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The use of paper as a sensing platform has great potential for point-of-care diagnostics in low-resource settings. However, there is a need for approaches that enable a higher level of control and customisation of the paper properties and reduce the cost of production and immobilisation of bioreagents onto paper. This thesis explores whether introducing digital printing into papermaking in combination with the recombinant protein production of paper-binding bioreagents could provide an accessible, scalable tool for the fabrication of affordable paper-based microfluidic biosensors with customised and varying paper properties. A novel printing method based on the localised vacuum-driven filtration of fibre suspensions ('vacuum-driven printing') was explored for the direct formation and patterning of engineered paper. An analytical model based on incompressible cake filtration theory was derived to predict the final thickness of the printed paper as a function of printing parameters and showed good agreement with the experimental data. This model enabled the rational design of complex 2D paper patterns with controlled and varying thickness profile that could be formed in a single printing process. The recombinant fusion of a cellulose-binding domain (CBD) into the protein reagent enabled its one-step immobilisation and purification onto paper fibres directly from the crude lysate, significantly reducing the cost and number of downstream processing steps required for the production of the bioreagent. The specific immobilisation provided by the CBD helped retain the protein's diagnostic activity during air drying and long-term dry storage, even after four months at 20-37°C, when compared to direct physisorption of the protein reagent onto paper. The protein-bound fibres could be directly patterned with the vacuum-driven printing technique into the detection zone of a paper-based assay, forming bioactive paper. A proof-of-concept paper-based microfluidic biosensor was fabricated in a single vacuum-driven printing process, using unmodified paper fibres to form microfluidic channels of varying thickness, and protein-bound fibres to form bioactive paper at the detection zone of the assay. This research demonstrated a simplified, accessible, and lower-cost pathway to the production of paper-based biosensors with customised properties.

This doctoral dissertation explores the transcultural use of the material of blue paper for figure studies and figural compositions by artists working in sixteenth-century Venice and seventeenth-century Amsterdam. The research focuses on artists' use of blue paper made with blue fibres, or that which is coloured blue during its production, rather than neutral papers that are prepared with a coloured wash. Blue paper provided a readily available mid-tone and its texture allowed friable drawing implements like chalk and charcoal to be absorbed into the paper at varying degrees. This interplay contributed to the achievement of rilievo, or the ability to model three-dimensional forms in space on a flat surface. Understanding the broader artistic, cultural, and theoretical frameworks that led to the employment of blue paper in these two centres of commercial and artistic exchange is central to our understanding of the material's role in early modern artistic practice, as well as to our interpretations of the drawings themselves. Through object-based, technical, and archival research, as well as analyses of contemporary texts on art, this research is inherently interdisciplinary in examining the significance of the role of blue paper in Italian and Dutch artistic practice and stylistic development.

This thesis is a study of non-objective works on paper by the German artist Joseph Beuys (1921-1986) selected from the one hundred and six original works on paper in the 'Artist Rooms' collection, owned and managed jointly by Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland. It investigates ways in which works on paper that do not depict objects might be interpreted. The question of non-objectivity in Beuys's works on paper has not previously been addressed, perhaps because non-objectivity is less common in the more familiar early works, or perhaps due to the difficulty of reconciling non-objectivity with Beuys's contention that he was not an abstract artist. I show that non-objectivity and abstraction need not be equivalent, so Beuys's work can be regarded as concrete (non-abstract) even when it does not depict an object. Previous Beuys scholarship mostly uses iconological approaches, which are necessarily object-based; for non-objective works on paper an alternative is required. My approach is founded on identifying arenas of interpretation through detailed formal analysis of the works and critical appraisal of what Beuys said, combined with socio-political contextual analysis, comparison with other artists, and a study of the phenomenological effect of non-objectivity on the viewer. Beuys was well-read and well-connected, alert to the ideas of the past and of his own time. I examine Beuys's non-objective works on paper in the light of Romanticism, Expressionism, Suprematism, Neo-Plasticism, art informel, and American Minimalism, concluding that while Beuys did not align himself with these movements, he did incorporate a wide range of historical and contemporary ideas into his work. Thus, this thesis offers an approach to Beuys's non-objective works on paper through arenas of interpretation based on a distinction from abstraction, close critical attention to his works and words, the socio-political context in which he lived, resonances with the ideas of others, and the role of the viewer.

The purpose of this study is to understand how women describe their journey to becoming senior leaders within the operations sector of the Paper Manufacturing Industry. This study will provide insights about how women in the male-dominated Paper Manufacturing Industry (PMI) assumed leadership positions. This pre-registered study will offer the framework for this study to be carried out at the University of Arkansas. The researcher will apply a descriptive phenomenological approach that will use semi-structured questions to understand the strategies they used to navigate their career path. Snowball sampling will be used to select 5-15 participants who provide their perceptions and lived experiences to describe the obstacles to advancement faced in the United States PMI, and how they can be overcome. To examine how senior women leaders in the PMI navigate the socio-cultural landscape of a male-dominated field, the following research question will be examined: What strategies do women in the United States PMI use to advance to senior leadership positions within manufacturing operations? [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

In this three-paper dissertation project, I explore how 'English' becomes a recognizable object within the context of adult ESOL education. Building on scholarship on named languages (Garcia, 2019; Makoni & Pennycook, 2006), the historical construction of languages (Bonfiglio, 2010; Irvine & Gal, 2000), and raciolinguistic ideologies (Flores & Rosa, 2015; Rosa & Flores, 2017), I analyze how language, both as an abstract concept and as a collection of linguistic features, is treated within adult ESOL, looking at specific contemporary classrooms, as well as historical texts. This work culminated in the three studies I present here -- focused, in turn, on classroom discourse and pedagogical practices, curriculum, and language scholarship -- as something of a "self portrait" of English (del Valle, Lauria, Orono, & Rojas, 2021). I start with "'The good English': The ideological construction of the target language in adult ESOL", a study which employs classroom-based ethnography and classroom discourse analysis (Rampton, 2006; Reyes, 2011; Rosa, 2019) to look at the construction of 'English' in a nonprofit, community-based adult ESOL program in New York. I argue that the structural conditions of the program promote reliance on a conception of 'English' shaped by linguistic racism, despite the program's progressive ideals. Drawing on ethnographic observation and interviews, I outline the discursive and pedagogical practices that uphold this conception of 'English', and how students destabilize it, with an eye toward possibilities for alternate conceptions and pedagogies. In the next paper, "English by the book: Linguistic (and social) normativity in adult English curriculum over time", I explore how the ideologies I observed in contemporary classrooms developed over time by looking at 12 adult English textbooks from the 20th and early 21st centuries. Drawing on raciolinguistic genealogy (Anais, 2013; Flores, 2021), metapragmatics (Cutler, 2020; Urban, 2006), and the discourse analysis of textbooks, I argue that while normativity remains a core focus of mainstream adult immigrant education from its early institutions into the contemporary moment, linguistic normativity has become increasingly more central to mainstream conceptions of adult English learning (and, therefore, immigrant socialization) than broader social normativity. I end with a discussion of the potential reasons for this shift, and the ways it perpetuates the marginalization of adult immigrants. In the last paper, "Whiteness as the standard: Shifting ideologies, race, and social context", I explore how these ideologies developed more broadly, analyzing historical language scholarship, again employing elements of raciolinguistic genealogy and metapragmatics. I find that while the linguistic features of 'nonstandard' English have remained remarkably consistent in the popular imagination, they became increasingly linked with Blackness, especially during and after white backlash to the Great Migration (and other cultural and political changes) in the mid-20th century. I argue that this represents a larger pattern in the relationship between language and race in the United States, and conclude with a discussion of the implications this has for adult immigrants and the ESOL classroom. With this dissertation, I aim to fill in gaps in my own syllabi, and to create helpful tools for the educational linguistics classroom. Together, I hope these studies help current and future educators better understand the connection between language norms and racism, and to be aware of the history they are inheriting and also their role in it now, so they can, with their students, imagine and co-create alternatives. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Prevalence of mental health needs, particularly those related to anxiety, depression, and emotion regulation, are on the rise in higher education institutions (Auerbach et al., 2016; Blanco et al., 2008). Research has shown college and university student help-seeking behavior varies by identity and many students are often reluctant to seek support (Oswalt et al., 2020; Rickwood et al., 2007), and yet, there are increasing rates of students seeking counseling supports on college and university campuses (Abrams, 2020; Prince, 2015; Son et al., 2020; Xiao et al., 2017). To support students' mental health needs, creative, preventive mental health care is needed in higher education institutions. The present study is situated within the context of a preventive mental health care intervention for undergraduate students in the form of an optional, universally offered course. The course draws on principles of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance-Commitment Therapy, and Positive Psychology. In order to track intervention efficacy and support generalization and rehearsal of learned skills, students are tasked with using a self-monitoring tool called a diary card. Behavior change literature suggests that self-monitoring is a key factor in goal attainment and can even promote better intervention outcomes (Harkin et al., 2016; Kruglanski et al., 2002). Effective self-monitoring is that which is completed with fidelity, meaning high accuracy and consistency, both of which stand to be improved by technology. Digital formats of self-monitoring are increasingly popular because of their implications for self-monitoring fidelity and social acceptability (Aguilera, 2015; Avina, 2008; Cristol, 2018; Bedesem, 2012; Borntrager & Lyon, 2015; Dennison et al., 2013; Marzano et al., 2015; Melbye et al., 2020; Murnane et al., 2016; Sin et al., 2020; Ysseldyke et al., 2006). However, there remains a lack of robust evidence to support the use of digital self-monitoring tools in mental health interventions. This study adds to existing literature by using quantitative and qualitative methods to further explore the efficacy and social acceptability of a digital diary card used within a preventive mental health course at the university level. Students enrolled in the course were randomly assigned either to the Business as Usual (BAU) paper diary card or the digitally formatted diary card. Multiple regression analysis showed the digital diary card format uniquely predicted lower completion fidelity and social acceptability. Qualitative interviews further revealed students had difficulty with using and submitting the digital diary card, but even in spite of these challenges, would prefer a digital diary card in the future, emphasizing the importance of ease of use and submission in future designs. This paper concludes with recommendations for the design and implementation of a digital self-monitoring tool and directions for future research. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

White individuals can play a key role in the realization of an education policy and can drastically impact how a policy is implemented because of their resources and the status that come with associating with the privileged racial group in the current racial hierarchy that exists in the United States. Several education policies, such as school desegregation and bilingual education, have goals of attaining education equity or targeting services to marginalized student groups, but these policy goals may not be realized when policies are implemented if White individuals' exploit these policies. This dissertation is comprised of three papers that examine White individuals in different policy settings including policies that are designed to intentionally achieve a more diverse student body. In my first paper, I use data from a unique survey experiment conducted in November 2020 informed by interest convergence theory, I aim to understand how different policy frames regarding student benefits influence White individuals' support for a policy that would increase the racial diversity of schools in their community. In my second paper, I conduct interviews with White parents at intentionally diverse charter schools throughout Denver to understand why they chose these schools and how they perceive the diversity of the schools' student body. In my final paper, I employ a mixed methods approach to analyze which students are served by dual language immersion programs in North Carolina. I draw on various theoretical frameworks such as policy framing, colorblindness, diversity ideology, Whiteness as property, and interest convergence theory to illustrate how White individuals make sense of and relate to policies that attempt to integrate students from different backgrounds, while also challenging the initial frames of the policies so accommodate their own interests. These three papers draw on both qualitative and quantitative research methods to examine these behaviors. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

The current study was conducted to examine undergraduate psychology students' feedback processes associated with developing a research proposal paper. Previous research has investigated how feedback can be effective for student learning, but it has been limited by not considering the effectiveness of multiple, smaller assessments and the frequent feedback provided on them, from both instructors and peers, as students complete a single, larger assignment. It also has been limited by not considering the application of one model of feedback at the postsecondary education level. The case study research design was selected both to describe my students' feedback processes when completing a semester-long assignment and to compare these feedback processes when the feedback was provided by either me or other students. Course-based data, including students' assessments, the feedback provided on them, and their responses to questionnaire items, from two class sections were analyzed using pattern matching within the two cases and cross-case syntheses between the two cases. The findings indicated students' feedback processes were: (1) informing them of the type and level of performance to be attained; (2) helping them to progress and attain the type and level of performance; (3) providing them with information associated with performance; (4) conveying their progress and how they should proceed; (5) impacting student learning; and (6) leading to greater possibilities for student learning. In general, students indicated these processes were more helpful when I provided feedback rather than when other students provided feedback, although most feedback provided by both me and other students was directed at the same levels. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

In recent years, the growing popularity of NPS within the prison system has contributed to the increase in violence, psychotic episodes and self-harm, undermining the rehabilitation of prisoners. A systematic literature review on the detection of NPS in prison settings was carried out to establish an understanding of current research in the field. MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases and the grey literature were consulted in line with the PRISMA-S guidelines leading to the identification of 50 articles which met the inclusion criteria. Findings showed that the most prevalent NPS class reported in prison was synthetic cannabinoids mainly deposited on paper matrices and smuggled through the postal services. Laboratory-based techniques i.e., LC-HRMS/MS and GC-MS were predominantly employed for the detection of NPS. The IMS was the only technique used for in-field analysis, highlighting a gap in knowledge for specific and selective in-field analytical techniques for such samples. Therefore, the aim of the thesis was the development of an extraction method of psychoactive substances from paper samples which can be used to facilitate the development of a minimally invasive, highly sensitive, in-field detection technique of psychoactive substances on such samples. Basic extraction properties of paper impregnated with psychoactive substances were investigated to gain knowledge of the process and the percentage recovery using traditional analytical techniques such as LC-UV-Vis and UPLC-PdA-QDa-MS. An extraction method using simulated paper samples impregnated with paracetamol employed as a model substance was optimised and led to the extraction of 80.1 ± 0.7% of paracetamol, over two consecutive extractions. The extraction method was then applied to simulated paper samples impregnated with a ternary mixture of caffeine + cocaine + THJ-018 and the percentage recovery was calculated at 74.7 ± 1.3%, over one extraction. Qualitative analysis of a seized paper sample from prison was carried out to gain insight into the concentration found on such samples, using corroborative analytical techniques i.e., HPLC-PdA-QDa-MS, GC-MS, and NMR, leading to the identification of 5F-ADB. Following up, 5F-ABD was found on another seized paper sample from prison from the same evidence bag as the previous one and was quantified using an optimised and validated UPLC-PdA-QDA-MS method. Concentrations of 5F-ADB calculated on 39 subunits of the sample after three consecutive extractions ranged between 0.00026-0.055 mg/cm2. Furthermore, the percentage recovery of 5F-ADB from simulated paper samples (n=15) was calculated at three concentrations (C1=20 µL of 1 mg/mL, C2=50 µL of 0.1 mg/mL and C3=10 µL 0.1 mg/mL) over five consecutive extractions, this was found to be 98.7 ± 0.8%. A matrix effect study evaluating five paper matrices impregnated with 5F-ADB was performed, the low RSD calculated over the measurement for each type of paper was of suggested that no matrix effect arises when quantifying 5F-ADB on these specific types of samples. A PCA model was developed to understand if Raman spectra of psychoactive substances and cutting agents/adulterants i.e., 5F-PB-22, amphetamine, benzocaine, caffeine, cocaine, diazepam, and paracetamol, as a single neat reference standard, as neat binary mixtures and as soaked or pipetted on simulated paper samples, could have been discriminated. Good discrimination could be achieved between the spectra of neat psychoactive substances and related adulterant/cutting agents reference standard analysed. Discrimination using PCA of the Raman spectra of mixtures of psychoactive substances and related adulterant/cutting agents reference standard has been proved challenging due to the impact of the orientation of oscillations of light waves of the excitation laser irradiating the molecules and the different Raman scattering properties of the compounds in the mixtures. While most of the paper samples impregnated with psychoactive substances and related adulterant/cutting agents formed a 'mega cluster' in the scores plot near the BP samples, due to the paper background present in the spectra. However, observation of Raman spectra of such samples showed potential for their discrimination. For instance, when the line plot of the psychoactive substances i.e., 5F-PB-22, amphetamine, cocaine and diazepam reference standard pipetted on the simulated paper samples at five concentrations and collected using Raman Rigaku were examined characteristic peaks of the related reference standard were visible at the highest concentration e.g., 5F-PB-22 pipetted on paper at 20 and 15 mg/mL; cocaine pipetted on paper at 60, 40, 35 and 30 mg/mL. Finally, a minimally invasive extraction of 5F-PB-22 from simulated paper samples using agar gel was developed and optimised using Design of Experiments techniques. This was performed to facilitate the development of a minimally invasive, highly sensitive, in-field NPS detection technique. The screening phase performed using a 25 full-factorial design led to the selection of two statistically significant factors in the process i.e., agar concentration and sonication time. The optimisation phase was then carried out using a two-factor CCD, in which the maximum of the AUC was sought. This identified the optimum agar concentration and sonication time at 2% and 10.95 min, respectively. The extraction time, weight applied, and extraction number were fixed at 120 sec, 85 grams, and 2 extractions, respectively. The model was successfully validated by running five confirmation experiments using the same parameters as the optimised conditions. A 99.67% increase in the extraction of 5F-PB-22 from simulated paper samples was achieved (unoptimised vs. optimised process 1.20 ± 0.09% vs. 2.36 ± 0.19%). Furthermore, the optimised extraction method has also been successfully applied to a seized paper sample known to contain 5F-ADB.

Cost effectiveness is one of the crucial key factors driving the shipping and trading industry. Nowadays global trade involves multiple parties and sectors across international borders, and numerous paper transport documents, such as paper bills of lading (pBLs), are handled and disseminated around the world. With the advent of digital technology, electronic solutions are arguably ripe for the replacement of pBLs. The key benefits of using an electronic bill of lading have long been identified as the speed of transfer, the avoidance of external costs and removal of need to use Letters of Indemnity. As an alternative to the transfer of physical endorsements, electronic bills of lading (eBLs) are processed and transferred automatically by a computer system that constructs the information electronically using agreed standards. However, the journey of promoting eBLs is not all smooth sailing. Despite the growing number of private and public projects and initiatives during the past 40 years, the maritime world has yet seen the dawn of the electronic age. On the contrary, pBLs remain a staple in international trade, despite years of criticism over delays, costs and security risks. This thesis seeks to identify the underlying reasons for the stagnation in the development of this key legal document. It will demonstrate that, apart from the technical challenges, the real impediment to a true replacement of the pBL is the formidable legal challenges in reproducing the three principal functions of the antique paper-based trade document, for which the existing paperless implementations have failed to provide anything but a piecemeal solution. In coming to this finding, the thesis will also examine the effectiveness of the various legislative efforts, both nationally and internationally, to address the legal issues identified in the thesis. Finally, the author will attempt to speculate on the trends and prospects of the evolution of eBLs in the light of the observations submitted in the thesis.

A bank under a letter of credit transaction is always expected to become a pledgee on the goods which are the subject of the transaction by holding the related bills of lading. However, the process of creating a pledge in a letter of credit transaction is much more complicated than a mere delivery of a bill of lading, and there are many inherent factors that might impair a bank's ability to become a pledgee on bills of lading. These factors are deeply associated with the mechanism of letters of credit and the characteristics of bills of lading. Some of these factors were identified in the authorities in decades ago; but since then, they have been overlooked by both English courts and academia; meanwhile, some have been being misunderstood for many years. These factors have existed as a risk to a bank's security for a long time and would continue to act as a threat when paper bills of lading are replaced by electronic bills of lading (eB/Ls). This thesis aims to identify these factors and examine the impacts thereof on bank's position under letter of credit transactions. Also, it evaluates how the usage of eB/Ls to replace paper bills of lading will change the bank's position, especially in the occurrence of the factors mentioned above; last but not least, it proposes suggestions for lawmakers to address the risks brought by these factors, in the context of both the paper world and the digital world. Through examining each stage of pledging a bill of lading associated with the performance of the parties in a sale of goods transaction, the thesis identifies the following factors that affect (or are assumed to affect) a bank's security under a letter of credit: first, goods have been discharged before a sellers' tender of bills of lading; secondly, the ownership in the goods has passed to buyers before sellers' tender of bills of lading; thirdly, sellers have not intended to transfer constructive possession to banks through their transfer of bills of lading or sellers have not indorsed their bills of lading properly (if necessary) to banks; fourthly, buyers fraudulently dispose of the pledged bills of lading, which are previously redelivered by banks against a trust receipt. From the detailed discussion on these factors, it concludes that banks' position under letter of credit transactions is less secured than it appears and that the impact of the replacement of paper bills of lading with eB/Ls on banks' position will vary depending on types of electronic-bills-of-lading platforms used. To deal with these factors, the thesis proposes that more certainty and clarity in the law are necessary, especially the law of bills of lading as well as the law of pledge; moreover, more preparation in legal infrastructure is required before entering the digital context.

Sport nutrition is a fast growing discipline within sport science with many sports team now employing a sport nutritionist on either a full or part time basis. Despite this growth in the discipline, and a resultant abundance of sport nutrition literature, often the literature can be inappropriately implemented in practice or even worse ignored. This is particularly dangerous in sport nutrition given the risks to health, performance and the anti-doping risks inherent in the sport nutrition discipline. To help the sport nutritionist in practice we initially developed a framework termed 'Paper to Podium (Chapter 1). This framework then provides the basis of the thesis by presenting operational guidance for practitioners to critically evaluate the translational potential of sport nutrition research to practice and provide a time efficient protocol for practitioners to appraise research and inform practice. Once the framework had been developed, this thesis via publication splits into two main themes based upon two major roles of the Sports Nutritionist in applied practice. The first theme, presented in Chapter 2, is based around current tools for measuring energy intake, energy expenditure and body composition and resulted in 4 publications. The first publication demonstrates that the practical ways in which applied practitioners often estimate energy intake is not necessarily a valid or reliable measure in practice, despite the experience of the practitioner or the simplicity of the meal. This was particularly timely given the growing use of the term 'Gold Standard' to describe the 'Snap-n-Send' method. The second manuscript focusses upon the estimation of energy expenditure in free living athletes. Here we utilise a joint measure of heart rate and accelerometery to assess the energy requirements of golf, as previous research had failed to do this accurately. We found that prior literature significantly over-estimated the energy expended across a round of golf suggesting a MET value in excess of that reported during jogging. This manuscript highlighted the importance of using the most appropriate measurement tool in as close to real conditions as possible as well as highlighting the dangers associated with poor measurement techniques and is already being used to prescribe more accurate diets to elite professional golfers. The third publication focusses upon the assessment of body composition within an applied model using a weight-making athlete. Here we observed large discrepancies in body composition data dependent on the selected assessment method. Specifically, we found that some methods (e.g. DEXA) were more effected than others (skinfold thickness) during acute and chronic weight loss and rapid regain. This observation led to the fourth publication in this chapter, which involved a review of the available methods for measuring body composition in practice including novel insights from DEXA scans on professional athletes. Publications derived from Theme 1 had a number of practical implications, such as informing CPD sessions of sporting organisations for their practitioners, direct changes to practitioner planning of nutritional interventions, and changes to the body composition collection practices, especially for larger athletes or those where ideal operating conditions could not be controlled. Having assessed and appraised some of the field field-based tools available to nutrition practitioners, theme 2 provides guidance on supplementation practices and procedures for applied practitioners (Chapter 3) and resulted in a further 5 publications. Advice surrounding supplementation is required by nutritionists daily, however due to the stigma surrounding supplementation, a growing 'food-only' approach is being advocated by many organisations, where supplementation is deemed somewhat taboo. The first publication provides a commentary to introduce a 'food-first but not food-only' framework for advising supplements to athletes and forms the basis of the resultant papers in this chapter. The second publication investigates a common practice reportedly used by both team sport athletes to avoid bloating as well as well as weight-making athletes aiming to 'train-low'. This study used the 'Paper to Podium' Framework to design an ecological model to test the hypothesis that carbohydrate mouth rinse combined with caffeine had a benefit on decrements to performance that athletes may experience when restricting carbohydrates or fluids. The third publication investigates another practice that many athletes commonly participate in, oral nicotine use (e.g. snus). As such, we felt the need to produce a short review with the aim of educating athletes and support staff as to the current landscape of oral tobacco use in sport. We highlight the lack of data on snus and that the data available suggests detrimental effects to health and performance and therefore should not be advised in practice. Contrary to snus, cannabidiol (CBD) is a supplement that has a number of proposed benefits, however, although observed first- hand by authors, it was important to first review its prevalence within sport. The fourth article presented within this theme assesses the prevalence, awareness of inadvertent doping, and rationale for CBD use in rugby. We found that players supplemented with CBD in a quest for pain relief despite the apparent risk of inadvertent doping. As the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) prohibits all cannabinoids other than CBD, we thought it pertinent to understand the effects of the whole cannabinoid profile on performance. The final publication of the thesis concentrates on reviewing the existing evidence for the physiological effects of cannabis, THC and CBD on sporting performance. The manuscripts presented in Theme 2 have been used in a number of key note conference addresses educating academics and practitioners, adopted by organisations to form the basis of position stands, and applied directly within the elite sporting environment. Having set the goal of answering some of the key questions that arise daily within applied practice, I can reflect that this novel approach to conducting a PhD allowed me to focus on answering these key sport-nutrition questions, whilst also guiding other practitioner's, researcher's and student's practice. Taken together, the publications presented within the current thesis have helped shape applied practice, educate practitioners and academics, and have had direct impact within the real-world of elite sport in a number of ways highlighted throughout. There is a need for 'fast' research and Researcher-Practitioners based predominantly in applied environments as these publications can often help bridge the gap between science and practice.

Administration and scoring of cognitive assessments have evolved from a paper-based platform to a digital format. Since this advancement, Pearson has created a system (Q-interactive) that allows examiners to administer the WISC-V via two iPads. However, limited research exists exploring the effects of this new method of administration when compared to the traditional format of the WISC-V. The Wechsler scales have a Verbal Comprehension Index that has historically been shown to be prone to examiner errors given that scoring can be subjective and requires clinical judgment and the recording of lengthy responses. This study aimed to assess whether there is a difference in the total number of errors between administrations of the traditional and the digital formats of the WISC-V. A total of 22 paper and 38 digital WISC-V Similarities and Vocabulary protocols completed by practicing school psychologists were collected. Consistent with previous literature, errors were common. Further, digital protocols had significantly more errors than the traditional format. This was mostly due to recording errors, specifically failing to record verbatim responses, as well as failing to query when needed. On both formats, school psychologists frequently failed to record verbatim responses, failed to query, and assigned an incorrect point value to a response. Limitations of the study as well as implications, recommendations, and future research are discussed. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Carbon-based nanostructures are receiving increasing attention over the past two decades due to their outstanding multi-functional features. However, the macro-scale structural applications of these nanostructures have not yet come to full fruition due to the involvement of complex multi-scale computations and manufacturing. Recently, the research community has started investigating macroscopic paper formats of graphene and carbon nanotubes (PFGCN). The PFGCNs include graphene paper and buckypaper. The buckypaper is a membrane composed of a network of bundles of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), or a mixture of both. The graphene paper is also a macroscopic membrane composed of a network of graphene nanosheets. The current thesis thrives on advancing the science and technology of PFGCN by focusing on three goals. The first goal is to perform a thorough statistical analysis of the mechanical properties of PFGCN. The second goal is to conduct a computational bridging of different length scales involving six levels in the range of nano to macro-scale behaviour concerning PFGCN composites. The third goal is to demonstrate the compatibility of the PFGCN with an engineering product. The statistical analysis has reviewed 600 research papers to examine the mechanical properties of PFGCN and its associated composite materials. The data spanning 20 years of research has been quantitatively and qualitatively presented here, with the aid of statistical tabulations and Ashby plots. Mainly, the influence of geometry and chemistry of PFGCN on mechanical properties has been investigated. To address the second goal, the multi-length scale simulations consider sequential carbon derivatives at six levels, involving graphene, SWCNT, MWCNT, CNT bundle, buckypaper and buckypaper composite automotive components. The multi-scale simulations are based on a coupled atomistic-continuum modelling approach for multilevel simulations. At the macro-scale, an industry-relevant multi-material composite automotive component has been investigated, wherein the buckypaper is proposed to be embedded involving sheet moulding compound (SMC) and carbon prepreg. The simulations have led to the determination of mechanical properties at each carbon-based material level and their mutual dependence. To address the third goal, a detailed numerical analysis as per the industry regulations has been carried out on the PFGCN embedded automotive component. The numerical results demonstrate that a buckypaper composite can enhance the durability and vibrational performance with respect to conventional monolithic metallic designs while reducing the component weight. Such outcomes lead to the realization that carbon-based nanostructural derivative in the form of buckypaper can significantly improve the mechanical properties of advanced lightweight structural components as reinforcements for the next generation of aerospace and automotive structures.

This research establishes an original clay form - a clay page - that stands apart from traditional clay-based archetypes such as the vessel, the figurine and the tile. The surface treatment and the presentation of the new clay page, formed from porcelain paperclay, all correspond with the language of the paper page. My research asks how this new physical clay page can be developed, and what it might mean. These questions are examined by conducting practice-based investigations. In the studio, the primary research involves tests and compositions in which the clay page corresponds with international paper sizes and the characteristics of the paper page, such as thinness, flatness and lightness. Outside the studio, the research engages in wayfaring (as theorised by Ingold) predominantly in the urban environment of the UK; information is recorded using a camera and brought back to the studio. Layers of coloured slip and glaze are applied to the clay page surface to construct abstract compositions that respond to the clay page form, and which reflect wayfaring. The clay pages are then composed into a group, using the grid, and are presented on the wall. My research explores repetition and variation; grids and edges; borders and framing; levels and layers; lightness and minimality; the ordinary and the everyday; colour and spatial organisation; series and progressions; arrangement and rearrangement; temporality and flexibility. It involves an ethos of working in a self-sufficient manner. The meaning of the clay page and its surface is interpreted as a story of the self, finding a place in the world, seeking joy and freedom within a framework of restricted order and balancing tensions, elevating ordinary, everyday experiences into the extraordinary. The interplay of subject, object and place is grounded in Modernist abstraction and colour theory (Itten) and later theoretical frameworks of the grid (Krauss), the parergon (Derrida) and the overlooked (Bryson). Besides fine art and anthropology, secondary research also draws on poetry, economic theory, philosophy and ceramics. Continual processes of making and material thinking, alone in the street and the studio, are the means by which the new clay archetype develops. Through these collective research procedures, the clay page achieves the aim of the title: a new dimension to the language of ceramics. The research expands the potential of paperclay, ceramic practice and its theorisation, and will be of interest to both specialist and interdisciplinary constituencies.

Literature Review: The literature suggests that many adolescents with sexual offence histories (AWSOHs) have experienced adversity in their childhood which significantly impacted their psychosocial development. This review sought to systematically appraise the literature of 3 major data bases to explore to what extent maladaptive psychosocial development mediates the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and sexual offending in adolescents. Studies that met criteria were assessed for quality, summarised and critically evaluated; 10 papers were included for the final review. Three key findings were that emotion dysregulation (anxiety and depression), attachment (insecure) and development of offence themed fantasies mediate the relationship between childhood adversity and sexual offending in adolescence. Some papers were able to demonstrate whether and to what extent these variables mediate the relationship. Due to the methodological weaknesses of some studies, however, it is unclear how and to what extent the factors discussed in their papers mediate the relationship. The authors of the studies make suggestions for how the link could be mediated; these are evaluated in this review. The findings are discussed in the context of attachment theory and the stages of psychosocial development. The review is consistent with previous literature proposing etiological causes for sexual offending and pathways to offending. Implications for clinical practice include considerations for risk assessment, preventative measures in school and health environments and treatment options for adolescents. Future directions could include completing a qualitative review to add to this quantitative review and improving on previous methodology to make firmer conclusions. Empirical Paper: The evidence base suggests many persons with sexual offence histories (PWSOHs) have experienced adversity in their childhood. This study sought to explore the narratives of these individuals and how they believe adversity impacted on their offending behaviour. 12 men in the community who had childhood adversity, a sexual offence history and treatment within the prison and probation service volunteered to share their story. Key narratives elicited included: experiences of relationships, the absence of gendered socialisation, the internal struggle, the problem with current treatment and wider attitudes and moral issues. This analysis provides support for the developmental psychopathological perspective that suggests adversity and trauma directly impacts psychosocial and psychosexual development, creating a catalyst for later offending behaviour. Clinical implications include a need for change in societal attitudes to improve access to preventative support for at risk individuals, improved 1:1 therapy access for PWSOHs and a need for a trauma informed approach in prisons and probation. Strengths, limitations and future directions are considered. Future directions include conducting similar interviews in a prison population to explore contrasts and comparisons to the narratives from this study.

Paper-based electrode sensors are low-cost, biodegradable and easy to fabricate, and are usually developed for single-use detection, to avoid cleaning and cross-contamination. Nanomaterials have gained wide interest as key components for paper-based electrode sensors, as they can be easily deposited onto paper substrates. The aim of this research is to prepare a water-based multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) ink for paper-based electrode sensor fabrication using a home inkjet printer (Canon PIXMA TS205). Different MWCNTs ink formulations were studied to identify the most compatible inks for inkjet printing. Pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalised with a carboxylic acid group mixed with sodium dodecyl sulphate provided the optimum homogeneity with high electrical conductivity and compatibility with the inkjet printer. This formulation was used to fabricate the MWCNTs-based electrode sensor on Whatman filter paper. However, one of the major challenges with paper-based sensors is water absorption by the paper substrate, making it inappropriate for multiple uses. Three types of coating, perflourocyclobutane (PFC), acrylic acid (AA) and allylamine (AAm), were plasma polymerised onto the paper substrate to enhance the paper substrate stability and electrode sensor performance. The purpose of using PFC is to make the paper substrate surface hydrophobic, to prevent water absorption that may degrade the electrode sensor, while AA and AAm are plasma polymerised to induce hydrophilicity to the surface of PFC-coated filter paper for MWCNTs printing and electrode sensor fabrication. The success of the plasma polymerisation technique and improved performance of the sensor was confirmed using a range of analytical techniques. This PhD project foreshadows the future development of paper-based sensors with high durability and enhanced performance.

It is known that numerous studies have been conducted to understand properties of European papers, and to explore impact of additives on paper stability, while little attention has been paid to starch effect on Chinese paper. To narrow this knowledge gap, case studies were conducted using contemporary unsized Xuan paper and 19th-20th-century Tibetan manuscripts, as wheat starch is often used as glue in conservation mounting treatment for Xuan paper-based artifacts and in preparation of laminated Tibetan paper sheets. Firstly, a series of characterisation was conducted to explore material properties for the two types of papers, proper alkaline reserve, neutral pH and degree of polymerisation (DP) at ~2000, no appreciable amount of transition metals, all indicate good stability for both paper types. Also, glue content, i.e., starch and protein content, was successfully measured in paper materials for the first time. Durability of the representative papers (selection based on the above results) was then explored by carrying out thermal and light degradation experiments. The results indicate that degradation of the two types of papers proceed in the same way as western papers, principally guided by paper pH, temperature, and relative humidity of the environment. Subsequently, starting from keeping heritage collections intact, non-invasive near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in conjunction with multivariate analysis, was used to gain insights into its applicability on quantitative and qualitive analyses for both starch-free and starch-treated papers. The results indicate that partial least squares (PLS) regression using NIR spectra is feasible to predict paper properties and that NIR spectroscopy coupled with principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) can be used to successfully distinguish starch-free and starch-treated paper materials. The obtained results are expected to give knowledge and reference support for achieving effective and scientific conservation management in a long run for heritage institutions.

A transdisciplinary archival project, this dissertation uses counter-institutional student literacies emanating out of the City University of New York (CUNY) in the 1990s--placing them within much bigger political, educational, and geographic contexts--to think through the dynamics of ground-up resistance in the face of profound, institutionally sanctioned raced-classed dispossession. In this decade, New York and the US were marked by increased racial-economic inequality, notably via intensified policing and incarceration in Black/brown neighborhoods alongside cuts to public resources like schooling. As the city's only public college option, serving mostly multilingual, low-income students of color, CUNY was especially targeted by such budget cuts. Most vulnerable were programs, such as "basic writing," supporting minoritized students accepted via Open Admissions, a 1970 policy won by Black/Puerto Rican student organizers guaranteeing college admission for all New Yorkers. Yet budgetary attacks culminated in the policy's 1999 reversal, and a move toward a more exclusionary CUNY. In response to these classist, ableist, xenophobic, and anti-Black policy shifts on and off campus, multiracial, cross-institutional student activist coalitions organized and spoke out, turning to grassroots rhetorical practices to do so. Across varied student-run publications--feminist zines, radical newspapers, hip-hop literacies, organizing materials, early blogs--"The Act of the Paper" traces these students' insurgent rhetorics to re-write a more just education system and world, and the ways that they cultivate community and activist praxis through writing. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

My research focuses on how to overcome the resistance of language in addressing military-related trauma. Additionally, how can the narrative be stopped from slipping between the lines and sinking without trace? By transforming trauma into testimony, the healing narrative creates a valuable weight of words. My epistolary novel, The Paper Talisman, highlights the psychological battle between the suppression of military trauma versus the need for disclosure. The dilemma is analogised by applying Hemingway's Iceberg Theory, whereby the conspicuous events of wartime are evidenced as the visibly surfaced tip of the iceberg, with the resultant trauma suppressed beneath the surface as an untold narrative, represented by the submerged remainder of the iceberg, This underlying dialogue was rudimental to Hemingway's theory, the implicit narrative instrumental in illuminating the story. Critically, however, dependent upon the subjective interpretation of the reader, the intended intimation of the concealed narrative - if overly oblique - may fail or be misconstrued. My creative artefact is an innovational novel, representing a fresh take on the classic epistolary form. The story is narrated not solely through the abiding use of letters but includes a broad anthology of old and modern techniques of communication and information sharing. This methodology incorporates traditional elements of letter writing and personal diaries/journals, but also includes e-mails, text messages, transcripts, social media posts, and exercises in therapeutic writing. The accompanying Commentary, The Weight of Words, furthers the theoretical concept of 'cognitive-offloading' by introducing the notion of a trauma-conduit, a therapeutic means of unburdening traumatic memory into a written self-testimony. The artefact is then transferred to a technological and metaphorical point of safe storage for future recall, thereby enabling a process of healing to be initiated.

From the moment of its first publication in March 1836, Charles Dickens's first serial novel The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club (1836-37) was re-purposed extensively by the newspaper press. From acting as innocuous filler material, to making strategic political statements, Pickwick was used in a variety of rich and tactical ways: it was plundered for its anecdotes, which were liberally excerpted for literary and 'Varieties' columns; its characters and scenes were adapted to form political commentaries; and it was disguised as spurious news items or self-help pieces under new headings. Its individual scenes and characters became familiar bywords for both journalists and readers, deployed and absorbed as part of political discussion and debate, and appearing in a wealth of different columns - from leaders and letters to the editor, to reports of public readings and political gatherings. This project examines the motivations behind and impact of this extensive journalistic phenomenon, reading Pickwick's remediation as a valuable index to a considerable and critically understudied area of nineteenth-century media history. Crucially, the thesis demonstrates that literature can be found at the very heart of newspapers' political strategies, as in their columns they carved out political identities both for themselves and for their communities of active readers. Using a replicable, data-driven methodology, the thesis examines digitised newspapers in the British Newspaper Archive in order to draw new connections between the literary, journalistic and political realms. In doing so, it reads Pickwick's words and tropes as rhetorical devices that were successfully mobilised in, and that drew together, all three of these spheres, as part of a networked, trans-genre debate. The project brings new material to light, including previously uncatalogued reviews and excerpts, evidence of dozens of public readings for which Pickwick became part of a programme of entertainment or education, and two politically strategic newspaper adaptations of the serial that have as yet eluded critical notice. Across its three chapters, which respectively examine the excerpting, adaptation and evocation of Pickwick both during its initial serialisation and throughout Dickens's lifetime, the project questions what the re-use of Pickwick in the newspaper press can tell us about the role played by popular literature in nineteenth-century political discourse; in what ways the serial's style and structure influenced the nature and extent of its use in the press; and how attention to journalistic remediation can nuance our understanding of Dickens's relationship with the reception of his works.

Literature review: The Role of Inter-goal Conflict in Depressive Symptomatology: A Systematic Review Objective: Intra-psychic conflict underpins theories of motivation; however, its mechanisms and correlates remain poorly understood. Goals represent a broad category of motivational constructs which are conceptualised hierarchically, according to their specificity (level of abstraction), from low-level, action-oriented, goal-tasks to high-level, organising values. The goals literature has investigated the links between inter-goal conflict and a broad range of outcomes, including depression, well-being and psychopathology. This review set out to synthesise existing evidence for a relationships between inter-goal conflict and depressive symptoms. Method: Studies exploring the relationship between inter-goal conflict and depression in adults were selected from multi-disciplinary and subject-specific databases, published prior to the 20th of March 2021. A systematic search yielded 122 records with 79 non-duplicated results. Screening of 28 full-text publications led to 10 eligible studies, from which data were synthesised in narrative form. Results: The evidence reviewed indicates that inter-goal conflict is positively correlated with depressive symptoms in adults, although findings were mixed and longitudinal studies did not support a causal association. Effect sizes of eligible studies ranged from small to medium, with some controlling for covariates. Studies were predominantly cross-sectional; therefore, scope for casual inference was limited. Conclusions: At present, evidence supporting the hypothesis that inter-goal conflict is associated with depressive symptoms in adults is modest. More longitudinal investigations are needed to determine the presence and direction of causality. Construct specificity, implicit motivation and rumination also require further investigation to understand their relationship to inter-goal conflict and depression. Empirical paper: The Relationship Between Intrapersonal Goal-Value Conflict and Depressive Symptomatology Background: Intrapsychic goal-conflict underpins classical and contemporary theories of motivation; however, its mechanisms and correlates remain poorly understood. Motivational conflict is associated with a broad range of outcomes, including depression, well-being and psychopathology. It is hypothesised that rumination mediates the link between cognitive-motivational conflict and depression. To date, research has focused on horizontal conflict between motivational constructs with similar specificity. Little is known about vertical relationships between motivational constructs with divergent specificity. Values are thought to be central to conceptions of personal identity because they serve as high-level, organising reference points for low-level action-oriented goal constructs; thus, clarifying vertical relationships may shed light on the mechanisms of depression, well-being and psychopathology. The present study investigated the relationship between goal-value conflict and depressive symptoms with rumination hypothesised as a partial mediator of the relationship. Method: This cross-sectional, correlational study recruited a non-clinical, unselected sample of 218 adult participants from the student population of Exeter University. Participants were assessed on measures of depressive symptomatology, rumination, personal strivings, values and goal-value conflict using matrix methods. Trait rumination and striving importance were entered as covariates in the mediation analysis. Results: A significant association was not found between striving-value conflict and depressive symptomatology. Depressive symptoms were positively associated with trait and striving rumination; however, striving rumination was not found to mediate a relationship between goal-value conflict and depression. On average, participants reported harmony between strivings and values. Conclusions: Striving-value conflict was not found to be a significant factor in depression or goal rumination. This could be due to values being abstract and, therefore, not action-oriented, or because unmeasured implicit motivational factors were at play. Future research should explore the role of both construct specificity and implicit cognition in goal-value relationships, rumination and depression.

Passports, IDs, and related identification documents are powerful objects: redrawing borders on bodies and projecting states onto people, the documents we (do not) hold define how we become known in the public arena, which privileges and obligations we (do not) hold, and what our official status is in the societies in which we exist. This reality gives rise to what I call the passport paradigm, wherein the governance of basic rights, mobility, and belonging is enacted by identity qua documentary form. Yet why and how have documentary identifiers become so consequential? And what do those who use them and those who make them want from these documents? Drawing on a multi-scalar, object-oriented ethnographic approach, I trace these questions across the lifeworlds of various groups shaping and experiencing the documentary regime in Germany as well as on the supra-national level. The constituencies portrayed range from border guards and document experts, regulators and passport manufacturers, to normal people navigating the passport paradigm. Across these different groups the roles, meanings, and consequences of documents fluctuate, leaving us with the realisation that the devices we use to stabilise identity do not hold a fixed identity of their own. The only continuity to be found, it appears, is the inherent fallibility of the identificatory project itself. Notwithstanding, a consensus that identification documents do work persists among all studied groups. What to make of this? I suggest that the fluid quality of identification documents, reflected in their changing roles, renders them an effective Ersatz in the fulfilment of the often-contradictory desires pervading the administrative system. This Ersatz-quality - identification documents' ability to stand in for a large number of wants and functions - is crucial to their long-term prevalence and intense consequentiality for it enables an identificational realism in which any identificatory failures - social, technical, political - are eventually absorbed and transformed by the system into a demand for more of it. In a world in which identification technologies, both documentary and digital, gain increasing currency in ever more dimensions of daily life and an abundance of scholars across the board of social science are engaged in their study, this realisation is crucial, for it may set us on a new path to formulating critiques and alternative visions more attuned to identification's evasive nature and thereby the wider fields of activity, such as governance, policing, and state-making in which it is immersed.

This thesis was designed to explore the distinctiveness and effectiveness of Anglican church primary schools through the lens of the reflective teacher practitioner approach to educational research. The context is set by an analysis of three themes: the historical development of church schools; philosophical, theological, and operational thinking about church schools; and methodology in church school studies appropriate for the reflective teacher practitioner approach. This contextualisation is followed by six empirical studies conducted within the author's multi-academy trust of church schools within the Diocese of Truro. Drawing on an appropriate range of qualitative and quantitative methods, each study is documented in the recognised style for scientific presentation in an educational journal. The first three studies employed qualitative methods. Governors' perceptions of their role within church schools were explored by interviews. Pupils' religious experience through a labyrinth experience was explored through focus groups. Pupils' generation of intercessory prayer was explored through applying the ap Siôn Analytic Framework for Intercessory Prayer. The other three studies employed quantitative methods. Pupil attitude toward Christianity was explored by the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity. Pupil appreciation of the distinctive ethos of church schools was explored by the Lankshear Student Voice Scales. Pupil spiritual health was explored through the Fisher Feeling Good Loving Life measure that distinguishes among four domains of spiritual health (personal, communal, environmental, and transcendental). Together these six studies make an original contribution to knowledge to the specific field in which it has been shaped, concerning: school governors, religious experience, intercessory prayer, pupil attitude toward Christianity, pupil attitude toward school ethos, and pupil spiritual health. Second, taken together the six studies add new knowledge to the literature concerning the contribution of the reflective teacher practitioner approach to educational research.

This thesis focuses on studying the thermal kinetics behaviour of Subcoal™ gasification using fixed bed thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and bubbling fluidised bed gasifier reactor (BFBGR). Applying this fundamental study to a modern scenario, the current situation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management and the environmental impact of utilising Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) gasification technology to produce more environmentally friendly electricity in Qatar is investigated. Novel kinetic parameters of Subcoal™ pyrolysis, carbon dioxide (CO2) gasification, and combustion at various heating rates without catalyst were obtained in TGA using a model free method. The TGA curves showed that the thermal degradation of Subcoal™ comprises three main processes: dehydration, devolatilisation, and char and ash formation. Nevertheless, substantial variance in activation energy (E_a) was noted between the four stages of thermal decomposition of Subcoal™ on all experiments. The results showed that Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), Tang (TA), and Starink (ST) are more accurate mathematical methods than Ozawa-Flynn-Wall (OFW) method. The effect of olivine and dolomite loadings on kinetic parameters of Subcoal™ pyrolysis, CO2 gasification and combustion has been investigated using Coats-Redfern (CR) model fitting method. Among the 19 mechanism models, second order chemical reaction model (G15) was the best linearity for pyrolysis, while third order chemical reaction model (G14) was the best linearity for CO2 gasification and combustion with dolomite 15 wt.%. First life cycle assessment of SRF air gasification was also conducted using the Recipe2016 model considering five environmental impact categories and four scenarios in Qatar. It considered alternative methods to reduce MSW landfills and produce sustainable energy in line with Qatar's national vision for 2030. The introduction of the SRF gasification reduced climate change-causing emissions by 41.3% because of production of renewable electricity. Thermal gasification behaviour of Subcoal™ pellet and pulverised pellet were also investigated in BFBGR. The producer gas parameters were used to investigate the performance of gasification at different conditions. The findings showed that the increase in temperature enhances the performance of gasification of both SubcoalTM types. Moreover, the optimum gasification temperature tested for SubcoalTM was 750 ºC at equivalence ratio (ER)=0.15. In terms of catalyst effects, the addition of dolomite showed better performance in catalysing the gasification reactions compared to olivine under the same conditions. The Pulverised Subcoal™ pellet performed better than Subcoal™ pellet for gasification due to a shorter reaction time. The Subcoal™ pellet size reduction enhances the conversion efficiency and reduces char formation.

Student Affairs professionals report concerns of stress, burnout, work-life balance issues, overall job satisfaction, and unrealistic demands and expectations often resulting in employees exiting the field (Boehman, 2007; Evans, 1988; Lorden, 1998; Marshall et al., 2016; Mullen et al., 2018; Rosser & Javinar, 2003; Ward, 1995). The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified many of these staffing issues. Because student affairs staff serve in integral roles on college campuses and add significant value through programming, services, and resources designed to enhance student success and persistence, there is a need to address these staffing concerns. (McClure, 2021). The goal of this study and Executive Position Paper was to examine student affairs staffing issues from the lens of ideal worker norms and via the perspective of senior student affairs officers (SSAOs). The premise of ideal worker norms assumes that employees have unlimited time to give to their jobs/careers, and it is implied they will dedicate whatever time is necessary for the good of their organization (Acker, 1990; Sallee, 2021; Williams, 1989). Sallee (2021) argued that those serving in leadership roles should utilize strategies to disrupt ideal worker norms that are contributing to student affairs staffing issues. This qualitative study utilized interviews with 12 SSAOs to confirm the presence of ideal worker norms contributing to student affairs staffing issues and identified resulting strategies that SSAOs are utilizing to address these concerns. Using the study findings, I developed a VALUE Staffing Framework as a resource for higher education leaders to address student affairs staffing issues. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

This study examines the environmental justice experiences and legacies of host communities in south-eastern Nigeria whose means of subsistence have been destroyed by oil extraction. In the study area, there is documented evidence of the ecological devastation caused by oil extraction and how it has rendered farming and fishing, the main occupations of rural residents in this region, virtually impossible (Elum et al., 2016). Unfortunately, these host communities from which oil is extracted has remained the nation's economic engine for decades, despite the degraded environment and the oil revenue accruing to the Federal government not substantively improving the well-being of their people (Nwajiaku-Dahou, 2012). As it is today, the quality of life and standard of living of the people has stagnated, and their environment is polluted, yet there is no tangible evidence of real community development from oil revenue (Danaan, 2018). What is worrying is that many scholarly works at the macro-level (Niger Delta region) focus on the south-south region, which contributes about 80% of Nigeria's oil and gas, in their debate on environmental injustice even as they adopt the western liberal perspective (distributive, procedural, and recognitional) inequalities, but the outcome of such findings is used to generalise on other areas, e.g., south-eastern Nigeria, which contributes 15% of Nigeria's oil and gas. Such generalisation I consider as ecological fallacy as this may not truly reflect the condition of the study area. Although there are few studies done at the micro-level (study area or south-eastern Nigeria) which also adopt the western liberal perspective, first, I argue that there is a need for micro-level study of the south-eastern region. This is to make a contextual contribution since the south-south region differs significantly from the south-eastern region in terms of language, culture, socio-political, and economic standing which implies that the drivers of environmental justice (EJ) may differ between them. And these are contextual drivers that influence the causes, experiences, and outcomes of environmental injustice. Second, I explored colonial legacies linked with land use and ownership; the derivation-based system; the divide and rule system (creation of more states and local government); and the system of appointment to boards of directors of government agencies responsible for oil exploitation in Nigeria. And how these colonial legacies mask internal socio-political differences within Nigeria. I went further to consider how such legacies impede the cultural ideals of the host communities and how they persist in the post-colonial era, with significant implications for the current debates on indigenous environmental justice (IEJ). Then, I assessed the sufficiency, or lack thereof, of the EJ framing in the study region, which adopts western liberal ideas and does not recognise the influence of colonialism and cultural domination of the host communities, both of which contribute to environmental injustice. The study was guided by four research questions: 1) What are the historical developments of environmental injustice in oil exploitation in south-eastern Nigeria? (2) What are the political and legal resources available to support environmental justice concerns in south-eastern Nigeria? (3) In what ways can the existing environmental and oil regulations in Nigeria be adapted or transformed to ensure inclusiveness in sharing the proceeds from oil exploitation and environmental challenges in south-eastern Nigeria? (4) How can the historically marginalized communities in south-eastern Nigeria proactively organize to achieve environmental justice? To answer these research questions, a mixed research method was adopted. This includes an archival method, closed-ended questionnaire administration, virtual elite interview, and administration of the open-ended questionnaire. Data from the archive served as a foundation for the study's environmental justice concerns and served as the basis for responding to research questionnaire one. Triangulating the interview method, the detailed open-ended questionnaire and the closed-ended questionnaire formed the basis for answering research questions numbers two, three, and four. Drawing from data analysis and anchoring on development theories like dependency theory, post-colonial theory, and decolonial theory, the study observed that the micro-level findings (south-eastern Nigeria) corroborate the majority of macro-level findings (Niger delta) and indicate that EJ problems in the study area stem primarily from government actions that began in the colonial era but continued in the post-colonial age. The study further indicates that globalized theories of environmental Justice overlook the internal/indigenous socio-political (and ecological) disparities found within postcolonial societies and therefore recommends indigenous environmental justice through decolonization as necessary for the marginalised host communities to achieve environmental justice.

This research study examined the campus culture of two community colleges in North Carolina. These colleges were selected based on language included in their mission statements. The campus culture of each institution was explored through the lived experiences of minority (African American and Hispanic) students attending those colleges. Native American students were included as a minority group; however, no Native Americans participated in this study. The focus of this study was on how institutional culture influences academic motivation in minority students. There is an academic disparity between White and minority students. Six themes emerged from this study that influence a student's academic performance. These themes included a lack of diversity and minority representation, benefits of supportive programs, and sense of belonging and acceptance. This phenomenological study afforded students the opportunity to give voice to their campus experience. As a result, it was determined that minority students begin college with an innate motivation to succeed and that motivation is either diminished or fostered by the culture of their institution. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

American Christian higher education has undergone a transformation in ideology since its inception in the Colonial Period. Christian service by students was originally attributed to the manifestation of one's love for Christ, but with successive eras, there has been a secular shift in worldview and discourse as well as service motivation from the triad of God, man, and others to the dyad of man and others in many Christian higher education (CHE) institutions. Absolute truth has also been replaced by postmodern relativism. This dissertation was a basic qualitative study used to evaluate participants' perceptions of student motivations for service within the CHE environment. Initially, an online questionnaire was sent to prospective participants, and they were encouraged to forward the questionnaire to others who may qualify for the study using a snowball sampling design. These questions were primarily close-ended and were intended to be a screening tool for participants who met the qualifications of the study. Seven participants from the initial group agreed to continue the research and were invited to complete the second part of the study. An open-ended follow-up interview was conducted with these participants to analyze their perceptions of their educational experiences at their respective CHE institutions regarding the incorporation of Christian service motivations in curricular and extracurricular activities. The results of the study indicated (1) the mission statement was not a primary factor in enrollment for most students; (2) the Integration of Faith and Learning was an essential part of the curriculum experience at the undergraduate but not at the graduate level; (3) service in vocations was primarily based on intrinsic values; and (4) faith identity development was linked to student engagement. Recommendations for practice and further research identify the need for a cohesive plan to identify Christian service and incorporate this concept into the mission statement, the classroom experience and extracurricular activities of all CHE institutions. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Campus agricultural projects (CAPs) are a growing phenomenon across the U.S. with nearly 269 CAPs at institutions of higher education. In their simplest form, they are places where students learn to grow food, having the potential to engage students through experiential and service-learning. These spaces not only have the capacity to engage students and the campus community but also the greater community. While this phenomenon is not novel, the documentation of its contributions is. In response to this dearth of knowledge, this dissertation aimed to understand what CAPs do and whom they serve, as well as the significance of CAPs in the lives of students who participate in intensive internships, through three studies. The first study qualitatively analyzed web-based mission statements of CAPs to understand their contributions to institutions of higher education and their communities. Drawing on content analysis, I revealed that CAPs aim to develop students, engage the campus and wider community, and promote sustainability. Although under-recognized, they also aim to share culture/tradition, increase well-being, and promote inclusivity. The second utilized a longitudinal study over the course of three semesters with interns at a particular CAP and qualitatively described, using mixed methods, what they learned and experienced throughout their internship. Drawing on thematic analysis, I identified themes that demonstrated interns not only gained agricultural skills but also interpersonal and practical skills. Interns developed confidence and self-efficacy, increased sense of community, and learned to value service despite their struggle to see it. The third study analyzed the lasting impacts of students who participated in an internship at a particular CAP by conducting a survey of former interns, followed by interviewing a subsample of former interns. Drawing on thematic analysis, results indicated their continued engagement with the food system, use of professional and personal skills, and continued participation in community and service -- all as a result of their internship experience. Resultingly, this dissertation demonstrates the potential for campus and community impacts through the missions of CAPs and that service/experiential learning internships at CAPs not only teach students to grow food but to grow themselves -- a growth that continues beyond the internship. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Research on disciplinary variation in graduate student writing (GSW) has typically focused on theses and dissertations. Less attention has been paid to coursework assignments (e.g., essays, recounts, exercises, etc.), which are the pre-cursors to final capstone projects. Coursework papers are prioritized by both students and professors because they are used for both formative and summative assessments and are graduate students' first venture into disciplinary writing. As such, they indoctrinate students into the practices of their fields (Berkenkotter & Huckin, 1995). This dissertation details the situational and linguistic exploration of the academic writing assignments of master's- and doctoral-level students in two applied sciences disciplines at a major midwestern American university. Following calls for increased attention to corpus design and representativeness (Egbert, 2019; Egbert, Biber, & Gray, 2022), the project first documents the domain analysis and subsequent compilation of the Corpus of Graduate Student Papers (CorGrad). CorGrad represents 12 sub-registers in two disciplines--applied linguistics and engineering, a total of just over 1,000 texts and 2 million words. The study also reports a situational analysis, highlighting key contextual features of the course papers and a linguistic analysis via the results of a multi-dimensional analysis (Biber, 1988). Course papers are then compared across disciplines and sub-registers. The results demonstrate that course papers exhibit distinct patterns of language use, which can often be attributed to the varying purposes and situational features of the texts but are also related to disciplinary ways of knowing. Findings are discussed in terms of their significance to disciplinary writing research and the representativeness of student writing corpora. Beyond enhancing an understanding of academic writing, the results also contribute to an exploration of register as a continuous construct and highlight the importance of domain and situational analyses in the development of corpora. These findings also have the potential to inform pedagogy and curriculum development and provide an enhanced understanding of academic coursework writing for stakeholders such as professors, graduate students, writing consultants. Knowledge of the register-specific patterns of unpublished GSW is necessary because it can help to refine how curricula and programs are designed, how prompts are written, and how graduate students are supported during the pre-thesis/dissertation phase of their matriculation. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Land policies of nineteenth century United States significantly impacted the indigenous landscape and ways of life in southern Arizona after its purchase from Mexico in 1853. This research is to understand how the land legislation policies were interpreted and implemented, why the culture of the United States supported these policies and what impact they had on the indigenous cultures of the region. Contemporary accounts, land legislation at both regional and national level, as well as recent commentaries have been consulted to understand the prevailing nineteenth century cultural norms which supported and accepted policies that denuded indigenous people of their traditional lands and ways of life. It will be determined that the land policies were deliberately prejudiced in their formation and were aggressive both in the use of and in their results on the indigenous landscape and people of southern Arizona. Both the Tohono O'odham and the Chiricahua Apache indigenous people have lost significant amounts of cultural heritage and ways of life because of their inability to challenge the laws and prevailing culture in the United States between 1853 and 1912, when Arizona became a state. This analysis of a little-known region in the United States could help to explain why the results of nineteenth century land policies are still resonating in both the indigenous experiences and on the land management of the region to this day.

The Green Belt is probably England's most popular and longstanding planning policy commanding widespread political support locally and nationally yet it is regularly critiqued as one of the main causes of England's Housing Crisis by academics, think tanks and housebuilders. More broadly, following Hall's seminal work The Containment of Urban England (1973), it is often argued that it contributes to wider inequitable outcomes in the planning system, which is disproportionately skewed in favour of campaigners and homeowners. This thesis critically evaluates the extent to which the Green Belt contributes to the housing crisis and whether the policy needs reforming. The broader question of power in planning is addressed through exploring why and how the public and campaigners support the Green Belt and oppose housebuilding generally. It therefore aims to add nuance to, and move forward the often polarised Green Belt debate by focusing principally on the views of planners, which are often under-represented in the Green Belt debate, despite being the main actor in the planning system. The study focuses on the importance of space through a geographically based case study of the West Midlands. The thesis finds that the housing crisis is a complex, multi-faceted problem consisting of multi-scalar factors although the Green Belt exacerbates the crisis in particular locations, especially on the edge of conurbations. It argues that the policy should not be abolished but modified for the 21st century with a focus on sustainability, especially recreation and environmental improvement, and that there should be national conversation on the policy's overall spatial extent and purpose, perhaps as part of a national plan. The study also finds that people primarily support the policy because of popular planning principles and place attachment rather than house prices. There is a gap between the attempted exercises of power and effective power of campaigners with significant circumscription and modulation of power in the planning system. Finally, many of the issues associated with the Green Belt and community opposition to development generally are related to the lack of strategic planning in the current system so the thesis underlines the need for integrated, strategic planning to protect the environment and meet housing need.

Written assignments are, perhaps, one of the most common types of coursework that students will encounter in their undergraduate studies. This study describes the communicative purpose and textual and linguistic characteristics of university assignments written for content classes, taking into account variation across communicative text types and disciplines. The research presented in this dissertation is based on a corpus of 960 texts written for four disciplinary groups (arts and humanities, social sciences, life sciences, and physical sciences) and divided into eight communicative text types: to give a procedural recount, to argue, to explain, to compare, to propose, to describe a tangible object, to give personal advice and to narrate a personal experience. Communicative text types are not culturally-recognizable register categories, rather, these are texts that share the same communicative purpose. Therefore, the first component of this study was to determine the communicative purposes that occur in university writing and describe these purposes in a framework that was used to describe all texts in the corpus. The non-linguistic and linguistic analyses, then, adopt these text categories to describe the extent to which the characteristics of university writing vary across communicative text types and discipline. For the non-linguistic analysis, I first describe the overall situational characteristics of university writing. Then, I describe the development and application of a framework for the analysis of the textual characteristics of university writing, which includes features such as length, visual elements, and explicitness of purpose. This framework was applied to each text in the corpus, thus describing the textual characteristics of university writing based on the number of texts within each communicative text type that made use of these features. For the linguistic analysis, I conduct a new multidimensional analysis, which revealed three dimensions of variation: elaborated discourse vs condensed style; production of possibility vs content-focused description; informational density vs involved, academic narrative. The second part of this study describes the text layout and linguistic characteristics of the register of essays. Drawing on the results of the analyses for communicative text types, I explore the extent to which one of the most common registers of university writing, essays, is well-defined in terms of textual and linguistic characteristics. The results of the textual and linguistic analysis show that discipline has a greater impact on the characteristics of university writing than communicative text types. The textual analysis shows considerable variation within communicative text types written for different disciplines. To argue, for example, contains more headings, images and tables when written for life sciences than other disciplines. Similarly, in the linguistic analysis, we find that two out of three dimensions identified have larger effect sizes for discipline than for communicative text type. Finally, the analysis of essays shows that there is considerable variation within the register of essays. The results of this study have two major implications for future studies of university writing. First, they show the need to account for discipline when describing language variation across registers or communicative text types. Second, the results of the register analysis demonstrate the need to account for variation within registers, as well as across registers. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Undocumented youth have been powerful leaders in the undocumented immigrant rights movement to advance a more just society for immigrant communities (Nicholls, 2013; Perez, 2016). Community colleges are important spaces in the higher education sector because most undocumented college students attend community colleges (Teranishi et al., 2011). This dissertation study seeks to better understand the priorities and experiences of undocumented community college students who organize for institutional support for undocumented students. This study is guided by theories on counter-spaces in Critical Race Theory (Solorzano et al., 2000), spaces where Students of Color create a sense of safety and community with each other. The methods for this study are a case study of one community college in California, Western College (pseudonym), that has robust programs for undocumented students such as an Undocumented Student Resource Center and a designated staff position that works with undocumented students. Research questions asked how undocumented students organized for programs at Western College from 2006 to 2021, how they navigated power dynamics on campus, and how they reflected on their experiences. Data collection comprised 26 interviews with 11 undocumented student alumni, five current students attending Western College in 2021, and eight staff and faculty. I also analyzed over 50 documents such as webpages and institutional statements. Findings show how undocumented students envisioned building a counter-space for undocumented students where they could feel safe and comfortable away from the dominant campus culture of exclusion and hostility. They wanted support and guidance from staff, faculty, and administrators, but they made it clear they aspired to maintain the essence of a counter-space by keeping their programs student-led. As they reflected on their experiences, they were impressed by the number of resources available at their 4-year universities once they transferred, but they ultimately missed the intimate sense of community at Western College. They also sought to reproduce the counter-space they created at Western College in their areas of work. This study has implications for research, policy, and practice about the development of institutionalized counter-spaces. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

This dissertation demonstrates the interdisciplinary integration of critical appreciative inquiry (a qualitative planning process focused on inclusion in decision-making) and multi-attribute utility theory (a quantitative evaluation process focused on rationality in decision-making). Principles of positive psychology and decision-making underlay the resulting model used in this proposal to evaluate a sample of programmatic initiatives of Ohio University's LGBT Center. Results from this work reveal the usefulness of deriving evaluation criteria from an organization's mission statement and are expected to generalize to other such centers. Implications for diversity leaders in higher education are advanced. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

This blend of ethnographic, case, and narrative qualitative study examined the experiences that fifteen adult stakeholders such as educators, family members, and administrators from nine different private and public schools in the eastern region of Pennsylvania. The researcher conducted one-on-one zoom semi-structured interviews with the fifteen adult participants, and data was collected from these participants' responses as well as some public documents such as school calendars and vision and mission statements. The major and emerging themes of this study stemmed from participants' responses to the semi-structured interview questions. Suggestions were also made by the participants to foster a stronger sense of belonging for all students at their schools. Some of the researcher's goals for this study are to raise awareness about religious and cultural inequities in schools in Pennsylvania and to unite all students of all cultural and religious backgrounds closer together. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

This descriptive multi case study will describe practices in teacher preparation programs in two urban universities to support Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (CRP) for teachers in the training programs in one of the most diverse cities in America and the outcomes of these practices. Recent alumni, faculty, and administrators of the selected universities were recruited to participate in this study to share their perceptions of CRP as it occurred for them in their course work, syllabi, and assignments while enrolled in the programs. This study will provide an in-depth analysis to explain the current use of CRP in practice, adherence to federal requirements and explain approaches to comply with accreditation standards and university requirements. Associated documents will be analyzed to help understand how CRP is supported. Semi-structured interviews of recent alumni, current administrators, and faculty, coupled with focus groups for the alumni, will also explain the types of experiences shared by the alumni at two universities that support CRP. Both universities were selected as they had the same accrediting board, and the national accreditation documents were analyzed to determine to what extent CRP standards are evident. The study analyzed supporting documents from each university to determine CRP evidence in their frameworks, deliverables, and mission statements. Course artifacts were analyzed to determine evidence of CRP through the course outlines and syllabi. The implications of this research can contribute to the larger body of research about practices that best support CRP in teacher training programs. This study adds to the research by providing clarity and in-depth exploration of how culturally responsive pedagogy is operationalized in teacher education programs. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Crises are unpredictable events that affect the organization and all the stakeholders. In higher education, crises are often found in a single institution or small region, depending on the nature of the situation. The coronavirus pandemic presented an opportunity to understand the impact of crises on a larger scale. This study explored how college and university leaders responded to and communicated with their stakeholders. It looked at how mission statements connected with institutions' COVID-19 communication and leadership theories aligned with the messaging. This study used qualitative content analysis to examine the websites and publicly available messaging of fifteen colleges and universities accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The sample was narrowed down based on the basic Carnegie Classification category, and additional demographic data was collected from the sample. The study focused on information from each institution's COVID-19 website and publicly available messages for the Spring 2021 semester. Communication is necessary for making sense of crises. The study suggests that leaders need to consider what information is provided and how it is relayed so stakeholders can find it and receive it. Further, messaging should balance informational and interpersonal to ensure stakeholders gain knowledge and are reminded of their value to the organization. Determining leadership theories was impacted by the limitations of secondary data but aligned with the literature, which indicated that a variety of leadership theories could be applied to crisis events. However, it suggested that a leader's approach to a crisis should adapt to the organization's needs as the crisis evolves. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

John Dewey (1916) asserted that deliberate and systematic educational systems provide capacity to all members of society in order to solve problems and is the foundation for participatory democratic education (Harbour, 2015). Learning is also a social process that allows people to live purposefully. The goal of this qualitative, narrative inquiry study was to explore the voices of rural community stakeholders and determine how their experiences have impacted their values of community and higher education. The primary research question in this study focused on how community stakeholders understand and value participatory democratic education in a rural community. This study explored 12 community stakeholder narratives value community and education. Participants were asked to share stories about their lives with a focus on their perceived value of education, community connectedness, and experiences with higher education institutions. Education as Growth, Education as Direction and Education as Social Function are three themes discovered in the stakeholder narratives and link Dewey's philosophy of education from the early 1900's to the current day. Findings suggest that participatory democratic education is valued by community stakeholders and should be a focus in community college education. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

Abstract: Industrial decarbonization is a critical challenge along the pathway to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at a sufficient scale and pace to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The intrinsic energy- and emissions-intensive nature of heavy industry has led to the recognition that efforts to change the profile of industrial energy use could play a major role in meeting this challenge. This concept, defined broadly as industrial energy efficiency, encompasses a category of technology solutions such as process improvements, equipment upgrades, and fuel switching within sector boundaries. These and other efficiency technologies are notable for their potential to lower industrial emissions while improving (rather than reducing) competitiveness. Robust analysis of the costs and benefits of efficiency as a comprehensive technology suite can help to overcome known barriers to adoption including poor awareness of efficiency opportunities and perceptions of high risk for efficiency investments. Understanding the impacts of efficiency can also be beneficial to policymakers by identifying effective emissions reduction pathways. The overall objective of this thesis is to develop a novel method for fully characterizing the techno-economic potential of industrial energy efficiency and in-sector fuel switching as solutions for energy savings and emissions reductions. This thesis demonstrates application of the method to the case study of the Canadian pulp and paper sector. To achieve the objective of this thesis, a technology-explicit energy and GHG emissions modelling and analysis framework was developed based on best practices for studies of energy efficiency and resource potential. The framework integrates a bottom-up sector energy model with a comprehensive database of energy efficiency technologies validated against data from actual projects in industry. Analysis of efficiency measures was linked to the sector energy model at the point of end-use secondary energy consumption, enabling more realistic representation of how efficiency technologies can impact final energy use. Technology-explicit applicability factors and iterative, cumulative analysis techniques were used to capture the expected impacts of measure overlap, interference, and diminishing returns so as to not overestimate the effects of all measures acting in parallel. Energy savings bandwidths and cost of saved energy curves were developed to characterize the energy savings potential associated with efficiency. Energy-driven GHG emissions abatement scenarios were then developed and analyzed within a Canada-wide energy and emissions model over a long-term planning horizon at both the sector and system level. Marginal GHG abatement cost curves were produced to provide insights into the most impactful and cost-effective technologies over the study period. The key findings of this work demonstrate that natural gas, biomass, and net electricity consumption in the Canadian pulp and paper sector could be reduced by 95%, 1%, and 41%, respectively, via adoption of economically viable efficiency technologies at current energy prices. Achieving this potential would significantly improve sector competitiveness by bringing it into alignment with international energy intensity benchmarks and by dramatically reducing energy costs. At current production levels, efficiency in the pulp and paper sector could reduce net demand for natural gas and electricity by 71 PJ/year and 44 PJ/year, respectively. Energy efficiency was also found to have significant potential as a tool for reducing GHG emissions. The annual GHG emissions abatement associated with economical efficiency measures was estimated to be 3.6 MtCO2e (46%) by 2030 and 4.9 MtCO2e (66%) by 2050 relative to business as usual. Accounting for the technical potential of all measures increases the abatement potential to 6.2 MtCO2e in 2050. Over the study period, energy efficiency was found to reduce cumulative sector GHG emissions by 107.6 MtCO2e (42%) through 2050 at a weighted average abatement cost of -$162/tCO2e. When considering system-level effects, the cumulative abatement rises by 44% to 155.6 MtCO2e through 2050. The results presented in this thesis provide a clear indication to industry and policymakers that energy efficiency could be the single most important technology solution to achieve emissions reduction targets at low or negative cost while enhancing pulp and paper sector competitiveness. The novel framework developed in this thesis can be adapted to any other jurisdiction or sector to produce similar insights. Further work is needed to determine how best to achieve the potential associated with industrial energy efficiency so that it can take a leading role in the transition to a prosperous low-carbon economy.

Although advanced medical technology has been progressively developed, access to quality healthcare services is still a major problem, especially in developing countries. Advanced medical technology requires enormous and expensive resources; therefore, affordable, easy to use and accessible technology could bridge the gap, improving people’s lives, and attracting venture capital investment. Moreover, it is expected that the diagnostic device market would grow exponentially, particularly for paper-based technology. As a result, technology development could promote the local economy by creating jobs. Paper-based analytical devices have been introduced and developed over the last decades. This technology has been widely used as a tool for diagnosis in fields such as environment, food quality and healthcare. Point-of-care (POC) diagnosis has attracted a great deal of attention from the research community, eventually aiming for the development of a platform that can evaluate biological markers in body fluids such as saliva and urine. Paper-based diagnostic devices make an impact because of their low cost, environmentally friendliness and biodegradability. The significant advantage of paperbased devices is the capillarity driven fluid transport through the paper network without the need for additional equipment. This thesis starts with a detailed literature review on paper-based devices. The literature review includes material selection, fundamentals, applications and design criteria, and mainly discusses the technical challenges in engineering and biochemical aspects. Additionally, this section will discuss the current research trends and perspectives of advanced technologies for enhancing assay performance. The study of wicking in paper strips predicts the flow behaviour to control fluid flow and perform programmable fluid handling tasks. An accurate model to predict flow in paper is required for designing paper-based devices. In this thesis, a novel model explains wicking in paper strips altogether with liquid absorption capacity. Based on observation, paper can store liquid in a matrix because after removing the reservoir, the fluid continues flowing. We employ the electrical circuit analogy to formulate the model. The capacitance should be included in the model because the capability to store and release charges is analogous to liquid absorption capacity in the matrix which contain and discharge the fluid. The theoretical data from the model agrees well with the experimental data obtained for wicking in paper strips in a vertical configuration. Additionally, fitting the model with experimental data confirms the critical parameters of liquid absorption capacity and capillary pressure. Considering liquid absorption capacity as a capacitance in electrical circuit analogy could elucidate the relationship between materials and wicking mechanism. Next, the thesis focuses on developing of paper-based analytical device fabrication technology that allows the defined hydrophobic pattern on paper to guide fluid along a hydrophilic path in a controlled manner. There have been many fabrication processes reported in recent decades. However, some methods using harsh chemicals result in contamination of the subsequent reagents for analytical assays. Some other techniques have complicated processes requiring expensive equipment, impractical for mass production. The subsequent study focused on a parametric fabrication of parafilm hot pressing, which is inexpensive, rapid, and straightforward. The basic concept is providing heat and pressure to melt and squeeze parafilm into the paper matrix resulting in a hydrophobic pattern defined by a laminate mask. The smallest hydrophobic barrier made by this technique is 821 um, resulting from the resolution of the laminate mask. Likewise, this study also demonstrated the suitability of paper for both physical and biochemical functions. In terms of physical function, the wicking speed on fabricated paper is slower than on non-fabricated paper because the pore could be reduced due to pressure. Diffusive mixing in 2D and 3D paperfluidics are also reported. We employed a sandwich immunological assay for biochemical functions to evaluate protein binding capacity on the paper. Demonstrating the paper device from this fabrication process is potentially applicable to analytical instrument for wicking studies and biomolecule detection. Besides investigating wicking in paper strips and the fabrication process to handle engineering challenges, biomarker detection has been studied to demonstrate diagnostic applications for the developed devices. Biomarkers used in this study include SARSCoV-2 humanised antibody and cell-derived exosomes. The readout methods implemented in this study are colourimetric, fluorescent, and electrochemical. First, we employed a paper-based colorimetric assay using the horseradish peroxidase and 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)/hydrogen peroxide system. The colourimetric readout was obtained from a self-made image acquisition system and is quantified using the MATLAB program. The detection limit of SARS-CoV-2 humanised antibody assay was 9.00 ng/uL, which is lower than commercially available kits (0.112 IU/mL vs 5 IU/mL). However, the result for exosome detection encountered many challenges. Firstly, the exosome concentration may be inadequate to reach a detectable range. Secondly, high background signal resulting from non-specific binding on the platform leads to a lack of sensitivity and specificity for exosome detection. A paper-based colourimetric assay has the potential to be further developed into a point-of-care diagnostic device. Further modification of the paper may be required to promote protein binding for specific targets and prevent non-specific binding to reduce the background signal. Next, the thesis reports a paper-based immunofluorescent assay for biomarker detection using fluorophore conjugation with detecting antibodies. The fluorescent-based assay requires a specific excitation wavelength and retrieves a wavelength of emission. Fluorescent microscopy was used to observe the readout. Before, the images were processed and quantified using a MATLAB program. The assay selectively detects SARS-CoV-2 humanised antibodies spiked in PBS and healthy human serum samples. The limit of detection of the assay was 2 ng/uL (0.025 IU/mL) and 10 ng/uL (0.125 IU/mL) in PBS and human serums, respectively. This assay can detect 1010 exosome/mL obtained from cell culture media, but also faced many obstacles. First, exosome concentration prepared from cell culture media may be insufficient to reach the detectable range. Second, minimising chemical contamination could enhance assay specificity and sensitivity to prevent non-specific absorption. Therefore, a paper-based fluorescent assay could be further developed into a portable device. The light source to excite the fluorophore and to emit the signal, including an optical system, could be scaled down from fluorescent microscopy into a handheld-size device. Lastly, this thesis presents a proof-of-concept electrochemical paper-based device for biomarker detection. The paper-based device is fabricated using parafilm hot pressing, as reported previously. The electrochemical chacracterisation on paper-based carbon electrodes was thoroughly investigated using cyclic voltammetry. The detection employed a sandwich immunological assay using carbon electrodes on paper. Differential pulse voltammetry was used to observe the current response in the subsequent steps. The stepwise addition of biomolecules on paper-based carbon electrodes results in the attenuation of the current response caused by stepwise biomolecules binding on the electrode surface. The current reaction after target binding corresponds to the target concentrations. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is utilised to affirm the validity of the assay by observing the electron transfer resistance coming from the interfacial electron transfer at the electrode surface. The assay for SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection in PBS samples detected the target concentration in the range of 10 to 100 ng/uL. The detection limit is estimated to be 9.37 ng/uL. For exosome detection prepared from cell culture media, this assay quantified the total exosome and ovarian cell-derived exosome concentration with a limit of detection of 9.3 X 10 exosomes/mL and 7.1 x 10 exosomes/mL with < 10% relative standard deviation for samples of n =3. However, the limit of detection can be enhanced by strengthening antibody immobilisation on the paper-based device and stabilising the carbon electrodes on paper to be conductive enough to sense the change of the subsequent loading of biomolecules. Our electrochemical paper-based assay could be an alternative tool for detecting diseasespecific exosomes in biological samples for point-of-care diagnosis. In conclusion, this study aims to overcome engineering and biochemical challenges posed by paper-based analytical devices. To tackle the engineering issues, a novel wicking model with consideration of liquid absorption capacity offers an alternative way to predict flow behaviour in capillary rise experiments and explain the material characteristics. Additionally, the thesis studies the fabrication parameters to control the paper-based device fabrication better using parafilm hot pressing, demonstrating the functionality of paper for both physical and biochemical applications. Regarding biochemical challenges, the thesis reports colourimetric, fluorescent, and electrochemical techniques implemented on paper-based platforms, employing a sandwich immunological assay to detect biomarkers, which include SARS-CoV-2 humanised antibody and cell-derived exosome samples. These established protocols have the potential to be further improved for automation and portability, which could be compatible with other advanced technologies such as wearable sensing devices, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Studies of the seventeenth century Mexican printed book consider it as an extension of the legacy of the sixteenth century typographic tradition, whose only distinctive characteristics lie in the increase and diversity of printers and in the decrease in the material and artisanal quality of their printed matter. . Both characteristics respond to a greater need for dissemination for the effective communication of the administrative, judicial, religious, political and educational propaganda of the viceroyalty. However, other studies have focused on highlighting specific aspects of the seventeenth century printing press through the analysis of particular works or the study of the production of printers, as is the case of the production of Bernardo Calderón's Widow; However, in general, the history of the Mexican book considers that the seventeenth century print did not present notable variants, except for some insignificant ones such as the decrease in images on the covers, the increase in ornamentation, the reduction of formats and the preference of the vulgar languages ​​for the printing of the works. In this sense, the relevance of the analysis of the 17th century New Hispano prints consists in broadening the understanding of the development of the printing press in Mexico, as well as in providing the distinctive characteristics of the prints of this period.

Chronic diseases and health disparities are on the rise in the United States. Along with infectious diseases and injuries, all are major contributors to the morbidity and premature mortality of the population. Additionally, healthcare costs are at an all-time high. Employing effective health communication strategies and interventions is key to facilitating the behavioral and social change necessary to improve the population’s health. Rather than using one-size-fits-all messaging to attempt to influence lifestyle changes, public health professionals should focus on tailoring communications. Customizing or tailoring health messaging can magnify the potency and efficacy of the message which may affect behavior change. Thus, it is an opportune time for public health professionals to embrace novel and creative techniques for developing more impactful health communications. This three-paper dissertation provides concrete examples of how community and public health professionals can utilize community-based participatory research (CBPR) and human-centered design (HCD) approaches to create successful messaging. Paper 1 is a scoping review of the literature providing insight into how personas, an HCD tool, have been used in public health and healthcare over the past ten years. Personas are fictional representations of consumers with common behavioral characteristics such as goals and motivations which can be used to create compelling interventions personalized for the end-user. Paper 2 is a published empirical research study which resulted in the development of four unique personas and corresponding messaging created to increase safe sleep practices in parents and caregivers of infants. Paper 3 is also an empirical research study which used concept mapping to engage neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stakeholders in generating ideas and strategies to improve the transition from NICU to home. Concept Mapping is a six-step, sequential, participatory research process using brainstorming, unstructured sorting, multidimensional scaling, and hierarchical cluster analysis to gather and analyze data. These three papers provide examples of research demonstrating how CBPR and HCD have been used successfully as standalone approaches in healthcare and public health for tailoring messaging and interventions, while also emphasizing and discussing how the approaches can be combined for a synergistic effect.

Lignin is an abundant biopolymer with significant promise due to its aromaticity. It has been targeted as a replacement for a number of petroleum-based products including adhesives, coatings, polyurethane foams, activated carbon, and carbon fibers. However, commercially available bulk lignins are too polydisperse, and contain too many residual metals from the pulping process that are detrimental to the properties of the final product. The Sequential Liquid-lignin Recovery and Purification (SLRP) process was developed by Michael Lake and John Blackburn, in collaboration with Clemson, with the intention of creating a continuous method for recovering lignin from paper-mill black liquors. Thies and co-workers have developed the Aqueous Lignin Purification with Hot Agents (ALPHA) process for taking bulk lignins (including lignin from the SLRP process) and purifying and fractionating that lignin based on molecular weight. The key advantage to both processes is that they can be carried out continuously and, therefore, can be scaled up to meet demand. This work starts with the development of a technique (under patent application) that links the liquid-phase recovery of lignin from black liquor (SLRP) to the simultaneous fractionation and purification of said lignin (ALPHA). This was accomplished by incorporating renewable organic solvents into the SLRP process, after precipitation of the liquid-lignin phase, which resulted in the formation of a second liquid–liquid equilibrium. This allowed for lignin to be continuously separated. This lignin was also shown to be an order of magnitude higher in purity than the SLRP process practiced alone. In addition to this, conditions for using the SLRP process on agricultural black liquors from a lignocellulosic biorefinery were outlined, demonstrating that SLRP can be used for a range of biomass feed streams and is not limited to Kraft black liquor from paper mills. The other byproduct from a biorefinery, lignin cake, was also investigated to see if useful lignins could be recovered from it using organic solvents. We found that high-purity lignins could be recovered in appreciable quantities, and these lignins had the potential to be converted into value-added products. Lastly, a redesign of the existing SLRP pilot plant at Clemson University was undertaken with the goal of converting the unit into a research facility, such that the effect of processing variables could be investigated in a cost-effective manner. The existing reactors were redesigned and refabricated, and a complete overhaul of the process controls was necessary to improve the automation and reliability of the pilot plant. These changes, as well as the design considerations and technical challenges encountered, are described.

The emerging demands for healthcare where access is limited due to political, environmental, or socio-economic factors have been driving research into bio-medical devices that perform in both diagnostic and therapeutic roles at lower costs and greater accessibility. Paper microfluidic devices are used in many applications, particularly medical diagnostics and offer an excellent combination of utility and low cost making them particularly valuable in resource-limited applications and point-of-care usage across a wide variety environmental conditions. Microfluidic biological diagnostics continue to mature as researchers discover new ways to exploit the technological possibilities, and address liabilities. The increasing complexity of paper-based microfluidic devices beyond home pregnancy tests is driving the need to produce new tools and methodologies that enable more robust biological diagnostics and potential therapeutic applications. However, the process of developing new paper microfluidic devices is limited due to having to manually design and fabricate designs to research. Often, researchers must design scores of different devices to find a combination of parameters that functions as expected. In this work, a novel software framework to support automated development of paper-based microfluidic devices is introduced to facilitate both research and fabrication to accelerate the investigative process and reduce material utilization and manpower. Unlike to existing lab-on-a-chip technologies, paper-based microfluidics differs in terms of substrate technologies and use a passive flow method to deliver fluids and reagents for assays. While numerous analogies between microfluidics and semiconductor technologies have been espoused, the physical differences between the fluid dynamics and electrical current are significant which suggests that current trends in physical design for microfluidics must change course in order to be of practical use to designers. Within this framework, a methodology is introduced to address design automation such as dynamically placing and routing microfluidic components in a non-discrete design space while avoiding invalid design layouts, accounting for fluid volume usage, surface area utilization, and the timing required to perform specified biological assays and also optimizing device parameters, enabling researchers to focus on the science and thereby accelerating the development of new, low-resource paper microfluidic devices for a developing world.

In a comparative forensic analysis, an examiner can report that a physical fit exists between two torn or separated items when they realign in a manner unlikely to be replicated. Due to the common belief that it is unlikely that two unrelated fractured objects would match with distinctive characteristics, a physical fit represents the highest degree of association between two items. Nonetheless, despite the probative value that this evidence could have to a trier of fact, few studies have demonstrated such assumptions' scientific validity and reliability. Moreover, there is a lack of consensus-based standard protocols for physical fit comparisons, making it difficult to demonstrate the basis for the features that constitute a “fit.” Since these analyses rely entirely on human judgment, they are highly subjective, which could be problematic in the absence of harmonized examination and interpretation criteria protocols. As a result, organizations like the National Institute of Justice and NIST-OSAC have identified the need for developing standardized methods and assessing potential error sources in this field. This research aims to address these gaps as applied to physical fits of textiles and paper. Here, standard criteria and prominent features for each material are defined to conduct physical fit examinations in a more reproducible manner. Additionally, a quantitative metric is used to quantify what constitutes a physical fit when conducting comparative analyses of textiles and paper, further increasing the validity and reliability of this methodology and providing a manner of assessing the weight of this evidence when presented in the courtroom. The first aim of this research involved the development of an objective and systematic method of quantifying the similarity between fractured textile samples. This was done by identifying relevant macroscopic and microscopic characteristics in the comparative analysis of a fractured textile dataset. Additionally, factors that affect the suitability of certain types of textiles for physical fit analysis were evaluated. Finally, the systematic score metric was implemented to quantify and document the quality of a physical fit and estimate error rates. The second objective of this study consisted of establishing the scientific foundations of individuality concerning the orientation of microfibers in fractured paper edges. In comparative analysis of paper, it is assumed that the microfibers deposited across the surface of paper are randomly oriented, a key feature for addressing the individuality of paper physical fits. However, this hypothesis has not been tested. This research evaluated the rarity and occurrence of microfiber alignments on fractured documents. It also quantified the comparative features of scissor-cut and hand-torn paper and the respective performance rates. Finally, the comparative analysis of textile and paper physical fits was validated through ground truth datasets and inter-examiner and intra-examiner variability studies. A ground truth blind dataset of known fits and known non-fits was created for 700 textile samples with various fiber types, weave patterns, and separation methods. Also, a set of 260 paper items, including 100 stamps and 160 office paper samples, were examined. The paper specimens contained handwritten or printed entries on two paper types and were separated by scissor-cut or hand-torn methods. This proposed research provides the criminal justice system with a valuable body of knowledge and a more objective and methodical assessment of the evidential value of physical fits of textiles, paper, and postage stamps.

Companies face the challenge of determining the return on investment of premium paper packaging features, such as substrate thickness and finishing options. If companies can better understand how consumers perceive “premium,” they could channel their focus on specific design elements and maximize their returns (Dwivedi & Nayeem, 2018). Touch is a critical factor in driving consumer behavior and purchase decisions and influencing trust between brands and consumers (Krishna et al. 2017). While previous studies have explored the impact of design elements like size, shape, color, and font on consumer behavior, this research investigates the influence of touch, substrate, print finishes (foil, emboss, and gloss), unboxing experiences of direct mail, and consumer packaged goods. The study employed three unique in-person environments, which collected participant data through eye-tracking, facial expressions analysis, touch coding, and surveys across various consumer activities. Results indicate that premium packaging generates higher engagement and positive responses from consumers in retail and at-home settings. Foil finish outperforms in the retail environment for unfamiliar CBD serum (P < 0.0001). Touch is shown to be a better predictor of sales than visual attention across multiple packaging finishes, including foil (P = 0.002), glossy (P = 0.006), embossed (P = 0.007), and no finish (P = 0.028). All participant touches were identified and coded, revealing four unique touch actions (feel, pick up, compare, put in cart). Premium paperboard packaging evokes more positive facial expressions in consumer electronics unboxing and more interaction with direct mail. Notably, prominently displaying discount codes increases consumer engagement. Direct mail results reveal that circular mail was widely perceived as recyclable, tri-folds were retained the most, while postcards were more likely to be discarded. These findings have practical implications for businesses, enabling them to optimize packaging strategies, drive consumer engagement, and promote environmentally friendly practices.

Many different graphitic materials have become integral in modern society for the past couple of decades. Advances in developing carbon fibers, graphene, and graphene oxide have improved the amount of the material that can be produced in bulk as well as improving different properties of the material such as increasing its mechanical strength carbon fiber or improving the conductivity of graphene oxide. Carbon fiber has seen use in both commercial and industrial applications ranging from electronics to fuselages, which can have impressive electrical and mechanical properties combined with its relatively low-density compared to traditional metals. Both graphene and graphene oxide have seen advances in many different areas, including high-performance sports gear, flexible electronics, and even use in space equipment. However, there is an opportunity to explore different sources to produce graphitic materials, many derived from renewable materials. Thus, finding alternative precursors to meet the demand for graphitic products, whether through renewable biomass or industrial waste, is crucial. One precursor that has gained broad attention is lignin, a byproduct of the pulp and paper industry. Lignin is one of the most common naturally occurring macromolecules derived from three different phenolic alcohols, and there has been research into developing various products from lignin, including carbon fiber. Another precursor is asphaltene, which is a byproduct of the asphalt industry. While asphaltene is not a renewable material like lignin, it has limited applications, making it a waste product. The oil industry can become more sustainable by converting the material into graphitic carbon, like graphene. In the first chapter, background information is discussed on various graphitic carbons, their applications in the market, and the potential for lignin and asphaltene to be converted into carbon fiber, graphene, and graphene oxide. Chapter II details the development of lignin-based carbon microfibers and a novel method of using different surface treatments to control the specific capacitance of the carbon fibers. Characterization showed that the specific capacitance is increased by activating the carbon and/or growing Ni(OH)2 nanocrystals on the surface. The next chapter studies a new method of producing graphene oxide (GO) from lignin using vermiculite as a scaffold. This is one of the few methods of producing graphene oxide from lignin. Various characterization techniques were performed on the material, confirming that it is graphene oxide. In addition, a reduction reaction using ascorbic acid was performed to produce reduced graphene oxide (RGO), a semiconductive material. Chapter IV investigates the usage of a unique form of lignin called alkaline lignin to develop graphene using an iron catalyst. Characterization showed that the material was graphitic and incorporated into electrospun PVDF fibers. These fibers were studied for their piezoelectric properties, where it was demonstrated that they could produce a voltage when mechanical force was applied to them. Chapter V demonstrated a novel application of asphaltene-based graphene as a filler for UV-curable resin. Mechanical analysis showed that the graphene improved the flexural properties and the thermal stability of the resin. Chapter VI contains potential future work for these projects.

In the autumn of 1506, Albrecht Dürer drew two young faces on blue paper. 92 years later, in 1598, Aegidius Sadeler II, a talented engraver hailing from Antwerp and living in Prague, set out the very same drawing (now split in two) and carved with his burin a corresponding network of lines to reproduce the heads. That first impression from the copper plates of Sadler’s engravings marks an early—if not the earliest—instance of reproductive printmaking after an already existing drawing, where the engraving reproduces another work of art originally in a different medium. Veering in the other direction, the drawing of the youthful heads connects to two separate paintings that Dürer had just completed in Venice Christ Among the Doctors and Feast of the Rose Garlands. My project considers the associations between Dürer’s drawings directed towards the future in its concern with posterity and Sadeler’s engravings that turned back on the past. These works on paper by Dürer and Sadeler map the interdependency between retrospection and a future-oriented prospection. These multi-directional aspects mobilize the possible conditions of Dürer’s endurance and intimate how that survival was engineered in advance. Sadeler’s subsequent engraving project reveals how Albrecht Dürer’s singular drawing exhibits a strange, proleptic temporality that prefigures the possibilities of its own futurity—especially in the so-called Dürer Renaissance that emerged during Sadeler’s time. Considered together, these graphic works expose what I call the prospective aspect in Dürer’s drawing to describe the way it looks forward to the possibilities of an unpredictable but nonetheless still imagined futurity. I suggest how his perdurability rests on the idea of weak networks and the multitude of ways he afforded such generative, spurring potential for an imagined future that we see now, retrospectively, in Sadeler’s prints.