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Two of the key challenges in determining the relative merits of porous implants are the objective quantification of their open pore networks and bone growth into the pores. The gold-standard currently employed to quantify bone ingrowth is histomorphometry which can identify different cell types and provide information on bone quality, but it is a 2D measure that samples a very small region. With recent advances in X-ray micro-computed tomography technology (μCT) improving resolution and image quality, μCT offers researchers a new perspective on evaluating bone ingrowth into implants. μCT allows direct 3D imaging and measurements of implants and bone structures that can also be non-destructive, allowing pre- and post-operative comparisons. However, quantification of images from μCT datasets is not fully standardised leading to differing methods between researchers. In particular there is no accepted objective method to identify the region-of-interest positioning and size. In this thesis, a novel approach was developed to address this problem by creating a contralateral limb model as a template for quantification of the operated limb. This model was created by first averaging many normal contralateral limbs. The model was then applied to operated limbs, enabling the automated positioning and size of the volume-of-interest selection for quantification. This in turn allows the objective quantification of bone ingrowth into implants, e.g. a 3D measure of bone ingrowth volume fraction and 3D curvature of partially healed bone, both of which were developed by application of the model. These are used in conjunction with complementary histomorphometric analyses. This new technique was applied to two case studies, looking at the bone ingrowth over time in a Ti implant and in a sol-gel derived bioactive glass scaffold. Early bone ingrowth into porous Ti is an important factor in the successful long-term bone fixation of the implant, while in porous bioactive glasses; it is the first stage of bony defect regeneration. The Ti implants were created by a process called selective laser melting, an exciting additive manufacturing technique that allows precise control of the final structure. The Ti implants were separately studied from a commercial view-point, resulting in the development of a novel non-destructive method of monitoring 3D porous structures during a series of cleaning procedures.

Based on the hypothesis that the therapeutic and toxic effects of cyclosporine (CSA) are dependent on the in vivo disposition of lipoprotein-associated drug, we examined the metabolic effect and toxicity of lipoprotein-associated CSA. We also explored the regulatory effect of low density lipoprotein receptors (LDL-R) on CSA metabolism. A 10 mg/kg/d IV CSA dose for 14 days reduced CYP3A protein and activities in all lipoprotein-associated CSA groups, with the exception of the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-CSA group. This reduction was attributed to a decrease in CYP3A1/2 mRNA levels. VLDL-CSA showed no changes in CYP3A levels as compared with CSA alone, suggesting a possible delay of CSA exposure to the liver. Furthermore, VLDL-CSA did not alter lipoprotein receptors mRNA, while LDL-CSA caused a significant suppression of LDL-R. However, scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) was not altered by CSA treatment. The suppression of CYP3A and CYP2C11 is more obvious when low dose (0.1 mg/kg/d) was given, suggesting an enhanced uptake of CSA into liver by LDL-R. The specific role of LDL-R was examined with LDL-R modified rat model by either 17a-ethynylestradiol (EE) or 2% cholesterol diet. A 28 days of 15 mg/kg/d CSA SC treatment in LDL-R suppressed rats (mimic LDL-R saturated rats by chronic CSA dose) showed a decreased suppression of CYP3A, which caused an increase in availability of CSA to other tissues such as kidney and which led to an induction of renal LDL-R. In contrast, LDL-R induced rats showed the opposite results. This study also showed that the regulation of LDL-R is sexually dimorphic and tissue-dependent. In addition, CSA caused the induction of LDL-R due to, in part, the presence of growth hormone (GH) and an altered GH pattern of secretion. Taken together, these results demonstrated lipoproteins caused varying hepatic metabolic responses that were partially attributed to hepatic LDL-R on CSA metabolism. In addition, induction of renal LDL-R resulted in CSA-induced renal toxicity. CSA caused the saturation of LDL-R in the liver partially due to GH, which leads to the stimulation of an LDL-R-independent pathway to increase plasma lipid levels. The present study offers a better understanding of changes occurring in lipoprotein metabolism and immunosuppressant effects in transplant patients.

Eight different color appearance models were tested using pictorial images. A psychophysical paired comparison experiment was performed where 30 color-normal observers judged reference and test images via successive-Ganzfeld haploscopic viewing such that each eye maintained constant chromatic adaptation and inter-ocular interactions were minimized. It was found that models based on von Kries had best performance, specifically CIELAB, HUNT, RLAB, and von Kries.

The purpose of this thesis project is to understand what the biblical principles for Church Growth are and, to evaluate the problems hindering Church Growth within the Baptist Bible Fellowship Korea. Based on surveys sent to the BBF pastors in Korea, the project analyzes and evaluates the actual figures of church ministry, strategy, pastoral leadership, and common hindrances of Church Growth. Ten practical strategies for 21st Century Church Growth of BBF in Korea are proposed. These ten strategies are effective because they draw from the biblical principles, the growing churches, the studies of Church Growth, and church growth experts.