Na prática hemoterápica em todo mundo, a triagem e o diagnóstico da infecção pelo HCV continua sendo um desafio. Desta forma, considerando as variáveis genéticas do vírus da Hepatite C e as variáveis populacionais de cada região, o conhecimento mais profundo da realidade da epidemiologia molecular do vírus da Hepatite C na população de doadores de sangue em regiões específicas se torna cada vez mais imprescindível. Desta forma, este estudo visou realizar a caracterização sorológica e molecular da infecção pelo Vírus da Hepatite C (HCV) em doadores de sangue do Estado do Amazonas a fim de subsidiar conhecimentos para interpretação dos diferentes perfis laboratoriais e clínicos, além de contribuir para o conhecimento das rotas de transmissão e da epidemiologia da infecção do Amazonas. Foram estudados 154 doadores de sangue do Estado do Amazonas com sorologia repetidamente reativa para anti-HCV. Foram realizados testes sorológicos por ELISA e Imunoblot, testes de detecção de RNA viral plasmático por Nested PCR, determinação da carga viral e genotipagem do vírus por sequenciamento. O estudo foi realizado no período de setembro de 2005 a abril de 2007 quando o índice de descarte por anti-HCV reativo foi de 0,37%. Foi observado que 50% dos casos de Imunoblot indeterminado apresentaram positividade no Nested PCR indicando a presença de RNA plasmático. A carga viral baixa foi um fator limitante para a determinação do genótipo viral pelo método de sequenciamento de algumas amostras. A freqüência de casos presumidos de clearance viral plasmático na amostra estudada foi de 18,8%. O genótipo mais prevalente do HCV nos doadores do Estado do Amazonas foi o genótipo 1 (87,5%) seguido do genótipo 3 (12,5%). Considerando as nuances da história natural da Hepatite C e os diversos momentos clínicos que os doadores possam se encontrar devem ser adotadas mudanças de condutas do acompanhamento dos doadores sororeativos para anti-HCV no banco de sangue do Amazonas e no fluxograma de diagnóstico da infecção. / The screening and diagnostic of HCV infection continue to be a challenge on the hemotherapic practice because the unique characteristics of each population and the molecular variability of the virus. The aim of this study was to characterize the serologic and molecular profile of 154 anti-HCV+ Amazon blood donors from the Amazon Hematology and Hemoterapy Foundation. Screening for anti HCV antibody was performed using ELISA and recombinant Imunoblot assay. Seropositive samples were assessed further with Nested PCR, viral load and genotyping techniques. In the study period, 2005-2007 the anti-HCV discard rate was 0,37%. We observed that 50% of the indeterminate Immunoblot cases showed HCV RNA presence in plasma by Nested PCR. The most prevalent genotype between subjects of this study was genotype 1 (87,5%), followed by genotype 3 (12,5%). The presumed plasma clearance frequency was 18,8%. The low viral load was a determinant critical factor to the genotype determination in some samples. Considering the different stages of the HCV natural infection different conducts may be adopted with inclusion of molecular testes as the first option for confirmation to the follow up of the positive anti-HCV blood donors in the Amazon blood bank and in the algorithm of the infection diagnostic, saving resources and providing a better counseling for the reactive donors.

Beginning in 2015 a major demographic shift in the majority income producers in the United States has moved from Baby Boomers to Millennials. At the same time, many nonprofits are not equipped to engage with Millennials and lack the knowledge and resources to tap into their philanthropic preferences. Using the theories of planned behavior, reciprocal altruism, social status, and warm glow theory, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore opportunities for U.S. based nonprofit organizations to interact more effectively with members of the Millennial generation in terms of philanthropic behavior. Data were collected and analyzed using Q Methodology and included 36 Millennials attending the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Overall the researcher found that Millennials embrace the idea of using gamification to further fundraising. Five factors or profiles of potential donors were extracted from the Q-sort results: (a) the nongaming, knowledge seeker; (b) the high engagement, needs recognition donor; (c) the philanthropist gamer; (d) the gamer, let's play but not compete; and, (e) the transparent gamer. The findings of this study have the potential to create positive social change by providing information to nonprofits who may use it to cultivate, educate, and solicit individual charitable donations from members of Gen Y. The positive social change implications of this study include advice to nonprofit organizations on ways to increase revenue streams through donations from Millennials that could enable nonprofit organizations to better fulfill their mission and serve their constituents

Ce travail de thèse a pour but de comprendre l’impact des propriétés électriques du silicium cristallin sur les performances des cellules solaires Silicium à HétéroJonction (SHJ) et de déterminer des spécifications matériaux nécessaires en termes de durée de vie des porteurs de charge et de résistivité.Dans une première partie de cette thèse, le potentiel du silicium mono-like a été évalué pour la fabrication de cellules solaires SHJ. La forte productivité de cette technique permet de réduire considérablement les coûts de fabrication des plaquettes. Des rendements de conversion de 20% équivalents à ceux des matériaux du marché ont été obtenus ainsi qu’un rendement de 21.6% avec l’utilisation d’un procédé de fabrication de cellules haut rendements. Ces valeurs ont été obtenues pour des durées de vie volumiques moyennes sur les plaquettes supérieures à 1ms. Les principaux limitations de la qualité du matériau mono-like ont été identifiés. D’abord, la présence de zones multicristallines sur certaines plaquettes rend le matériau incomptable avec le procédé SHJ notamment en ce qui concerne les étapes de texturation des surfaces et ensuite l’uniformité en épaisseur des couches déposées. Ce type de défauts fait chuter en premier lieu la Jcc, puis la Vco et le FF et finalement le rendement de conversion. De plus, la présence de contamination et la génération de dislocations aux extrémités du lingot font également chuter la durée de vie volumique et les paramètres photovoltaïques des cellules. Finalement, seulement 30% de la hauteur de lingot a pu être utilisé pour des hauts rendements de conversion.La deuxième partie a été consacrée à l’étude et l’optimisation, avec la technologie SHJ, d’une technique de dopage innovante remplaçant celles utilisant des impuretés dopantes, telle que le phosphore, en générant des donneurs thermiques dans le substrat silicium cristallin. Cette méthode de dopage présente l’avantage d’utiliser l’oxygène naturellement présent dans le silicium en transformant en dopant par des recuits à 450°C. Cette technique est uniquement valable avec une procédé basse température tel que celui utilisé dans ce travail de thèse et permettrait de contrôler les propriétés électriques du silicium sur l’ensemble d’un lingot Cz afin d’augmenter le rendement matière. La compatibilité du silicium cristallin dopé par des DT a été validée pour une gamme de résistivité de 3-10Ω.cm et durées de vie volumique de 3-10ms. La limite d’utilisation des DT pour l’obtention de hauts rendements correspond à une concentration inférieure à 7x1014cm-3 (3Ω.cm, 3ms). La technique de dopage a été transférée avec succès à l’échelle du lingot et a permis d’obtenir de rendement de 20.7% avec un procédé industriel et même de 21.7% avec une métallisation « smart-wire ». Une perte de FF a été observée par rapport aux références, liées à une résistance série élevée dont l’origine n’a pas encore été confirmée mais dont la source la plus probable serait l’inhomogénéité radiale de résistivité générée par le dopage. / This study aims to understand the electrical properties impact of the crystalline Silicon on the HeteroJunction (SHJ) solar cells performances and define the required material specifications in terms of minority carrier lifetime and bulk resistivity.In the first part of this work, the potential of the mono-like silicon was evaluated for SHJ solar cells production The high productivity of the crystallization method allows to significantly reduce the material cost. 20% efficiencies comparable to reference wafers were obtained for industrial process and had reached 21.6% values have been reached with a high efficiency process. Values above 1ms bulk lifetime were mandatory to obtain these results. The main limitations of the material properties were identified. First, the presence of multicrystalline zones on the material is incompatible with the SHJ process especially regarding the texturization step and then layers thickness’ uniformity. This defects drive down, at the first order, the Jsc and then the Voc and FF. Moreover, the metallic contamination and the dislocations generation at the ingots ends induce also a bulk lifetime degradation and PV performances drop. Finally, only 30% of the ingot height was usable to obtain high solar cell efficiencies.In the second part of this work, an innovative doping method, replacing the ones which use doping impurities, such as phosphorus, by generating thermal donors (TD) was studied. The advantages of this doping method are to use the oxygen naturally content in the silicon to generate the doping after 450°C annealing. This method is only possible if low temperature solar cell process is performed such the one used in this work. It could control the electrical properties of the crystalline silicon throughout a complete Cz ingot and increase the material yield. For a resistivity range of 3-10Ω.cm and bulk lifetime between 3 and 10ms, the TD doped material is compatible with SHJ technology. The maximum TD concentration for a SHJ application was estimated to 7x1014cm-3.The doping method was successfully transferred to the ingot scale and allowed reaching 20.7% efficiency with an industrial process and 21.7% with the “smart-wire” improved metallization. A FF loss was observed compared to the references, related to high series resistances. The origin has not been confirmed yet, but the most likely source would be the radial resistivity inhomogeneity generated by doping on silicon bulk.

This study examines the issue of compatibility of demo-conditionality with state sovereignty in international law.  From a practical perspective, it examines the state of the science with respect to the enforcement of demo-conditionality, in the context of the unique relationship between the European Union and the African,  Caribbean and Pacific countries. The practicality of any argument declaring certain norms to be compatible with state sovereignty rests on an assumption that it is possible to distinguish which norms are compatible from those which are not. The validity of such an assumption depends on whether a universal workable test with which to draw this distinction, and its accompanying requirements, has been or can be developed. Therefore, the starting point of this study is to investigate whether such a universal test exists, and if so, what its requirements are. The author reaches a legally appropriate conclusion as to which norms are compatible with the principle of state sovereignty and which not in the international legal system. Thereafter, an investigation is undertaken with regard to the legal premises invoked to justify the compatibility of the demo-conditionality with state sovereignty. To this end, two levels of analysis (also referred to here as two paths) are followed. The first level of investigation concerns the proposition for demo-conditionality’s being premised upon adherence to new treaty obligations governing the parties’ observance of democratic norms. In this context, the examination focuses on Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966 as the relevant provision. Other single-issue human rights instruments are also examined to establish whether they compliment Article 25. The second level of investigation explores the possibility for demo-conditionality's compatibility being premised upon obligations of State parties, which arise from the various development co-operation instruments adopted over the years. Here, emphasis is placed upon the question of whether or not these instruments advocate the inclusion of demo-conditionality in development co-operation between donors and recipients of aid. This study ultimately reaches a legally appropriate conclusion, at both levels of analysis, concerning demo-conditionality's compatibility with the principle of state sovereignty. At this juncture, a recommendation is made as to which of the two paths is the legally safer one for the pursuit of the demo-conditionality in development co-operation. On the question of what constitutes a more successful international approach to the establishment of democratic governments in the South, this study has undertaken a comparative analysis, making suggestions with respect to two models: the "Enforcement Model", based upon coercive enforcement measures, and the "Managerial Model", based upon an approach of co-operative dialogue. Finally, the study examines the state of the science with respect to enforcement of demo-conditionality, with a focus on the special relationships between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. This is designed to provide a degree of insight into the practical aspects associated with the enforcement of demo-conditionality.

This thesis focuses on the Blood Drive which takes place during the spring Greek Week event at Western Kentucky University. I primarily investigate the varying methods of negotiating issues of altruism and egoism in terms of the Blood Drive as well as way that the Blood Drive fits into the WKU Greek yearly cycle. I focus on issues of the process of identity in social Greek-letter organizations and how the process of this identity is renegotiated during the Blood Drive and other Greek events. I interviewed people from several groups for this paper. Initially, I interviewed Blood Donor Recruitment Representatives from the American Red Cross, WKU students associated with the social Greek-letter system and the Blood Drive of Greek Week, and employees of WKU associated with the social Greek-letter system and the Blood Drive of Greek Week. At the event itself I widened my scope to include information provided by Mobile Unit Assistants (MUAs) and other employees of the American Red Cross. Key conclusions of this paper include that while people may all participate or be involved in the same event, their methods of understanding concepts of altruism and egoism vary with their kinds of association. In turn, their conceptualizations mirror those developed by social scientists in the last two hundred years. Also, the issues of separation and integration, processes to do with identity, are central to the events of the Greek calendar year and the Blood Drive event in particular.

I present a new approach to stable n-type doping of organic matrices using organic dopants. In order to circumvent stability limitations of strong organic donors, I produce the donor from a stable precursor compound in situ. As an example, the cationic dye pyronin B chloride is studied as a dopant in an 1,4,5,8-naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTCDA) matrix. A field effect and conductivity study of a series of doped NTCDA samples is carried out. It proves the increase of the electron density with the doping concentration. Conductivities up to 1.9*10^-4 S/cm are obtained for doped NTCDA, which is two orders of magnitude higher than the conductivity of NTCDA doped with (bis(ethylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT- TTF) as investigated previously [A. Nollau, M. Pfeiffer, T. Fritz, K. Leo, J. Appl. Phys. 87, 4340 (2000)], and four orders of magnitude higher than nominally undoped NTCDA films. The experimental trends in the field effect study are interpreted in terms of transport in disordered solids. Detailed mass spectroscopic investigation are carried out to investigate the sublimation behaviour of the organic salt pyronin B chloride. We conclude that mainly HCl and the leuco base of pyronin B is present in the gas phase. Optical absorption spectroscopy shows that the leuco base is transformed to the pyronin B cation in air. A similar reaction is observed for mixed thin films of pyronin B and tetracyano quinodimethane. This supports the image of the doping process being due to an electron transfer from the pyronin to the matrix molecules. The formation of the leuco base and subsequent oxidation to the pyronin B cation is supported by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectroscopy. Doping experiments with other matrices reveal that the doping effect is universal for all materials of moderate acceptor strength. Matrices such as perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dimethyl diimide (Me-PTCDI) and fullerene C60 can be successfully doped. These compounds are frequently employed electron transport materials in organic solar cells. Therefore, such devices can be improved by this new doping approach. / In dieser Arbeit wird ein neuer Ansatz zur n-Dotierung organischer Dünnschichten mit organischen Dotanden vorgestellt. Die bisher zur n-Dotierung benötigten starken Donormoleküle zeigen eine hohe Reaktivität. Dies erschwert die Synthese und weiterhin die Verwendung solcher Verbindungen als Dotanden. Zur Vermeidung dieser Stabilitätsprobleme wird in dieser Arbeit der reaktive Dotand in situ aus einer stabilen Vorläüuferverbindung erzeugt. Beispielhaft wird der kationische Farbstoff Pyronin B Chlorid als Dotand in einer 1,4,5,8-Naphthalen Tetracarbonsäure Dianhydrid (NTCDA)-Matrix untersucht. Feldeffekt- und Leitfähigkeitsuntersuchungen an einer Serie von dotierten Dünnschichten werden durchgeführt. Eine Erhöhung der Elektronendichte mit der Dotierkonzentration wird gefunden. Dies führt zu Leitfähigkeiten von bis zu 1.9*10^-4 S/cm, d.h. vier Größenordnungen höher als undotiertes NTCDA und zwei Größenordnungen höher als das früher untersuchte NTCDA, dotiert mit Bis(Ethylendithio)-Tetrathiafulvalen (BEDT- TTF) [A. Nollau, M. Pfeiffer, T. Fritz, K. Leo, J. Appl. Phys. 87, 4340 (2000)]. Die Abhängigkeiten der elektrischen Kenngrößen Leitfähigkeit, Beweglichkeit und Ladungsträgerdichte werden anhand eine Modells erklärt, das den Transport in ungeordneten Systemen beschreibt. Massenspektrometrische Untersuchungen werden zur Untersuchung des Verdampfungsverhaltens des organischen Salzes Pyronin B Chlorid eingesetzt. Es wird gefunden, daß Pyronin B Chlorid durch Bildung von HCl und der Leukobase des Pyronins in die Gassphase übergeht. In der optische Absorptionsspektroskopie ist die Transformation der Leukobase unter Lufteinfluß in das Pyronin B-Kation zu beobachten. Das gleiche Verhalten wird für Mischschichten aus Pyronin B und Tetracyano Chinodimethan gefunden. Dies bestätigt die Vorstellung des Dotierprozesses als Elektronentransfer vom Pyronin B zum Matrixmolekül. Die Bildung der Leukobase und die anschlie\ss ende Oxidierung zum Pyronin B-Kation ist auch in der Infrarotspektroskopie sichtbar. Der Dotiereffekt ist nicht auf NTCDA beschränkt, sondern wird auch für andere Matrizen mit genügend hoher Elektronenaffinität gefunden. Matrixmaterialien wie z.B. Perylen-3,4,9,10-Tetracarbonsäure Dimethyldiimid (Me-PTCDI) und Fulleren C60 werden erfolgreich dotiert. Sie werden üblicherweise in organischen Solarzellen eingesetzt. Durch den hier demonstrierten Ansatz können folglich solche Bauelemente verbessert werden.

On the eve of World War II, the American Red Cross (ARC) excluded African-American blood donors. The instructions from the Army and the Navy implied that the armed forces did not want the allegedly "inferior" blood of Blacks in the veins of "superior" White soldiers. The ARC's exclusionary policy, as mandated by defense officials in the War Department, continued the tradition of relegating African-Americans to second-class citizenship.Black newspaper editors and individual protest leaders on the national and local levels pressured the armed forces to change its blood donor policy. On January 29, 1942, the ARC started to accept blood donations from Blacks but followed a national policy of segregation. The ARC labeled and stored African-American blood donations apart from those of Whites and maintained Jim Crow blood banks throughout the war even though medical experts found no factual basis to differentiate blood by race.This paper examines how Black newspapers and individuals such as Asa Philip Randolph, Walter Francis White, William Henry Hastie, Mabel Keaton Staupers, and the Black community of Indianapolis responded to the ARC's initial policy of exclusion and then segregating AfricanAmerican blood donations. The paper attempts to modify the popular interpretation that the war constituted a watershed for African-Americans. My research indicates that while many Black leaders and protest organizations on the national and local levels challenged the ARC's blood donor policies, African-Americans did not win a fundamental change in military policy. Thus, while the fight against blood donor discrimination was a manifestation of the wartime "Double V" campaign it also represented its limitations.The paper draws on secondary sources, African-American newspapers, and the manuscript collections of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses, Claude A. Barnett, William Henry Hastie, Asa Philip Randolph, and the Indianapolis Area Chapter of the ARC as well as the papers of African-American physicians in Indianapolis, Walter H. Maddux and Harvey N. Middleton of the Flanner House and the Morgan Health Center. / Department of History

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Zugl.: Bern, Univ., Diss., 2007

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996.