Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Obesity is a complex metabolic disease of excessive fat accumulation. It is a worldwide epidemic affecting billions of people and its pharmacological management is hampered by drug toxicity and undesirable side effects. Therefore, a need still exists for the development of safe medication for treatment of obesity. Nanotechnology involves the use of small particles at atomic and molecular scale. It has application in medical diagnostics, drug delivery and molecular imaging. Various nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with different biomolecules have been successfully used in many therapeutic and research applications due to their versatility, ease of chemical synthesis, low toxicity and unique properties. Examples of NPs used in this study are Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and Quantum dots (QDs). GNPs and QDs are extensively used as drug delivery, labelling and imaging tools in biomedical research. Nanotechnology offers a new potential useful avenue for solving the problem of toxicity of anti-obesity drugs. This could be achieved through targeted drug delivery. In this study, rats were fed a high fed diet (HFD) to induce obesity. The streptavidin conjugated GNPs and QDs were functionalized with biotinylated adipose-homingpeptide (AHP) and/or anti-obesity drug (Gallic acid). Functionalization was characterized using agarose gel electrophoresis, UV-vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The binding-specificity and targeting ability of AHP was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The apoptotic effect of AHP functionalized-drug loaded GNPs (AHP-GA-GNPs) was tested in vitro using APOPercentage TM and Caspase-3 activation assays. The in vitro data indicated that the binding was specific to prohibitin (PHB) expressing cells (MCF-7 and Caco-2), and that the binding was temperature dependent. PHB was confirmed as a target for AHP after overlaying AHP-FITC and anti-prohibitin antibody staining. Cellular uptake was detected on the cells treated with AHP-functionalized NPs as compared to unfunctionalized NPs. The GA and AHP-GA-GNPs reduced cellular viability and induced apoptosis through activation of Caspase-3. The Ex-vivo studies using primary endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from the WAT of lean and obese Wistar rats showed that the binding of AHP was receptor mediated, and specific to receptors differentially expressed in ECs from obese WAT. The in vivo studies showed that, treatment of obese rats with AHP-functionalized NPs resulted in targeted delivery of the NPs to the WAT as compared to those treated with unfunctionalized NPs. Qualitative analysis using fluorescence microscopy and IVIS Luminar XR, live-imaging system showed that the unfunctionalized NPs accumulated mostly in the organs of the reticuloendothelial system, namely: liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys. In contrast, AHP-functionalized NPs accumulated mostly in the WATs as compared to the rest of the organs of the obese rats. Uptake and binding of the NPs to the tissues was quantitatively confirmed by the inductive coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). In conclusion, this study reports the 1) successful functionalization of GNPs and QDs with AHP, 2) use of AHP-functionalized GNPs and QDs as delivery and imaging agents to the WAT, and 3) potential use of AHP-functionalized drug-loaded GNPs in the treatment of obesity.

In principle discipleship is the continuation of the mission of Jesus through the imitation (hupodeigma) of Jesus' way of life. This implies that his disciples will live according to the will of God, for Jesus was the personification of the will of God. The disciples of Jesus are therefore the locus of the manifestation of God -- their way of life must indicate the presence of Jesus (and God) in the world in a different mode. Discipleship indicates a personal relationship between Jesus and his disciples which is modelled/based on the Father-Son relationship which is elucidated by the agency model. A Descent-Ascent Schema forms the setting for this concept, with the Johannine dualism as the determining factor for this schema. Thus the 'agency' motif constitutes the structure for discipleship in the Fourth Gospel with a revelatory-salvivic assignment. The revelatory aspect concerns the disciples' relationship towards God and the salvivic aspect their directedness towards the world. The disciples have to live a holy life through which God will be revealed and which will enable them to accomplish their mission in the world so that the world may become saved. This study concentrates on the theological perspective of discipleship with some reference to the characteristics of discipleship. / Thesis (DD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / New Testament Studies / unrestricted

Energy is the first-limiting nutrient for cows grazing pasture therefore, energy supplementation is necessary for high producing animals. In pasture-based systems, the concentrate is fed twice a day in the dairy parlour during the milking procedure. Consumption of large amounts of fermentable carbohydrates results in a drop in rumen pH and this may induce rumen acidosis. This may lead to reduced intake, lower fibre digestion and depressed milk yield. Supplemental yeast offer great possibilities in stabilising the rumen fermentation patterns and, therefore, improving dry matter intakes (DMI). This may increase milk production, milk composition parameters, rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations (VFA) which leads to higher profits. Investigating these responses, a trial was conducted, where live yeast (Levucell SC 10 ME-Titan) was supplemented to Jersey cows grazing ryegrass/kikuyu pastures, supplemented with 6 kg (as is) dairy concentrate per day split over two milking periods. Thirty multiparous high-producing Jersey cows between 30 and 120 days in milk (DIM) were selected, blocked and randomly allocated to control (no yeast) or live yeast treatment groups. Ten fistulated lactating cows were added in a cross-over design (two periods and two treatments) and all 40 cows strip grazed Italian ryegrass (Lollium multiflorum) and kikuyu pastures as one group. A new pasture strip was allocated after each milking and pasture was measured using a rising plate meter (RPM). The yeast product Levucell SC 10 ME – Titan containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 was supplied by Lallemand S.A.S (19 rue des Briquetiers, 31702 Blagnac cedex, France). The Levucell SC 10 ME – Titan is a micro-encapsulated formulation for premix and pelleted feeds. The yeast treatment group had the yeast pelleted in with the dairy concentrate at a concentration of 167 g of yeast per ton of concentrate, to obtain the required intake of 1 g yeast per cow per day as specified by Lallemand. Milk yields were recorded daily and composite milk samples were taken every two weeks to determine, milk fat, protein, lactose, milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and somatic cell count (SCC) contents. The fistulated cows were adapted to their respective diets and treatments for 21 days after which the pH measurment, rumen fluid sampling, and In sacco study were conducted. Milk yield, 4% fat corrected milk (FCM) yield, milk protein and lactose percentages, SCC, body condition score (BCS), and live weight did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. The milk fat% however, was higher for the yeast supplemented cows at 4.24% compared to the control group of cows of 3.99% (P < 0.05). The mean acetic and total VFA concentration (mmol/L) for the control treatment was higher compared to the yeast treatment (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the fermentation patterns of VFA, the pH and NH3-N values measured between treatments (P > 0.05). The mean In sacco neutral detergent fibre (NDF), organic matter (OM) and DM disappearance was higher for the yeast treatment group of cows after a 12 and 24 hour incubation compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The mean ruminal NDF disappearance of ryegrass in cows supplemented with yeast increased by 11.9% and 6.3% compared to the control at the 12 and 24 hour incubation periods, respectively. With higher fibre digestibilities in the rumen and more acetate available at the mammary gland and subsequently higher milk fat percentages, the yeast effects on stimulating the cellulolytic bacteria in the rumen, may be a possible explanation for the results in the current study and it is well documented in previous studies. Live yeast supplementation resulted in higher milk fat percentages which improved milk price. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

Cette thèse s’inscrit dans une réflexion géographique sur la façon dont les rapports des migrants à l’espace s’accommodent des formes contemporaines de la migration. Le choix des migrants sénégalais et des Gambiens apporte un éclairage sur la manière dont ces individus-acteurs venus de pays pauvres et émigrant vers la métropole européenne de Barcelone, engagent un processus de territorialisation et de construction identitaire. Ce questionnement met aussi en lumière les écarts économiques, spatiaux et culturels qui accompagnent l’expérience migratoire. L’analyse croisée et multi-scalaire de données statistiques et de données qualitatives issues d’entretiens de types biographiques a permis de décrypter le processus de construction de l’habiter en situation migratoire, conçu comme un « système de liens et de lieux » complexe. Cet habiter relève, d’une part, d’une inscription plurielle et différenciée des Sénégalais et des Gambiens dans l’espace à travers leurs pratiques résidentielles, les échanges dans les lieux de vie (travail et sociabilités) et la fabrique de lieux au quotidien, et, d’autre part, de différentes formes d’ancrages et d’identification sous-tendues par une tension permanente entre l’ici et l’ailleurs. L’habiter en situation migratoire se lit également comme un processus temporel, dynamique et fluctuant, se recomposant au fil de la trajectoire de vie des migrants, se réajustant sans cesse en fonction des expériences socio-spatiales et des contextes locaux. Le « savoir habiter » des migrants confirme ainsi une négociation constante entre un ensemble de contraintes et de possibilités, entre logiques individuelles et collectives, faisant émerger différentes formes de territorialisation et figures de spatialité de l’habiter. / This thesis contributes to a geographical reflection on the way in which the relationships of migrants to space are shaped contemporary forms of migration. The choice of the Senegalese and Gambian migrants sheds light on the way by which these individual-actors coming from poor countries and emigrating towards the European metropolis of Barcelona engage in a process of territorialisation and identity construction. This case study also highlights the economic, spatial and cultural gaps which accompany the migratory experience. The combined and multi-scalar analysis of statistical data and qualitative data resulting from biographical interviews enables to decipher the construction process of dwelling in migratory situations, conceived as a complex “system of bonds and places”. Dwelling, is produced on the one hand, by a plural and differentiated inscription of the Senegalese and Gambians in space through their residential practices, the exchanges in their places of living, and the daily construction of places, and, on the other hand, various forms of anchoring and identification underpinned by a permanent tension between the "here" and the "elsewhere". Dwelling in migratory situation is also analyzed as a temporal process, dynamic and fluctuating, recomposing itself along the life trajectory of the migrants, readjusting unceasingly according to the socio-space experiences and the local contexts. The “dwelling capacity” of migrants thus confirms a constant negotiation between a whole of constraints and possibilities, between individual and collective logics, producing various forms of territorialisation and spatial figures of spatiality.

Asian women make up the fastest growing category of the world's population of migrant workers. The thesis examines labor and immigration policies of Canada as a host country for Filipino women migrant workers. It also determines how Canada's working environment for Filipino women migrant workers is mapped out. The thesis is anchored on three major concerns. The first is an analysis of the Philippines as a leading labor exporting country. The thesis expounds on the state mechanisms promoting labor exportation and the corresponding problems that ensue. It is argued that a majority of the problems of labor migration from the Philippines can be attributed to the inadequate policies and laws of the government in the 1970s when labor export first flourished. The second area of concern is a situation analysis of the Filipina migrant workers who come to Canada to work as live-in caregivers. This discussion is focused on Canada's general framework of immigration laws, foreign worker policies and the pertinent provincial labor laws of British Columbia. It analyzes how these pieces of legislation have been shaped by Canada's national policies. The thesis argues that Canada's regulations restricting the rights of foreign domestic workers and the marginalization of their social mobility and status reflect the unequal relationship between the host and the sending countries. The third and most important concern is a policy analysis of the Live-In Caregiver Program vis-a-vis migrants' rights and labor issues. The thesis argues that Canada, through the continuation of the Live-In Caregiver Program, provides Filipino domestic workers inequitable working conditions. It is argued that since Canada is an international forerunner in championing human rights, it becomes anachronistic that a cluster of the country's immigration policies continue to advocate indentured form of labor. Canada is in a unique position, both as a traditional immigrants' country and as an international player, to blaze the trail for international recognition of migrant workers' rights. Canada must eliminate the double standards in the Live-In Caregiver Program vis-a-vis the general immigration policies. Therefore, it is argued that in order to maintain the high marks it has been receiving at the international level, Canada must eliminate two requirements of the Live-In Caregiver Program: First, the two-year live-in requirement and second, the temporary migrant status of live-in caregivers upon initial entry to Canada. Live-in work must be optional and not subject to the granting of permanent residence status. To preserve it international reputation, Canada must also make reforms on the international level by ratifying and implementing international conventions. / Law, Peter A. Allard School of / Graduate

In the beginning of 2016 the politicians in the city of Stockholm made a decision to renovate the city's civic hall. The building accommodated, among a variety of businesses, a public arts school and a library. The building also accommodated Debaser, which was a one of Stockholm's most popular live music scenes that had hosted a lot of different bands and artist over the years. Due to the decision of renovating the civic hall Debaser had to shut down its business, and as a result of that a debate took off in newspapers and on social media. The debate brought up topics about the importance of Stockholm's live music scene and the process of decision-making in cultural politics. This study aims to describe how the decision was made by the politicians regarding the renovation of the civic hall and how the following debate discusses the topic of live music scenes. I have listed the arguments found in the debate and in the political documents regarding the decision-making process and analyzed them with Dorte Skot-Hansens three cultural rationales and Per Mangsets ten dilemmas of conflicts. Furthermore my result shows, not surprisingly, that the decision was based mainly upon the fact that the civic hall is owned by the municipality of Stockholm and the politicians wanted to promote the municipal enterprises by renovating the building. The discussion about the importance of the live music scene was held in the debate but it was not discussed as thoroughly as it may have seemed.

This thesis examines if and how the Internet viewers of Saturday Night Live skits were influenced by the video skits. the viewers’ online comments were read, categorized and analyzed for content to explore and discuss how the viewers “read” the text of the online video skits. Each video in which candidates John McCain, Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama appeared is summarized and analyzed through viewers’ comments. a sample of skits including actors’ portrayals of McCain, Palin, Clinton, Obama and Joe Biden is also summarized and analyzed to find and discuss how the viewers’ perceptions were influenced by the portrayals.

Live cell imaging is a unique tool for cellular research with a wide variety of applications. By streaming digital microscopic images an investigator can observe the dynamic morphology of a cell, track cell movement on a surface, and measure quantities or localization patterns of fluorescently labeled proteins or molecules. Digital image sequences contain a vast amount of information in the form of visually detectable morphological changes in the cell. We designed computer programs that allow the manual identification of visible events in live cell digital image sequences [Davis et al. 2007]. Once identified, the data are analyzed using algorithms to calculate the yield of individual events per cell over the time course of image acquisition. The sequence of event data is also constructed into directed acyclic graphs and through the use of a subgraph isomorphism algorithm we are able to detect specified patterns of events originating from a single cell. Two projects in the field of cancer research are here discussed that describe and validate the application of the event analysis programs. In the first project, mitotic catastrophe (MC) research [Ianzini and Mackey, 1997; Ianzini and Mackey, 1998; reviewed by Ianzini and Mackey, 2007] is enhanced with the addition of live cell imaging to traditional laboratory experiments. The event analysis program is used to describe the yield of normal or abnormal divisions, fusions, and cell death, and to detect patterns of reductive division and depolyploidization in cells undergoing radiation-induced MC. Additionally, the biochemical and molecular data used in conjunction with live cell imaging data are presented to illustrate the usefulness of combining biology and engineering techniques to elucidate pathways involved in cell survival under different detrimental cell conditions. The results show that the timing of depolyploidization in MC cells correlates with increased multipolar divisions, up-regulation of meiosis-specific genes, and the production of mononucleated cell progeny. It was confirmed that mononucleated cells are produced from multipolar divisions and these cells are capable of resuming normal divisions [Ianzini et al., 2009]. The implications for the induction of meiosis as a mechanism of survival after radiation treatment are discussed. In the second project, the effects of long-term fluorescence excitation light exposure are examined through measurements of cell division and cell death. In the field of live cell imaging, probably the most modern and most widely utilized technique is fluorescence detection for intracellular organelles, proteins, and molecules. While the technologies required to label and detect fluorescent molecules in a cell are well developed, they are not idealized for long term measurements as both the probes and excitation light are toxic to the cells [Wang and Nixon, 1978; Bradley and Sharkey, 1977]. From the event analysis data it was determined that fluorescence excitation light is toxic to multiple cell lines observed as the reduction of normal cell division, induction of cell death, and apparent morphological aberrations.

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