My Thesis body of work, The Mythos for the Mortal, presents visual interpretations of apocalyptic mythoi—past, present, and future. These works are both a conscious and unconscious response to childhood exposure to apocalyptic stories and form a visual record of social, political and religious interpretations of the apocalypse. The overarching theme of apocalypse (from the Greek word Apokalypsis, meaning ‘to unveil’ or ‘to reveal’) has allowed me to reconnect to my youth and heritage and has driven me to articulate more clearly a perspective regarding the future and what it will ‘reveal’ to us. I use the landscape as a stage to create narratives and metaphors expressing these ideas. These paintings and drawings are divided into four categories of apocalypse: historical, future, ecological, and personal.

Introduction: Post-mortem whole blood samples differ greatly in quality, lipemia is one cause of concern in toxicological analyses. Around 4 % of all samples sent to RMV are given a notation of lipemic content. The aim of the thesis was to study the effects of lipemia on the quantification of 14 benzodiazepines and 5 similar sedative and antianxiety drugs as well as evaluate the pre-analytical process aiming to reduce the effects of lipemia.  Methods: Blood samples were simulated with bovine blood, analyte spiking, and lipid spiking with either the nutrition emulsion Intralipid or with a mixture of post-mortem lipids from authentic samples. The outset was the by RMV currently used LLE method followed by UPLC- MS/MS and the extraction method was altered and evaluated. Matrix effects were also studied.  Results: Lipemia were found to be a great interference when quantifying benzodiazepines. For most analytes, internal standard could compensate for the loss of analyte but there was a problem with analytes not having their own IS. The 7-amino-compounds were greatly affected by lipemia and propiomazine and dihydropropiomazine showed extreme losses. Equilibration of IS did not result in similar loss as analyte. Dilution of sample reduced losses caused by lipemic content. SPE resulted in extracts free from lipids and high yields but there were analyte losses similar to LLE. No matrix effects from the lipids were found. Samples spiked with Intralipid gave poorer analyte yields than those spiked with post-mortem lipids.  Conclusion: Dilution is the most successful method to reduce pre-analytical matrix effects as long as the concentration is not so low that it risks getting lower than the analytical limits when doing so. Not homogenising samples before sampling is giving incorrect results. SPE could, if optimised for the analyte retention and elution, remove lipids from samples and obtain accurate analyte concentrations. Pooling lipids from post-mortem samples is a possible method for simulating lipemic whole blood. Intralipid and the PM-mix gave the same indications, but to different extents. Further studies where the ability to mimic authentic lipids are needed for both Intralipid and PM-mix.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os INDELs são polimorfismos de comprimento, gerados a partir de inserções e/ou deleções de um ou mais nucleotídeos. Os marcadores INDELs, que estão amplamente distribuídos pelo genoma e se caracterizam pela alta estabilidade devido à baixa taxa mutacional (10-9), podem ser analisados a partir da amplificação por PCR (Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase). A facilidade de análise e a possibilidade de construção de sistemas multiplex capazes de gerar amplicons curtos (menores que 100 pb) tornam os INDELs uma importante ferramenta para identificação humana por DNA. Para avaliar a eficiência e validar a metodologia que emprega os polimorfismos de inserção/deleção na identificação humana, utilizamos o sistema Indel-plex ID, capaz de amplificar simultaneamente 38 loci INDELs bialélicos de cromossomos autossomos. Diferentes amostras biológicas (cabelo, saliva, sangue, sêmen e urina) foram genotipadas apresentando reprodutibilidade entre todas as tipagens. A concentração mínima de DNA necessária para amplificação dos 38 loci INDELs foi de 0,5 ng. Artefatos do tipo split peaks foram observados em algumas amostras. Os produtos da PCR foram purificados em resina Sephadex proporcionando melhores condições de análise, redução de artefatos e aumento na intensidade média de fluorescência dos alelos amplificados. A eficiência do sistema Indel-plex ID na amplificação de DNA degradado foi verificada durante as análises das amostras de DNA extraídas de restos mortais (ossos e dentes). Comparativamente ao sistema Identifiler, o Indel-plex ID, se mostrou mais eficiente em termos de número de loci genotipados e qualidade de amplificação. Nas investigações de vínculos genéticos realizadas com o sistema Indel-plex ID foi possível corroborar resultados anteriores obtidos pela análise de marcadores STR. Nas análises com amostras in vivo foram obtidos valores máximos de Probabilidades de Paternidade de 99,99998%. Para casos envolvendo supostos pais falecidos, o sistema Indel-plex ID reforçou resultados obtidos com o sistema Identifiler e Minifiler. A Probabilidade de Paternidade de 99,953%, obtida com o sistema Indel-plex ID, conjugada com a Probabilidade de Paternidade de 99,957%, obtida como o sistema Minifiler, possibilitou um índice final de 99,99998%. Os resultados evidenciaram que os loci INDELs do sistema Indel-plex ID são altamente informativos, constituindo uma ferramenta importante em estudos de identificação humana e de relações de parentesco / INDELs are length polymorphisms, generated from insertions and/or deletions of one or more nucleotides. The INDEL markers, which are widely distributed throughout the genome and characterized by high stability due to their low mutational rate (10-9), can be analyzed based on amplification by PCR (Polimerase Chain Reaction). This ease in being analyzed and the possibility of building multiplex systems capable of generating short amplicons (smaller than 100 pb), render INDELs an important tool for DNA-based human identification. So as to evaluate the efficiency and validate the methodology which makes use of insertion/deletion polymorphisms in human identification, we have employed the Indel-plex ID system, capable of simultaneously amplifying 38 INDEL loci of biallelic autosome chromosomes. Different biological samples (hair, saliva, blood, semen and urine) were genotyped showing reproducibility of all typing. The minimum DNA concentration for the amplification of the 38 INDEL loci is 0,5 ng. Artifacts of the split peaks type were observed in some samples. The purification of the PCRs products in Sephadex resin provided better conditions for analysis, reduction of artifacts and increased the average intensity of allele fluorescence. The efficiency of the Indel-plex ID system in the amplification of degraded DNA was verified in analysis of DNA samples extracted from mortal remains (bones and teeth). In comparison with the Identifiler system, the Indel-plex ID has proven more efficient in terms of the number of genotyped loci and amplification quality. During the investigation of genetic relations, carried out with the Indel-plex ID system, it was possible to corroborate previous results obtained through the analysis of STR markers. In investigations based on in vitro samples, maximum values of 99,99998% in Paternity Probabilities were obtained. In genetic investigations related to deceased supposed parents, the Indel-plex ID system corroborated results obtained with the Identifiler and Minifiler systems. The Paternity Probability of 99,953% obtained with the Indel-plex ID system, allied with the Paternity Probability of 99,957% obtained with the Minifiler rendered possible the final indicator of 99,99998%. The results have made evident that the INDEL loci of the Indel-plex ID system are highly informative and constitute an important tool for studies in both human identification and parenthood relations identification

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os INDELs são polimorfismos de comprimento, gerados a partir de inserções e/ou deleções de um ou mais nucleotídeos. Os marcadores INDELs, que estão amplamente distribuídos pelo genoma e se caracterizam pela alta estabilidade devido à baixa taxa mutacional (10-9), podem ser analisados a partir da amplificação por PCR (Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase). A facilidade de análise e a possibilidade de construção de sistemas multiplex capazes de gerar amplicons curtos (menores que 100 pb) tornam os INDELs uma importante ferramenta para identificação humana por DNA. Para avaliar a eficiência e validar a metodologia que emprega os polimorfismos de inserção/deleção na identificação humana, utilizamos o sistema Indel-plex ID, capaz de amplificar simultaneamente 38 loci INDELs bialélicos de cromossomos autossomos. Diferentes amostras biológicas (cabelo, saliva, sangue, sêmen e urina) foram genotipadas apresentando reprodutibilidade entre todas as tipagens. A concentração mínima de DNA necessária para amplificação dos 38 loci INDELs foi de 0,5 ng. Artefatos do tipo split peaks foram observados em algumas amostras. Os produtos da PCR foram purificados em resina Sephadex proporcionando melhores condições de análise, redução de artefatos e aumento na intensidade média de fluorescência dos alelos amplificados. A eficiência do sistema Indel-plex ID na amplificação de DNA degradado foi verificada durante as análises das amostras de DNA extraídas de restos mortais (ossos e dentes). Comparativamente ao sistema Identifiler, o Indel-plex ID, se mostrou mais eficiente em termos de número de loci genotipados e qualidade de amplificação. Nas investigações de vínculos genéticos realizadas com o sistema Indel-plex ID foi possível corroborar resultados anteriores obtidos pela análise de marcadores STR. Nas análises com amostras in vivo foram obtidos valores máximos de Probabilidades de Paternidade de 99,99998%. Para casos envolvendo supostos pais falecidos, o sistema Indel-plex ID reforçou resultados obtidos com o sistema Identifiler e Minifiler. A Probabilidade de Paternidade de 99,953%, obtida com o sistema Indel-plex ID, conjugada com a Probabilidade de Paternidade de 99,957%, obtida como o sistema Minifiler, possibilitou um índice final de 99,99998%. Os resultados evidenciaram que os loci INDELs do sistema Indel-plex ID são altamente informativos, constituindo uma ferramenta importante em estudos de identificação humana e de relações de parentesco / INDELs are length polymorphisms, generated from insertions and/or deletions of one or more nucleotides. The INDEL markers, which are widely distributed throughout the genome and characterized by high stability due to their low mutational rate (10-9), can be analyzed based on amplification by PCR (Polimerase Chain Reaction). This ease in being analyzed and the possibility of building multiplex systems capable of generating short amplicons (smaller than 100 pb), render INDELs an important tool for DNA-based human identification. So as to evaluate the efficiency and validate the methodology which makes use of insertion/deletion polymorphisms in human identification, we have employed the Indel-plex ID system, capable of simultaneously amplifying 38 INDEL loci of biallelic autosome chromosomes. Different biological samples (hair, saliva, blood, semen and urine) were genotyped showing reproducibility of all typing. The minimum DNA concentration for the amplification of the 38 INDEL loci is 0,5 ng. Artifacts of the split peaks type were observed in some samples. The purification of the PCRs products in Sephadex resin provided better conditions for analysis, reduction of artifacts and increased the average intensity of allele fluorescence. The efficiency of the Indel-plex ID system in the amplification of degraded DNA was verified in analysis of DNA samples extracted from mortal remains (bones and teeth). In comparison with the Identifiler system, the Indel-plex ID has proven more efficient in terms of the number of genotyped loci and amplification quality. During the investigation of genetic relations, carried out with the Indel-plex ID system, it was possible to corroborate previous results obtained through the analysis of STR markers. In investigations based on in vitro samples, maximum values of 99,99998% in Paternity Probabilities were obtained. In genetic investigations related to deceased supposed parents, the Indel-plex ID system corroborated results obtained with the Identifiler and Minifiler systems. The Paternity Probability of 99,953% obtained with the Indel-plex ID system, allied with the Paternity Probability of 99,957% obtained with the Minifiler rendered possible the final indicator of 99,99998%. The results have made evident that the INDEL loci of the Indel-plex ID system are highly informative and constitute an important tool for studies in both human identification and parenthood relations identification

Young adult literature (YA) has been stereotypical in many of its portrayals of LGBTQ teens from the 1960s to the early 2000s, but three contemporary YA series--Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments, Sarah Rees Brennan's Demons trilogy, and Holly Black's Modern Faerie Tales--indicate a change toward more nuanced characterizations. Using four categories--scriptedness, context, importance, and sexuality--to determine whether these representations of LGBTQ youth challenge or reiterate older tropes, my analysis indicates that YA has moved toward more complex representations of queerness, yet some normative discursive structures are still at work, such as poisonings or curses, supernatural parallels to coming out, and heteronormative humour. Although representations of queerness have diversified, then, the implicit ideologies in each author's portrayal of queerness demands closer attention.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work formalizes four methods based on Linear Logic for the verification of interorganizational workflow processes modelled by Interorganizational Workflow nets, which are Petri nets that model such processes. The first method is related to the verification of the Soundness criteria for interorganizational workflow processes. The method is based on the construction and analysis of Linear Logic proof trees, which represent the local processes as much as they do the global processes. The second and third methods are related, respectively to Soundness criteria verification, Relaxed Soundness and Weak Soundness for the interorganizational workflow processes. These are obtained through the analysis of reutilized Linear Logic proof trees that have been constructed for the verification of the Soundness criteria. However, the fourth method has the objective of detecting the deadlock free scenarios in interorganizational workflow and is based on the construction and analysis of Linear Logic proof trees, which initially takes into consideration the local processes and communication between such, and thereafter the candidate scenarios. A case study is carried out in the context of a Web services composition check, since there is a close correlation between the modelling of the interorganizational workflow process and a Web services composition. Therefore, the four methods proposed in the interorganizational workflow process context, are applied to a Web services composition. The evaluation of the obtained results shows that the reutilization of Linear Logic proof trees initially constructed for verifying the Soundness criteria, in fact occurs in the context of verifying the Relaxed Soundness andWeak Soundness criteria. In addition, the evaluation shows how the Linear Logic sequents and their proof trees explicitly show the possibilities for existing collaborations in a Web service composition. An evaluation that takes into account the number of constructed linear logic proof trees shows that this number can be significantly reduced in the deadlock-freeness scenarios detection method. An approach for resource planning based on the symbolic date calculation, which considers data extracted from Linear Logic proof trees is presented and validated through simulations performed on the CPN tools simulator. Two approaches for the monitoring of deadlockfreeness scenarios are introduced and show how data obtained from the Linear Logic proof trees can be used to guide the execution of such scenarios. / Este trabalho formaliza quatro métodos baseados na Lógica Linear para verificação de processos de workflow interorganizacionais modelados por WorkFlow nets interorganizacionais, que são redes de Petri que modelam tais processos. O primeiro método está relacionado com a verificação do critério de correção Soundness para processos de workflow interorganizacionais. O método é baseado na construção e análise de árvores de prova da Lógica Linear que representam tanto os processos locais quanto o processo global. O segundo e terceiro métodos estão relacionados, respectivamente, com a verificação dos critérios de correção Relaxed Soundness e Weak Soundness para processos de workflow interorganizacionais, e são obtidos através da análise de árvores de prova da Lógica Linear reutilizadas, construídas para a prova do critério de correção Soundness. Já o quarto método tem por objetivo a detecção dos cenários livres de deadlock em processos de workflow interorganizacionais e é baseado na construção e análise de árvores de prova da Lógica Linear que consideram, inicialmente, os processos locais e as comunicações entre estes e, posteriormente, os cenários candidatos. Um estudo de caso é realizado no contexto da verificação de composições de serviços Web, uma vez que há uma relação estreita entre a modelagem de um processo de workflow interorganizacional e uma composição de serviços Web. Assim, os quatro métodos propostos no contexto dos processos de workflow interorganizacionais são aplicados a uma composição de serviços Web. A avaliação dos resultados mostra que o reuso de árvores de prova da Lógica Linear construídas inicialmente para a prova do critério de correção Soundness de fato ocorre no contexto da verificação dos critérios de correção Relaxed Soundness e Weak Soundness. Além disso, a avaliação mostra como os sequentes da Lógica Linear e suas árvores de prova explicitam as possibilidades de colaboração existentes em uma composição de serviços Web. Uma avaliação que leva em conta o número de árvores de prova da Lógica Linear construídas mostra que este número pode ser significativamente reduzido no método para detecção de cenários livres de deadlock. Uma abordagem para planejamento de recursos, baseada no cálculo de datas simbólicas, que considera dados extraídos de árvores de prova da Lógica Linear, é apresentada e validada através de simulações realizadas no simulador CPN Tools. Duas abordagens para a monitoração dos cenários livres de deadlock são introduzidas e mostram como dados obtidos nas árvores de prova da Lógica Linear podem ser utilizados para guiar a execução de tais cenários. / Doutor em Ciência da Computação

This Master of Fine Arts thesis is divided into four main sections:FAITH and DISBELIEF: In which I reckon with the implications of faith versus rationality as a secular nontheistic artist. IDEAS: The central locus of my work is a place of indeterminacy between what is known/familiar and what is just one step outside of that. This has nothing to do with mysticism, science fiction, or anything else unmoored from established fact. Section also touches on the particular vantage of a female artist with working class roots.THE WORK: Selection of work made during graduate school, and the the guiding thoughts behind each.EMPTINESS, STILLNESS, ABSENCE, GHOSTS, DOUBT: A discussion of influential artists and ideas.