Search

This research probes into the experiences of students labelled international within a British university in the north of England. Narratives shared by several international-fee-paying postgraduate researchers reveal several intricate trajectories that transcend the essentialist representation of the 'international other' as a deficient, pre-cultured cash cow. The study explores a plethora of generative mechanisms that are arguably implemented in a systematic manner to impose a sense of alienation and difference, and to justify the financial exploitation of students labelled international. Students' narratives serve to uncover some of the restrictive policies and deficit-laden encounters that impact their very sense of being. This involves reflections on border-crossing experiences, police registration, struggles to fit within certain predefined ethnic labels, and even problematic encounters with supervisors, staff, and other individuals. The research debunks the false homogeneity attributed to the international label and argues that cohorts of students labelled international are not homogeneous, but rather actively and purposefully homogenised. In spite of the current unprecedented interest in research about international students, students' intercultural experiences, and the internationalisation of higher education, this study manages to explore a seldom tackled facet of the experiences endured by students labelled international. There are three main contributions that this research aspires to disseminate. First, it outlines the generative mechanisms sustaining the current trajectories of students labelled international. Second, it poses relevant questions vis-à-vis the analytical affordances of the current theoretical and methodological frameworks underpinning research about international students, especially within the field of Intercultural Studies. Third, it suggests an alternative conceptualisation of culture as a form of belonging which could serve to inform policies and practices involving international students.

Common obesity is thought to be the result of genetic variations influencing susceptibility to environmental circumstances related to food intake, mediated by appetite-regulating pathways, and also affected by emotional processing and other behavioural traits. Alexithymia is a psychological construct for emotional processing deficits, characterised by impaired identification and description of feelings, and externally-oriented thinking. Here, I investigate the relationship between alexithymia, measured by the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia scale (TAS-20), and adiposity in two Northern Finland Birth Cohorts (NFBC1966 and NFBC1986) and in severely-obese adults seeking bariatric surgery in the UK (PMMO clinical trial). Analysis of depression as a possible contributing factor in the relationship between alexithymia and obesity was also conducted in the NFBC1966. Consistent associations between BMI and TAS-20 total scores were observed among adult and adolescent general populations and in severely-obese adults (pre- and post-surgery, assessed longitudinally). Males with clinically-relevant alexithymia status (TAS-20≥ 61) and history of depression diagnosis had higher BMI than males without, at age of 31 years in NFBC1966. In the severe obesity clinical trial cohort (PMMO), participants with history of clinical depression diagnosis had higher TAS-20 total scores and weight at baseline than those who had no clinical depression history. Depression and bariatric surgery type were also moderately associated with TAS-20 total scores after surgery. A genome-wide association study was conducted to identify genetic variants influencing psychological measures (TAS-20 and HSCL-13 scores) in the general adult and adolescent populations. In the NFBC1966 dataset, one SNP, rs2242223 (p= 8.10 x 10-8) in the Parkinson's disease gene SNCAIP (synuclein alpha interacting protein) was associated with TAS-20 score. There were also significant sex and genotype interactions. These findings raise intriguing questions regarding the direction of causal mechanisms between emotional processing and obesity. Design of treatment strategies for complex conditions, such as obesity, would benefit from enhanced understanding of underlying psychological/behavioural components in the general population and clinical patients.

Even though more students are enrolling in online distance learning in public and private institutions, attrition continues to be a substantial concern challenging online distance learning in higher education institutions. Students taking general education mathematics courses have exhibited low completion rates at the community college level in online distance education at a rural Midwestern community college. The purpose of this research was to examine the factors that influence the completion rates of mathematics general education courses among students in online distance education at a rural Midwestern community college. By exploring these factors, the faculty can better understand what a successful learning environment is and intervene to prevent student attrition and dropout and to help keep students from repeating the failed course many times. Also, administrators can better understand, support, and make informed decisions about offering online distance general mathematics courses. Archival data were collected from four developmental mathematics education courses that included online distance learning and traditional face-to-face learning modalities. This study consisted of 3714 participants enrolled in 16-week online distance general mathematics and traditional face-to-face courses from fall 2017 through spring 2020. This study showed no significant difference in the student completion rates between online distance and traditional face-to-face mathematics courses. There was a significant difference in the students' ethnic status, enrollment status, Pell Grant status, and course completion rates themselves between online distance and traditional face-to-face mathematics courses. Further research on examining other qualitative factors on student completion rates between online distance and traditional face-to-face mathematics courses is suggested. [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.]

Satisfactory investigations of the equine foot appear to be limited by the histo-morphological complexity of internal hoof structures. Foot lameness is considered to be one of the most debilitating pathological diseases in the horse. In most species, foot lameness is traditionally linked to hoof deformity, and a set of molecular events have been defined in relation to the disease. The differential capsular growth rate is essential in order to understand the aetiology of hoof distortions. It is now well established that keratinocyte progenitor cells grow from the papillae and not from the lamellae. The importance of hoof material synthesis, and therefore the underlying cell proliferation from the papillae, in the pathology of laminitis has been underlined in different species. Despite this knowledge, it remains unclear how cell proliferation itself is involved in this pathology. So far, there is controversy regarding the incidence of foot lameness in horses, as it is unclear whether it is foot lameness that triggers hoof distortions or vice-versa. In addition, very little scientific evidence exists to prove either point; this requires a deeper understanding of the physical biology and biomechanics of the hoof given that the horse stands on its hooves. It is remarkable that very little physics has been introduced to enhance our understanding of the disease. In order to develop a better understanding of foot lameness, we aim to provide a model of foot lameness encompassing anatomy, cell biology and physics to help reveal new evidence for evaluating the incidence of pathological changes within internal structures of the animal’s foot. It is anticipated that the results found will aid in bridging this gap in knowledge. Fifty-four equine hooves were collected and categorized based upon their morphology, and tissue sections were harvested from the periople, coronary and proximal part of lamellae. Markers of progenecity (p63), cell proliferation (PCNA, Ki-67) and differentiation (K14, K10) were used to assess the hoof growth rate in coronary regions using immunohistochemistry (PCNA, Ki-67, p63) and immunofluorescence (p63 and K14). For assessing the involvement of physical forces in hoof growth, the Micro CT-scans of individual foot were analysed to highlight differences in the ultrastructure of the feet, for example differences in dorsal curvature between different foot samples. The results presented in this study confirm previous findings, add evidence that a high percentage of Ki-67 and p63 positive cells are found in the proximal part of the papillae, and seem to contribute to hoof deformities. This evidence might be attributed to physical growth forces present in the proximal part of the hoof whereby the change in cell size might contribute to force generation, tissue remodelling (i.e. cornification) and hoof deformities. As hoof distortion can result from uncontrolled epidermal basal cell proliferation from the epidermal papillae. A model of cultured keratinocytes under different stresses such as stretch, hydrostatic pressure and/or low oxygen conditions. This revealed that these stresses together with low oxygen conditions stimulate cell differentiation, and upregulate keratin levels. Consequently, this leading to changes in their morphology and cell surface area. Together these results suggests that cell culture, growth, passage and physical or biological treatments have improved our knowledge of natural cell stimulation and aid our understanding of how equine progenitor keratinocytes (EPKs) would hypothetically respond to external stimuli other than biological ones. The results presented regarding physical forces showed that there is a strong correlation between the dorsal hoof curvature and the level of Ki-67 and p63 abundance at the dermal papillae. In addition, K14 and TUNEL apoptotic cells localized along the dermal papillae in the coronary hoof region were also found in ‘dished’ hooves. Specifically, when the hoof curvature is positive (i.e. for the ‘dished’ hoof) there is an increase in the mitotic index shown by Ki-67 and p63 expression in the quarter regions compared to the dorsal one. Negative hoof curvatures (i.e. having a claw-like shape), however, did not shown any correlation with Ki-67 and p63 expression in any tissue type, except for K14 expression levels in the dorsal and quarter regions. These outcomes demonstrated that the two proteins (p63 and Ki-67) participate in hoof growth, and very probably to the differential growth of the hoof capsule as observed in chronic laminitis. This is probably through a contribution of sustained level of epidermal basal cell proliferation. In conclusion, the morphometric data of the change in cell size and the localisation of proliferation cells on the proximal part of papillae provide evidence on the way of hoof morphogenesis. These were confirmed with behaviour of cultured keratinocytes under different stresses. Additionally, the difference in the proliferation rates between the dorsal, quarter regions of the hoof wall are connected to hoof curvatures. The data gives new insights into the physical biology of the normal versus pathologically affected equine feet, and bovine and ovine feet in the future, providing new information for potential treatment(s). Consequently, this research aims to bridge gaps across scientific fields to ameliorate our understanding of the equine foot. However, further studies need to be carried out in order to understand the pathways of cellular response at the coronary region.

This study makes a valuable contribution to the existing literature on corporate risk disclosure (RD)in emerging economies with a focus on the Saudi Arabian economy in the context of the Middle East. The vast majority of previous RD literature has placed emphasis on the context of developed nations. This study undertakes a detailed analysis of RD practices by adopting a quantitative approach for the collection and analysis of datasets using a sample of non-financial firms listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawal) over the period 2010 to 2014. The measurement of risk reporting is thus based on a manual content analysis technique, regression analysis models are used to identify the factors that affect risk reporting, and the value of firms in the stock market were measured using the Tobin's Q valuation model. Regression analysis is used to examine the impact,if any, of risk reporting on the value of the firms in the sample. The data gathered shows that the average RD level among all the samples is 17%. The result of the examination of the effect of the corporate governance mechanisms on risk disclosure shows that, of board related characteristics,board size and independent directors are negatively related to a statistically significant degree. Auditor type is positively statistically significant at the 1% level, and governmental ownership is negatively associated with RD to a statistically significant degree at the 1% level. The result of the examination of the impact of RD on firm value shows that the relationship between RD and firm value (as measured by TQ) is found to be negatively statistically significant.

Atherosclerosis and its related major adverse cardiovascular events represent a major worldwide morbidity and mortality burden. The paradigm of identifying ‘vulnerable plaques’ leading to ‘vulnerable patients’ remains challenging despite recent advances in cardiovascular medicine. The project aimed to develop an antibody-based strategy for the translational development of imaging oxidised low density lipoprotein (LDL), a major constituent of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. It also aimed to simultaneously develop anti-oxidised LDL antibody-based serological assays for the stratification of individual cardiovascular risk independently of classical risk factors. In this thesis, I first discuss the development of a number of assays for the measurement of anti-oxidised LDL antibodies in serum and plasma. I then describe our findings, using a subpopulation of the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT) to discover that IgG anti-Malondialdehyde (MDA)-LDL antibody levels are stable, independent biomarkers of freedom from adverse cardiovascular events over a 5.5 year follow up. This is followed by describing LO1 and LO9, both murine monoclonal antibodies, isolated in our laboratory, against MDA-LDL and adherent native LDL respectively. We characterise and sequence both, and take LO1 further into development as an imaging agent. I then progress to discussing the utility of directly labelled LO1 (LO1-750) as a near infra-red fluorescence (NIRF) imaging agent. We use two animal models (Ldlr-/- and rabbit atherosclerosis models), utilising three different modalities (IVIS Spectrum/ computed tomography (CT), Fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT)/CT and intravascular 2D NIRF/intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)). I further discuss the generation of a partially humanised tagged molecular construct (LO1-Fab-Cys), as a first step towards the molecular expression and humanisation of LO1 in an optimised form for targeting of oxidised LDL in humans. Moreover I detail the characterisation of LO9 by delineating in a series of experiments its allosteric epitope on adherent LDL, and describe a potential pathological role for it. We label LO9 with a NIRF agent, and show LO9 localisation in vitro and in vivo in mouse studies.

Diversification of our energy supplies – especially in the transport and electricity generation sectors – is required to meet decarbonisation targets. Algae have been identified as suitable alternative feedstocks for third generation biofuels due to their fast growth rates and non-competitiveness with land for food crops. Hydrothermal processing of algae is an appropriate conversion route as it allows the processing of wet feedstock thus removing the energy penalty of drying. In this study, supercritical water gasification was used for (i) the hydrothermal processing of macroalgae for the production of gaseous fuel – mainly hydrogen and methane – and (ii) the upgrading of the process water from hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae for hydrogen production for biocrude hydrotreating. The supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of the four macroalgae species investigated (Saccharina latissima, Laminaria digitata, Laminaria hyperborea, and Alaria esculenta) produced a gas that mainly consisted of hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. Non-catalytic SCWG resulted in hydrogen yields of 3.3-4.2 mol/kg macroalgae and methane yields of 1.6-3.3 mol/kg macroalgae. Catalytic SCWG (using ruthenium) resulted in hydrogen yields of 7.8-10.2 mol/kg macroalgae and methane yields of 4.7-6.4 mol/kg macroalgae. The yield of hydrogen was approximately three times higher when using sodium hydroxide as catalyst (16.3 mol H2 / kg macroalgae) compared to non-catalysed SCWG of L. hyperborea (5.18 mol H2 / kg macroalgae). The energy recovery (an expression of how much chemical energy of the feedstock is recovered in the desired product following hydrothermal processing) was 83% when sodium hydroxide was used as a catalyst, compared to 52% for the non-catalytic SCWG of L. hyperborea. The yield of methane was approximately 2.5 times higher (9.0 mol CH4 kg 1macroalgae) when using ruthenium catalyst compared to the non-catalysed experiment (3.36 mol CH4 / kg macroalgae) and the energy recovery increased by 22% to 74%. The selectivity of methane or hydrogen production during the SCWG of macroalgae can be controlled using ruthenium or sodium hydroxide respectively. Longer hold times and increased reaction temperature favoured methane production when using ruthenium. An increase in catalyst loading had no significant effect on the methane yield. Higher hydrogen yields were obtained through using higher concentrations of sodium hydroxide, lower algal feed concentration and shorter hold times (30 min). Increasing reaction times ( > 30 min) with a base catalyst (sodium hydroxide) decreased the hydrogen yield. Overall energy recovery was highest at the lowest feed concentrations; 90.5% using ruthenium and 111% using sodium hydroxide. The process waters from the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of microalgae (Chlorella, Pseudochoricystis, and Spirulina) were gasified under supercritical water conditions to maximise hydrogen production. Hydrogen yields ranged from 0.18-0.29 g H2 / g biocrude from SCWG of the process water of HTL along with near complete gasification of the organics (~98%). Compared to the hydrogen requirements for hydrotreating algal biocrude (~0.05 g H2 / g biocrude), excess hydrogen can be produced from upgrading the process water through SCWG. The results indicate that process waters following SCWG are still rich in nutrients that can be recycled for algal cultivation.

This thesis considers random access memory, cache, and out- and in-line linking as selected new forms of copyright infringement involving protected digital content. It examines the legality of transient and incidental copies in random access memory and cache client or local caching and proxy server or forward caching, and discusses the legality of different types of linking: surface and deep links and in-line linking, through critical analysis of the United Kingdom law, before and after the latest amendments in 2003 to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, in addition to the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002. A brief discussion regarding the position of some European countries before and after the implementations of several European Union Directives related to copyright infringement concerning internet is also presented. The thesis considers several arguments related to the copyright holders' exclusive rights, such as issuing copies of the work to the public, performing, showing or playing the work in public or communicating the work to the public. However, it focuses mainly on the reproduction right. Several traditional defences to infringement of copyright are presented, especially fair dealing and implied licence. Also considered are different potential technological solutions, such as date bombs, metering technology, link removal request policy or password protection, and non-technological solutions, such as licensing or obtaining an agreement to link, as means of avoiding those new forms of copyright infringement. It is concluded that it is important to amend some pieces of the United Kingdom legislation, especially section 28A of the United Kingdom Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and the United Kingdom Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002, as well as some pieces of the Directive 2001/29/EC of the European parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 on the harmonisation of Certain Aspects of Copyright and Related Rights in the Information Society, and the Directive 2000/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2000 on certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in the Internal Market (Directive on electronic commerce).

The purpose of this study is to determine how strategic planning is implemented in Malaysian Islamic public universities and how it can further improve the management and administration of those institutions. The study was done on a comparative method between two largest Malaysian public universities, namely, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and the National University of Malaysia (UKM). The researcher considered in particular the similarities and differences between the two universities’ strategic planning and the potential benefits and limitations of the same. The researcher employed a survey instrument consisting of a triangulation of interviews, document analysis and direct observation. Analysis of the survey responses indicated the following findings: (a) Both universities share similarities in certain elements of their strategic planning, and differ in certain other elements of their strategic planning; and, (b) Respondents agreed that strategic planning has a considerable number of potential benefits as well as limitations.

This thesis is concerned with the massless Dirac equation in (2+2)-dimensional space-time. We start by presenting background material on spinors and the Dirac equation. Then we consider the modifications to the current which are necessary in 2 + 2 dimensions, and spinors which imply zero current density. Then we consider plane wave solutions and superposition of solutions. The action of the Lorentz group is considered, and we find solutions which are invariant to subgroup preserving the world line of a 'particle' solution. Then we find some more general solutions, together with the corresponding electromagnetic fields.

The study area is situated within the South-West Swedish Province (SWSP), which forms part of the Precambrian Baltic Shield. The SWSP is separated from the Svecofennian Province, in the east, by a major suture, the Protogene Zone, and a major belt of sialic igneous rocks, the Trans-Scandinavian Igneous Belt. The SWSP is generally considered to have had a different petrogenetic history from the neighbouring Svecofennian Province, at least for part of its Precambrian development. The SWSP is transected by a major zone of mylonitization which divides it into Northern and Southern Segments, which differ in petrology and geological development. The whole of the SWSP show overprinting by the effects of the younger Sveconorwegian Orogeny.Research was concentrated to the immediate north and south of the dividing Mylonite Zone, close to the town of Varberg. The southern rock unit is known locally as the Varberg Formation and the northern rock unit as the Bua Formation. Outcrop density along the coastal strip is good to fair.It was believed that examination and interpretation of the metabasic rocks of the region might prove valuable in establishing the petrogenetic development of the region. This research has discriminated three distinct groups of metabasic rocks; differeing in their field characteristics, petrologies, petrochemistries, mineral chemistries and petrogeneses. These are referred to as the metabasic rocks of Groups I, II and III respectively.The metabasic rocks of Group I have had their origin in basic igneous activity which occurred prior to, or during, the early orogenic activity which established the fundamental character of the Varberg Formation rocks; the Varberg Orogenic Event. The geochemical data suggest that these metabasic rocks are derived from a suite of basic igneous rocks, probably largely minor intrusions, which relate to a parent magma which was tholeiitic in type. Orogenic intrusion is indicated, perhaps in an island arc environment. These basic intrusive rocks appear, from their field relationships with their country rocks, to have undergone the same range of deformations and metamorphisms as their hosts.The metabasic rocks of Group II have had their origin in basic igneous activity which post-dates the Varberg Orogenic Event, during a period of anorogenic magmatism (the Varberg Thermal Event). The geochemical characters of these rocks indicate their development from a tholeiitic parent magma in a continental rift environment. Protometamorphic development of garnet amphibolites synchronous with emplacement of these intrusions is indicated by their mineralogies and petrographies. They were subsequently in part metamorphosed to garnet pyribolites, on reversion to orogenic conditions (Sveconorwegian Orogeny). The rocks of Group II are largely concentrated within the Varberg Formation, with impounding against the discontinuity separating the Sua and Varberg Formations. There was, however, some leakage into the Bua Formation. Acid plutonism also occurred with, and was genetically related to, the basic magma influx during the Varberg Thermal event. The granitic products were also largely impounded at the BuaNarberg interface, but with some transgression. Both the basic and the acid igneous units were involved in thrust reworking of the interface zone (the Mylonite Zone), with local retrogression to amphibolite facies.The metabasic rocks of Group III are unrelated to either the Group I or Group II magmatic episodes and occur only within the Bua Formation. They are divisible into two sub-groups; Group iliA, with chemical affinity with low-K tholeiites of the island arc environment, and Group IIIB, comparable with continental rift basalts. The Group iliA rocks include metapyroxenite; brecciated and intruded by scapolite gabbro. This juxtaposition of deep level accumulate characters and high level, gas-charged brecciation can probably be linked with major tectonic translation, perhaps related to the Hallandian Orogeny. The metamorphism of the basic rocks is linked with, and forms an integral part of, the petrogenetic history of the Bua Formation.The igneous and metamorphic histories revealed from this study of the metabasic rocks of the Varberg region provide useful strictures in any interpretation of the geological development of the South West Swedish Province. The separate development of the Southern and Northern Segments is confirmed. The early development of the Varberg Formation seems also distinct from its now neighbouringmSvecofennian Province. The following petrogenetic development model is proposed, which allows for the fresh information obtained from the region:1) Development of the crustal segment represented by the Varberg formation in an early orogeny affecting the Group I igneous rocks (The Varberg Orogeny).2) Separate development of the Sua Formation sequences.3) Conjunction of the Sua and Varberg Formations during orogenic activity (The Hallandian Orogeny; c. 1600 my), such that the Bua Formation metamorphic rocks form a cover sequence to the Varberg Formation. This was preceded by the docking of the deeply-eroded, Varberg Formation, continental block against the Svecofennian Province (c. 1750 my).4) A period of crustal extension, petrological underplating, magmatic intrusion, crustal heating, volatile migration and acid plutonism affecting the composite crustal segment(The Varberg Thermal Event; c. 1400 my).5) Renewed orogeny (The Sveconorwegian Orogeny; c. 1000-900 my).

This thesis provides detailed studies of the five stropheodontid species which occur commonly in the Ludlow rocks of the Welsh Borderland. These are Shaleria ornatella (Davidson), Leptostrophia filosa (J. de C. Sowerby), Pholidostrophia (Mesopholidostrophia) lepisma (J. de C. Sowerby), Amphistrophia funiculata (McCoy), and Strophonella euglypha (Dalman). About 2250 specimens have been collected from well-spaced geographical localities in the shelf facies of the Welsh Borderland (i.e. Ludlow, Abberley Hills, Woolhope inlier and Usk inlier) and, where possible, from different levels in the Ludlow succession. In addition, a large collection of Shaleria aff. ornatella Bassett & Cocks from Gotland, Sweden plus museum and other specimens of the Wenlock forms of S. euglypha and A. funiculata were studied statistically for comparison with the Welsh Borderland Ludlovian forms. After preparation, accurate measurements were made of: shell length and width, pedicle muscle field length and width, angle of divergence of the pedicle valve muscle field, width of denticulation, the number of ribs per mm at 5 or 10mm from the dorsal umbo, and some other special morphological features. All five species are fully described and illustrated: some previously undescribed morphological features have been recognised, discussed and figured. For each species, also, statistical analyses of the range of variation of the most significant morphological features have been carried out. In the case of P. (M.) lepisma, the emphasis is on the full description of the species and its variation as it has not previously been adequately described and figured. The study of L. filosa also concentrates on the description and the range of variation, together with a comparison with Wenlock forms of the same species. Shaleria ornatella is fully described and its range of variation is such that there seems little doubt that the Gotland form Shaleria aff. ornatella should be included in this species. The small but consistent difference in the Gotland form can be related to environmental rather than genetic controls. The intraspecific variation in a present-day species of Brachiopoda; Kraussina rubra (Pallas) from one locality was also studied; the range of variation is comparable to that in S. ornatella, thereby supporting the palaeontological interpretation of this (& other) species. In both S. euglypha and A. funiculata, particular interest lies in the morphological differences between the Wenlock and Ludlow forms of these species. These changes have been analysed in detail and attention directed to the containing sediments in order to determine whether changes of substrate or other environmental factors might explain the vertical changes. The accumulated evidence, however, seems to favour gradual evolutionary changes from the Wenlock to the Ludlow although there are too many gaps in the record to be certain. Finally, the functional morphology and palaeoecology of stropheodontid brachiopods in general, and of these five Ludlow specimens in particular, are discussed.

The high demand for concrete and the large amount of landfilled plastics necessitate an action to minimize their impacts on the environment. This study aims to recycle discarded plastics as a construction material to partially substitute the main ingredients of concrete (cement and aggregates). The objective is to make sure the strength and durability properties of concrete are not compromised while mitigating the sustainability concern. Discarded plastics including Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), and Polystyrene (PS) were reprocessed and incorporated in cement paste, mortar, and concrete. This study investigated changes in cement hydration kinetics and strength and durability of mortar and concrete due to partial replacement (5-15%) of their conventional ingredients with recycled plastics. The last part of this study included a life cycle assessment to evaluate changes in the greenhouse gas emissions that can result due to encapsulating discarded plastics in concrete. Research results indicated that plastic powders with a maximum particle size of 75 µm were not fully inert concerning early age hydration reactions. The effects of replacing natural fine aggregate with plastic particles on the properties of fresh and hardened mortar and concrete differed based on the plastic type and replacement ratio. Mortars incorporating plastics showed flowability, density, and compressive and flexural strengths lower than the control mortar. PS mortars showed the lowest compressive strength reduction (3-11%) compared to the control mortar. Most concrete samples incorporating 10% of plastics as a replacement for sand showed an average compressive strength reduction of 4%. The modulus of elasticity of plastic-modified concrete was 2 to 7% lower than the control concrete. The majority of plastic-aggregate concrete exhibited slight increases in tensile strength and Poisson’s ratio compared to the control concrete. Reinforced concrete beams containing plastics showed strength similar to that of the control specimens. The strength of plastic-modified mortar and concrete was influenced mainly by the bond between plastic particles and cement paste and did not show a correlation with the strength of plastics used as aggregate. Relationships between compressive strength and other strength properties established by ACI 318-19 are still applicable for plastic-modified mortar and concrete. Life cycle assessment results indicated that recycling plastic as a construction material could result in a 26% reduction in greenhouse gases compared to the process of landfilling plastic waste.

Advanced manufacturing techniques, such as plasma cutting and water jet cutting, have not been fully capitalized on by the steel construction industry. These precise cutting techniques have the potential to transform how steel structures are designed and constructed. An innovative interlocking (herein referred to as “intermeshed”) steel connection system that relies on neither bolting nor welding has been proposed. The intermeshed connection was designed to resist loads typical in steel moment frames, and four full-scale beam specimens utilizing this connection as a splice were fabricated using precise, fully automated cutting techniques. An experimental testing program was conducted with these specimens to study the behavior of intermeshed connections under gravity loads. The experimental investigation demonstrated how different components of an intermeshed connection may interact to create a strong yet robust connection that exhibits stable and ductile response to vertical loading. The results of this study highlight how the steel construction industry can harness the advantages of advanced manufacturing techniques for intermeshed connections.

Atherothrombotic disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with thrombus formation representing the final step in the pathophysiology, leading to end organ damage. Oxidised low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and its receptor Lectin-like oxidised low-density lipoprotein (LOX-1) play key roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and may have a role in thrombus formation but this remains controversial. In contrast, the antifibrinolytic protein plasmin inhibitor (PI) is well known to stabilise the fibrin network, which forms the backbone of the blood clot, through inhibition of the fibrinolytic process, protecting against excessive bleeding after vessel injury. However, there is a fine balance as excessive inhibition of fibrinolysis is associated with increased vascular thrombosis and adverse clinical outcomes. My hypothesis is that oxLDL affects fibrin clot formation and/or lysis and therefore represents a new therapeutic target to reduce thrombosis risk. I also hypothesise that PI activity can be modulated to reduce thrombosis risk and improve fibrinolysis in high-vascular risk conditions. Therefore, the aims of my work are to i) study the effects of oxLDL, with and without LOX-1, on clot structure/lysis to understand whether this pathway represents a new therapeutic target for reducing thrombosis risk, ii) use a new technology, employing small proteins called Affimers, to modulate PI activity and enhance the fibrinolytic process iii) probe into the mechanisms for Affimer-induced modulation of PI activity (if any).LDL was purified from plasma samples and oxidised using validated in vitro techniques. The effects of oxLDL on clot structure and lysis were studied using a turbidimetric assay in the absence and presence of sLOX-1. My results show that oxLDL, with and without sLOX-1, has no effects on clot structure/lysis using turbidimetric assays, indicating this is not a viable pathway for modulation of thrombosis risk. In the second part of my work, I show that the Affimer technology can be successfully used to modulate PI activity. One PI-specific Affimer shortened lysis of clots made from plasma samples and whole blood from healthy controls and also had similar effects across high vascular risk individuals, including patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 1 and type 2 diabetes (T1DM, T2DM). The mechanism of action of the PI-specific Affimer appears to be related to interference with plasmin generation with less of an effect on plasmin activity. In conclusion, my thesis demonstrates that oxLDL does not represent a credible target for reducing thrombosis risk. On the other hand, the affimer technology can be successfully employed to alter clot lysis by targeting the key anti-fibrinolytic protein, PI.

The oxidoreductase enzymes that comprise the human liver cytochrome P450 (CYP450) system are vital in metabolism, lipid synthesis, and detoxification of the human body. It is known that enzymes in this pathway process the majority of pharmaceuticals, thus the study of these enzymes proves to be valuable in determining potentially harmful drug interactions. The amazon acaí berry has gained popularity in recent years due to its reported health benefits and has been deemed by many health organizations as a superfood. The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of isolated acaí berry extracts on the activity of the CYP 450 enzyme 3A4 and 2D6 to determine if there is a possible drug interaction. The results obtained suggest that compounds in certain acaí fractionations, specifically 94-C (Diosmetin) inhibit the enzymes’ activity by approximately 68%. While further research into the metabolism of acaí berries must be conducted, these results imply that eating acaí berries may be harmful while taking certain medications due to the inability of CYP 3A4 and 2D6 enzymes to adequately metabolize the drug.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of conditions that primarily affect the circulatory system. CVD is the leading cause of death worldwide, with thrombosis being a key contributor. Fibrin is a central component of the thrombus, and its structural and functional properties can influence thrombi function and impact the success of treatment. Fibrinogen is a protein composed of 3 pairs of polypeptide chains (Aα,Bβ,γ)2, and the conversion to fibrin by thrombin, releasing the fibrinopeptides, forms a fibrous network supporting the clot. Both the α- and γ-chains of fibrinogen are critical to protein function, but the exact functional regions are only partially understood. This requires further research, particularly as α- and γ chain variants, including y', are associated with bleeding and thrombotic conditions. To delineate the roles of these chains on fibrin network characteristics, recombinant fibrinogen variants were produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Five γ'-chain truncations were produced, each displaying sequentially four less residues, together with full-length homodimer. Two αC-region truncations were produced; α390 (lacking the αC-domain) and α220 (missing the entire αC-region). Fibrinogens were studied in purified protein, plasma, and whole blood systems. αC-region truncations altered clot structure, with α390 producing a denser clot composed of thinner fibres, while α220 resulted in a porous structure with stunted fibres and limited longitudinal fibre growth. Complete loss of the αC-region prevented whole blood clot contraction. Fibrinogen with γ'-chain residues showed fibre curvature and was mechanically weaker compared to wild-type. The addition of γ'-fibrinogen to fibrinogen-deficient plasma produced clots with reduced maximum optical density without hindering whole blood clot contraction or incorporation of RBC or platelets. This thesis highlights the distinct roles of the αC-domain and αC-connector in fibrin formation, fibre growth, clot structure and stability and shows that γ'-chain residues influence clot structure and decrease mechanical stability.

Modern treatment planning systems (TPS's) utilize different algorithms in computing dose within the patient medium. The algorithms rely on properly modeled clinical setups in order to perform optimally. Aside from various parameters of the beam, modifiers, such as multileaf collimators (MLC's), must also be modeled properly. That could not be more true today, where dynamic delivery such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) are being increasingly utilized due to their ability to deliver higher dose precisely to the target while sparing more surrounding normal tissue. Two of the most popular TPS's, Pinnacle (Philips) and Eclipse (Varian), were compared, with special emphasis placed on parameterization of the dosimetric leaf gap (DLG) in Eclipse. The DLG is a parameter that accounts for Varian's rounded MLC leaf ends. While Pinnacle accounts for the rounded leaf end by modeling the MLC's, Eclipse uses a measured parameter. This study investigated whether a single value measured DLG is sufficient for dynamic delivery.Using five planning volumes for vertebral body SBRT treatments, each prescribed for 3000 cGy in 5 fractions, an array of 20 treatment plans was generated using varying energies of 6MV-FFF and 10MV-FFF. Treatment techniques consisted of 9-field Step-and-shoot IMRT, and dual-arc VMAT using patient specific optimization criteria in the Pinnacle TPS v9.8. Each plan was normalized to ensure coverage of 3000cGy to 95% of the target volume. The dose was computed in Pinnacle v9.8, with the Collapsed Cone Convolution Superposition algorithm and Eclipse v11, with the Acuros XB algorithm, using a dose grid resolution of 2 mm in both systems. Dose volume histograms (DVH's) were generated for a comparison of max and mean dose to the targets and spinal cord, as well as 95% coverage of the targets and the volume of the spinal cord receiving 14.5 Gy (V14.5). Patient specific quality assurance (PSQA) fields were generated and then delivered, using a Varian Edge linear accelerator, to a 4D QA phantom for a gamma analysis and distance to agreement (DTA) comparison. All Eclipse calculations were made for both measured and optimized DLG parameters.Calculated vs. measured point dose for the Pinnacle TPS had an average difference of 2.79 +/- 2.00%. Gamma analysis using a 3% and 3 mm DTA had 99/100 fields passing at > 95%. Using measured values of the DLG in Eclipse, calculated vs. measured point dose was -4.44 +/- 1.97%, and DTA had 33/110 fields passing at > 95%. After an optimization of the DLG in Eclipse, calculated vs. measured point dose had an average difference of 2.20 +/- 2.23%, and DTA with 95/110 fields passing at > 95%. This study looked at the performance of the Pinnacle and Eclipse TPS's, with special consideration given to the DLG parameterization used by Eclipse. The results support the idea that a single valued DLG is not sufficient for dynamic delivery. An optimization of the parameter is necessary to account for the high modulation of IMRT and VMAT techniques.

Small unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAVs) are used in today's world for mapping, surveillance, recreation, environmental monitoring, delivery, and structural maintenance. Typical manufacturing methods of UAVs limit rapid prototyping due to the use of expensive components and rigid designs. An expansion of laminate manufacturing will provide an alternative to this complex method of 3D UAV construction. Current self-folding techniques based on laminate manufacturing produce structures with greater strength to weight ratios, faster fabrication times, and lower fabrication costs but are incapable of generating continuous enclosed curved structures. This thesis describes an expansion on laminate manufacturing that utilize laminate buckling to create curved structures. A smart composite is constructed by sandwiching a shape memory polymer (SMP) with structural layers and two parallel constrained laminates. When the polymer is activated, the contraction induces buckling along adjacent laminate surfaces generating predefined curved structures. Stronger actuator force, expanding foam, and epoxy layering are explored to increase stiffness of curved surfaces.Using the approach described, SUAVs can be constructed using low cost materials, assembled in two dimensions, and optimized for specific environmental conditions. The most important feature of flight is lift, and the capability of lift is due to the design of airfoil profiles. Minor adjustments to a planar laminate design can create various National Advisory Committee of Aeronautics (NACA) airfoils by overlaying layers of laminate material, heat activated SMP, and hardening epoxy to morph a layered composite into a stiff curved structure.

Introduction: Acromegaly is a rare clinical condition characterized by chronic growth hormone (GH) excess, resulting into body disfigurement and systemic complications. Despite the therapeutic advancements in the management of patients with acromegaly, there still remains significant morbidity and mortality. Of the different complications associated with acromegaly, arthropathy has the highest prevalence and is one of the main determinants of quality of life in these patients, while cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of mortality in acromegaly patients. Aims: The aim of this thesis is to explore further the unresolved issues of impaired quality of life, arthropathy and cardiovascular mortality associated with acromegaly and in particular to: i) establish whether quality of life (QoL) changes over time in patients previously treated for acromegaly and who have biochemically stable or improved disease and identify positive and negative predictors of quality of life in patients with acromegaly; ii) characterise the joint alterations in patients with acromegaly, by evaluating subchonadral knee bone shape (a surrogate marker of osteoarthritis) using a novel imaging technique based on automated segmentation of MR images of knee bones and calculation of bone area using active appearance models and identify factors, which may be associated with altered bone shape in patients with acromegaly; and iii) explore whether acromegaly is associated with increased thrombotic potential, by evaluating the effects of GH/IGF-1 excess on clot formation and lysis, as a potential mechanism for the increased cardiovascular mortality observed in patients with acromegaly. Results: For the QoL evaluation a two-arm study was conducted, consisting of a cross-sectional arm to compare QoL between patients with treated and controlled acromegaly and healthy controls; and a longitudinal arm to assess QoL changes in patients with biochemically stable disease during 5.7±0.6 years of follow-up. Fifty eight (58) patients and 116 matched controls were recruited for the cross-sectional arm; 28 patients completed the longitudinal arm. Three generic questionnaires [Psychological General Well-Being Schedule (PGWBS), 36-item Short-Form (SF-36), EuroQoL (EQ-5D)] and the disease-specific acromegaly QoL questionnaire (AcroQoL) were applied for QoL evaluation. QoL assessment was performed 11.6±8.2 years following diagnosis and treatment of acromegaly. Patients with treated acromegaly had lower QoL scores compared with controls in all questionnaires with the exception of the PGWBS "Anxiety" subscale. The "Appearance" subscale of the AcroQoL and the "physical function" subscales of the remaining questionnaires were the most underscored domains. No difference in the total and subscale scores of all questionnaires was observed between baseline and follow-up assessment, with the exception of the SF-36 "Physical Function", where a decline was found between baseline and follow-up (58.5±24.7% vs. 43.1±31.1%; p=0.002). Duration of IGF-1/GH control was positively correlated with QoL scores in most questionnaires at baseline, whereas use of GH lowering therapy at the time of QoL assessment was a negative predictive factor of QoL. For the characterisation of the the arthropathy in acromegaly, a two-arm study was conducted. In the cross-sectional arm, 60 patients with acromegaly (29 males, mean age 54.8±12.9yrs) were compared with 300 age/gender-matched controls from the publicly available Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) database via propensity score matching. An additional control group of 886 individuals without any evidence of knee osteoarthritis on serial MRI scans, also referred as non-OA group, was selected from the OAI. In the longitudinal arm, bone shape data from 42 patients with acromegaly were compared at baseline and after at least 12 months of follow-up. Acromegaly patients attended for bilateral knee MRI scan at baseline and after at least 12 months of follow-up. Knee bone shape, joint space width (JSW) and cartilage thickness were measured based on automated segmentation of MR images of knee bones and calculation of bone area using active appearance models. Acromegaly patients had increased medial JSW compared with controls [6.21mm (95% CI 6.03-6.40) vs. 5.78mm (95% CI 5.70-5.87) respectively, p<0.001] and increased lateral and medial femorotibial cartilage thickness. Patella and medial tibia bone areas were also increased in acromegaly patients. B-score (a biomarker associated with severity and risk of progression of OA) was significantly higher in patients compared with controls [1.7 (95% CI 1.32-2.08) vs. 1.01 (0.84-1.18) respectively, p=0.001]. Thirty-five percent (n=21) of acromegaly patients had B-score ≥2, which is indicative of OA. These patient had higher GH levels at the time of diagnosis of acromegaly and required a higher number of therapeutic interventions during the disease management compared with patients with B-score < 2 (n=39). Additionally, patients with B-score ≥2 had significantly larger femoral, tibial and patella bone areas, increased medial JSW and lateral and medial femorotibial cartilage thickness compared with the remaining patients. However, when patients with B-score < 2 (within the B-score reference range) were compared with the non-OA control group, acromegaly patients still demonstrated differences in bone shape, with increased bone area at the lateral patella, medial patella and medial tibia; increased B-score [patients:0.69 (95% CI 0.36-1.02), non-OA controls: 0.018 (95% CI -0.05 - 0.08), p<0.001]; and increased lateral and medial femorotibial cartilage thickness. Comparison between baseline and follow-up scans for the 42 patients who completed the longitudinal arm of the study did not show any change in the bone size area, B-score or JSW. For the assessment of potential cardiovascular risk factors and clot dynamics in patients with acromegaly, a cross-sectional study with 40 patients with acromegaly (21 males, age 53±13yrs) and 40 age/gender-matched controls was conducted. Clot structure was analysed using a validated turbidimetric assay and fibrin networks were visualised by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Metabolic profile parameters, body composition, plasma fibrinogen and PAI-1 were also assessed. Twenty-two patients had active acromegaly and 18 were in remission. There was no difference in qualitative patient characteristics between the two groups. Both groups had less favourable body composition and cardiovascular risk profile compared with controls. Despite no difference in clot formation and lysis parameters between the two patient groups, active disease patients had higher fibrinogen and clot maximum absorbance compared with controls, after adjusting for BMI (3.8±0.2 vs. 2.6±0.2mg/ml, p<0.001; and 0.39±0.02 vs. 0.33±0.01 arbitrary units, p=0.03, respectively). Patients in remission had higher fibrinogen compared with controls following adjustment for BMI (3.3±0.2 vs. 2.6±0.2mg/ml, p=0.02) but not clot maximum absorbance (0.35±0.03 vs. 0.33±0.02 arbitrary units, p=0.6). LSCM showed increased fibrin network density only in active disease patients, consistent with turbidimetric analysis. In addition to active disease, BMI, fat mass and skinfold thickness were associated with higher clot density and longer lysis time. Conclusions: Patients with biochemically controlled acromegaly demonstrate impaired quality of life, which persists despite long-term disease control, is primarily consisted of impaired physical function and secondly of impaired psycho-social well-being. Duration of biochemical disease control and current use of GH lowering therapy were the predominant factors determining patients' QoL. Acromegaly patients despite higher B-score (a biomarker of osteoarthritis) and larger bone area particularly of the patella and medial tibia bones have preserved and/or increased joint space due to increased cartilage thickness, which distinguishes acromegalic arthropathy from osteoarthritis. The higher pre-treatment GH values and the higher number of therapeutic interventions seen in patients with B-score ≥2, indicate that overall exposure of peripheral tissues to excessive GH levels is a risk factor for more pronounced changes to the knee bone shape and potentially more severe arthropathy. Clot structure was analysed using a validated turbidimetric assay and fibrin networks were visualised by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Metabolic profile parameters, body composition, plasma fibrinogen and PAI-1 were also assessed.

Abstract: Although much academic research has been performed in the study of construction process simulation, this research has not seen mainstream application in the construction industry. Many factors play a deterrent role in the adoption of simulation by construction end users, mainly the time, cost and skills required to utilize simulation as a viable tool to analyze construction operations. In addition to construction domain expertise, simulation modeling and development skills are required to build a simulation model. The modeling process is the most difficult and time consuming part of the process of building and utilizing a simulation model. The time, effort and technical expertise required to build and experiment with a simulation model balanced against the uniqueness and relatively short life cycle of a construction project is what leads to the slow adoption of simulation by the construction industry. The objective of this research is to make construction simulation more accessible to construction domain expert end users by reducing the modeling effort required for building construction simulation models. It aims at doing so by developing a methodology which will allow construction end users to rapidly build simulation models using information they are familiar with and use as part of their work. The proposed methodology describes the product, process and environment definitions that describe a construction operation with the purpose of constructing a simulation model to mimic it. It also describes the algorithms and programming required to build a discrete event simulation model compiler that would use the provided product, process and environment definitions to compile a DES model of the described operation, run the model, and produce simulation run results. The methodology will help simulation practitioners develop systems composed of data structures which hold model descriptive information and simulation run result sets, and a DES model compiler program which will compile the model and execute it for the user. Three case studies of actual construction project simulators are examined to establish the commonalities in building construction simulation models. The commonalities found are then used to describe the different components of the methodology. The methodology is prototyped in a proof of concept setting and then applied to rebuild one of the case study simulation models using the prototype system. The methodology is then applied to build an enterprise level production version system using the methodology. The production version is then utilized to redevelop the same case study which was rebuilt using the prototype, and to build a simulation model for a new construction operation.

This dissertation will explore the factors that influence development of Diabetes complications for Medicare and dual eligible beneficiaries, for three Diabetes complications: retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Both predictive and explanatory models are explored. Predictive models focus on finding factors most predictive of Diabetes complications among Medicare and dual eligible beneficiaries. Explanatory models seek to answer the three hypothesis of this study. The first hypothesis states that higher treatment investment is associated with lower rates of Diabetes complications in Medicare and dual eligible beneficiaries. The second hypothesis states that physicians who are specialists (vs. primary care) and urban (vs. rural) are associated with lower rates of Diabetes complications among Medicare and dual eligible beneficiaries. Finally, the third hypothesis associates higher patient total cost sharing with improvement in Diabetes complications outcomes among Medicare and dual eligible beneficiaries. For dual eligible beneficiaries, patient cost sharing is defined as state Medicaid investment per beneficiary for the state where each beneficiary resides in. The results for the predictive models are strongest for nephropathy complication, and weakest for retinopathy complication. The results for the explanatory models show that for the first hypothesis, nephropathy has lower rate of Diabetes complication for higher total treatment investment. For the second hypothesis, rural providers have lower rate of Diabetes complications for nephropathy (non-dual beneficiaries) and neuropathy (for dual beneficiaries). Also, primary care providers have lower rates of Diabetes complication for retinopathy and neuropathy (non-dual beneficiaries) and retinopathy (dual beneficiaries). For neuropathy, specialists have lower rates of Diabetes complications (for non-dual beneficiaries). Finally, for the third hypothesis, no complications are associated with lower Diabetes complication rates with higher patient total cost sharing for non-dual beneficiaries. For dual beneficiaries, retinopathy and nephropathy (to a lesser extent) show evidence of lower Diabetes complication rates with higher State Medicaid investment per beneficiary. Model performance results based on the C-statistic are moderate overall, with nephropathy showing the best performance and retinopathy the lowest performing among all of the Diabetes complications.

The formation of a blood clot is vital for the prevention of blood loss following vessel injury. The haemostatic system allows the closing of damaged blood vessels, retention of blood in a fluid state and removal of clots after the restoration of vascular integrity. Blood clots are formed of a network of fibrin fibres with platelets, red and white blood cells embedded within. Imbalances and alterations in coagulation factors and the multitude elements of the coagulation cascade can impact fibrin clot properties. Fibrin clot susceptibility to lysis has implications in both bleeding and thrombotic disorders. Formation of an intravascular obstructive thrombus can result in end organ damage, and treatment is aimed at reperfusion to regain blood flow to the affected vessels followed by prophylactic therapy to prevent re-occlusion. Conversely, in trauma or surgical associated bleeding, or that resulting from some haematological disorders, limiting fibrin clot lysis to stabilise the clot is a key aim of therapy. Considering the potential future therapeutic benefits of targeting the fibrin network, I hypothesised that fibrinogen-specific Affimer proteins represent a tool to modulate the fibrinolytic process. The aim of this work was to investigate the use of these synthetic proteins in altering fibrin clot structure/lysis, with the long term view that they may constitute new therapeutic agents for the treatment of thrombotic and/or bleeding disorders. The objectives of my work were to i) identify fibrinogen-specific Affimer proteins, ii) investigate the effects of fibrinogen-specific Affimers on fibrinolysis, and iii) characterise the mechanistic pathways for Affimer-mediated modulation of clot lysis. My work describes the isolation of fibrinogen-binding Affimer proteins that modulate fibrin clot lysis. Particular focus was on an anti-fibrinolytic Affimer that reduced plasmin generation in a fibrin-specific manner. Elucidation of this Affimer's mechanism of action and potential therapeutic relevance of this Affimer protein was explored.

Background: Fibrinogen is a large protein dimer that is composed of three polypeptide chains Aα, Bβ and γ and plays a vital role in haemostasis. Fibrinogen is suggested to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The Aα-chain contains two RGD sequences, which provide the interaction sites of fibrinogen with integrins present on cells such as platelets and endothelial cells. New studies suggested that RBCs are not innocent bystanders in thrombus formation suggesting presence of polyhedral shaped RBCs inside the clot. An integrin-type receptor interaction between erythrocytes and fibrinogen was proposed but some controversy is still present regarding the possible receptor on the surface of the RBC involved in this interaction between fibrinogen and RBCs. Hypothesis: Interaction between fibrinogen and RBCs is mediated by the RGD sequence in the coiled-coil of the Aα-chain of fibrinogen through αIIbβ3-like integrin receptor. Mutating this RGD site may inhibit the interaction between fibrinogen and RBCs and subsequently thrombosis. Methods: Six recombinant fibrinogens variants (R95E, R95Q, G96V, D97K, D97N, and F98I) were generated by Site-Directed Mutagenesis. The integrity of the proteins were tested by SDS-PAGE and circular dichroism. Clots formed by variant fibrinogens were evaluated by clotability, turbidity and lysis, and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Interaction between fibrinogen and RBCs were studied by Plate-binding assay, solution-binding assay and flow cytometry. Involvement of the Aα-chain RGD sequence in binding between fibrinogen and platelets was tested by platelet spreading assay. Results: Clot structure studies showed thinner, shorter fibres but no effect on fibrinolysis. Fibrinogen binding assays with both RBCs and platelets showed no effects of the mutations in the Aα-chain RGD sequence on cell binding. Conclusion: Aα-95-98 RGD has no obvious effect on the binding between red blood cells and fibrinogen, or platelets and fibrinogen. Nonetheless, mutations at this site change clot structure and polymerisation profile.

Significant quantities of hydrocarbon are bypassed during conventional waterfloods. This is the direct result of fluid channeling through high permeability zones within the reservoir. Conformance control offers a mean of increasing vertical and areal sweep efficiency, thus decreasing the amount of hydrocarbon bypassed. This, in turn, results in increased hydrocarbon production, decreased water cut, and field life extension. This thesis focuses on the use of polymer microgels as a relatively novel conformance control agent. Polymer-microgel-enhanced waterflooding tackles fluid channeling by “plugging” high permeability channels, or thief zones, and diverting trailing flooding fluid to adjacent poorly swept areas of the reservoir. The first major objective of this thesis was to provide an extensive literature survey on polymer microgel technology, which can serve as the go-to reference on this topic. Colloidal Dispersion Gels (CDGs), Preformed Particle Gels (PPGs), temperature-sensitive polymer microgels (Bright Water), and pH-sensitive polymer microgels are all discussed in detail, and an attempt is made to highlight the potential mechanisms by which they plug thief zones and improve oil recovery. This thesis then outlines the results of simulating numerous polymer microgel floods, ranging from experimental cases to field cases. Specifically, Colloidal Dispersion Gels (CDGs) were chosen for the simulations undergone. All simulations were run using UTGEL, a newly developed in-house simulator designed exclusively for the simulation of polymer, gel, and microgel floods. The simulations performed provide insight on the polymer microgel flooding process, and also served as a means of validating UTGEL’s polymer microgel (CDG) models. The development of the UTGEL simulator was important as it enables the optimization of polymer microgel floods for maximized hydrocarbon recovery efficiency. The results of a simulation study, using a synthetic field case, are also outlined. This sensitivity study provides additional insight on optimal operational conditions for polymer microgel technology. More specifically, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of microgel flooding treatments in layered reservoirs of varying permeability contrasts, vertical-to-horizontal permeability ratios, and under a variety of different injection concentrations.

Fall related injuries are the leading cause of death and hospitalization among the elderly. Falls among older people become a major problem facing hospitals and nursing homes. In this study we put an effort to design a wireless device capable of detecting falls with the hope that this study will provide a path towards better healthcare monitoring and better independent living for the elderly.In this project I showed how the fall detection device can be interfaced with different systems to achieve functionality without adding extra cost. For seniors who prefer to stay at their homes and live independently, the device can communicate with their smart phone to request help if needed. For hospitals and nursing homes,an infrared receiver and infrared signals decoding algorithms were implemented to interface with FastFind software to keep track of the location of the residents who fall or request help. There is also an option of having a live video feed from the specific room where the fall was detected.

This thesis presents the characterization of the 12-bit pipeline analog-to-digital converter (ADC) designed by Mark Hale, Ph.D. graduate from the University of Tennessee. An overview of the pipeline ADC architecture is discussed first, and then the specifics of the testing procedure and results are detailed. The differential nonlinearity (DNL), integral nonlinearity (INL), DC offset error, and gain error for the pipeline ADC are the DC characteristics of interest. The DC characterization was performed in order to analyze the linearity of the ADC output over the analog input range. Additionally, the DNL and INL results were used to determine if the ADC exhibited undesirable effects, such as missed codes. The characterization was performed at room temperature using differential sinusoidal inputs. Labview was utilized to efficiently gather the digital output levels of the ADC, and Matlab was employed to compute the characteristics of the tested ADC. During the testing process several difficulties were encountered. Characterization results were negatively impacted by the presence of noise both at the output of the sample-and-hold and on the supply rails. Through iterative testing, the results improved. However, the effective number of bits for the tested ADC did not attain the desired 12-bits.

The thesis is to design a structure that can facilitate the sense of community and provide a health resource center for the residents of Over-the-Rhine. Color and light will be utilized as vehicles for achieving a design that can serve as a landmark for the neighborhood while enhancing the spatial experiences within and outside the building. While it may seem that light is only one approach to a multi-faceted problem, the primary means of perceptual and sensational gathering of information for the human being is through the eye. Light, being the stimulus of the eye, provides the opportunity to control what is being formulated by the individual, and hence transcend all aspects. Through light and the wavelength divisions known as color, the building can intimate reactions to its inhabitants and influence their daily actions. Light, therefore, is not just one way to approach the design of a community center, but rather, the most inclusive.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) results from thrombotic occlusion of an atherosclerotic coronary artery. Platelets are pivotal in arterial thrombosis and, as a result, preventative therapy has focussed on antiplatelet drugs. Currently, dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a P2Y12 antagonist is the recommended treatment following ACS. Newgeneration P2Y12 inhibitors (ticagrelor and prasugrel) offer potent and consistent antithrombotic effect. Despite this, recurrent events remain common. Mechanisms driving those events are not entirely clear. The protein arm of coagulation also plays an important role in arterial thrombosis, leading to fibrin formation and stabilisation of thrombus. Although the cellular arm of coagulation may be optimally inhibited with contemporary therapy, the protein arm remains largely unaffected. Adverse fibrin clot dynamics have been associated with vascular conditions and with conditions closely related to worse outcome such as diabetes mellitus (DM). It is, therefore, plausible that adverse fibrin-rich clots that resist lysis are responsible for some of the recurrent events. In my PhD, I have studied fibrin clot properties in 4,354 plasma samples, collected at hospital discharge, and 4,032 plasma samples, collected at 1-month, from ACS patients in the PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcome (PLATO) trial. I found that adverse fibrin clots that resisted lysis at hospital discharge independently predicted the combined outcome of cardiovascular (CV) death and spontaneous myocardial infarction with no association with PLATO-defined major bleeding events. Following resolution of inflammation at 1-month, fibrin clot density (determined by maximum turbidity) was attenuated but fibrin clot lysis potential remained relatively stable, showing consistent relationships with high-risk conditions such as DM, peripheral artery disease and chronic kidney disease. Moreover, increased fibrin density and lysis inefficiency strongly correlated with inflammatory and prognostic biomarkers (leukocyte count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, high-sensitivity troponin T, cystatin C, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide and growth differentiation factor-15) giving us mechanistic insights into worse outcomes. With the cellular arm effectively targeted by contemporary dual antiplatelet therapy, fibrin lysis inefficiency constitutes a therapeutic target to mitigate the residual risk post ACS. I have also studied the ability of different anticoagulants to modulate fibrin clot properties as a novel approach to establish treatment effects. Fibrin clot lag time appeared sensitive to very low concentrations of rivaroxaban, apixaban and fondaparinux and high concentrations promoted fibrinolysis. Therefore, fibrin clot lag time seems promising as a novel assay to monitor treatment but ex-vivo studies are needed to confirm these findings. In an attempt to optimise antithrombotic therapy in ACS patients, I have investigated enoxaparin infusion in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary angioplasty as a novel approach to mitigate acute thrombotic risk. Absorption of oral P2Y12 inhibitors is delayed in opiate-treated STEMI patients and this may constitute a risk for acute stent thrombosis. In 20 patients undergoing primary angioplasty, a novel regimen consisting of a bolus of enoxaparin 0.75 mg/kg followed by an infusion of 0.75 mg/kg/6 hours offered sustained anti-Xa levels and improved fibrin clot lysis potential throughout the infusion. No patient suffered a thrombotic complication despite a high prevalence of poor P2Y12 inhibition in opiate-treated patients. This study offers preliminary pilot data to support the hypothesis that this regimen would be sufficient to circumvent the delayed onset of action of oral P2Y12 inhibitors.

An interdisciplinary study concerning the durability of adhesively elastomer/metal bonded joints in marine environments is reported. The generation of OH⁻ ions at the bondline due to an imposed cathodic current from an external source is suspected to be the predominant cause of failure. A surface analysis study was performed early in this research for the purpose of identifying the cause(s) of failure. Characterization of the rubber and the metal failure surfaces with XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) showed similar composition on both sides and to that of the bulk degraded primer component of the adhesive. Saponification of the adhesive and the leaching of chlorine (forming HCI that attacks the oxide) are identified as two possible failure mechanisms. The locus of failure is believed to be very close to the . adhesive/oxide interface. The exposure of bulk adhesive free-standing films to different environments showed that the hydroxyl is detrimental in the environmental durability of these specimens judging by the percentage of net mass uptake. An alternate interfacial failure mechanism is also presented where the neutralization of the adhesion-promoting attachment sites (A.S.) at the interface leads to de-adhesion and whereby OH⁻ ions chemically break-up the -COOH-Fe bond forming a non-operative activated complex at the degraded crack tip. Debond, or loss of adhesion, can exist in two modes. Weakening denotes debond growth which takes place undetected to the naked eye, and is governed by a diffusion-control degradation process that gives a straight line when plotted against the square root of time. Delamination, on the other hand, is a "post weakening" process., Debond rates in this mode are influenced by the applied total strain energy release rate, GT, and by the environment and can be described by an exponential function in GT. The effect of shear stress on debond acceleration was determined to be minimal. While compressive stresses seem to be beneficial in slowing the ingression of the bulk hydroxyl into the bondline, no noticeable improvement was detected when an imposed current was used. The use of zinc phosphate-coated steel substrates is shown to improve bond durability significantly at low voltages. Similar trends are observed when silane (γ-aminopropyltrimethoxy) modified primer were used in bonding. Two approaches are used in order to model debonding: empirical and analytical. Statistical Analysis System (SAS) is used to fit the empirical model which draws heavily on the functional dependencies of debond rates on the accelerating parameters, i.e., temperature, stress, and applied voltage. An Arrhenius relationship is shown to model the effect of temperature very well. Also, voltage effect is correlated with the corresponding current densities which, in turn, were found to obey an exponential relationship with debond rates. SAS fits of the experimental data are shown to model the process accurately and could be utilized for life predictions. Integration of delamination rates in real time is a feasible method to predict durability as well. A generalized analytical model for debonding is also developed, and it draws on the similarities between this application and corrosion fatigue of metals. The model is based on the conservation of mass of the involved species and is composed of a system of partial equations and their associated boundary conditions. Furthermore, temperature and voltage-dependent diffusion coefficients and reaction rate constants were used. The resulting boundary value problem amounts to a diffusion-chemical reaction mechanism into which a mechano-chemical failure mechanism is incorporated. A simplified version of the full scale analytical model is solved numerically and some interesting conclusions concerning the failure criterion are drawn. The model also simulates the weakening and delamination behavior and allows for temperature and voltage treatment as well. Delay times are also predicted as a function of the applied voltage and temperature. A particularly important conclusion is that the "marching boundary" phenomena seems to account for most of the accelerating influence of applied G.

Pavement concrete joints are the weakest locations in concrete pavement systems. They are man-made cracks to accommodate concrete slab expansion and contraction due to temperature fluctuations. Sealant is usually used in pavement joints to prevent roadway debris, deicing chemicals, and moisture from entering the joint. When sealant fails, the pavement deteriorates rapidly; and when joint sealant performs adequately, the pavement preserves its intended performance. In the field, joint sealant undergoes two types of mechanical loading simultaneously. The sealant is experiencing tension or compression as slabs contract (low temperature) or expand (high temperature), respectively. Sealants also experience shear as heavy trucks travel over the joint and deflect the ends of the pavement slabs. In addition, sealants may also be exposed to a variety of environmental conditions, such as moisture, ultraviolet light, and jet fuel, which in some cases could be detrimental to their performance. In this study, the effects of vehicular and environmental loading on joint sealant performance were evaluated. To simulate the sealed joint performance, specimens were constructed by sandwiching a sealant between two 50.8 mm Portland cement concrete (PCC) cubes. Prior to mechanical loading, specimens were subjected to partial immersion in distilled water, partial immersion in jet fuel, and/or exposure to UV-A light. The specimens were then subjected to static horizontal tension, simulating slab contraction, and cyclic deflection-controlled shear, simulating heavy trucks travelling over the joint. The cycle consists of one 0.2 second period of sinusoidal loading (total 6.4 mm deflection) followed by a 0.4 second relaxation. The mechanical loading was applied using a special fixture developed at Virginia Tech, which is connected to a closed-loop servo-hydraulic loading machine. Two types of sealants (preformed neoprene and field-molded silicone with a primer) were tested using PCC mixes with two different aggregate types. In, addition, two different joint widths were evaluated for each sealant type. From the results of the cyclic testing and environmental conditioning, it was shown that the use of a primer greatly enhances the performance of the silicone sealant used with concrete containing limestone aggregate. In addition, severe swelling occurs when silicone sealant is exposed to jet fuel, and the failure of the field-molded silicone initiated at the bottom of the sealant and propagated upward. The preformed neoprene sealants proved very durable despite any combination of environmental conditioning, provided that the sealant remained in compression.

The Hamdanid dynasty, which started as a tribal chiefdom and enjoyed a brief period of circumstantial statehood during the fourth century A.H./tenth century A.D., played a rather ephemeral role in history. Nevertheless, the Hamdanid dynasty is important, for there are many other dynasties like it, which enjoyed a short-lived prominence in the area. The overall social-political structure of the Islamic empire cannot be properly understood without an in-depth investigation of the role of petty dynasties like the Hamdanids. The present work traces the rise and fall of the Hamdanid dynasty and analyzes the most important raisons d'etats which governed its responses to the world around it. It divides itself into three parts: The first part defines the basic social-economic factors which the Hamdanids had to face, and describes the beginnings of the dynasty. The second part deals with the policies of the Hamdanids while they were in the service of the ('c)Abbasid caliphate during the reign of the Caliph al-Muqtadir (295-320/908-932), and describes their attempts to adjust to the political situation which arose after the death of al-Muqtadir and the breakdown of the ('c)Abbasid regime. The third part starts with the moment that the Hamdanids accepted the caliphate's inability to serve their political needs, and deals with the dynasty's attempts to maintain itself against internal and external threats.

This report discusses in great detail the various research, design, and development stages of the Produce Sorting Microcomputer developed for HAGAN ENGINEERING Inc. The two-semester Clinical Research project has been approved by the graduate committee at the School of Engineering at the University of the Pacific and fulfills the requirements towards a Master Degree in Electrical Engineering. The project was selected based on its complexity, feasibility, the time span it required to complete, and its relevance to the area of real time microcomputer design. In addition, the design constraints and specifications were to be dictated solely by HAGAN ENGINEERING Inc. and all further modifications were to be discussed and approved by HAGAN. These limitations created a professional industry-like atmosphere, which is one of the goals of the Clinical Research Program. A brief User's Manual will accompany the MC68000 board; it will contain all the vital information about the system that a programmer or a technician might need to understand the system. The manual wall contain the complete circuit schematic, a parts list, general design features, and all the software properties of the system (memory map, interrupt tables register map).

The ability to do thin film processing has been established at UCF. This paper describes the facilities available. RF and DC sputtering was used for material deposition. The parameters for both were established experimentally, and the results are presented. Resistor and capacitor test patterns were used to test the accuracy of the system. The devices were fabricated and tested; experimental results are discussed.

Erbium (Er3+) ions have been extensively used in the field of integrated photonics due to it's characteristic fluorescence properties which can be used to amplify the optical signal in fibre based optical communication systems. In this study, novel materials were developed by doping Er3+ ions in glass polymer (GP) superlattice coated on a silicon substrate to investigate its application as an infrared (IR) sensor. The conventional IR detectors are classified as thermal detector and photonic detectors. The conventional photonic detector has better sensing capabilities however, they are required to be cooled down to 77 K for sensing IR radiations. Thus the current requirement is to develop uncooled IR detector which can sense minute changes in the temperature. The initial studies show that GP superlattice coated tipless cantilevers are able to sense changes in temperature with a resolution of 2 mK per nm deflection of the cantilever. The second part of the study was to dope Er3+ ions with or without Ytterbium (Yb3+) ions as a co-dopant in fused silica for glucose sensing. The fabrication was done using the pulsed laser deposition method which is a well-established technique for manufacturing nanoengineered thin films. The parameters for fabrication of optical glucose sensor were altered to assess the impact of different parameters such as chamber oxygen pressure, deposition time, Er3+ and Yb3+ ions concentrations on structural and fluorescence characteristics of thin films. The spectroscopic characterisation revealed that the low doping (0.25 mol %) concentration of Er3+ ions in the thin films results in longer fluorescence lifetime of up to 12.4 ms while the doping of Er3+ ion in fused silica has been achieved to 2.4 micron depth. The fabricated thin films were also characterized using techniques such as absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, prism coupling, energy dispersive x-ray mapping using transmission electron microscopy. The thin films with longer fluorescence lifetime were selected for glucose monitoring device development. Poor management of diabetes mellitus can result in various complications such as cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, neuropathy and limb amputations. Diabetes control and complication trial highlighted that, with better glycaemic control resulted in reduced complications due to diabetes. The current techniques available to measure glucose levels are invasive in nature. Presently there is a desperate need for non-invasive sensing technology which is considered as holy grail for glycaemic control. The glucose sensing capabilities of the Er3+ ions doped fused silica was tested using in-vitro glucose measurement in aqueous solutions, blood samples, and intralipids solution. A laboratory bench prototype was developed for a pilot clinical study on people with type 1 diabetes. The change in fluorescence lifetime due to change in glucose concentrations was analysed. The calibrated values were then correlated with the actual glucose reading from finger prick handheld glucose meter and invasive continuous glucose monitor (ICGM). The results were analysed using clarke error grid (CEG) analysis which is a standard statistical analysis tool to assess the accuracy of the device. The next stage of the development includes fabricating a new batch of the photonics chips which has shown the glucose sensing capabilities and thereafter carrying out in-vitro testing as well as carry out the second stage of clinical trials.

Diabetes is characterised by increased activation of platelets and coagulation factors, contributing to the high risk of cardiovascular disease in these individuals. Aspirin is a classic antiplatelet agent used for the protection from atherothrombotic disease. Clinical evidence suggests the efficacy of this agent is reduced in diabetes, by mechanisms that are not entirely clear. I hypothesise that the reduced clinical efficacy of aspirin in diabetes is related to a compromise in the effects of this agent on both the cellular and fluid phase of coagulation, secondary to elevated blood glucose levels. Using a combination of ex vivo/in vivo aspirin experiments in patients with type 1 diabetes and healthy controls, I demonstrate reduced platelet inhibition by low aspirin concentration in diabetes, which appears to be related to both medium term as well as instantaneous hyperglycaemia. This suggests that current treatment strategies of administering aspirin once daily in diabetes are inadequate. Moreover, I show that the fibrinolytic properties of aspirin are reduced in diabetes, which may be related to reduce acetylation of one or more plasma protein other than fibrinogen. Finally, I describe a potential mechanism for aspirin, related to the effect of this agent on platelet-fibrinogen interaction, an effect that is also compromised in patients with diabetes. In conclusion, my data indicate that both medium term and immediate hyperglycaemia modulate the effects of aspirin on the cellular and protein arm of coagulation. Future work is required to understand the best glycaemic indices that optimise response to aspirin in diabetes. Moreover, additional studies are necessary to clarify the role of alternative dosing strategies for aspirin in patients with diabetes.