<div>Automotive manufacturers are striving to go green, while exceeding the expectations of their stakeholders. The Engineering Technology Capstone Project focused on implementing a photovoltaic (PV) system at the Kokomo Transmission Plant (KTP). The installation of a PV system will reduce KTP’s dependency on fossil fuels, while reducing their carbon footprint. The capstone project is to improve KTP’s environmental impact while reducing their electrical consumption cost in kilowatt per hour (kWh). The capstone project investigated the type of roof mounted PV system, maintenance, cost, benefits and environmental impact.</div>

Bacteria can cause many different types of infections. Virulence factors e.g. adherence proteins, biofilm formation, endotoxins and exotoxins allow invasion by bacteria and cause infections such as respiratory, urinary, and intestinal and blood stream infections. If left untreated they can lead to a condition known as sepsis. Sepsis is a whole body inflammatory response that can be fatal. The aim of this study is to develop biomimetic nanosponges from mammalian erythrocyte ghosts, as a potential treatment for toxin related sepsis.

‘Climate change’ and ‘defence’ are becoming closely associated topics, particularly in relation to the potential that the defence sector has to support the development of low carbon technologies. This exploratory research applies an inductive approach and a strongly archival strategy in order to investigate how Organisational Carbon Accounting (OCA) practices in the defence sector can best support low carbon technology innovation. It takes an interdisciplinary approach to the literature, drawing on the fields of Carbon Accounting, Defence Industrial Policy, and Innovation Studies. It finds that there some difficulties allocating emissions to organisations in existing OCAs, which are particularly marked in the defence sector due to close working relationships between organisations. These allocations can result in abstract OCAs that do not always reflect the underlying activities causing emissions to be produced. In contrast, ‘Project Level’ Carbon Accounts focused on large-scale collaborative programmes can better account for the emissions of the defence sector in an understandable way that engages new and relevant actors to defence-energy debates. These accounts are therefore more likely than existing OCA practices to support low carbon technology development across innovation networks. A positive selection environment for low carbon technologies can be promoted if these ‘Project-Level’ Carbon Accounts are presented within an appropriate strategic framework, and this research describes the relevance of the defence sector concepts of ‘resilience’ and ‘endurance’ and the related metric of the Fully Burdened Cost of Energy (FBCE). The findings emphasise the value of sector-level analyses of OCA practices, which are not represented in the literature at present. The sector-level perspective can help identify relevant methods from the wider Carbon Accounting field that can improve existing organisational approaches. More importantly, it can help researchers engage with the fundamental question of what Carbon Accounting is for, by analysing how the OCA practices within a specific sector support or inhibit its most effective contribution to climate change mitigation.

No description available.

In today’s world, antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest global health issues that mankind is facing. This most effective way to ensure a wound does not become infected is through cleanliness and continued disinfection of the wound site. There is a lack of new antimicrobial drugs coming to the market due to economical and clinical reasons, this is evident in Lord O’Neill’s 2016 report and is addressed by Professor Dame Sally Davies in Parliament, (“We have reached a critical point and must act now on a global scale to slow down antimicrobial resistance”2). Prescription drugs have led to this epidemic that was highlighted by O’Neill. The latest report (2016) by O’Neill states, it is critical to improve sanitation and hygiene, refrain from overusing antibiotics in agriculture and the environment as well as introducing rapid diagnostics and vaccines3. This is leading to the need for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) that involves the use of a reactive oxygen species (ROS), photosensitiser, and light to cause microbial death. PACT is a treatment for resistant and non-resistant pathogens that is included in the treatment of multidrug resistant infections. The approach is to use novel antimicrobial drugs topically, avoiding systemic photo-toxicity, thus leading itself towards topical infection control. Herein, we report the development of a range of novel photosensitisers based on the second generation photodynamic therapeutic dyes (PDT) that are based on the tricyclic isoalloxazine structure of riboflavin, vitamin B2. Photosensitisers were synthesised using similar strategies to the isoalloxazine for a number of reasons: e.g. photoactivity and capability of degradation. In order to investigate which photosensitisers gave the highest reactive oxygen yield, functional group changes were made on the N-phenyl ring by substituting a range of electron withdrawing/donating substituents at different positions (ortho, meta, para). The free amide moiety was used to attach the photosensitiser to a solid support that would act as proof of principal of a photosensitiser attached to a bandage. These dyes show a phototherapeutic response via a Type I and II mechanism upon illumination by light of a selected wavelength. The mechanisms produce highly toxic oxygen-species, such as radical production via Type I pathway and singlet oxygen generation by Type II, thus causing terminal damage to microbes in a short time period. The synthesised photosensitisers are illuminated using blue light (440 - 490 nm) and white light in order to monitor and compare the singlet oxygen and radical yields generated as they absorb approximately at 440 nm, thus blue light being ideal for irradiation. The outstanding singlet oxygen result generated by compound 12c of 172% and a radical production by 11c of 227% show promising generators of cytotoxic species, resulting in microbial death. The synthesised photosensitisers have been tested against two opportunistic microbes (Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Escherichia coli (E.coli). They have proven to be problematic from its presence within the healthcare system especially when found on surgical site infections. From the statistics generated for the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK we can see that 52.4 % of S. aureus, and 43.1 % E.coli originates within the hospital environment. Antimicrobial activity was observed for several compounds under different light regimes on and off the solid support. As a result, the best observed MIC value of 0.25 mM/mL was achieved for S. aureus in darkness and in blue light without the polymer support. Additionally, when these compounds were linked to a polymer support (mimicking a bandage), antimicrobial activity was retained when irradiated using blue light at 1.0 mM/mL. These results show potential towards the next generation of antimicrobial disinfection agents. In time, these compounds could be integrated into the healthcare system for use as a new generation of self- cleaning bandages towards post-operative wound disinfection rather than employing front line antimicrobials. This is a moot subject under review in parliament and former UK prime minister has highlighted the concern. In a statement recently released, he states “If we fail to act, we are looking at an almost unthinkable scenario where antibiotics no longer work and we are cast back into the dark ages of medicine" – David Cameron, UK Prime Minister2.

This thesis reports on the factors that hinder the acquisition of the past verb forms in (past simple form, past progressive form, past perfect form) by Saudi learners of English. This study argues that Arabic and English share similar grammatical characteristics in the past verb forms. It also sheds light on the role of these similarities in facilitating the acquisition process of the targeted forms. This is a mixed-method study conducted on thirty-six Saudi EFL learners. The participants were assigned to two groups: group A (received treatment session about the past verb forms in English and highlighted their counterparts in Arabic) and group B (received treatment session about the past verb forms in English only). Three types of tasks were employed: multiple choice, gap-filling, and storytelling, and they were conducted at three periods: pre intervention, post intervention, and delayed test. A randomly-selected group was invited for stimulated recall interviews immediately after the delayed test. The interviews were conducted individually. The study answered two research questions and hypotheses: RQ1: To what extent does linking the similarities in the past verb forms between English and Arabic help Saudi EFL learners to acquire these forms? H1: Drawing the Saudi EFL learners’ attention to the similarities in the past verb forms between Arabic and English facilitates their acquisition. RQ2: Does L1 Arabic influence the choice of past verb forms in English for Saudi EFL learners? (a) What is the impact on explicit and implicit knowledge? (b) What is the impact on receptive and productive knowledge? H2: Saudi EFL learners consciously resort to their first language when they lack the correct past verb form in English. The results show that the intervention that highlighted the similarities in past verb forms between Arabic and English helped the participants to acquire the targeted forms. L1 has influence on the learners’ choice of forms, and they consciously resort to their first language. The results suggest that rising the awareness of Saudi EFL learners about the. The study suggests further research utilising a longitudinal QUAN-QUAL research paradigm.

Housing sectors have particular significance and impact on resource use, deployment and sustainability. Given this, they are inextricably enmeshed in a raft of conjoined issues, ranging from energy, production and consumption, through to effective governance structures and leveraged sustainable transformations. However, the real challenges facing the Housing sectors rest with the supportive societal structures which underpin the operationalisation of these issues. This includes such factors as consultation and engagement, and the identification of critical drivers and proven solutions – which are tangible barriers for sustainable transformations (particularly in the English housing system). This research presents a conceptual model – STRIDES (Strategic Tri-level Relational Interventions for Delivering Energy efficiency and Sustainability), which purposefully addresses the aforementioned barriers, and critically challenges thinking and engagement. STRIDES explicitly captures 5-INs, which embodies interrelated essential conditions needed for successful transformation. This conceptual model was developed using a mixed-method approach, engaging constructivism/interpretivism to guide the development and augmentation of this (to ensure maximum relevance and impact). The English housing system was used as the primary lens – which helped both shape and inform the research methodological approach. STRIDES was developed through: an online survey questionnaire (for systems-knowledge); Delphi questionnaires (for target-knowledge); and focus group discussions (for transformative-knowledge). The theoretical constructs and methods revealed exclusive hidden dialogue of composite correlated multi-perspective stakeholders, which highlighted tri-level influences on interdependent system-components for effective governance of sustainable transformations. Recognising and prioritising relationally responsive emerging strategies arising from STRIDES help stakeholders appreciate subtle nuances and forces across and beyond contexts. This helps positioning, especially to shape/tailor strategic interventions to deliver meaningful objectives of these sustainable transformations.

The Planctomycetes are a deep branching phylum of the domain Bacteria that incorporate a diverse group of organisms possessing a number of unusual and distinct characteristics. These features include budding reproduction, the planctomycetecharacteristic crateriform structures on their cell surface, a cell wall that lacks peptidoglycan, internal compartmentalisation and unique molecular features of their rRNA genes. This study chose to investigate a number of aspects of planctomycete cell biology and diversity to further our knowledge of this unique group. In a study of the diversity of ribonuclease P (RNase P) RNA, one molecule of relevance to cell biology and compartmentalisation in planctomycetes, RNase P RNA genes were sequenced for species from all genera of planctomycetes for which a pure culture exists. Secondary structures for RNase P RNA of these strains were deduced, taking to 26 the number of planctomycete RNase P RNA structures. Nucleotide positions were identified in which some planctomycetes possess a less common form, including one thought to be otherwise conserved within all Bacteria and Archaea. Phylogenetic analysis of RNase P RNA genes was relatively consistent with that of 16S rRNA genes with the exception that clustering of Gemmata and anammox sequences occurred, possibly due to either long-branch attraction or lateral gene transfer. Analysis of RNase P RNA secondary structures revealed unusual features of planctomycetes relative to all other bacteria, including an additional helix within the P13 helix of ‘Candidatus Brocadia anammoxidans’, ‘Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis’ and all Gemmata sequences. The longest P12 helix of any bacteria type A RNase P RNA was found in a Gemmatalike isolate. The short tandem repeats in P12 helices of two Gemmata-like isolates are possibly analogous to short tandem repetitive repeat sequences of some cyanobacteria RNase P RNA. In experiments using Gemmata obscuriglobus as a model for planctomycete cell biology and compartmentalisation functions, electron microscope-level in situ hybridisation (EMISH), and subsequent statistical analysis, was developed to localise 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA and RNase P RNA to particular regions within Gemmata obscuriglobus, the first instance of EMISH being applied in this way to bacteria. Statistical analysis localised 16S rRNA to both nuclear body and to riboplasm outside this region but it was absent from paryphoplasm. While co-localisation of both 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA molecules, which might indicate assembled ribosomes, was rarely observed, 23S rRNA, like 16S rRNA, was distributed in both riboplasm-containing areas of the cell. While statistical analysis revealed minor DNA within riboplasm outside the nuclear body, the majority was localised to that body. These results suggest at least some uncoupling of translation from transcription involving ribosomes in the riboplasm. RNase P RNA was localised both to the nuclear body and to the riboplasm outside this region, suggesting that pre-tRNA processing occurs both within nuclear body, where RNA transcripts are presumably generated, and outside nuclear body, separated from the origin of these transcripts. This is also consistent with the hypothesis that processed tRNA is required in the riboplasm outside the nuclear body, due to occurrence of some uncoupled translation. In research on planctomycetes not yet examined with respect to cell plan or structure, 16S rRNA gene sequencing of isolate ATCC 35122 confirmed its very close relationship to the type strain of Pirellula staleyi and its membership of the phylum Planctomycetes. Morphological characteristics, including polar crateriform structures and the occurrence of a unique internal, single membrane-bounded compartment enclosing nucleoid and ribosome-like particles, the pirellulosome, and a polar cap region, are also consistent with its membership of the planctomycetes and of genus Pirellula. Cells often displayed pointed, hump-like protrusions opposite each other on the cell, constituting prosthecae. Also re-examined using a number of methods were uncultured species Planctomyces bekefii and Pl. guttaeformis. Samples could be enriched for Pl. bekefii via either addition of ferric citrate or ampicillin. An application of a novel approach, laser microdissection and pressure catapulting, was also used physically to enrich P. bekefii rosettes. Fluorescent in situ hybridisation provided the first molecular evidence of Pl. bekefii and Pl. guttaeformis as Planctomycetes. Also confirming Planctomycetes membership of Pl. bekefii was the presence of a cytoplasm divided into two regions by an intracytoplasmic membrane, consistent with membership to the genus Planctomyces. Two new planctomycete-like organisms, MBLW1 and MBLW2, were isolated in this study and possessed a Gemmata-like cell plan. 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed these isolates belonged to the Gemmata clade within phylum Planctomycetes, though they may comprise a separate but closely related genus. Via EMISH, both ATCC 35122 and MBLW1 were hybridised with a planctomycete-specific probe, consistent with membership to the planctomycetes. Statistical analysis showed that 16S rRNA was present in both regions of the riboplasm of MBLW1, identical to the distribution observed G. obscuriglobus. This is another example of possible uncoupled translation within a member of the planctomycetes and within organisms in the Gemmata clade of planctomycetes.

The Planctomycetes are a deep branching phylum of the domain Bacteria that incorporate a diverse group of organisms possessing a number of unusual and distinct characteristics. These features include budding reproduction, the planctomycetecharacteristic crateriform structures on their cell surface, a cell wall that lacks peptidoglycan, internal compartmentalisation and unique molecular features of their rRNA genes. This study chose to investigate a number of aspects of planctomycete cell biology and diversity to further our knowledge of this unique group. In a study of the diversity of ribonuclease P (RNase P) RNA, one molecule of relevance to cell biology and compartmentalisation in planctomycetes, RNase P RNA genes were sequenced for species from all genera of planctomycetes for which a pure culture exists. Secondary structures for RNase P RNA of these strains were deduced, taking to 26 the number of planctomycete RNase P RNA structures. Nucleotide positions were identified in which some planctomycetes possess a less common form, including one thought to be otherwise conserved within all Bacteria and Archaea. Phylogenetic analysis of RNase P RNA genes was relatively consistent with that of 16S rRNA genes with the exception that clustering of Gemmata and anammox sequences occurred, possibly due to either long-branch attraction or lateral gene transfer. Analysis of RNase P RNA secondary structures revealed unusual features of planctomycetes relative to all other bacteria, including an additional helix within the P13 helix of ‘Candidatus Brocadia anammoxidans’, ‘Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis’ and all Gemmata sequences. The longest P12 helix of any bacteria type A RNase P RNA was found in a Gemmatalike isolate. The short tandem repeats in P12 helices of two Gemmata-like isolates are possibly analogous to short tandem repetitive repeat sequences of some cyanobacteria RNase P RNA. In experiments using Gemmata obscuriglobus as a model for planctomycete cell biology and compartmentalisation functions, electron microscope-level in situ hybridisation (EMISH), and subsequent statistical analysis, was developed to localise 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA and RNase P RNA to particular regions within Gemmata obscuriglobus, the first instance of EMISH being applied in this way to bacteria. Statistical analysis localised 16S rRNA to both nuclear body and to riboplasm outside this region but it was absent from paryphoplasm. While co-localisation of both 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA molecules, which might indicate assembled ribosomes, was rarely observed, 23S rRNA, like 16S rRNA, was distributed in both riboplasm-containing areas of the cell. While statistical analysis revealed minor DNA within riboplasm outside the nuclear body, the majority was localised to that body. These results suggest at least some uncoupling of translation from transcription involving ribosomes in the riboplasm. RNase P RNA was localised both to the nuclear body and to the riboplasm outside this region, suggesting that pre-tRNA processing occurs both within nuclear body, where RNA transcripts are presumably generated, and outside nuclear body, separated from the origin of these transcripts. This is also consistent with the hypothesis that processed tRNA is required in the riboplasm outside the nuclear body, due to occurrence of some uncoupled translation. In research on planctomycetes not yet examined with respect to cell plan or structure, 16S rRNA gene sequencing of isolate ATCC 35122 confirmed its very close relationship to the type strain of Pirellula staleyi and its membership of the phylum Planctomycetes. Morphological characteristics, including polar crateriform structures and the occurrence of a unique internal, single membrane-bounded compartment enclosing nucleoid and ribosome-like particles, the pirellulosome, and a polar cap region, are also consistent with its membership of the planctomycetes and of genus Pirellula. Cells often displayed pointed, hump-like protrusions opposite each other on the cell, constituting prosthecae. Also re-examined using a number of methods were uncultured species Planctomyces bekefii and Pl. guttaeformis. Samples could be enriched for Pl. bekefii via either addition of ferric citrate or ampicillin. An application of a novel approach, laser microdissection and pressure catapulting, was also used physically to enrich P. bekefii rosettes. Fluorescent in situ hybridisation provided the first molecular evidence of Pl. bekefii and Pl. guttaeformis as Planctomycetes. Also confirming Planctomycetes membership of Pl. bekefii was the presence of a cytoplasm divided into two regions by an intracytoplasmic membrane, consistent with membership to the genus Planctomyces. Two new planctomycete-like organisms, MBLW1 and MBLW2, were isolated in this study and possessed a Gemmata-like cell plan. 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed these isolates belonged to the Gemmata clade within phylum Planctomycetes, though they may comprise a separate but closely related genus. Via EMISH, both ATCC 35122 and MBLW1 were hybridised with a planctomycete-specific probe, consistent with membership to the planctomycetes. Statistical analysis showed that 16S rRNA was present in both regions of the riboplasm of MBLW1, identical to the distribution observed G. obscuriglobus. This is another example of possible uncoupled translation within a member of the planctomycetes and within organisms in the Gemmata clade of planctomycetes.

No description available.