Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'To 634'

This dissertation is about how the concept of harm, damage or wound is applied as a metaphor to a site often called the self or the soul. This is the social space of the individual subject, which is, paradoxically, placed by our language and culture in a person’s interior – a place where we are all said to be vulnerable and endangered by a potentially hostile environment. The thesis consists of a series of studies which are designed to show how the concept of harm to an inner life emerges from different discursive contexts, and how it does so in distinctly variable versions: psychological, emotional, neurological or social, in more or less stable hybrid forms. Using primary sources which are mostly documentary, supported by some interviews, the studies range from a look at the psychiatric history of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and at the story of its rewriting in English tort law; the recent reprised popularity of attachment theory and its marriage to neurology and a look at the career of the concept of the emotional abuse of children as a social problem category in the legal/administrative processes of Child Protection. These are introduced by a first chapter which concentrates on the metaphoric content of invisible wounds or psychic trauma and the way it produces particular forms of the self. The studies which follow this are clustered around the literature and practices of the psychiatric, psychological, psycho-analytic, social work and legal professions, in order to show how the work of these professionals makes the concept of a psychic injury visible, discussible, treatable, administrable and justiciable. Through their efforts, it is argued, the concept moves from being a metaphor, hooked onto the palpable reality of a physical wound, to acquire a ‘facticity’ of its own; it becomes a reality through its achieved status as a social problem category and an ever present risk to self and self regulation at the turn of the 21st century.

This thesis examines macroeconomic and company specific factors that determines the long-term growth rate of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). The study employs quarterly panel data of 229 US REITs for the period of 199201 to 201104 resulting in 7,140 observations. The analysis applies the firm fixed effects estimator and variance decompositions. The long-term growth rate is found to be positively related to inflation, valuation effects, performance and size; and negatively related to economic growth and profitability. The study identifies economic growth (among macroeconomic factors) and size (among company specific factors) the most important influences on the long-term growth rate of US REITs. The study further provides information that the market determined an average long-term growth of 0.4% on a quarterly basis in the period under observation.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Glasgow, 1999.
Ph.D. thesis submitted to the Faculty of Law and Financial Studies, Department of Accounting and Finance, University of Glasgow, 1999. Print version also available.

There are many studies that focus upon the lives and experiences of the children of migrants born in the settlement country, the group known as the second generation. Yet, there are few, if any that explore the experiences of the middle class Sri Lankan Tamil second generation in the UK. This study looks to remedy this by comparing the experiences of the educated middle class second generation in the UK with their contemporaries in Sri Lanka. By focusing on two complimentary research sites the study provides an insight into how the experiences of the first generation in Sri Lanka may have influenced responses and reactions to their children born and brought up in the UK. This empirical research is therefore unique in that it focuses on the Sri Lankan Tamil middle class second generation and presents a comparison of both ends of the migratory journey. This study is a qualitative piece of research involving two periods of fieldwork in Sri Lanka and the UK. 3-months were spent in Colombo, Sri Lanka from June 2005 to September 2005 and in the UK, London and Leeds were the fieldwork sites, with interviewing from January 2006 to April 2006. Both in Sri Lanka and the UK, through a process of strategic sampling as a result of snowballing, the participants were educated, middle class Sri Lankan Tamils of both genders and between the ages of 14-34. The thesis focuses upon three main themes, pre-marital relationships and marriage, traditional practices and migration. Firstly, there has been a clear shift away from the traditional model of arranged marriage both in Sri Lanka and the UK, however there still remains the expectation to marry within caste, class, religious and most importantly ethnic boundaries. The number of individuals choosing to marry out is increasing, yet this appears to be more accepted in Sri Lanka than the UK. Both in Sri Lanka and the UK cultural traits like the coming of age ceremony are gradually declining, however the main concern in the UK amongst the second generation is that the Tamil language is disappearing. For many this has a direct link to ethnic identity and there is a worry that this will continue to erode. Directly related to this is the weakening of practical and emotional ties between the second generation in the UK and Sri Lanka. The tsunami in 2004 encouraged many young Sri Lankan Tamils to fund raise and send financial remittances to family, friends and charities in Sri Lanka. However, four years on there is increasing transnational redundancy and severing of ties with Sri Lanka evident in the responses and experiences of the second generation in the UK.

In this Thesis, we investigate the cosmological co-evolution of supermassive black holes (BHs), Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and their hosting dark matter (DM) halos and galaxies, within the standard CDM scenario. We analyze both analytic, semi-analytic and hybrid techniques and use the most recent observational data available to constrain the assumptions underlying our models. First, we focus on very simple analytic models where the assembly of BHs is directly related to the merger history of DM haloes. For this purpose, we implement the two original analytic models of Wyithe & Loeb 2002 and Wyithe & Loeb 2003, compare their predictions to the AGN luminosity function and clustering data, and discuss possible modifications to the models that improve the match to the observation. Then we study more sophisticated semi-analytic models in which however the baryonic physics is neglected as well. Finally we improve the hybrid simulation of De Lucia & Blaizot 2007, adding new semi-analytical prescriptions to describe the BH mass accretion rate during each merger event and its conversion into radiation, and compare the derived BH scaling relations, fundamental plane and mass function, and the AGN luminosity function with observations. All our results support the following scenario: • The cosmological co-evolution of BHs, AGN and galaxies can be well described within the CDM model. • At redshifts z & 1, the evolution history of DM halo fully determines the overall properties of the BH and AGN populations. The AGN emission is triggered mainly by DM halo major mergers and, on average, AGN shine at their Eddington luminosity. • At redshifts z . 1, BH growth decouples from halo growth. Galaxy major mergers cannot constitute the only trigger to accretion episodes in this phase. • When a static hot halo has formed around a galaxy, a fraction of the hot gas continuously accretes onto the central BH, causing a low-energy “radio” activity at the galactic centre, which prevents significant gas cooling and thus limiting the mass of the central galaxies and quenching the star formation at late time. • The cold gas fraction accreted by BHs at high redshifts seems to be larger than at low redshifts.

RNA contains over 100 post-transcriptional chemical modifications. Of these, the most abundant is pseudouridine (Ψ), the 5’ ribosyl isomer of uridine. The formation of Ψ occurs at the polynucleotide level, and is catalyzed by Ψ synthase enzymes. To date, five families of Ψ synthases have been identified. Our work deals with the fifth and last family to be discovered, the Ψ synthase TruD family. TruD homologs are present in organisms across the three kingdoms of life. A sequence alignment of TruD homologs reveals distinct sequence insertions at specific and conserved locations in homologs from higher organisms. We have carried out extensive bioinformatics searches in an effort to characterize these insertion sequences, and have found that one of these insertions has a high degree of similarity to the R3H single-strand nucleic acid binding domain. To further understand the nature of this insertion, we examined its role in the enzymatic activity of the yeast TruD homolog, Pus7p, and found that mutating this insert decreased the enzyme’s activity by almost half. The human genome codes for two TruD homologs, PUS7 and PUS7L. These putative pseudouridine synthases were named based on their similarity to the yeast TruD homolog Pus7p, but their function has only been inferred based on sequence, and neither their activity, nor their structure have been examined. In an effort to further our understanding about the TruD synthase family, we have taken a closer look at PUS7 and PUS7L. We have determined the optimal conditions for over-expression of the enzymes in a bacterial expression system, and shown that the proteins are soluble, and can be purified using serial chromatography. In addition, we have queried these enzymes’ ability to recognize canonical TruD substrates and found that they are unable to complement an E. coli truD deletion or an S. cerevisiae pus7 deletion. Instead, the human PUS7 enzyme proved to be highly specific to the human tRNAGlu sequence, displaying activity targeted to U13. This activity appears to be independent of accessory factors. Taken together, this work strives to further our knowledge of Ψ synthases by examining TruD homologs present in higher organisms. TruD has the least sequence identity to the other four synthase families and does not possess any of the known RNA binding motifs. This work expands our knowledge base of the TruD family, the most divergent of the five Ψ synthase families.

Emergent literacy may be described as the process of learning about the environment that leads to the development of meaning and concepts, including concepts about the functions of reading and writing. Research supports certain practices that promote emergent literacy in young children, and federal legislation outlines requirements for Head Start programs with regard to specific activities that should be promoted to enhance children's emergent literacy skills. This study asked teachers from 318 Head Start programs in the Southeast United States to complete a survey that asked specific questions targeting the emergent literacy practices used in classrooms, as well as familiarity with recent Head Start legislation and knowledge of suggested practices to promote literacy. Two hundred teachers completed and returned the surveys. The percentages of teachers utilizing recommended practices in the Head Start classrooms are provided in this study. Data analysis also revealed that there is a significant correlation between a respondent's tendency to incorporate more practices into her classroom and her familiarity with the Head Start Act of 1998.

This is a research project based on the author’s experience of more than 20 years as conductor of the Eastern Cape Childrens Choir. It investigates the effectiveness of technical exercises - with special reference to selected “warm-up” exercises - in creating a superior choral tone in the children’s choir. The investigation is motivated by the fact that it is an ongoing challenge to effectively overcome problems with intonation and poor choral tone, problems which are mostly caused by lack of attention to pure vowel formation. Toward this end, a practical “tool box” of vocal exercises for the children’s choir is ultimately proposed. The toolbox is based on one single exercise with different variations. Each variation is designed to address multiple vocal needs and to correct vocal production during singing. In this manner a great many technical aspects are covered with the simplest of means and in the shortest possible time, bearing in mind that the rehearsal session allows limited time to focus on such matters to the exclusion of all else.

New Zealand dairy farmers have been accused in a national 'dirty dairying' campaign of 'selfishly destroying the community's natural water resources' (Fish & Game 2001, pg l) through a combination of point and diffuse source pollution and habitat modification. The dirty dairying debate in response to Fish & Game's campaign is about the conflicts that arise through differing values of rural water resources in New Zealand. That farming practices affect freshwater ecosystems is broadly recognised but poorly understood. The problems encountered in New Zealand's dairy sector, however, are exacerbated by the nature of relationships between dairy industry actors, gaps in information and provision of environmental advice to farmers. This thesis examines aspects of the debate through scientific and social frameworks using three strongly interrelated investigations situated in the laboratory, field and social environment. Each investigation adds further levels of complexity providing potential biophysical solutions as well as insights into the challenges facing those seeking to manage the effects of dairy farming practices. Investigations focused mainly on dairy effluent and stream ecology in the Waikato and Taranaki areas. The research showed that both dairy shed effluent (DSE) dilution in stream flow and stream management practices, particularly riparian shading, were important in reducing the effects of discharges to stony stream communities. In some situations, diffuse inputs from stream management practices had already degraded stream communities, making them less sensitive to discharges. However, significant adverse effects on stream benthic invertebrates were observed for oxidation pond discharges at 338-fold and below, but not at 1000-fold dilution. Significant improvements in rural water and habitat quality are unlikely to be achieved under the regulatory regime in place at the time of the interviews carried out in this research. DSE discharges are controlled through statutory regulation, but in many cases the permitted dilution rates are too low. Controls on diffuse pollution and habitat modification are voluntary, and undertaken by some farmers. Improvements in rural water and habitat quality are constrained by a lack of clear understanding by farmers on the importance of DSE treatment and stream management practices and a lack of impetus to act. Contributing to this is limited availability, transfer and often misalignment of information between dairy industry actors involved in environmental management. However, enhanced information provision alone is unlikely to lead to improved rural water and habitat quality and Fonterra's Clean Stream Accord (May 2003), while contentious, represents a potentially effective way forward for stream management in New Zealand. Success of this Accord depends on all dairy industry actors (including farmers) working together and combining their strengths in order to generate useful, practical information and solutions to achieve improvements in rural water and habitat quality.

In my paper I explored the success of independent artists on the Internet over the past three to five years while also examining the diminishing need for major record labels with regards to an independent artists success. I chose to examine this trend primarily because we are seeing the success of many artists to varying degrees who use the Internet to promote their music on a scale we’ve never seen before. Because of this, the entire structure of the music industry is beginning to change drastically and people have greatly begun to rethink the way we discover and enjoy music as well as the types of music we like. I wanted to explore the ways in which independent artists are achieving their success, the degree to which this success has been achieved, and why they have chosen to remain independent from major record labels. I began by researching independent artists before the Internet became a marketplace for music and how the Internet has changed the music industry to this day with regards to album sales. I then researched different platforms that have recently emerged on the Internet and how they are allowing artists to market themselves in effective ways and at little to no cost to the artist. I also examined the equipment required to make music in the digital age and how it has become cheaper and more accessible to obtain. Finally I examined specific independent artists who have emerged over the past few years on scales larger than many artists signed by major labels and why they have chosen to remain independent. From the research I did on the rise of independent music, I learned that most of these artists are doing something unique or different from artists signed to major labels. I also found that the message behind their music was sometimes contradictory to what has been accepted in mainstream media in the past. They have remained independent because they do not want to lose creative control of their music while also cutting out the middle man, or record labels, so they may keep a majority of their own profits. Through the artists that were researched, it can be seen that a major label budget or marketing scheme is far from necessary in the age of the Internet and can actually hinder the careers of certain artists. This is important because as major record labels continue to become less important, the structure of the music industry and its economy are changing in a way that is the opposite of what it once was. Music is now beginning to be empowered by the artists and fans rather than by major label corporations.

This thesis addresses spatial interpolation and temporal prediction using air pollution data by several space-time modelling approaches. Firstly, we implement the dynamic linear modelling (DLM) approach in spatial interpolation and find various potential problems with that approach. We develop software to implement our approach. Secondly, we implement a Bayesian spatial prediction (BSP) approach to model spatio-temporal ground-level ozone fields and compare the accuracy of that approach with that of the DLM. Thirdly, we develop a Bayesian version empirical orthogonal function (EOF) method to incorporate the uncertainties due to temporally varying spatial process, and the spatial variations at broad- and fine- scale. Finally, we extend the BSP into the DLM framework to develop a unified Bayesian spatio-temporal model for univariate and multivariate responses. The result generalizes a number of current approaches in this field.

Dissociation of trichloroethylene (TCE) molecules on the Si(111)-7x7 and the Si(100)-2x1 surfaces was studied using STM. Though molecular adsorption may also be observed on the Si(111)-7x7 surface, dissociation is the dominant process. From the STM images acquired, products of dissociation were identified, namely chlorine atoms and dichlorovinyl groups. Dissociation of chlorine from the TCE molecule was confirmed by studying not just appearance in STM images but also from studies of tip-induced diffusion. Different binding configurations were proposed for the vinyl group on the Si (111)-7x7 and the Si(100)-2x1 surfaces. Site preference for each product of dissociation is reported on the Si(111)-7x7 surface. Dissociation of molecules such as ammonia, dimethylamine and methyl chloride on the Si(111)-7x7 and Si(100)-2x1 surfaces is reviewed. The field emission process is explained in detail. The usefulness of making field emission measurements is in evaluating the sharpness of STM tips.
xviii, 175 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm

While most human language is expressed verbally, the gestures produced concurrent to speech provide additional information, help listeners interpret meaning, and provide insight into the cognitive processes of the speaker. Several theories have suggested that gesture played an important, possibly central, role in the evolution of language. Great apes have been shown to use gestures flexibly in different situations and to modify their gestures in response to changing contexts. However, it has not previously been determined whether ape gestures are defined by structural variables, carry meaning, are used to intentionally communicate specific information to others, or can be used strategically to overcome miscommunication. To investigate these questions, I studied three captive populations of orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus and P. abelii) in European zoos for 10 months. Sixty-four different gestures, defined through similarities in structure and use, were included in the study after meeting strict criteria for intentional usage. More than half of the gesture types were found to coincide frequently with specific goals of signallers, and were accordingly identified as having meanings. Both structural and social variables were found to determine gesture meaning. The recipient’s gaze in both the present and the past, and the recipient’s apparent understanding of the signaller’s gestures, affected the strategies orangutans employed in their attempts to communicate when confronted with different types of communicative failure (e.g. not seeing, ignoring, misunderstanding, or rejecting a gesture). Maternal influence affected the object-directed behaviour and gestures of infants, who shared more gestures with their mothers than with other females. These findings demonstrate that gesture can be used as a medium to investigate not only the communication but also the cognition of great apes, and indicate that orangutans are more sensitive to the perceptions and knowledge states of others than previously thought.

This study evaluated the efficacy of various attention-related, neuropsychological, and symptom validity measures in the detection of feigned ADHD in an undergraduate sample. Performance was compared between a group of presumed normal students (HON), a group of diagnostically "clean" ADHD students asked to respond to the best of their ability (ADHD), and a group of motivated, coached feigners (FGN). Feigners were educated about symptoms and characteristics of ADHD, provided with a scenario to help them relate to the plight of a student who might seek diagnosis, admonition to feign believably, and a significant monetary incentive for "successful feigning" ($45). They were not forewarned about the specific types of tests they would take nor alerted to the presence of malingering detection instruments. Results illustrated that the ADHD symptom-report measures, though sensitive to ADHD, were quite susceptible to faking. The ARS and CAARS—S:L (using a stringent cut score of four or more scale elevations) were successfully faked by 80% and 67% of students, respectively. The Conners CPT, in contrast to those measures, had both limited sensitivity to ADHD and specificity for FGN in this sample. Very high specificity and moderate sensitivity were noted for symptom validity measures across the board, translating into high positive predictive values. Binary logistic regression results indicate that the TOMM Trial 1 coupled with the DMT, LMT, or NV-MSVT may be used to identify feigners with high predictive accuracy.

Thin films of Teflon AF have been directly patterned by electron-beam lithography without the need for post exposure chemical development. The relationship between pattern depth and exposure dose was found to be linear over a wide range of doses. Pattern depth was also observed to be dependent on initial film thickness. Teflon AF can be directly patterned at doses similar to typical e-beam resists. High resolution features as small as ~200 nm have been resolved. FTIR measurements revealed that CF3 and fluorinated dioxole groups play a significant role in the patterning mechanism. Teflon AF films also exhibited an increase in refractive index upon exposure to the electron-beam. This property has been exploited in waveguiding applications. Waveguides in Teflon AF were patterned using direct electron beam lithography technique. Waveguides were clearly visible to the naked eye. Characterization in the visible region showed evidences of light guiding through the waveguides. However light could not cross the entire chip. Characterization in the infrared region revealed the slab mode even though individual waveguides were not detected.

Despite expectations in the late 1990s that the Internet would lead to frictionless commerce, empirical research shows that electronic commerce is characterized by persistent price dispersion. This paper examines reasons why online price dispersion exists in the books, CDs, and consumer electronics retail sectors. The Internet allows for multi-channel retailing, and it influences supply, demand, and market-related factors for both retailers and consumers. These factors shape retailers’ price-setting abilities which, in turn, shape their pricing strategies. I find that different pricing strategies result in online price dispersion, and I ultimately predict that retail e-commerce markets, which are oligopolistic in nature, will continue to exhibit persistent price dispersion. In particular, price dispersion will decrease the most in the CDs sector, followed by the books and then the consumer electronics sectors.

The overall objective of this correlational descriptive study was to explore the effects of depression and adaptation among elderly widows and widowers. A total of thirty-four male and female elderly persons participated in this study. Simple descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings of this study accepted the hypothesis that there is no significant statistical difference between elderly widows and widowers and the effects of depression and adaptation.

The concept of black economic empowerment is much wider than the area presented in this dissertation. The objective of this dissertation is to give a presentation of how black economic empowerment affects business life in general. It is said that black economic empowerment must be taken most seriously by all relevant parties not only for the sake of the restructuring of the society in South Africa, but also to insure future survival of companies in the country. The government of South Africa has also given its firm support to black economic empowerment as an essential part of the recovering of the social society in South Africa. Given the specific history of the country, it is understandable that black economic empowerment will play such a huge role in the restructuring of the country. It is my wish that this dissertation will assist many companies in this very complex concept of black economic empowerment
Thesis (LL.M. (Labour Law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Does surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation (sNMES) to the upper limb following acute stroke Improve outcome? Introduction: Upper limb impairment affects 85% of stroke patients, half of whom still experience problems three months later('-3). The literature is unclear about the effectiveness of upper limb rehabilitation strategies, and there is a need to identify interventions that will improve upper limb function and reduce the incidence of shoulder pain. Surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation (sNMES) has been proposed as a safe method of improving outcome after stroke but further research is needed to evaluate the effect of this treatment on upper limb recovery and pain (4.5) Aims: We have undertaken a randornised controlled trial to evaluate a programme of upper limb sNMES following acute stroke. Methods: Patients admitted within 10 days of acute stroke were assessed against the following eligibility criteria: new upper limb impairment (motor and/or sensory and/or neglect); medically stable; no cognitive/language impairments or previous upper limb problem likely to influence assessments; no contraindication to sNIVIES. Participants were randomised via an independent telephone randomisation service to receive a 4-week programme of upper limb sNIVIES (11 hour three times daily) or placebo in addition to stroke unit care. The active stimulator produced a shoulder shrug. Outcome measures were undertaken by a researcher who was blinded to the randomisation group. The primary outcome measure was the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT)(6,7) 3 months after stroke. Secondary outcome measures included upper limb pain, disability and health status. One hundred and sixty eight subjects were required for 80% power to detect a clinically significant difference in ARAT (8 points)(6,7). Results: There were 176 study participants. The groups were well matched at baseline. There was no difference in arm function between groups in terms of the primary outcome measure. The median ARAT (6,7) score at 3 months was 50.0 in the intervention group (n=79) and 55.5 in the control group (n=74) (p=0.068). There were however significant differences in outcomes in favour of the control group when using other measures to assess arm function (the grasp and gross subsections of the ARAT(6. 7 ) , and the Frenchay Arm Test' (FAT)(8)). There was also a significant difference in favour of the control group when assessing impairment using the Arm subsection of the Motricity Index(g). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups at 3 months in terms of prevalence of upper limb pain, disability and global health status. No significant differences were seen between the groups at 4 weeks in any of the outcome measures. Secondary analysis revealed statistically significant differences in favour of the control group in those with more severe initial functional impairment. Subjects received 70% of intended stimulation or placebo with no significant difference between groups. Conclusions: A 4-week programme of sNMES to the shoulder does not improve functional outcome following acute stroke and may worsen arm function in certain stroke patients. 'Routine' use of sNMES to the proximal upper limb after acute stroke cannot be recommended.

Published Article
Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris is a non-pathogenic, spore-forming bacterium that can survive the commercial pasteurisation processes commonly used during fruit juice production. Surviving bacterial endospores germinate, grow and cause spoilage of high acid food products. Fruit juices can be treated using ultraviolet light (UV-C) with a wavelength of 254 nm, which has a germicidal effect against micro-organisms. In this study, A. acidoterrestris was inoculated into water, used wash water from a fruit processing plant and grape juice concentrate. Ultraviolet dosage levels (J L-1) of 0, 61, 122, 183, 244, 305 and 367 J L-1 were applied using a novel UV-C turbulent flow system. The UV treatment method was shown to reliably achieve in excess of a 4 log10 reduction (99.99%) per 0.5 kJ L-1 of UV-C dosage in all the liquids inoculated with A. acidoterrestris. The applied novel UV technology could serve as an alternative to thermal treatments of fruit juices for the inactivation of Alicyclobacillus spores as well as in the treatment of contaminated wash water used in fruit processing.

The content of this dissertation includes the collection of data for the design, evaluation and distribution of a survey questionnaire to collect the information needed to develop a "Small Business Owner's Guide to Computer Applications." By working closely with the manager/owner of The Village Mailbox in Portsmouth, Virginia, computer applications areas were identified, the questionnaire was developed then validated through pilot testing. After pilot testing the questionnaire survey was distributed through three mailings to ensure maximum participation. Responses were divided into two groups (strata) and non-franchised responses were compared to franchised responses. Through the use of descriptive statistics the responses were analyzed for response rate, Pearson r, significance, degrees of freedom, standard deviation, z-test score and significance level and the Kuder Richardson KR21 was applied for a reliability score. The survey data collected was analyzed conclusions were drawn. Conclusions led to and the development of the guide to assist owners of small businesses offering mailing services during considerations about computer applications. This guide was developed to solve the problem statement of this study, give the small business owners a logical approach to computer applications and to serve as a tool for small business planning where it relates to computer applications in mailing service businesses. The survey and the data collected could be generalized to all small businesses offering mailing services. Small businesses offering mailing services should find the study interesting and the results handy in providing useful information related to computer applications. To use this information in any other environment would require research that included information specific to that environment. Information collected here was meant for use only in the area of small businesses offering mailing services.

In this thesis, we investigate many aspects to extract shape proxies to enable perceptually sound and semantic man-made shape analysis, representation and manipulation. We start with introducing a co-segmentation method for textured 3D shapes. Our algorithm takes a collection of textured shapes belonging to the same category and sparse annotations of foreground segments, and produces a joint dense segmentation of the shapes in the collection. We model the segments by a collectively trained Gaussian mixture model. The final model segmentation is formulated as an energy minimization across all models jointly, where intra-model edges control the smoothness and separation of model segments, and inter-model edges impart global consistency. Second, we present a co-abstraction method that takes as input a collection of 3D objects, and produces a mutually consistent and individually identity-preserving abstraction of each object. In general, an abstraction is a simpler version of a shape that preserves its main characteristics. To this end, we introduce a new approach that hierarchically generates a spectrum of abstractions for each model in a shape collection. Given the spectra, we compute the appropriate abstraction level for each model such that shape simplification and inter set consistency are collectively maximized, while individual shape identities are preserved. Utilizing the co-abstraction method, we then introduce a method that automatically induces a group of deformation handles that are conformal to the constraint space learned from the shape set. Our approach identifies the intrinsic constraints among a set of shapes, and generates a co-constrained meta-handles set for each model in the collection. In general, these handles allow the user to prescribe arbitrary deformation directives including affine transformations as well as free-form surface deformations. However, only a subset of admissible deformations is enabled to the user as learned from the constraint space. The deformations prescribed to the meta-handles are then transferred to the original model using a physically based space deformation method that is tailored to preserve man-made shape characteristics. Finally, we propose a shape editing method where the user makes geometric deformations using a set of semantic attributes, thus avoiding the need for detailed geometric manipulations. In contrast to prior work, we focus on continuous deformations instead of discrete part substitutions. Our method provides a platform for quick design explorations and allows non-experts to produce semantically guided shape variations that are otherwise difficult to attain. We crowdsource a large set of pairwise comparisons between the semantic attributes and geometry and use this data to learn a continuous mapping from the semantic attributes to geometry. The resulting map enables simple and intuitive shape manipulations based solely on the learned attributes.

This thesis is about the dynamic generalisation of continuous action spaces in reinforcement learning problems. The standard Reinforcement Learning (RL) account provides a principled and comprehensive means of optimising a scalar reward signal in a Markov Decision Process. However, the theory itself does not directly address the imperative issue of generalisation which naturally arises as a consequence of large or continuous state and action spaces. A current thrust of research is aimed at fusing the generalisation capabilities of supervised (and unsupervised) learning techniques with the RL theory. An example par excellence is Tesauro’s TD-Gammon. Although much effort has gone into researching ways to represent and generalise over the input space, much less attention has been paid to the action space. This thesis first considers the motivation for learning real-valued actions, and then proposes a set of key properties desirable in any candidate algorithm addressing generalisation of both input and action spaces. These properties include: Provision of adaptive and online generalisation, adherence to the standard theory with a central focus on estimating expected reward, provision for real-valued states and actions, and full support for a real-valued discounted reward signal. Of particular interest are issues pertaining to robustness in non-stationary environments, scalability, and efficiency for real-time learning in applications such as robotics. Since exploring the action space is discovered to be a potentially costly process, the system should also be flexible enough to enable maximum reuse of learned actions. A new approach is proposed which succeeds for the first time in addressing all of the key issues identified. The algorithm, which is based on the ubiquitous self-organising map, is analysed and compared with other techniques including those based on the backpropagation algorithm. The investigation uncovers some important implications of the differences between these two particular approaches with respect to RL. In particular, the distributed representation of the multi-layer perceptron is judged to be something of a double-edged sword offering more sophisticated and more scalable generalising power, but potentially causing problems in dynamic or non-equiprobable environments, and tasks involving a highly varying input-output mapping. The thesis concludes that the self-organising map can be used in conjunction with current RL theory to provide real-time dynamic representation and generalisation of continuous action spaces. The proposed model is shown to be reliable in non-stationary, unpredictable and noisy environments and judged to be unique in addressing and satisfying a number of desirable properties identified as important to a large class of RL problems.

Mestrado em Gestão de Sistemas de Informação
O gestor procura estar informado, bem informado. A informação de qualidade permite-lhe, a cada momento de decisão, reduzir as incertezas e decidir com excelência. Decidir é escolher por uma opção entre várias. Decidir com qualidade implica escolher um caminho onde, por um lado, se está consciente do que se perde no momento e, por outro, no que se pode ganhar. Vários factores intervêm no processo da tomada de decisão, sendo um deles a informação, que pressupõe dados com qualidade. Em qualquer organização, grandes quantidades de dados relativos às diversas áreas do negó cio são gerados e armazenados diariamente, passando a fazer parte do património dessa organização. Não obstante, esses dados encontram-se geralmente dispersos por várias bases de dados operacionais e, a respectiva concentração e eventual agregação enfrenta muitas dificuldades. Por um lado é necessário desenvolver sistemas adequados ao processo de centralização e, por outro, é necessário disponibilizar ao utilizador as ferramentas adequadas que lhe permitam obter resposta às suas questões. As Tecnologias de Informação podem desempenhar um papel muito importante em todo este processo, quer na recolha, migração, armazenamento ou disponibilização de dados, quer no processo de obtenção de informação, no processo de tomada de decisão ou na partilha do conhecimento. É então fundamental todo o empenho na correcta gestão destas tecnologias, especialmente em ambientes de decisão complexos.
The decision maker seeks to be informed, well informed. Quality information allows him to reduce uncertainty and to decide with excellence. Deciding is to choose one option among others. Quality decisions imply choosing one way where you are aware of what you loose at that moment, and what you can get. Several factors interact in this decision process. One of them is information, which results from data interpretation. At that moment, the decision maker needs quality information. Huge amounts of data related to the different business areas are daily generated and stored, adding to organizational patrimony. Systems to centralize data are necessary. Besides, information must be made available to the users in a versatile way. Information Technologies can play an important role in the whole process, especially in data collection, migration, storage and making it available for decision making or knowledge sharing. So, information technologies need to be correctly managed by skilled staff, especially in the complex environments

Dissertação de Metrado em Psicologia da Gavidez e da Parentalidade
A infertilidade é geralmente associada a uma vivência de elevado mal-estar psicológico. Este estudo procurou explorar a relação entre os factores que podem mediar o stresse relacionado com a infertilidade, como as dimensões de personalidade, a ansiedade, depressão e stresse gerais, analisando ainda a relação entre o stresse inerente à infertilidade e o desajustamento à fertilidade. Os participantes eram 35 casais de mulheres e homens inférteis que se encontravam num serviço de saúde com consulta de infertilidade. Eles preencheram individualmente o Inventário de Personalidade NEO (NEO-FFI-20), uma Escala de Ansiedade, Depressão e Stresse (EADS), o Inventário de Problemas de Fertilidade (FPI) e a Escala de Ajustamento à Fertilidade (EAF). Nas mulheres era observada uma associação entre o neuroticismo e um maior stresse relacionado com a infertilidade, sendo o neuroticismo e a depressão capazes de explicar uma maior vulnerabilidade aos comentários acerca da infertilidade, um menor prazer no relacionamento sexual e no relacionamento com o companheiro. A dificuldade em enfrentar o exterior e a necessidade de parentalidade explicavam o desajustamento à fertilidade. Nos homens não existia uma dimensão de personalidade capaz de explicar o stresse específico da infertilidade, sendo a depressão a explicar a perda de prazer no relacionamento sexual e com a companheira. O desajustamento à fertilidade era apenas explicado pela centralidade do projecto de parentalidade. A maioria das mulheres e homens inférteis eram pessoas emocionalmente ajustadas, determinadas em alcançar os seus objectivos e sem elevados índices de ansiedade, depressão ou stresse, o que sugere a existência de uma enorme variabilidade na resposta a uma situação de infertilidade. Desta forma, embora seja relevante a identificação dos aspectos susceptíveis de induzir desajustamento, nem sempre é necessária uma intervenção psicológica. Abstract The infertility is frequently associated to an experience of great psychological distress. This study attempted to explore the relation between factors that can mediate the stress related with infertility, like personality dimensions, anxiety, depression and general stress. It also analyzed the relation between specific infertility stress and the fertility inadaptation. The participants were 35 infertile couples (women and men) on infertility consultation on the health service. They filled individually the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI-20), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (EADS), the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI), and the Fertility Adjustment Scale (EAF). In women was observed an association between neuroticism and a greater stress related with infertility. Neuroticism and depression was able to explain a bigger vulnerability about infertility comments, a minor sexual enjoyment and difficulty in the partner relationship. The difficulties in face the others and the parenthood explains the fertility inadaptation. In men not even one personality dimension was able to explain the specific infertility stress. Depression explains the loss of pleasure on the sexual relation and on the partner relationship. The fertility inadaptation is only explained by the parenthood main project. The majority of this infertile men and women were emotionally adjusted and determined to achieve their objectives without elevated anxiety, depression or stress. This suggests a huge variability in the response to an infertility situation. Although it is relevant to identify the possible aspects that can take to inadaptation, not always is necessary a psychological intervention.

El ámbito de estudio elegido para el desarrollo de la presente TESIS DOCTORAL es la VICTIMOLOGÍA, no como rama de la Criminología, sino como conocimiento autónomo que ya se encuentra en vías de consolidación y reconocimiento a nivel internacional. El tema de investigación seleccionado está vinculado a la víctima, LA TESIS se intitula: “VICTIMOLOGÍA DE LOS ANDES PERUANOS A PARTIR DEL FENÓMENO DE VIOLENCIA POLÍTICA EN EL PERÚ”. Motiva este estudio la inquietud por el análisis y ampliación de una moderna interciencia como es la VICTIMOLOGÍA, como nuevo conocimiento que va definiendo sus límites que trascienden el campo de la Criminología, toda vez que, su materia de estudio es diferente, siendo así, la VICTIMOLOGÍA no puede permanecer subordinada a la CRIMINOLOGÍA. Conviene admitir, que se trata de dos disciplinas que se relacionan entre sí; pero, cada una se ocupa de aspectos distintos. Mientras la Criminología tiene por objeto el estudio del fenómeno de la desviación, sus categorías, consecuencias, el delito, las conductas antisociales, los mecanismos de control social, y, en particular el CRIMINAL, la VICTIMOLOGÍA se orienta al estudio de la victima que proviene de una etiología diversa, siendo la sociedad corresponsable de su existencia. Asimismo se debe advertir que el tema de la VÍCTIMA no se circunscribe solamente a la VÍCTIMA DEL DELITO y a los aspectos de contenido penal que la rodean, sino a otras víctimas, extrapenales. Nos referimos a la VICTIMA cuya etiología se halla en diversos factores sociales, económicos, políticos, de género, religiosos, de edad, culturales, étnicos, entre otros que son relevantes. La preocupación de esta moderna disciplina no queda cifrada en el conocimiento y análisis de la víctima del delito, extiende su interés a “otras víctimas”, entre ellas VÍCTIMAS SOCIALES. Por tanto, la categoría víctima a diferencia de la categoría delincuente compromete el aporte de diversas áreas del conocimiento humano, como la Criminología; pero trasciende a las Ciencias Penales, estrictamente. El problema de investigación ha procurado ser novedoso, se aborda con un enfoque que se introduce en un moderno ámbito de la VICTIMOLOGÍA, con una visión sociológica, humanista y político criminal personalista. Esta investigación parte precisamente de esta premisa, entendiendo que la VICTIMOLOGÍA, en la actualidad ya no es una rama de la CRIMINOLOGÍA como se concibió en antaño, habiéndose atribuido a la Victimología un contenido restringido.
Tesis

Incidence of childhood obesity has increased dramatically within the last 30 years. Childhood obesity is of concern because of the associated health problems, and because childhood obesity often tracks into adulthood. There is a clear association between activity-level and obesity. Therefore, it is important to consider physical activity patterns in the treatment and prevention of childhood obesity. Childhood is a key time period to intervene in the formation of habits and patterns associated with physical activity that may reduce obesity. To date, few studies have focused on the level of examining obese children individually. This case study focused on the physical activity patterns of 4 obese 6-10 year olds (two boys, two girls). All of the participants were above the 99th percentile for weight and had a body fat percentage exceeding 45%. Lipid profiles of the participants revealed that three of the four had high total cholesterol, indicating an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. All of the participants were close to or exceeded the waist to hip ratio value that indicates very high risk for cardiovascular and related diseases (>0.82 for boys, >0.94 for girls). Use of the Caltrac accelerometer, KIHD 24-Hour Total Physical Activity Record and System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time revealed that the obese 6-10 year old participants averaged 1.85 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per lunch recess time. When extrapolated, the data revealed that the participants spend less than 20 minutes a day in MVP A. This is less than MVP A norms of children in the same age group. The obese participants were not meeting the current recommendations for 60 minutes or more a day for MVPA. Furthermore, the activity patterns of the participants differ from those of normal weight children. Although children in general and the participant's tend to choose low level activity over MVP A, the participants spent more than 16.5 hours per day in sedentary physical activity, which is more than their normal weight counterparts (10.4 +/- 0.8).

An integrated surface-subsurface hydrological model of Everglades National Park (ENP) was developed using MIKE SHE and MIKE 11 modeling software. The model has a resolution of 400 meters, covers approximately 1050 square miles of ENP, includes 110 miles of drainage canals with a variety of hydraulic structures, and processes hydrological information, such as evapotranspiration, precipitation, groundwater levels, canal discharges and levels, and operational schedules. Calibration was based on time series and probability of exceedance for water levels and discharges in the years 1987 through 1997. Model verification was then completed for the period of 1998 through 2005. Parameter sensitivity in uncertainty analysis showed that the model was most sensitive to the hydraulic conductivity of the regional Surficial Aquifer System, the Manning's roughness coefficient, and the leakage coefficient, which defines the canal-subsurface interaction. The model offers an enhanced predictive capability, compared to other models currently available, to simulate the flow regime in ENP and to forecast the impact of topography, water flows, and modifying operation schedules.

Throughout history, technology has had a major impact on every profession and how certain tasks are performed. In recent years, technology has accelerated at an astonishing rate causing a total shift in the valuable skillsets of young professionals. Accounting is no exception to this shift and, as technology continues to advance, emerging accounting professionals will no longer be expected to enter the workforce only with basic pen-and-paper accounting knowledge. Instead, they will also be expected to possess analytical skills and be prepared to apply and learn the newest technology on the market. However, the traditional accounting curriculum does not focus on technological skills. Rather, it focuses on the basics of accounting, theory, and manual journal entries. Although these basics are certainly fundamental to accounting knowledge they are no longer the most important skills in an accountants repertoire. This raises the following question: are accounting programs adequately preparing graduates to use technological skill in the workplace once they graduate? This research paper seeks to answer that question through a qualitative study of recent Tennessee accounting undergraduates.

本研究以计划行为理论、态度情境行为理论、制度理论为基础，从社会心理学出发，对个体基于心理反应过程的低碳消费行为及其情境因素进行了研究。通过实证研究发现，低碳消费态度和低碳消费主观规范对低碳消费行为的影响是通过低碳消费意向实现的。低碳消费意向在低碳消费态度和低碳主观规范与低碳消费行为的关系构建中起到中介效应。结果表明，低碳消费态度和低碳消费主观规范均与低碳行为意向之间显著正相关，低碳行为意向和低碳消费行为之间显著正相关。低碳消费意向是低碳消费态度和低碳消费行为的部分中介，低碳消费意向还是低碳消费主观规范和低碳消费行为的完全中介。同时，本研究也发现便利条件对低碳消费意向和低碳消费行为之间的关系起正向调节作用。Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, Attitude-Context-Behavior Theory and Institutional Theory, this study explores low-carbon consumption behavior based on Psychological reaction process and its context factors from the perspective of social psychology.Empirical research shows that Low Carbon Consumption Attitudes(LCCA) and Low Carbon Consumption Subjective Norms(LCCSN) influence Low Carbon Consumption Behavior(LCCB) through Low Carbon Consumption Intention(LCCI). The results show that both LCCA and LCCSN have significant positive correlations with LCCI, and LCCI has significant positive correlations with LCCB. LCCI is partial mediation between LCCA and LCCB , LCCI is also complete mediation between LCCSN and LCCB. Meanwhile, this article infer that facilitating conditions have moderating effects which strengthen the positive relationship between LCCSN and LCCI.

Dans une première partie, nous donnons des résultats de multifonction implicite généralisons le théorème de fonction implicite de Robinson (Robinson, Math Oper Res 16(2) :292-309, 1991). Pour cette fin nous utilisons l'estimation des bornes d'erreurs paramétrées pour la fonction appropriée en améliorant celle donnée par Azé et Corvellec dans (ESAIM Control Optim Calc Var 10 :409-425, 2004). Des estimations de la multifonction implicite sont données et étendent les résultats de Nachi et Penot (Control Cybernet 35 :871-901, 2005). Dans une seconde partie, des méthodes variationnelles dérivant du principe variationnel d'Ekeland sont utilisées pour donner des résultats généraux d'existence de point fixe qui généralisent ceux de Klim-Wardowski et de Feng-liu. De plus nous donnons l'estimation de la distance à l'ensemble des points fixes. Dans la suite nous nous intéressant à divers généralisations de la notions de contraction directionnelle de Clarke. Les résultats obtenus améliorent fortement ceux d'Uderzo et de Song. Là encore des estimations à l'ensemble des points fixes sont données. Nous nous attaquons aussi à des problèmes de points fixes pour des multifonctions définies seulement sur une partie D d'un espace métrique X à valeurs dans X. Il faut alors utiliser des conditions de tangence très générales qui ramènent T(x) dans D et nous généralisons divers résultats dont celui de Azé-Corvellec. En fin, nous donnons un résultat d'existence de points fixes pour des multifonctions où l'hypothèse de Lipschitz est affaiblie en coupant les valeurs de la multifonction par une boule fixée. Comme application, nous obtenons un résultat d'existence pour des inclusions différentielles à second membre non borné
Pente Forte, Multifonction Implicite, Principe variationnel d'Ekeland, Point Fixe, Contraction Directionnelle Abstract We give implicit multifunction results generalising to multifunctions The Robinson's implicit function theorem (Robinson, Math Oper Res 16(2):292-309, 1991). To this end , we use parametric error bounds estimates for a suitable function refining the one given in Az´e and Corvellec ( ESAIM Control Optim Calc Var 10:409-425, 2004). Sharp approximations of the implicit multifunctions are given extending the results of Nachi and Penot (Control Cybernet 35:871-901, 2005). Using a variational method deriving directly from the Ekeland principle, we give a general result on the existence of a fixed point for a very general class of multifunction, generalizing the recents results of Klim-Wardowski and de Feng-liu. Moreover, we give a sharp estimate for the distance to the fixed points set. In the sequel, we are interested in diverse generalizations of the notions of Clarke's directional contraction. We give results refining the one given in Uderzo and Song. Also, a sharp estimate for the distance to the fixed points set is given. We also tackle the problems of fixed points for multifunction defined only in the subset D of a metric space X into X. Il faut alors utiliser des conditions de tangence très générales who bring T(x) in D and we extend various results including the one of Az´e-Corvellec. Finally, we give a result of existence of fixed points for multifunction where Lipschitz hypothesis is weakened by cutting the values of a multifunction by a fixed ball. As an application, we obtain an existence result for differential inclusions with unbounded right handside

La apicultura es una de las actividades económicas agropecuarias más sostenibles (sobre todo por el gran impacto positivo que tiene sobre la polinización de los cultivos); actividad que es realizada mayormente por pequeños apicultores distribuidos en todas las regiones del país (costa, sierra y selva). El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la viabilidad comercial para una marca de miel de abeja de la asociación de productores apícolas cruz verde del distrito de Íllimo en la ciudad de Chiclayo, así mismo analizar el mercado de miel en el departamento de Lambayeque, determinar el posicionamiento del producto y marca, así como las políticas de precios y distribución, finalmente definir las estrategias de publicidad y promoción. Para alcanzar estos objetivos, se utilizaron fuentes secundarias: libros, páginas webs, entre otros. Para determinar la viabilidad comercial para una marca de miel de abeja para la asociación de productores apícolas cruz verde se realizó un focus group y se aplicaron encuestas a 384 personas de ambos sexos, la encuesta se aplicó en distintos puntos de la ciudad de Chiclayo, como los supermercados, mercados y tiendas naturistas. Con respecto al análisis del mercado de miel en la ciudad de Chiclayo se realizaron visitas a diferentes centros de venta, con lo que se pudo conocer las diferentes marcas de miel que se ofrecen en el mercado, sus presentaciones, cantidades comercializadas, precios a los que son adquiridos y canales de comercialización. Para determinar el posicionamiento del producto y marca, políticas de precios y distribución y definir las estrategias de publicidad y promoción se realizó una propuesta para una marca de miel de abeja para la asociación de productores apícolas cruz verde. Como principales conclusiones encontramos que sí es viable la comercialización de miel en la ciudad de Chiclayo porque se encontró que en la ciudad mencionada existe una demanda de este producto y el factor por los cuales sí la consumirían es el cuidado de la salud, además la búsqueda de un producto natural y de calidad. Así mismo tenemos que las características de las personas que demandan el producto son de sexo masculino y femenino, con edades de 25 a más años. Con frecuencia de consumo semanal para ser usado en bebidas y alimentos. Los lugares de compra de este producto son supermercados, con respecto a la disposición de pago depende de la presentación que se adquiera el producto.

Mestrado em Engenharia do Ambiente
A presente dissertação, teve como objectivo principal, avaliar a composição em hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos (PAHs), nas partículas do aerossol interior de um túnel rodoviário da cidade de Lisboa. Nesse sentido, realizou-se uma campanha de amostragens no túnel do Marquês, em Outubro de 2008, abrangendo dias da semana com diferenças nos fluxos de tráfego automóvel e perfazendo um total de seis dias de colheitas. As partículas foram recolhidas sobre filtros de fibra de quartzo, recorrendo a amostradores de caudal elevado equipados com um impactor em cascata, o qual permitiu a separação do aerossol colectado em quatro fracções de tamanhos: PM0.5; PM0.5-1; PM1-2.5 e PM2.5-10. Foram instalados dois amostradores no meio do túnel, junto de vias em que a circulação automóvel se fazia em sentidos opostos, tendo sido operados durante duas horas por dia, nos períodos de maior intensidade de tráfego: 8h00 às 10h00 (sentido descendente) e 17h00 às 19h00 (sentido ascendente). Após a amostragem, a massa de partículas acumulada foi quantificada por gravimetria. Seguiu-se a extracção em Soxhlet da componente orgânica, o fraccionamento em diferentes classes de compostos, e a análise dos PAHs por cromatografia gasosa com espectrometria de massa (GC-MS). Os resultados mostraram que, em média, as partículas mais finas (PM0,5) contribuíram com 52% para a massa total do aerossol recolhido, enquanto as mais grosseiras (PM2.5-10) contribuíram com apenas 20%. As concentrações mássicas médias obtidas durante a semana foram superiores às do fim de semana e os níveis no sentido ascendente também se revelaram quase sempre superiores aos do sentido oposto, em linha, respectivamente, com a variação semanal da intensidade do tráfego automóvel e com o esforço exigido aos veículos quando circulam contra ou a favor da força da gravidade. As concentrações médias de partículas do tipo PM10 no interior do túnel mostraram ainda ser cerca de 16 vezes superiores às encontradas em períodos homólogos no exterior do túnel (estação de monitorização da qualidade do ar da Avenida da Liberdade). Os PAHs apresentaram-se maioritariamente associados à fracção mais fina do aerossol (concentração total mínima de 6 ng.m-3 em PM2,5-10 e máxima de 286 ng.m-3 em PM0,5), tendo, por conseguinte, uma origem primária: as emissões frescas resultantes da queima de combustíveis fósseis pelos veículos automóveis. Os fenantrenos metil substituídos, apresentaram as concentrações mais elevadas, em qualquer das fracções do aerossol, enquanto os compostos mais voláteis, como o naftaleno, o aceftileno e o acenafteno mostraram ser os menos abundantes. As razões diagnóstico, utilizadas para identificar as fontes existentes no túnel, indicaram a presença de fontes derivadas de veículos automóveis e o predomínio das fontes diesel em relação às fontes a gasolina. Foi calculado o índice equivalente de carcinogenicidade, o qual revelou que os utentes do túnel, podem estar expostos a um risco acrescido de cancro, pelo que é necessário que se tomem medidas para o controlo das concentrações da matéria particulada e dos PAHs ou para a minimização da exposição ao ar interior do túnel. ABSTRACT: The main purpose of this dissertation, was to evaluate the aerosol composition in terms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) inside a road tunnel of the city of Lisbon. In this way, a sampling campaign was performed in the Marquês de Pombal tunnel, in October of 2008, enclosing days of the week with differences in vehicular traffic flows and fulfilling a total of six days of sample collection. The particles were concentrated on quartz fibre filters, using high volume samplers equipped with a cascade impactor, which permitted the separation of aerosol particles in four size fractions: PM0.5; PM0.5-1; PM1-2.5 and PM2.5-10. Two samplers were installed in the middle of the tunnel, in a place where the automobile circulation was done in opposite directions, having been operated during two hours per day, in the periods of bigger intensity of traffic: 8h00 to 10h00 (descending direction) and 17h00 to 19h00 (ascending direction). After sampling, the accumulated particle mass was quantified by gravimetry. This step was followed by Soxhlet extraction of the organic content, the separation in different types of compounds, and the analysis of PAHs by gaseous chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results revealed that, on average, fine particles (PM0,5) contributed with 52% for the total mass of sampled aerosol, while the coarse particles (PM2.5-10) gave a lower contribution (20%). The average mass concentrations obtained during the week were higher than those collected on the weekend, and the levels in the ascending direction were generally higher than those recorded in the opposite direction, in line with, respectively, the weekly variation of the traffic flow and with the effort required by vehicles when they circulate against or in favor of the force of gravity. The average concentrations of PM10 inside the tunnel were about 15 times higher than those found in homologous periods in the outside (monitoring station of air quality of the Avenue of Liberdade). The PAHs, were mostly associated with the fine aerosol fraction (total minimum concentration of 6 ng.m-3 in PM2,5-10 and maximum of 286 ng.m-3 in PM0,5), having, therefore, a primary origin: fresh emissions from fossil fuel burning by automobiles. The substituted metyl phenanthrenes showed the highest concentrations, in any of the aerosol fractions, while the most volatile compounds, such as napthalene, acenaphthylene and acenapthene showed to be less abundant. The diagnostic ratios, used to identify sources in the tunnel, indicated the presence of sources derived from automobile vehicles and the predominance of the diesel sources, instead of the gasoline sources. The equivalent carcinogenicity index was calculated and revealed that tunnel users suffer an increased cancer risk. Thus it is necessary to take measures for the control of particulate matter and PAHs concentrations or to minimize the exposure to tunnel indoor air.

Gold compounds have been used in medicine dating back as early as 2500 BC. Over the years gold(I) and gold(III) compounds have been used and designed to target rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and viral diseases. New drug targets have been found for gold compounds that give insight into their mechanisms of action. Here we focus on the synthesis of Au(III) compounds designed to selectively target zinc finger (ZF) proteins. ZF proteins exhibit a variety of functions, including transcription, DNA repair, and apoptosis. Displacement of the central zinc ion, along with mutation of coordinated amino acids can result in a loss of biological function. Synthesis of complexes that selectively target zinc finger proteins, in turn inhibiting DNA/ZF interactions and therefore resulting in loss of protein function, is of great interest. Of particular interest here is the Cys3His (Cys = cysteine, His = histidine) HIV nucleocapsid zinc finger protein, NCp7. NCp7 is involved in multiple steps of the HIV life cycle, thus making it a desirable drug target. Previous studies from our group show platinated nucleobases such as [Pt(dien)(9-EtG)]2+ (dien = diethylenetriamine; 9-EtG = 9-ethylguanine) to stack effectively in a non-covalent manner with tryptophan of the C-terminal finger of HIV Nucleocapsid, NCp7(F2), a key residue involved in nucleic acid recognition. Due to the isoelectronic and isostructural relationship of Au(III) to Pt(II), we have expanded this system to Au(III)-(nucleobase/N-heterocycle) compounds. Novel Au(III)(dien)(N-heterocycle) compounds, including the first Au(III)N3(N-purine) examples, were synthesized. As previously reported for [AuCl(dien)]Cl2, these compounds exhibit pH dependency of the 1H NMR chemical shifts of the dien ligand. The acidity of the dien ligand is affected by the nature of the fourth ligand as a leaving group. The presence of an inert nitrogen donor, compared to that of the more labile Cl-, as the leaving group stabilizes the Au(III) metal center towards reduction, resulting in significant enhancement of π−π stacking interactions with tryptophan relative to platinum(II) and palladium(II) compounds. The presence of a more inert N-donor as the leaving group slows down the reaction with the sulfur-containing amino acid N-Acetylmethionine (N-AcMet); essentially no reaction was observed for the Au(III)-N-heterocycle compounds. All compounds react readily with N-Acetylcysteine (N-AcCys), however lack of N-heterocycle ligand dissociation indicates, to our knowledge, the first long-lived N-heterocycle-Au-S species in solution. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) studies with NCp7(F2) indicate [Au(dien)(DMAP)]3+ (DMAP = 4-dimethylaminopyridine) to be the least reactive of the Au(III) compounds studied, showing the presence of intact NCp7(F2) zinc finger at initial reaction times. Reactivity of the Au-compounds was compared with that of Sp1(F3), a Cys2His2 ZF; in contrast, no intact ZF was observed for any of the compounds studied, suggesting the mode of action of these compounds is dependent on the nature of the zinc binding core. ESI-MS studies were expanded to that of the full HIV NCp7 zinc finger. [Au(dien)(9-EtG)]3+ reacts quickly with NCp7, resulting in immediate zinc ejection and replacement with up to three gold ions. Unlike with [Au(dien)(DMAP)]3+, no intact NCp7 was observed. Addition of [Au(dien)(9-EtG)]3+ to preformed NC-SL2 complex results in release of free RNA; based on EMSA (electrophoretic mobility shift assay) studies, [Au(dien)(9-EtG)]3+ disrupts the NCp7-RNA complex with an IC50 of ~450 µM. It is possible that this HIV nucleocapsid-nucleic acid antagonism may result in a loss of viral activity.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia that affects an estimated 33.5 million people worldwide. Despite its prevalence and economic burden, treatments remain relatively ineffective. Interventional treatments using catheter ablation have shown more success in cure rates than pharmacologic methods for AF. However, success rates diminish drastically in patients with more advanced forms of the disease. The focus of this research is to develop a mapping strategy to improve the success of ablation. To achieve this goal, I used a computational model of excitation in order to simulate atrial fibrillation and evaluate mapping strategies that could guide ablation. I first propose a substrate guided mapping strategy to allow patient-specific treatment rather than a one size fits all approach. Ablation guided by this method reduced AF episode durations compared to baseline durations and an equal amount of random ablation in computational simulations. Because the accuracy of electrogram mapping is dependent upon catheter-tissue contact, I then provide a method to identify the distance between the electrode recording sites and the tissue surface using only the electrogram signal. The algorithm was validated both in silico and in vivo. Finally, I develop a classification algorithm for the identification of activation patterns using simultaneous, multi-site electrode recordings to aid in the development of an appropriate ablation strategy during AF. These findings provide a framework for future mapping and ablation studies in humans and assist in the development of individualized ablation strategies for patients with higher disease burden.

In present day society there is an artificial dichotomy between wastes and resources that is perhaps best summed up by the Western Sydney Waste Board slogan 'there is no such thing as waste � only resources in the wrong place and at the wrong time'. Waste management was originally driven by managing the health consequences of wrong time/place materials. This has changed and the significant driver is now the sustainable utilisation of resources, that is, trying to optimally recover as resources (right time/place) those materials that present as wastes requiring management. However, it is not acceptable to justify a resource recovery option purely on the basis that it is diverting material away from landfill. Preferences are emerging for recovery activities that maximise the resource value of a material according to techno-economic, environmental and socio-political criteria; collectively known as the criteria of sustainability. The people and organisations articulating these preferences include owners/operators of resource recovery centres, proponents of alternative waste management technologies, waste planners and managers at both a state and local government level and environmental NGOs representing community interests, in addition to the generators of waste at a domestic, commercial and industrial, and construction and demolition level. It is therefore important to be able to answer the question of 'what is the optimal or most sustainable resource recovery option for materials presenting as waste to landfill in the Greater Sydney Region?' The point of departure for this thesis is twofold. Firstly, that optimal resource recovery options (also known as alternative waste management technologies) can be identified by understanding the context and system drivers and constraints within the system of waste generation and utilisation, by modelling the system using industrial ecology (specifically Materials Flux Analysis) and by using the technology assessment framework developed by the NSW Alternative Waste Management Technologies and Practices Inquiry to evaluate the available options. Secondly, that should the assessment framework from the NSW Inquiry prove to be unsuitable as a framework for evaluation, then an improved and refined assessment framework can be constructed in order to identify optimal resource recovery options and that this process can be successfully demonstrated using wood waste as a case study. The context of waste as an issue has shifted from local government control (pre-1970s) to state government control through the Department of Environment and Conservation. This transition followed experiments with organisations such as the NSW Waste Boards and Resource NSW, in addition to state targets such as a 60% reduction of waste to landfill by the year 2000. In addition to this backdrop of change from a government administrative perspective, there are also a suite of often conflicting drivers and constraints influencing the process of resource recovery. For example, sustainable development is a public policy driver for the integration of environmental and societal concerns, but can also constrain new innovation if competing 'status quo' utilisation options are not subject to the same scrutiny. Similarly, legislation acts as a constraint to resource recovery options by establishing license conditions, prohibiting some energy recovery options and setting recovery criteria; however legislation also acts as a driver for resource recovery options that generate renewable electricity or act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Other drivers and constraints include social, technical and economic issues and concerns in addition to environmental impacts such as emissions to air, land and water. Industrial ecology is a model for viewing system components as part of a dependent and interrelated greater whole. Within the context of Industrial Ecology, waste is a by-product of manufacture available as a beneficial input into other processes. Using Materials Flux Analysis as a tool to build a model of waste generation and utilisation, elements within the system are presented as a series of stocks (sources), technology interventions (transformation flows) and sinks (markets). The stocks or sources of materials for resource recovery are categorised as Municipal Solid (MSW), Commercial and Industrial (C&I) or Construction and Demolition (C&D) wastes. Approximately seven million tonnes of waste is generated in the Greater Sydney Region (nearly two and a half million tonnes of materials recovered for recycling and four and a half million tonnes of materials disposed of to landfill). The purpose of technology intervention is to transform the material into a product that is suited to the end market (sink). Markets are grouped according to reuse (same function and form), direct recycling (same supply chain), indirect recycling (different supply chain) and energy recovery (either as process heat, electricity or co-generation, a combination of the two). Landfill is also a potential sink for materials and in this sense can be thought of as a negative value market. The Alternative Waste Management Technologies and Practices Inquiry provided an assessment framework for resource recovery technologies. Each technology was measured and compared against 16 evaluation criteria, resulting in a score out of one hundred. Material sorting scored the highest (81.5), incineration the lowest (50.8) with most of the biological technologies performing �well� (64.6 � 71.7) and with the landfill technologies performing 'moderately well' (60.4 - 61.4). The positive features of the Inquiry included the overview of alternative resource recovery technologies, waste generation and other issues pertinent to decision making and resource recovery. The negatives of the Inquiry arise from the inadequacies of the assessment framework, which lacked technology options, system boundary definition and requisite evaluation criteria in addition to inconsistencies in scoring approaches. By undertaking a sensitivity analysis on the Inquiry�s results, it is shown that rank order reversal results from the allocation of weightings. The improved and refined assessment framework, constructed to overcome identified inadequacies of the Inquiry�s approach, focussed on clearly identifying the problem to be addressed and the primary decision maker involved in the process; ensuring that appropriate options for evaluation were included; defining the system boundary for the assessment; selecting necessary evaluation criteria; adopting a more sophisticated system for scoring; and using a sensitivity analysis to validate the results of the resource recovery option evaluation. Wood waste was used as a case study for this second assessment methodology. Wood waste refers to the end-of-life products, failed products, offcuts, shavings and sawdust from all timber products. Approximately 350,000 tonnes of wood waste are disposed of to landfill each year. This comprises untreated timber (hard wood and soft wood), engineered timber products (particleboard, medium density fibreboard and plywood) and treated timber (predominately copper chrome arsenic). Eight wood resource recovery options are selected for evaluation within the Greater Sydney Region with a different approach to scoring that has the advantage of 'scaling up' the best performers within each attribute (highest score) while 'scaling down' the worst performers (no score). Under this evaluation, an on-site purpose built energy facility is the most preferred option with particleboard manufacture the least preferred option. A sensitivity analysis of the results reveals that the scores of each technology option are sensitive to the weightings of the decision maker. When the change in rankings is examined, it is identified that two eight wood recovery options undergo a large rank reversal. A critique of the results of the wood evaluation reveals five major flaws. Firstly the evaluation produces non-highest resource value results that are non-intuitive (and arguably misleading), for example the poor performance of reuse and particleboard against energy generation options. Secondly, the recording of a single summary score for each recovery option hides unacceptable performance levels in some criteria. For example, the top scorer of Primary Energy On-site hides the fact that such an option is likely to have no political desirability (likely public opposition to 'incineration' within the Sydney air-shed), calling into question its ability to be implemented as a solution. Thirdly there is a reliance on judgement for the scoring of options and weighting of preferences, calling into doubt the accuracy of scores. Fourthly, the rankings of recovery options by the assessment framework are sensitive to the allocation of weightings. Finally and most importantly, the refined evaluation approach suffers from the 'discrete option syndrome', the scoring of each recovery option in isolation with no ability to look at integrated systems with joint recovery options. This is pinpointed as a fundamental flaw in the process of both the Inquiry and the wood evaluation. This leads to the conclusion that the founding assertions of this thesis were false. That is to say that the assessment framework developed by the NSW Alternative Waste Management Technologies and Practices Inquiry is not suitable for use in evaluating resource recovery options. Furthermore a refined assessment framework based on this approach is also unable to identify optimal resource recovery options as demonstrated using wood waste as a case study. The results of this research points to the overall conclusion that any discrete option evaluation and assessment for resource recovery technologies that results in a single summary score for each option will be fundamentally flawed, providing no value in determining optimal resource recovery solutions for the Greater Sydney Region. A systems approach is suggested as an alternative method for the evaluation of optimal resource recovery, the starting point of which is to ask 'what is the highest resource value of the components in the material stream under consideration and how could a network of infrastructure be designed in order to allow materials to flow to their highest resource value use?' A feature of such an integrated approach is a focus on the materials composition of recovered resources, as opposed to recovery technologies, resulting in a 'fit for purpose' as opposed to a 'forced fit' style of resource recovery. It is recommended that further research and public policy efforts be made in logistics planning across the Greater Sydney Region (as opposed to a regional or local government area) in order to create network opportunities for integrated flows of materials to move toward their highest resource value.

In present day society there is an artificial dichotomy between wastes and resources that is perhaps best summed up by the Western Sydney Waste Board slogan 'there is no such thing as waste � only resources in the wrong place and at the wrong time'. Waste management was originally driven by managing the health consequences of wrong time/place materials. This has changed and the significant driver is now the sustainable utilisation of resources, that is, trying to optimally recover as resources (right time/place) those materials that present as wastes requiring management. However, it is not acceptable to justify a resource recovery option purely on the basis that it is diverting material away from landfill. Preferences are emerging for recovery activities that maximise the resource value of a material according to techno-economic, environmental and socio-political criteria; collectively known as the criteria of sustainability. The people and organisations articulating these preferences include owners/operators of resource recovery centres, proponents of alternative waste management technologies, waste planners and managers at both a state and local government level and environmental NGOs representing community interests, in addition to the generators of waste at a domestic, commercial and industrial, and construction and demolition level. It is therefore important to be able to answer the question of 'what is the optimal or most sustainable resource recovery option for materials presenting as waste to landfill in the Greater Sydney Region?' The point of departure for this thesis is twofold. Firstly, that optimal resource recovery options (also known as alternative waste management technologies) can be identified by understanding the context and system drivers and constraints within the system of waste generation and utilisation, by modelling the system using industrial ecology (specifically Materials Flux Analysis) and by using the technology assessment framework developed by the NSW Alternative Waste Management Technologies and Practices Inquiry to evaluate the available options. Secondly, that should the assessment framework from the NSW Inquiry prove to be unsuitable as a framework for evaluation, then an improved and refined assessment framework can be constructed in order to identify optimal resource recovery options and that this process can be successfully demonstrated using wood waste as a case study. The context of waste as an issue has shifted from local government control (pre-1970s) to state government control through the Department of Environment and Conservation. This transition followed experiments with organisations such as the NSW Waste Boards and Resource NSW, in addition to state targets such as a 60% reduction of waste to landfill by the year 2000. In addition to this backdrop of change from a government administrative perspective, there are also a suite of often conflicting drivers and constraints influencing the process of resource recovery. For example, sustainable development is a public policy driver for the integration of environmental and societal concerns, but can also constrain new innovation if competing 'status quo' utilisation options are not subject to the same scrutiny. Similarly, legislation acts as a constraint to resource recovery options by establishing license conditions, prohibiting some energy recovery options and setting recovery criteria; however legislation also acts as a driver for resource recovery options that generate renewable electricity or act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Other drivers and constraints include social, technical and economic issues and concerns in addition to environmental impacts such as emissions to air, land and water. Industrial ecology is a model for viewing system components as part of a dependent and interrelated greater whole. Within the context of Industrial Ecology, waste is a by-product of manufacture available as a beneficial input into other processes. Using Materials Flux Analysis as a tool to build a model of waste generation and utilisation, elements within the system are presented as a series of stocks (sources), technology interventions (transformation flows) and sinks (markets). The stocks or sources of materials for resource recovery are categorised as Municipal Solid (MSW), Commercial and Industrial (C&I) or Construction and Demolition (C&D) wastes. Approximately seven million tonnes of waste is generated in the Greater Sydney Region (nearly two and a half million tonnes of materials recovered for recycling and four and a half million tonnes of materials disposed of to landfill). The purpose of technology intervention is to transform the material into a product that is suited to the end market (sink). Markets are grouped according to reuse (same function and form), direct recycling (same supply chain), indirect recycling (different supply chain) and energy recovery (either as process heat, electricity or co-generation, a combination of the two). Landfill is also a potential sink for materials and in this sense can be thought of as a negative value market. The Alternative Waste Management Technologies and Practices Inquiry provided an assessment framework for resource recovery technologies. Each technology was measured and compared against 16 evaluation criteria, resulting in a score out of one hundred. Material sorting scored the highest (81.5), incineration the lowest (50.8) with most of the biological technologies performing �well� (64.6 � 71.7) and with the landfill technologies performing 'moderately well' (60.4 - 61.4). The positive features of the Inquiry included the overview of alternative resource recovery technologies, waste generation and other issues pertinent to decision making and resource recovery. The negatives of the Inquiry arise from the inadequacies of the assessment framework, which lacked technology options, system boundary definition and requisite evaluation criteria in addition to inconsistencies in scoring approaches. By undertaking a sensitivity analysis on the Inquiry�s results, it is shown that rank order reversal results from the allocation of weightings. The improved and refined assessment framework, constructed to overcome identified inadequacies of the Inquiry�s approach, focussed on clearly identifying the problem to be addressed and the primary decision maker involved in the process; ensuring that appropriate options for evaluation were included; defining the system boundary for the assessment; selecting necessary evaluation criteria; adopting a more sophisticated system for scoring; and using a sensitivity analysis to validate the results of the resource recovery option evaluation. Wood waste was used as a case study for this second assessment methodology. Wood waste refers to the end-of-life products, failed products, offcuts, shavings and sawdust from all timber products. Approximately 350,000 tonnes of wood waste are disposed of to landfill each year. This comprises untreated timber (hard wood and soft wood), engineered timber products (particleboard, medium density fibreboard and plywood) and treated timber (predominately copper chrome arsenic). Eight wood resource recovery options are selected for evaluation within the Greater Sydney Region with a different approach to scoring that has the advantage of 'scaling up' the best performers within each attribute (highest score) while 'scaling down' the worst performers (no score). Under this evaluation, an on-site purpose built energy facility is the most preferred option with particleboard manufacture the least preferred option. A sensitivity analysis of the results reveals that the scores of each technology option are sensitive to the weightings of the decision maker. When the change in rankings is examined, it is identified that two eight wood recovery options undergo a large rank reversal. A critique of the results of the wood evaluation reveals five major flaws. Firstly the evaluation produces non-highest resource value results that are non-intuitive (and arguably misleading), for example the poor performance of reuse and particleboard against energy generation options. Secondly, the recording of a single summary score for each recovery option hides unacceptable performance levels in some criteria. For example, the top scorer of Primary Energy On-site hides the fact that such an option is likely to have no political desirability (likely public opposition to 'incineration' within the Sydney air-shed), calling into question its ability to be implemented as a solution. Thirdly there is a reliance on judgement for the scoring of options and weighting of preferences, calling into doubt the accuracy of scores. Fourthly, the rankings of recovery options by the assessment framework are sensitive to the allocation of weightings. Finally and most importantly, the refined evaluation approach suffers from the 'discrete option syndrome', the scoring of each recovery option in isolation with no ability to look at integrated systems with joint recovery options. This is pinpointed as a fundamental flaw in the process of both the Inquiry and the wood evaluation. This leads to the conclusion that the founding assertions of this thesis were false. That is to say that the assessment framework developed by the NSW Alternative Waste Management Technologies and Practices Inquiry is not suitable for use in evaluating resource recovery options. Furthermore a refined assessment framework based on this approach is also unable to identify optimal resource recovery options as demonstrated using wood waste as a case study. The results of this research points to the overall conclusion that any discrete option evaluation and assessment for resource recovery technologies that results in a single summary score for each option will be fundamentally flawed, providing no value in determining optimal resource recovery solutions for the Greater Sydney Region. A systems approach is suggested as an alternative method for the evaluation of optimal resource recovery, the starting point of which is to ask 'what is the highest resource value of the components in the material stream under consideration and how could a network of infrastructure be designed in order to allow materials to flow to their highest resource value use?' A feature of such an integrated approach is a focus on the materials composition of recovered resources, as opposed to recovery technologies, resulting in a 'fit for purpose' as opposed to a 'forced fit' style of resource recovery. It is recommended that further research and public policy efforts be made in logistics planning across the Greater Sydney Region (as opposed to a regional or local government area) in order to create network opportunities for integrated flows of materials to move toward their highest resource value.

In response to telomere shortening, oxidative stress, DNA damage or aberrant activation of oncogenes, normal somatic cells exit the cell cycle and enter an irreversible growth arrest termed senescence. The limited proliferative capacity imposed by senescence on cells impedes the accumulation of mutations necessary for tumorigenesis and prevents proliferation of cells at risk of neoplastic transformation. Opposite to the tumor suppressor function, accumulation of senescent cells in adult organisms is thought to contribute to aging by depleting the renewal capacity of tissues and stem/progenitor cells, and by interfering with tissue homeostasis and functions. The Antagonistic Pleiotropy Theory of senescence proposes that senescence is beneficial early in life by acting as a tumor suppressor, but harmful late in life by contributing to aging. Recent studies have provided evidence strongly supporting the tumor suppressor function of senescence, however, direct evidence supporting the role of senescence in aging remains largely elusive. In this thesis, I describe studies to test the Antagonistic Pleiotropy Theory of senescence in tumorigenesis and aging. The approach that I have taken is to alter the senescence response in vivo by changing the expression of a senescence regulator in mice. The consequence of altered senescence response on tumorigenesis and stem cell self-renewal was investigated. The senescence regulator I studied is Smurf2, which has been shown previously to activate senescence in culture. I hypothesized that the senescence response will be impaired by Smurf2 deficiency in vivo. Consequently, Smurf2-deficient mice will develop tumors at an increased frequency, but also gain enhanced self-renewal capacity of stem/progenitor cells with age. I generated a Smurf2-deficient mouse model, and found that Smurf2 deficiency attenuated p16 expression and impaired the senescence response in primary cells and tissues. Smurf2-deficient mice exhibited an increased susceptibility to spontaneous tumorigenesis, indicating that Smurf2 is a tumor suppressor. At the premalignant stage of tumorigenesis, a defective senescence response was documented in the Smurf2-deficient mice, providing a mechanistic link between impaired senescence response and increased tumorigenesis. The majority of tumors developed in Smurf2-deficent mice were B-cell lymphomas with an origin in germinal centers of the spleen and a phenotype resembling human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). I discovered that Smurf2 mediated ubiquitination of YY1, a master regulator of germinal centers. Stabilization of YY1 in the absence of Smurf2 was responsible for increased cell proliferation and drove lymphomagenesis in Smurf2-deficient mice. Consistently, a significant decrease of Smurf2 expression was observed in human primary DLBCL samples, and more importantly, a low level of Smurf2 expression in DLBCL correlated with poor survival prognosis. Moreover, I found that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in Smurf2-deficient mice had enhanced function compared to wild-type controls. This enhanced stem cell function was associated with increased cell proliferation and decreased p16 expression, suggesting that defective senescence response in Smurf2-deficient mice leads to increased self-renewal capacity of HSCs. My study, for the first time, offers direct genetic evidence of an important tumor suppressor function for Smurf2 as well as its function in contributing to stem cell aging. Collectively, these findings provide strong evidence supporting the Antagonistic Pleiotropy Theory of senescence in tumorigenesis and aging.

Deficits in Processing Speed (PS), a basic neuropsychological construct, are indicated in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Shanahan et al., 2006; Wilcutt, Pennington, Olson, Chhabildas, & Hulslander, 2005), as well as in Depression (Andersson, Lovdahl, & Malt, 2010). PS is correlated with Working Memory (WM), as established in the cognitive literature (Fry & Hale, 2000), and ADHD is significantly correlated with depression as evidenced in the clinical literature (Biederman et al., 2008). However, the current body of literature does not look into the capacity of inattention severity to predict PS, graphomotor versus primarily cognitive, in unmedicated, young adults, when depression and WM are controlled. Therefore, my study investigated the dimension of inattention as a predictor of graphomotor PS and cognitive PS, controlling for depression, and WM, in young adult students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Results indicated that the dimension of inattention did not predict motor or cognitive PS, when depression and WM were controlled. Thus it likely requires more severe symptoms of inattention for deficits in PS and WM. Depression symptoms were not predictive of graphomotor or cognitive PS supporting the hypothesis that neurocognitive deficits are not associated with mild or non-melancholic cases of depression. However, inattention was a significant predictor of depression, irrespective of gender. This relationship was independent of the severity of PS and WM deficits. The symptoms of inattention dropped significantly with age in my sample. The cognitive PS of the young adults was correlated with WM, as expected. Future research needs to focus on the extent to which PS and WM vary with regard to the severity of the dimensions of inattention and depression.

The Set1 complex, often called COMPASS (Complex associated with Set1 subunit), is a multi-protein complex containing the trithorax-related protein, Set1, which methylates histone H3 lysine-4 (H3K4) and additional substrates. The catalytic SET domain of Set1 requires a host of associated subunits to catalyze the transfer of methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine to lysine residues of target substrates. Bre2 and Sdc1 are two subunits that promote H3K4 tri-methylation, a hallmark modification found at promoters of activatated RNA polymerase II genes. In collaboration with Sharon Dent's group, we have previously demonstrated that Bre2 and Sdc1 are methylated by Set1 in vitro and in vivo. The significance of Bre2 methylation in regulating Set1 catalytic activity is demonstrated by changes in the global levels of H3K4 di-methylation upon blocking methylation of Bre2 at a specific lysine residue (K287). Indirect evidence suggests that demethylation of Bre2 and Sdc1 is possibly mediated by the H3K4 demethylase complex. The mechanism by which Bre2 and Sdc1 regulate Set1's catalytic activity is not well understood, and represents the driving impetus for the current studies. In the present study we show that Sdc1 physically interacts with the C-terminus of Bre2, and that a Bre2/Sdc1 subcomplex can stably interact with the SET domain of Set1. We describe the development of an immobilized methyltransferase activity assay, and use this assay to demonstrate reconstitution of a Set1 complex functional for subunit methylation. The latter result suggests that Bre2/Sdc1 exchange between methyltransferase and demethylase complexes is a tenable hypothesis.

This paper tests a revenue catering theory under which investors have time-varying demand for revenue growth and managers will cater to this demand by delivering higher revenue when investors place a higher premium on revenue. I document the time-series variation in the "revenue surprise premium" - a proxy for investor demand for revenue growth, where the "revenue surprise premium" is measured as the earnings announcement period stock return response to good news in revenue after controlling for news in earnings. I investigate whether managers cater to the time-varying "revenue surprise premium" by meeting or beating market expectations of revenue. I find evidence consistent with revenue catering behavior. Firms are more likely to meet or beat analyst forecasts of revenue when the previous quarter's revenue surprise premium is high. I also find evidence that firms use aggressive revenue recognition practices when catering to investors. The results are most pronounced among firms in high-tech and health sectors whose revenue surprise premiums are higher relative to other sectors.

This was a study on the Utah cattle industry which compared five different feeding enterprises. These feeding enterprises included feeding cull cows, finishing beef yearling steers, finishing Holstein yearling steers, backgrounding beef steer calves, and backgrounding Holstein steer calves. The main purpose of this study was to determine which feeding enterprise was the most profitable for Utah cattle producers. Another objective of the study was to determine if LRP insurance lowered the volatility in the returns to these feeding enterprises. In order to answer these two questions of interest, a historical analysis of Utah cattle and feed prices was conducted from 1990 through 2009. Weekly sales data were used, and seasonality and price trends were determined. Next, enterprise budgets were created for each feeding enterprise to establish historical returns. Then, using the historical data as a foundation, a simulation analysis was run to forecast future returns and determine the risk associated with each feeding enterprise. LRP insurance was also added to the model to simulate the effects it had on lowering risk. After completing a simulation analysis and comparing means and standard deviations of the expected returns, portfolio theory was used to put the feeding enterprises into different portfolios to attempt to lower risk. Then stochastic dominance was used to conclude which feeding enterprise was the most preferred for Utah cattle producers. The results of the study depend upon the producer's level of risk. The majority of producers have an ARAC value between -0.0002 and 0.0012. With that knowledge, the results suggested that the majority of Utah cattle producers should finish Holstein yearling steers. If a producer was highly risk seeking, then he or she was better off to feed cull cows. If the producer was highly risk averse, then he or she preferred a portfolio of cull cows and backgrounding both Holstein and beef steers with LRP insurance. The results of the study also indicated that LRP insurance was an effective tool for lowering the variability in expected returns. However, the results suggested that the most preferred option for Utah cattle producers was to feed either cull cows or Holstein yearling steers without LRP insurance.

In this thesis, the continuing relevance of the profession of librarianship in the digital age is explored and assessed. After defining the library as information itself, the thesis establishes that electronic formats replacing printed matter is not an indication of libraries becoming extinct. Further, various aspects of the profession of librarianship—including library ethics, information extraction skills, and information literacy instruction—are discussed. Additionally, the potential for librarians to play an important role in a largely “jobless” society (as forecast by some experts and scholars as well as in a recent Oxford University study) is evaluated. Finally, a proposal is made for librarians to actively contribute to a more participatory and deliberative democracy by using the Internet to facilitate information access in the public sphere.