In this thesis we study the topology and geometry of the coamoeba of an algebraic variety V. The strategy that we use is to relate the coamoebas corresponding to the initial varieties of V to the coamoeba of V. We also define an analogue of the Ronkin function for the coamoeba and give an explicit formula for it.

The sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) is a countertransporter of Na+ and Ca2+ across most cell membranes. It has been identified as an essential component of Ca2+ homeostasis in physiological and disease conditions in both cardiovascular and neurological settings. The exchanger not only transports Na+ and Ca2+, but is also regulated by these ions. Although ionic regulatory profiles differ between NCX isoforms, similar regulatory domains have been identified. Previous structure-function studies have determined key residues within these domains, particularly in the eXchanger Inhibitory Peptide region (XIP) and the Ca2+ binding domains (CBD1/2), which have a direct impact on ionic regulation of the outward exchange currents. Recent structural studies of the Ca2+ binding domains of NCX1 suggest a mechanism by which Ca2+ binding would not only be essential for activation of current but may also influence Na+-dependent inactivation. The alternative splice region is located within the Ca2+ binding domain and may play a role in mediating these regulatory phenotypes. Previous studies have demonstrated that specific combinations of the mutually-exclusive and cassette exons are associated with profound effects on ionic regulation in NCX1. This study focuses on examining the mechanisms by which the alternative splice region, in combination with specific regulatory domains, modulates exchange activity in two isoforms, NCX1 and NCX2. Chimaeric and mutant constructs in the alternative splice region were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and outward Na+-Ca2+ exchange activity was assessed using the giant, excised patch clamp technique. Substitution of the region corresponding to the mutually exclusive exon in either exchanger greatly reduced the extent of Na+-dependent inactivation, independently of intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. However, replacement of both the region corresponding to the mutually exclusive exon A and the XIP region reestablishes a wild-type profile in NCX2. The first mutually exclusive exon is therefore critical in determining Na+ and Ca2+-dependent regulatory properties. Furthermore, non-conserved residues within the XIP region may be essential in maintaining the structural stability of the Na+-dependent inactive state of NCX1, and by interacting with the mutually exclusive exon, may contribute to the structure-function relationship and the distinct regulatory phenotype of each Na+-Ca2+ exchanger variant and isoform.

In this work we will study Hardy-Littlewood maximal function and maximal operator, basing on both classical and most up to date works. In the first chapter we will give definitions for different types of those objects and consider some of their most important properties. The second chapter is entirely devoted to an overview of the fundamental properties of Hardy-Littlewood maximal function, which are strong (p, p) and weak (1, 1) inequalities. Here we list the most actual results on this inequalities in correspondence to the way the maximal func-tion is defined. The third chapter presents the theorem on asymptotic behavior of the lower bound of the constant in the weak-type (1, 1) inequality for the maximal function associated with cubes of Rd, then the dimension d tends to infinity. In the last chapter a method forcomputing constant c, appearing in the main theorem of chapter 3, is given. / <p>QC 20140527</p>

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The concept of a computable function is quite a well-studied one, however, it is possible to capture certain important properties of computability categorically. A special type of category used for this purpose is called a Turing category. This thesis starts with a brief overview of Turing categories, followed by a study of additional categorical structure they may contain, based on the types of structure found in the world of computable functions, and how this is reflected in the underlying combinatorial structures.

Some fish populations are able to adapt and thrive in contaminated habitats. Survival of populations depends on the ability of the organism to elicit resistance, either due to genetic adaptation or physiological acclimations. Brown Bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus) are able to survive in very contaminated areas and their benthic and philopatric characteristics make them a model organism to study chronic exposure. This research assesses the immune function of brown bullhead collected at four pre-determined sites along the Detroit River, which are characterized by high or low concentrations of environmental toxicants. Clean and contaminated sediment used for contaminant exposure was collected by ponar at designated sites of the river. The bullheads were vaccinated with heat-killed V. anguillarum in order to induce an immune response, before the vaccinated bullheads were randomly divided into corresponding contaminant exposure tanks. Respiratory burst assays to assess innate oxygen radical production 24hrs post vaccination and sediment exposure identified an inhibition of neutrophil oxidative activity in adult 6 month cleared of contaminant bullheads collected from a clean (Peche Island) site exposed to contaminated sediment, and of F1 raised populations from a contaminated (Trenton Channel) site. Results also showed overall inhibition on contaminated sediment in both PI and TC recently captured fish. Enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) to assess antibody production revealed no difference between those fish exposed to either sediment. Results did show a lower expression of total antibody in chronically contaminant exposed bullheads (acute adults). Real time PCR to assess immune gene expression was conducted using cloned Major Histocompatibility Class II Beta (MHIIB), Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and Interleukin-1 Beta (IL-1B) 24hr post vaccination and sediment exposure. No contaminant induced immunosuppression of MHIIB was observed, while a reduction in IL-8 and IL-1B in acute adults may signify a delayed response due to chronic sediment exposure or of a normal functioning delayed response in wild bullheads. Results of the present study indicate negative environmental impacts on the innate immune response, leading to physiological adaptations in the brown bullhead, which can be reversed upon removal of the contaminants.

Thesis(MAppSc)--University of South Australia, 1999

xiv, 200 leaves : ill., appendices / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.1971) from the Dept. of Organic Chemistry, University of Adelaide