Towards an eGovernment : the case of the Emirate of Dubai." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2009. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/90946/towards-an-egovernment-the-case-of-the-emirate-of-dubai.
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This thesis examines and assesses the transformation and implementation of the Dubai Government’s operation, governance and delivery of public services through its use of ICT. The research design includes a critical examination of the evolution of ICT and its role in changing public services and government operations worldwide as an early move towards E-Government. Three recognised theories are used to examine the E-Government transformation and its effects of on governments, namely: the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI) and the Lens of Max Weber’s Theory of Bureaucracy. Generally, the study seeks to determine what were the important factors for Dubai to achieve its strategic plan. Six questions were addressed by the research, stating the scope of work undertaken. First, to measure the status of eGovernment initiatives in terms of usefulness and ease of use. Second, to assess the extent of eGovernment application in terms of Government-to-Customer, Government-to-Business, Government-to-Government, and Government-to-Employees. Third, to determine the level of acceptance of eGovernment initiatives. Fourth, to explore the factors/challenges in a successful eTransformation of Dubai. Fifth, to assess the impacts/opportunities of eGovernment initiatives in the development of Dubai. Sixth, to formulate the model to achieve a successful implementation of eGovernment. A purposive sampling method was used for selecting citizens/customers, business employees and government employees, totalling 1500 equally distributed respondents. The researcher has prepared, administered and empirically tested three questionnaires, and also prepared and administered structured interviews with some officials of eGovernment. Data obtained are presented and analysed. Also, the study examines the catalytic role of eGovernment in the development of society, commerce and government, and shows fundamental changes from traditional systems or from bureaucratic paradigms to eGovernment paradigms. Comparisons are made with eGovernment applications in other countries as per rankings made by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The researcher has selected top ranked states to examine best practices in e-Government. Most importantly, this research presents a unique and original contribution to knowledge of the subject treated in its programme for achieving successful eGovernment through the proposed rocket ship model Al Bakr eGovernment Model of implementation, adoption, conclusions and findings of the study.
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Piva, A. "Landscapes of the invisible : sounds, cosmologies and poetics of space." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2015. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/9w796/landscapes-of-the-invisible-sounds-cosmologies-and-poetics-of-space.
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In this PhD by Publication I revisit and contextualize art works and essays I have collaboratively created under the name Flow Motion between 2004-13, in order to generate new insights on the contributions they have made to diverse and emerging fields of contemporary arts practice/research, including digital, virtual, sonic and interdisciplinary art. The works discussed comprise the digital multimedia installation and sound art performance Astro Black Morphologies/Astro Dub Morphologies (2004-5), the sound installation and performance Invisible (2006-7), the web art archive and performance presentation project promised lands (2008-10), and two related texts, Astro Black Morphologies: Music and Science Lovers (2004) and Music and Migration (2013). I show how these works map new thematic constellations around questions of space and diaspora, music and cosmology, invisibility and spectrality, the body and perception. I also show how the works generate new connections between and across contemporary avant-garde, experimental and popular music, and visual art and cinema traditions. I describe the methodological design, approaches and processes through which the works were produced, with an emphasis on transversality, deconstruction and contemporary black music forms as key tools in my collaborative artistic and textual practice. I discuss how, through the development of methods of data translation and transformation, and distinctive visual approaches for the re-elaboration of archival material, the works produced multiple readings of scientific narratives, digital X-ray data derived from astronomical research on black holes and dark energy, and musical, photographic and textual material related to historical and contemporary accounts of migration. I also elaborate on the relation between difference and repetition, the concepts of multiplicity and translation, and the processes of collective creation which characterize my/Flow Motion’s work. The art works and essays I engage with in this commentary produce an idea of contemporary art as the result of a fluid, open and mutating assemblage of diverse and hybrid methods and mediums, and as an embodiment of a cross-cultural, transversal and transdisciplinary knowledge shaped by research, process, creative dialogues, collaborative practice and collective signature.
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Okechuku, Adaora. "Determination of the mode of action of the antibacterial peptide ApoEdp." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2011. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/determination-of-the-mode-of-action-of-the-antibacterial-peptide-apoedp(1937bcc4-f28b-416e-8dd7-8d493082ac2a).html.
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The emergence of multidrug resistant strains of bacteria has resulted in the need for novel therapeutic agents. The ApoEdp peptide, derived from the receptor-binding region of the human apolipoprotein E, had previously been shown to have activity against herpes simplex viruses, human immunodeficiency virus and certain bacterial species. However, its antibacterial mode of action was not elucidated, therefore the present study aimed to determine this mechanism. The susceptibility of several different strains, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli, to ApoEdp was investigated. No significant difference was observed between the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ApoEdp against a range of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The presence of E. coli K5 capsular polysaccharide in the growth medium led to a decrease in ApoEdp susceptibility of the non-capsulated E. coli MS101 DeltakfiC strain. Bacteria with non-functioning multidrug efflux pumps showed no difference in susceptibility. A mutation in the phoP gene of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium LT2, which regulates cell surface modifications led to an increase in ApoEdp susceptibility. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed changes in the membrane and internal structures of strains incubated with a minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ApoEdp for 5 min. ApoEdp was able to depolarise the cytoplasmic membrane. The ability of ApoEdp to induce cell lysis was assessed by the release of β-galactosidase into the supernatant. There was no significant difference in the supernatant β-galactosidase levels of ApoEdp treated and unlysed cells. ApoEdp, however was able to form pores in artificial lipid bilayers and decrease intracellular ATP levels. The effect of ApoEdp on transcription and translation was determined using an in vitro transcription/translation system. Results showed that ApoEdp did not affect protein synthesis. ApoEdp also worked in synergy with rifampicin, chloramphenicol, ampicillin and ciprofloxacin against bacteria. Overall, the results showed that ApoEdp acts by targeting the cytoplasmic membrane, although it may also have intracellular targets. Its ability to work in combination with conventional antibiotics and antibacterial activity against a range of different bacteria species demonstrates its therapeutic potential.
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Abdulqader, Ebrahim Abdulrahim Abdullah. "Fisheries and aspects of the biology of penaeid shrimps of Bahrain." Thesis, Bangor University, 1995. https://research.bangor.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/fisheries-and-aspects-of-the-biology-of-penaeid-shrimps-of-bahrain(c58daa5a-9176-4459-bb23-3f8fbbf67d64).html.
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Shrimp are the most valuable fish stock in Bahrain waters, the fishery being based on a single species P. semisulcatus which forms about 95 percent of the total landings. In 1993, shrimp landings formed 23.8 percent of the total Bahrain fish landing, which totalled 2,128 tonnes at a first sale value of 5.4 million Bahraini Dinars (1 DS$.0.380 BD). Beside the increased fishing effort, the marine habitat of Bahrain suffers from several sources of pollution. Most evident is dredging and reclamation which have altered most of the coastal areas. Despite the shrimp fishery importance and the development-related stresses on Bahrain coastal environments, there were limited basic data on this valuable stock. The current study aimed to provide as full an understanding as possible of the shrimp fishery of Bahrain. Several surveys were conducted on the shrimp populations and their environment. A sediment survey was conducted from 9 August to 26 October. From May 1991 to May 1992, a regular sampling programme was initiated to record the physical properties of the sea water at fixed stations in TUbli Bay and off Mina Sulman. Physical properties of sea water were also recorded in the open sea during June 1980, October and December 1991. Plankton collection was conducted mainly through two sampling programmes. The first was conducted in the open sea from September 1991 to January 1992 (excluding November 1991). The second programme was restricted to Tubli Bay; samples were obtained over periods from May 1991 to June 1992 inclusive and from March to May 1993. Two major benthic surveys were completed. The first was conducted from June 1980 to June 1981 using an industrial trawler, covering the whole shrimping ground, except TUbli Bay. A second survey was carried out on the shrimp population in TUbli Bay from May 1991 to June 1993 in three time periods, from May 1991 to June 1992, November 1992 and from April to June 1993. Based on the above surveys, physical properties of sea water and bottom sediment of the shrimping ground were described. Also the bionomics of the seven penaeid species found in Bahrain waters were determined. Benthic and plankton surveys revealed spawning activities of P. semisulcatus restricted to the offshore waters. Also prolonged spawning activity was determined for this species, which most significantly occurred from August to March. P. semisulcatus main recruits appeared in the shrimping grounds from April to July, originating from nurseries found within the areas A and B. Two migration patterns were determined for P. semisulcatus within Bahrain shrimping grounds throughout a season. The updated information on shrimp fishery generated by the current work provides a basis for identification of areas for further improvement of this fishery. Consequently, the work determines of future investigations necessary for Bahrain shrimp fishery.
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Sweetman, Steven C. "Aspects of the microvertebrate fauna of the Early Cretaceous (Barremian) Wessex Formation of the Isle of Wight, southern England." Thesis, University of Portsmouth, 2007. https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/aspects-of-the-microvertebrate-fauna-of-the-early-cretaceous-barremian-wessex-formation-of-the-isle-of-wight-southern-england(23bc7cad-33fe-42b8-a95e-7b84d339d38c).html.
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Until this study, the microvertebrate fauna of the Early Cretaceous (Barremian) Wessex Formation of the Isle of Wight, southern England,was virtually unknown. A comprehensive survey of potentially productive horizons was undertaken using bulk screening techniques and this yielded an unexpectedly diverse microvertebrate fauna together with fragmentary but significant remains of hitherto unknown elements of the associated macro-fauna. At least forty one previously unrecorded tetrapod taxa have been recovered. Many taxa are generically distinct from those occurring in other coeval European deposits, but in general aspect the faunas are similar. Palaeoenvironmental differences appear to have affected the balance of taxa present but the faunas are dominated by an essentially relictual assemblage of mammals, small theropod and ornithischian dinosaurs, abundant crocodilians, rare pterosaurs and turtles, scincomorph and anguimorph lizards, frogs of discoglossid grade, salamanders and albanerpetontids. The mammal fauna is comprehensively described and detailed accounts of thelepidosaur and archosaur faunas are provided. Space and time constraints do not permit description of the lissamphibian fauna but a summary of this is provided. For the same reason, the fish fauna is described in outline only but the significant occurrence of a neoselachianshark is reported in detail. The taxon concerned represents the earliest record of a neoselachian from a freshwater environment. In view of the scarcity of freshwater/terrestrial deposits of Barremian age elsewhere in the world, the Wessex Formation micro-fauna is of considerable importance and complements the already known macro-herpetofauna. This is without parallel elsewhere in Europe and provides a valuable insight into dinosaur faunas and their evolution between the Late Jurassic and mid Cretaceous. Many elements of the Wessex Formation micro-fauna are also encountered in the Early Cretaceous of central and eastern Asia, northern Gondwana and North America.Despite evidence for the existence of marine barriers separating these areas, it is becoming increasingly apparent that faunal interchange between them occurred, albeit perhaps sporadically, during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. The Wessex Formation microbiota lends further support to this concept and its palaeobiogeographical significance is discussed.Techniques employed in the recovery of the microvertebrate fauna have also resulted in the recovery of previously unrecorded invertebrates and plants. Some of this material may, in due course, allow better dating of the Wessex Formation succession, permit correlation between the south-west and south east-coastal sections on the Isle of Wight and a better understanding of palaeoenvironmental conditions during Wessex Formation times. A brief outline is provided. In view of their palaeontological significance, the plant debris beds of the Wessex Formation are described and conclusions drawn with regard to their genesis.
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Colman, Michael Alan. "Development of a biophysically detailed model of the human atria for the investigation of the mechanisms of atrial arrhythmias." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2013. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/development-of-a-biophysically-detailed-model-of-the-human-atria-for-the-investigation-of-the-mechanisms-of-atrial-arrhythmias(29e4f51f-6ead-43e4-8574-eae9e4e1eb26).html.
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Atrial arrhythmias are the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmias. Rates of hospitalisation and costs incurred to healthcare organisations are increasing in epidemic proportions. Despite this, the mechanisms of the transition from sinus rhythm to arrhythmic states are not well understood. The high level of regional electrical heterogeneity observed in the atria is thought to contribute towards the high prevalence of atrial arrhythmias. However, current computer models of the intact human atria only account for a small degree of this regional electrical heterogeneity, and do not include descriptions of the pacemaker regions of the sinoatrial node and the atrioventricular node. In this project, a new computational model of the intact 3D human atria is developed. First, a new single cell model to simulate the electrical action potential of the human atrial myocyte is developed. This model more accurately simulated the experimentally observed properties of human atrial action potentials than previous models. A family of electrically heterogeneous models describing the major regions within the atria is then developed, including those of the sinoatrial- and atrioventricular- nodes. This set of regional cell models represents the most expansive and complete set currently available. It is demonstrated that the large range of different electrical properties results in a large range of action potential morphology and duration within the atria. Models of the effect of sympathetic and parasympathetic regulation on the electrical AP of the models of the atrial working myocardium and the pacemaker regions were also incorporated. This demonstrated that sympathetic regulation can increase the pacing rate of the sinoatrial node and the atrio-ventricular node, and has a complex dose dependent effect on the atrial working myocardium. Four distinct models of the effects of atrial fibrillation induced remodelling on the atrial working myocardium are developed. These characterised the effect of remodelling of IKur on the overall changes in action potential morphology and duration observed. It is shown that the presence or absence of remodelling of this channel accounts for two distinct observed morphologies. A previous 3D anatomical model of the human atria is improved. First, detailed anatomical models for the sinoatrial node and the atrioventricular node are incorporated into the model. Second, it is further segmented to include regions for the pulmonary veins, atrio-ventricular ring, atrial septum and sinoatrial node block zone. This model is used to investigate the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic regulation in the 3D atria. Finally, a detailed investigation of the underlying mechanisms of atrial fibrillation in the 3D atria, and the effect of electrical remodelling on the behaviour of atrial fibrillation, is performed using the detailed 3D model. This work represents a significant advance in 3D human atrial modelling. The anatomical model incorporates a greater level of complexity than previous models, and for the first time allowed investigation of the pacemaking mechanisms in the 3D intact human atria. The atrial fibrillation protocols are more physiologically relevant than previous models and have elucidated the roles that electrophysiological remodelling, electrical heterogeneity and structural anisotropy play in the development and maintenance of atrial fibrillation.
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Botelho, Jude. "Using the Internet for religion : a study of the possible use of the Internet for religious purposes among the Catholics of the Archdiocese of Mumbai, India." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2005. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/92v4z/using-the-internet-for-religion-a-study-of-the-possible-use-of-the-internet-for-religious-purposes-among-the-catholics-of-the-archdiocese-of-mumbai-india.
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It has been claimed that the Internet is influencing not only ways of doing business and modes of communication and recreation, but also the ways human beings practice religion. Most studies undertaken on how people are using the web for their religious needs are done in North America, largely among Christians. This study was aimed at testing whether this was true of Catholic users of the Internet from the Archdiocese of Mumbai, India. In order to verify the religious use of the Internet, focus groups were conducted among various sectors of Catholic users to explore whether differences in age, sex and religious groupings resulted in significant variations in net usage. The data obtained from the focus groups was further tested with a survey questionnaire, administered to a representative sampling of Catholics from the Archdiocese of Mumbai. The data provides not only general trends of net use among the Catholics, but also nuanced perceptions of the net in relationship to its religious use. Research evidence indicated that the Internet was not being used for religion by the Catholics of Mumbai. The fact that there was an inclination towards and ambivalence to using the net shows that there are deeper issues that are influencing net usage. These issues could relate to the free-for-all style of the net and the authority-bound character of the Catholic faith; the interactive character of the net in contrast to the top-down style of communication of the Catholic church; and the global virtual community of the net in comparison with the tangible faith commitment to the local parish community in worship and practice. In conclusion hypotheses proposed to explain the poor usage of the Net are substantiated and new issues suggested, that require further research in the context of net use for religion.
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Turner, Garth. "Cathedrals and change in the twentieth century : aspects of the life of the cathedrals of the Church of England with special reference to the Cathedral Commissions of 1925, 1958, 1992." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2011. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/cathedrals-and-change-in-the-twentieth-centuryaspects-of-the-life-of-the-cathedrals-of-the-church-of-englandwith-special-reference-to-the-cathedral-commissions-of-1925-1958-1992(673f7471-6b58-4d05-9cda-1b64f8240bd0).html.
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Four commissions considered cathedrals during the nineteenth century. The first two gave them their modern structure: a dean, a small number of stipendiary, residentiary, canons, a larger honorary body. But the principal achievement of these commissions was negative; their emphasis was on the removal of wealth. The second two sought to give new corporate and diocesan life to these ancient bodies. Their aspirations, however, never achieved parliamentary enactment. Thus in the early twentieth century there was will for the reform; the establishment of the Church Assembly presented more auspicious circumstances in which to attempt it. The thesis falls into two related parts. The first traces institutional change across the twentieth-century - change which can be measured by the statutory outcome of the proposals of the three commissions which sat during the century. It will be argued that all three were clearly products of their times, showing the influence of context: of social (and technological) change and of the mind-set of the Church: the first two, reflecting that Church, were conservative and respectful of inheritance and tradition. The last, in an age socially, politically, administratively, ecclesiastically, much changed, was radical. It showed less respect for tradition and a greater susceptibility to external factors: markedly to contemporary management theory. Constitutions regulate a life. The second part explores aspects of that life. All the aspects reviewed helped to form, and were in turn re-formed by, the Commissions and the consequent Measures. First among the subjects examined is the fundamental, defining, relationship, that with the bishop and the diocese. Other chapters discuss the force of external, social, change in shaping and moulding the work and witness of cathedrals, and their methods and standards of pastoral care. The ecumenical movement, though scarcely noticed by the first Commission, was already a factor in the work of a few cathedrals. The 1990s commission assumed, and its Measure provided for, ecumenical involvement. The first commission noted the fact of dissension within cathedrals and between them and their bishops; such troubles were the immediate cause of the last commission; the final chapter examines publicly prominent episodes of dissension. Throughout the century, in their witness the cathedrals responded, sometimes profoundly, to a context of change; their historic constitutions and the independence they conferred enabled the cathedrals to conduct a richly varied public ministry The, frequently decisive, force of personalities, especially of deans and provosts, in producing that ministry, is emphasised. The progress of the parish church cathedrals from, early in the century, scant institutional life to, by its end, parity with their ancient counterparts, is traced. The main text is supported by appendices, including two respectively providing biographical notes on those mentioned in the text, and definitions of specialist terms.
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Taye, Fitalew Agimass. "Valuation of non-market ecosystem services of forests : preferences for recreation, effect of childhood experience, and the role of environmental attitudes." Thesis, Bangor University, 2017. https://research.bangor.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/valuation-of-nonmarket-ecosystem-services-of-forests-preferences-for-recreation-effect-of-childhood-experience-and-the-role-of-environmental-attitudes(b783c1d8-8bca-43ea-979a-975c7401d314).html.
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Forests provide a multitude of ecosystem services to society. However, not all such services are being reflected in market prices and that leads to underestimation of their economic values, and suboptimal management schemes. Therefore, non-market valuation is required to provide complementary information for better forest management that underpin the concept of total economic values. In this PhD thesis, the non-market values of forests are evaluated with a focus to show the impact of forest management on ecosystem services. The thesis consists of four papers that address three main research questions: 1) Which forest structural characteristics and features affect recreational preferences? 2) Does childhood forest experience determine forest visiting habit in adulthood? And 3) How does environmental attitude influence individuals’ willingness to pay for forest management initiatives designed to enhance ecosystem service provision? In the first paper, we evaluate the effects of forest structural characteristics and diversity in forest stands on recreational preferences. The study is undertaken using choice experiment (CE) data about people's preferences for forest characteristics in their future recreational visits. In general, mixed tree species are found to be preferred to monocultures; and stands with varying height are preferred over stands consisting of same height trees. The variation between stands also increases the recreational value of forests; and in some instances, may outweigh the contribution of variation within a stand. In the second paper, we investigate the factors that influence the choice of forest site for recreation. The paper is conducted based on the survey data in which respondents were asked to indicate last visited forest sites using map tools. However, the number of alternative sites accessible to each respondent was too large to include all in the choice set, and hence, we use simple random sampling. Relevant attributes are identified by using spatial data analysis. The factors that significantly influence choice of forest site include: forest area, tree species composition, forest density, availability of historical sites, terrain difference, state ownership, and distance. In addition, we empirically show how large a number of alternatives are sufficient to provide consistent parameter estimates through the random selection. The third paper investigates the impact of past experience, in this case childhood forest experience, on forest visit frequency in adulthood. The study is conducted based on data collected from nine European countries and hence examines cross-country variations in frequency of visit. Childhood experience is found to positively influence forest recreation practices. The frequency of visit is also significantly determined by current residential location and distance (to nearest forest). In the fourth paper, we examine the role of environmental attitude on people’s WTP for forest ecosystem services. We use the new environmental paradigm (NEP) scale to measure environmental attitude as a multidimensional concept. The variation in willingness to pay for ecosystem services is illustrated using different modelling approaches and people with an ecocentric attitude are found to have higher willingness to pay compared to those with anthropocentric attitude. In general, the three main conclusions of the thesis are: o The recreational importance of forests depends on the forest characteristics and other features which in one way or another are influenced by forest management principles. This provides evidence on the necessity to consider the non-market values in forest management so as to maximize social welfare. o Forest recreational behaviour is found to be influenced by individuals’ experiences during childhood, current residential location, and distance. This highlights the importance of improving accessibility of nature areas such as forests for more recreational participation of today’s children – so that they could develop nature recreational habit and pro-environmental behaviour in adulthood. o Individuals’ environmental attitudes on the human-nature relationships influence their WTP for forest ecosystem services. This confirms the importance of understanding the heterogeneity among individuals, before practical policy options are taken from average WTP estimates.
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Tan, Justin Teng-Tiong. "Mystical anthropology in Gregory of Nyssa's Homilies on the Song of Songs." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 1995. https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/mystical-anthropology-in-gregory-of-nyssas-homilies-of-the-song-of-songs(98abf7a5-3380-48cd-baf3-20bbfb9ba285).html.
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The Thesis is an attempt to explicate Gregory of Nyssa's mystical anthropology in one of his most mature of mystical writings, the Homilies to the Song of Songs. Gregory's mystical anthropology draws its basis from his philosophical anthropology, and explores the implication of the nature and destiny of man in terms of the concept of divinisation or the transformation of human nature by the indwelling Christ. Gregory utilises the neo-Platonic concept of the ascent of the soul to its original perfection, but transforms this concept by the biblical doctrine of Grace and Incarnation. Holding to the unbridgeable gulf between the Created and the Uncreated, Gregory proposes the abandonment of all senses and entrance into the darkness where God ist and he postulates the divinisation of human nature without end based on that unbridgeable gulf. Gregory's philosophical anthropology would be incomplete without his mystical anthropology. The divinisation of human nature does not imply an idiosyncratic idea of the soul in flight, "from the alone to the Alone". The soul, as Gregory understands it, is firmly attached to its ecclesiastical community, where it has its space-time existence in a life of imitating its Lord in his love for mankind. Its destiny is ultimately linked with the destiny of the body of Christ, the Church. Gregory's concept is then compared with Origen's, whose ideas are said to have the most influence on Gregory's. Analysis shows that there are extrapolations of Origen's theology in Gregory's, but there are obvious discontinuities. The fact of the Incarnation is stressed by both writers, but the soul in Origen seems to pass beyond faith in the Incarnation in its ascent to God into the light of the full knowledge of God; whereas Gregory places his theology on the faith of the Incarnation throughout the soul's ascent, not into increasing light, but into increasing darkness where God is. An illustration of Gregorys mystical anthropology can be detected in his other writing, the Life of Macrina, where he describes his sister using the familiar imageries from the Song of Songs i. e. virgin, bride, Thecla, refining gold and guidance to her ascetic community. Her ascent in perfection is also described in the language of the doctrine of Epektasis. Gregory seems to see in Macrina a real life paradigm for his mystical anthropology.
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Ibuot, Aniefon. "Evaluation of the use of algae for bioremediation of toxic metal pollutants." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2015. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/evaluation-of-the-use-of-algae-for-bioremediation-of-toxic-metal-pollutants(db60de2c-ff75-4ece-b3a0-b67655bcadbb).html.
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Metal pollution has been a great challenge in most industrialized countries as a result of waste generated from industrial activities being introduced into the environment. Unicellular green algae have been considered a potential biological tool for bioremediation of metal pollutants due to its metal sequestration properties. However, methods for further improving unicellular green algae metal sequestration by manipulating metal uptake and tolerance in unicellular green algae have not been studied in detail. In this study, a family metal transport protein named MTP1 - MTP4 from C. reinhardtii were screened by yeast heterologous expression for metal transport activity. MTP1 was able to strongly rescue the Zn and Co sensitivity of the zrc1cot1 strain, MTP3 could weakly mediate Zn and Co growth, but MTP2 and MTP4 appeared to have no Zn or Co tolerance activity. MTP2, MTP3 and MTP4 but not MTP1 could strongly rescue the Mn sensitivity of the pmr1 strain. When MTP4 was over-expressed in C. reinhardtii the strain showed a significant increase in Cd tolerance compared to the wild type, but no significant difference in Mn tolerance and uptake. AtHMA4 a Zn2+ and Cd2+ transporter from the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, which is a member of the Heavy Metal ATPase family, was also expressed in C. reinhardtii. HMA4 full length and C-terminal tail expression strains were screened for Zn and Cd tolerance and uptake. Both sets of strains showed a significant increase in Cd and Zn tolerance and uptake compared to the wild type. Metal tolerance and uptake was compared between the genetically engineered C. reinhardtii strains and unicellular green algal strains that are naturally adapted to metal tolerance which were P. hussi, P. kessleri, and C. luteoviridis. Results showed significant increase in Zn and Cd tolerance and uptake in the natural strains compared to the engineered strains. Therefore in addition to genetically engineered strains, naturally adapted strains could also be used as tools for effective metal bioremediation and pollutant treatment.
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Harper-Bill, Christopher. "An edition of the Register of John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury 1486-1500, with critical introduction." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 1997. https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/an-edition-of-the-register-of-john-morton-archbishop-of-canterbury-14861500(a842690e-116b-4dcb-8157-646baccbf49b).html.
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Chini, Nicolas. "A contribution towards the analysis of the effect of climate change and sea level rise on hydrodynamic conditions and sediment transport off East Anglian coast." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2012. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/a-contribution-towards-the-analysis-of-the-effect-of-climate-change-and-sea-level-rise-on-hydrodynamic-conditions-and-sediment-transport-off-east-anglian-coast(b42e86c4-f0c6-49b5-bcac-f3407fc6b462).html.
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Coastal management accounting for shoreline erosion and coastal flooding requires information about various physical processes that take place over a range of temporal and spatial scales. Field measurements provide information on the past and current coastal environment and statistical tools are used to determine extreme conditions that can lead to damage. However, in a changing climate, these conditions cease to be statistically stationary, making predictions problematic. To assess future conditions, a set of scenarios for greenhouse gas emissions has been defined to project impacts on global oceanographic conditions and sea level rise. This thesis estimates the effect of these global projections on coastal processes off the North Norfolk coast of the UK. A model system is set up to downscale global conditions on to nearshore conditions (wave climate, water level and beach profile), which influence coastal stability and coastal flood risk. The system is based on coupling numerical models for different temporal and spatial scales. The area contains large tidal sandbanks and shore-connected sand ridges. The downscaling procedure accounts for interactions that take place on the upper part of the continental shelf where these large-scale seabed features affect wave propagation, tidal flows and sediment transport. The modelling system is then validated against historical data and then used to compute long-term inshore hydrodynamic characteristics and sediment transport resulting from future projections of climate change and sea level rise. This enables an assessment of extreme inshore wave heights, overtopping discharge rates and their occurrence at a sea defence through extreme joint probability analysis. This modelling assumes a fixed seabed. However, the system includes a sub model for the release of sediment from the cliff erosion, which provides a source of sediment for the maintenance of the offshore sandbanks. The link between the cliff and the sandbanks is demonstrated by computing the residual sediment transport. The model system is also used to assess the impact of offshore sand extraction on coastline erosion. Finally, the system is used to analyse an overtopping and flood inundation event at Walcott in 2007 enabling uncertainties in the predictions to be assessed.
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Aktepy, Sarah Louise. "A RHETORIC OF BETRAYAL: MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA AND THE REPORTED EXPERIENCES OF OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM AND OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM WOMEN VETERANS." Thesis, Connect to resource online, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/1805/2118.
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Thesis (M.A.)--Indiana University, 2010.Title from screen (viewed on April 1, 2010). Department of Sociology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Advisor(s): Carol Brooks Gardner, Carrie E. Foote, Lynn M. Pike. Includes vitae. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-74).
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Dafni, Nikoleta. "Isaiah 56-66 : prophecy or apocalypse? : the nature of the eschatological beliefs of Isaiah 56-66 and the investigation of the problem of its unity within the rest of the Isaianic corpus." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 1997. https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/isaiah-5666--prophecy-or-apocalypse-the-nature-of-the-eschatological-beliefs-of-isaiah-5666-and-the-investigation-of-the-problem-of-its-unity-within-the-rest-of-the-isaianic-corpus(a961582c-797d-4578-bdab-6b1cfc9277fa).html.
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Hughes, Matthew. "The films of Kenneth Anger and the sixties politics of consciousness." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2011. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/8zy90/the-films-of-kenneth-anger-and-the-sixties-politics-of-consciousness.
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This thesis is an enquiry into avant-garde filmmaker Kenneth Anger’s stated impetus for aesthetic practice, in that his approach is characterised by a desire to elicit a ‘transformative’ response from the spectator: “I chose cinema as the mode of personal expression for its potential and capacity for disruption: it is the surest means to incite change.” This central animating principle of Anger’s practice has been fundamentally neglected in what little critical writing that already exists on his work. Whilst this intent is framed within an esoteric religious paradigm – the occult – my contention is that it must also be understood as part of a much wider socio-historical political process. I argue that as a personal friend of many within the Beat and psychedelic movements, Anger’s practice should be understood as part of the US countercultural drive to ‘revolutionise consciousness’. This aspiration was prompted by the widespread belief within the Sixties US counterculture that ‘normality’ was a state of implicit alienation, and that the undermining of standardised forms of subjectivity was necessary in order that a more authentic mode of existence be found; either as a prerequisite for wider structural change, or, as in the romantic psychedelic movement in which Anger was associated, as a qualifier for change in itself. This particular ‘politics of consciousness’ of the Sixties as propagated by a spiritually inflected, romantic anarchist strain in post-war US society was based upon the utopian belief that the transformation of individual consciousness was a method of facilitating widespread revolution. I see this aspiration as a utopian expression of the refrain ‘the personal is political’ that came to popular fruition in the Sixties, in which the consideration of one’s own life was a political concern in itself. In this politics of consciousness, the Sixties countercultural paradigm saw the idealised forms of subjectivity produced by post-war US capitalism as serial, standardised, and crucially, ‘inauthentic’; as something to be overcome, with aesthetic production playing a fundamental role in this process. I argue that Anger’s Sixties work must be read in much wider relation to the socio-political discourses of its time than has been previously afforded in what little critical writing on Anger’s work that exists to date.
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Elliott, B. "The role of acute ambient hypoxia in the regulation of myostatin." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2015. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/9ww8v/the-role-of-acute-ambient-hypoxia-in-the-regulation-of-myostatin.
Full textAbstract:
When exposed to chronic hypoxia by pathophysiological or environmental causes humans show muscle atrophy, challenging homeostasis and increasing mortality rate. Chronic hypoxia also presents with elevated myostatin peptide, a negative regulator of muscle size. This work induced acute hypoxia in healthy individuals; hypothesizing hypoxia would increase myostatin expression in both muscle and plasma in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Hypoxia (1 % O2) reduced C2C12 myoblast migration and myotube size in vitro. Myotube atrophy was time-dependent, longer exposures showed greater atrophy. Intracellular myostatin peptide was decreased at every time point measured. Myostatin and downstream signalling pathways in muscle showed a high degree of percentage similarity between mouse and human, when amino acid sequences were directly compared. Healthy males (N = 8) were exposed to 20.9 % O2 or 11.9 % O2 for 2 hours. Following hypoxic exposure myostatin peptide was reduced in muscle but not plasma, relative to control conditions. A second cohort (N = 8) was exposed to 12.5 % O2 for 10 hours. Plasma myostatin was decreased following hypoxia, muscle myostatin trended towards increasing. A third cohort (N = 9; n = 8 lowlander, n = 1 Sherpa) was exposed to 10.7 % or 12.3 % O2 for 2 hours. Plasma myostatin was reduced at both concentrations with no difference between concentrations noted. In response to chronic hypoxia, individuals lose muscle mass. Counter to the hypothesis of an increase in myostatin in both muscle and plasma, here a consistent decrease in plasma myostatin following acute hypoxia is seen. Muscle myostatin shows a variable response, with decreasing intracellular expression seen following a 2 hour hypoxic exposure, and trends towards an increase following 10 hours of hypoxia. Decreases in plasma and muscle myostatin may represent myostatin’s movement towards peripheral compartments in these acute timeframes. Hypoxia alone is capable of altering myostatin in healthy individuals; the effects of hypoxia on myostatin appear to differ between the acute timeframes examined here and chronic exposures in environmental or disease models.
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Rogova, Ermir. "Treatment of imprecision in data repositories with the aid of KNOLAP." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2010. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/907q7/treatment-of-imprecision-in-data-repositories-with-the-aid-of-knolap.
Full textAbstract:
Traditional data repositories introduced for the needs of business processing, typically focus on the storage and querying of crisp domains of data. As a result, current commercial data repositories have no facilities for either storing or querying imprecise/approximate data. No significant attempt has been made for a generic and applicationindependent representation of value imprecision mainly as a property of axes of analysis and also as part of dynamic environment, where potential users may wish to define their “own” axes of analysis for querying either precise or imprecise facts. In such cases, measured values and facts are characterised by descriptive values drawn from a number of dimensions, whereas values of a dimension are organised as hierarchical levels. A solution named H-IFS is presented that allows the representation of flexible hierarchies as part of the dimension structures. An extended multidimensional model named IF-Cube is put forward, which allows the representation of imprecision in facts and dimensions and answering of queries based on imprecise hierarchical preferences. Based on the H-IFS and IF-Cube concepts, a post relational OLAP environment is delivered, the implementation of which is DBMS independent and its performance solely dependent on the underlying DBMS engine.
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Johnston, Glynis. "The impact of transport infrastructure on the development of urban communities." Thesis, University of Westminster, 2013. https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/8z03q/the-impact-of-transport-infrastructure-on-the-development-of-urban-communities.
Full textAbstract:
The objective of the research has been to study how the provision of transport infrastructure in an urban environment influences developers’ decisions at a local level. This entailed understanding the factors that might influence the choices that developers, land owners and potential users of the developments make and the influence that transport infrastructure has on those choices. The ultimate objective of the research has been to explore how the providers of the transport infrastructure can deliver maximum benefit to present and future local communities. The author chose to adopt a case study approach to her research as it involves direct contact with the wide range of stakeholders affected by the provision of transport infrastructure. A recent review of civil engineering research (EPSRC, 2009) stressed that human aspects and the relationship between people and infrastructure are important elements of the challenges faced, particularly those in sustainability and resilience. Three case study areas were chosen as examples of on-going regeneration projects. Two of these projects involve new transport infrastructure aimed at improving connectivity and accessibility and they provide illustrations of the impact that enhanced infrastructure has on the local community. Parallels are drawn with the relatively recently completed Jubilee Line Extension and its impacts. The literature review identified that further research was needed to find methods for mitigating negative impacts on the community of regeneration schemes especially in regard to transport infrastructure. The thesis uniquely explores these issues by using the concept of Power of Place, as originally described by Sir Neil Cossons (English Heritage, 2000), to demonstrate the importance of understanding the community value of place, and how it might be manifested in the regeneration process as an integral part of and successful delivery of transport and land use planning. Based on the literature review and the evidence obtained from the three case studies in this research a number of key drivers have been identified that are necessary for minimising the possible negative effects of regeneration projects. Collectively these drivers make up what Sir Neil Cossons termed Power of Place. Application of the concept, with its many facets, requires a multi-disciplinary approach and could aid in the creation of sustainable communities which have a sense of identity, a sense of belonging and sense of ownership
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Sallal, Muntadher Fadhil. "Evaluation of security and performance of clustering in the Bitcoin network, with the aim of improving the consistency of the Blockchain." Thesis, University of Portsmouth, 2018. https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/evaluation-of-security-and-performance-of-clustering-in-the-bitcoin-network-with-the-aim-of-improving-the-consistency-of-the-blockchain(ae9ccd30-2660-4ba9-8836-b24479a07530).html.
Full textAbstract:
Bitcoin is a digital currency based on a peer-to-peer network to propagate and verify transactions. Bitcoin is gaining wider adoption than any previous crypto-currency and many well-known businesses have begun accepting bitcoins as means of financial payments. However, the mechanism of peers randomly choosing logical neighbors without any knowledge about the underlying physical topology can cause a delay overhead in information propagation which makes the system vulnerable to double spend attacks due to inconsistencies in the blockchain. Aiming at alleviating the propagation delay problem, this thesis evaluates the concept of network clustering in tackling the propagation delay problem in the Bitcoin network throughout introducing a proximity-aware extensions to the current Bitcoin protocol, named Locality Based Clustering (LBC), Ping Time Based Clustering (BCBPT), Super Node Based Clustering (BCBSN), and Master Node Based Clustering (MNBC). The ultimate purpose of the proposed protocols, that are based on how clusters are formulated and nodes define their membership, is to improve the information propagation delay in the Bitcoin network. The proximity of connectivity in the Bitcoin network is increased in the LBC and BCBPT protocol by grouping Bitcoin nodes based on different criteria, physical location in LBC protocol and link latencies between nodes in the BCBPT. In the BCBSN protocol, geographical connectivity increases as well as the number of hops between nodes decreases through assigning one node to be a cluster head that is responsible for maintaining the cluster. Whereas, MNBC incorporates master node technology and proximity-awareness into the existing Bitcoin protocol with the aim of creating fully connected clusters based on physical Internet proximity. We show, through simulations, that the proposed approaches define better clustering structures that optimize the transaction propagation delay over the Bitcoin protocol. However, MNBC is more effective at reducing the transaction propagation delay compared to the BCBPT, LBC, and BCBSN. On the other hand, this thesis evaluates the resistance of the Bitcoin network and the proposed approaches against the partitioning attack. Even though the Bitcoin network is more resistant against partition attacks than the proposed approaches, more resources need to be spent to split the network in the proposed approaches especially with a higher number of nodes. Finally, this thesis introduces a novel methodology to measure the transaction propagation delay in the real Bitcoin network with the aim of validating any model of the Bitcoin network. Transaction propagation measurements show that the transaction propagation time is significantly affected by the number of connected nodes and the network topology which is not proximity defined. In addition, large-scale measurements of the real Bitcoin network are performed in thesis with the aim of providing an opportunity to parameterise any model of the Bitcoin network accurately. Furthermore, this thesis presents a simulation model of the Bitcoin peer-to-peer network which is an event based simulation.
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Al-Derham, Hassan Rashid. "The establishment of performance criteria for the evaluation of procurement of senior staff and private housing projects in the State of Qatar." Thesis, University of South Wales, 1999. https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/studentthesis/the-establishment-of-performance-criteria-for-the-evaluation-of-procurement-of-senior-staff-and-private-housing-projects-in-the-state-of-qatar(b0bec775-2ed0-43ad-9b33-c5391a45781e).html.
Full textAbstract:
A study by the Supreme Planning Council called the attention of problems during the procurement of Senior Staff Housing projects leading to less effective project outcomes. The SPC report put the blame on the current regulations of the scheme. This research evaluated SSH projects in comparison with Private Housing (PH) projects, which were not affected by SSH regulations. A model was developed as part of this research study. The model sets out to embrace the relationships between the variables in the building process. The model takes six main groups of independent variables, namely those that affect the client, the land acquisition, the design phase, the construction phase, disputes and SSH regulations. The effectiveness of the housing projects was measured against quantitative and qualitative performance indicators. The performance variables tested were unit cost; percentage of cost overrun; speed of construction; percentage of time overrun; client's satisfaction with cost and time; client's overall satisfaction; client's rating on quality; aesthetic quality and technical quality. As this study is the first of its kind, exploratory interviews with industry participants were conducted to gain a better understanding of construction practice in Qatar as well as to firm up the design of the client's questionnaire, aesthetic and technical quality evaluation techniques. The main field study resulted in 61 SSH projects and 34 PH projects. The research revealed that PH projects are more effective than SSH projects. It was found that SSH regulations are not the main reason for a less effective outcome. The main reasons were the unclear objectives and bad decisions made by the SSH clients. The research also revealed poor quality workmanship, old construction techniques and the use of inadequate construction materials. Also, a lack of, proper contract forms and means of dispute resolution. There are no institutions for consultants or contractors and a lack of training and development. Together, these factors contribute to the client's poor image of the industry. The research provides recommendations for reorganising the industry to improve its output. These include establishing Construction Industry Council, forming institutions for consultants and contractors, and establishing Housing Council.