With increasing strain on the civil aviation industry to meet strict targets to reduce the adverse effects aviation has on the environment by 2050, significant advances in aircraft design and research are required. Aerodynamic improvements have been a focus for several decades now, however, current and future civil transport aircraft are based on traditional designs originating from the 1950s. Optimisation of aircraft external geometry for aerodynamic gain is reaching maturity and is becoming increasingly non-cost-effective. New advances in sensor and actuator technology has allowed for the development of active flow control (AFC) devices that have shown promising results in laboratory and even full-scale flight conditions, as seen by the joint NASA-Boeing ecoDemonstrator. One such device is the synthetic jet actuator (SJA), that synthesises periodic jets without the requirement for external air supply, while adding momentum to the surrounding flow. For this reason, SJAs are also referred to as zero-net-mass-flux actuators. There exists extensive work on the use of these devices for flow control applications in a laboratory setting. One of the key issues that remains unresolved, hindering successful aircraft application to-date, is the actuator self-noise generated. The noise level of SJAs can be so severe that they were rejected for application on the ecoDemonstrator in favour of a higher authority, quieter AFC device. SJAs were only considered for use in emergency situations on aircraft. Furthermore, the actuators were also not permitted to operate simultaneously at full power, which may severely limit scope for flow control on aircraft. Other applications that would benefit from SJAs include heat transfer for cooling in electronic devices. Studies in this field identify the same problem with noise levels of up to 73 dB reported. It is clear that work towards the self-noise reduction of SJAs is required to harness the full potential of this actuator technology. In the work presented, passive and active noise control measures in the form of lobed orifices and antiphase operation of two jets, respectively, on the noise reduction of SJAs are ii investigated. Noise sources of synthetic jet actuators include mechanical (diaphragm) and jet induced noise, where the focus of this work is on the latter type. Tests were conducted in quiescent conditions using jet velocity measurements, acoustic measurements, and flow visualisation. Tests were carried out using a single chamber SJA with variable cavity height and both circular and lobed orifices. These tests helped identify a SJA self-noise generation mechanism when using a circular orifice. This mechanism is characterised by a constant frequency behaviour visible in acoustic spectra for a specific jet Reynolds number range of 600 < Rej < 750 and Strouhal number range of 0.22 < St < 0.50. The geometries of the lobed orifices used in this work differ in lobe count and penetration. It was shown that a broadband noise reduction is possible with such orifices, with a maximum noise reduction of 14 dB at particular frequencies. The results indicate that a high number of lobes and penetration are preferred for noise reduction, however, at the expense of quickly dissipating downstream jet velocity. Flow visualisation reveals that this adverse effect is caused by enhanced mixing of lobed jets with ambient air that leads to earlier and more aggressive breakup of flow structures. A double chamber SJA is also used to demonstrate the noise attenuation through the antiphase operation of two cavities, caused by the interference pattern of the sound field of each source. The maximum reduction measured using this actuator configuration is 14 dB, depending on directivity.

O polimorfismo é um fenômeno relativamente comum entre os compostos farmacêuticos, e um dos principais problemas na produção e desenvolvimento de medicamentos. Sua presença pode acarretar prejuízos para a saúde da população e forte impacto econômico para as indústrias farmacêuticas ao influenciar diretamente nas propriedades mecânicas e biofarmacêuticas de insumos e produtos acabados. A investigação de polimorfismo associado aos oxicans, grupo pertencente à classe dos fármacos anti-inflamatórios não esteróides (AINEs), sofreu um incremento nos últimos anos, e para o fármaco tenoxicam relata-se a existência de quatro formas polimórficas na literatura. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar a presença de diferentes formas polimórficas de tenoxicam em insumos farmacêuticos ativos e formulações farmacêuticas orais e avaliar a influência sobre a dissolução in vitro. Com base na literatura, a análise inicial com a substância química de trabalho (SQT) demonstrou padrão difratométrico forma III. Diferentes condições para formação de formas polimórficas de tenoxicam foram aplicadas conforme Cantera et al. (2002), contudo, os diferentes processos de preparação de polimorfos do tenoxicam não conduziram a modificações na estrutura cristalina original da SQT. Dados complementares foram obtidos através da espectrofotometria no IV e DSC, que indicaram a inexistência de modificações no espectro original e ausência de eventos térmicos atípicos. A caracterização dos insumos farmacêuticos do tenoxicam, provenientes de diferentes fornecedores, por IV, DRX e perfil de dissolução indicou presença da estrutura cristalina (forma III), sem apresentar diferenças significativas entre os perfis de dissolução in vitro. As especialidades farmacêuticas do tenoxicam disponíveis no mercado nacional, ao serem submetidas à análise por DRX, também apresentaram estruturas cristalinas forma III. Apesar de ocorrer perfis de dissolução diferentes entre as formulações, estas não apresentaram comprometimento em sua qualidade. Contudo, muitas vezes as transformações pós-processamento podem induzir a alterações na estrutura cristalina e por consequência, problemas biofarmacêuticos. Tal fato demonstra a importância do estudo do polimorfismo, ao avaliar e correlacionar a presença de estruturas cristalinas com alterações na qualidade e desempenho de insumos e produtos farmacêuticos. / Polymorphism is a relatively common phenomenon among pharmaceutical compounds, and one of the main problems in producing and developing drugs. Its presence may harm people’s health and have a strong economic impact on the pharmaceutical industries by directly influencing the mechanical and biopharmaceutical properties of inputs and finished products. The investigation of polymorphism associated with oxycans, a group belonging to the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), has grown in recent years, and it is reported that there are four polymorphic forms for tenoxycam the literature. The purpose of this study was to characterize the presence of different polymorphic forms in active pharmaceutical inputs and oral pharmaceutical formulations and evaluate their influence on in vitro dissolution. Based on the literature, the initial analysis with the reference standard showed a form III diphractometric pattern. Polymorphic forms of tenoxycam were prepared according to Cantera et al. (2002), but the different preparation processes of tenoxycam polymorphs did not lead to modifications of the original crystalline structure of the reference standard. Complementary data were obtained by spectrophotometry in IV and DSC, indicating that there were no modifications in the original spectrum and no atypical thermal events. The characterization of the pharmaceutical inputs of tenoxycam, from different suppliers, as IV, DRX and dissolution profile indicated the presence of a crystalline structure (Form III), without presenting significant differences between the in vitro dissolution profiles. The pharmaceutical specialties of tenoxycam available on the national market, on being analyzed by DRX also presented crystalline structures Form III. Although there was different dissolution profiles between the formulations, they showed no impairment in their quality. However, often the post-processing transformations can induce alterations in the crystalline structure and, consequently, biopharmaceutical problems. This shows the importance of the study of polymorphism with the evaluation and correlation of the presence of crystalline structures with alterations in the quality and performance of pharmaceutical inputs and products.

Introduction: Obesity during pregnancy is linked to many negative health effects for mothers and offspring. The majority of interventions with obese pregnant women based on physical activity have had limited success suggesting alternative approaches are needed. Sedentary behaviour is defined as waking activities that expend very low energy, 1.5 metabolic equivalents or below, while reclining, lying or sitting. Spending too much time sedentary has been identified as a risk factor for health, regardless of physical activity levels. We hypothesised that targeting sedentary behaviour may be a suitable alternative to reduce health risks during gestation among pregnant women who are morbidly obese (defined as body mass index, BMI > 40 Kg/m²). Aim and objectives: The aim was to explore sedentary behaviour among obese pregnant women and to propose an intervention to reduce the time obese pregnant women spend sedentary, through an active sitting exercise intervention. To conduct a systematic review of the literature to determine the proportion of time spent in sedentary behaviour among pregnant women, and the association of sedentary behaviour with pregnancy outcomes in mothers and offspring. To estimate total energy expenditure, and energy expended in sedentary activities in morbidly obese and lean pregnant women. To assess the feasibility of an active sitting exercise intervention for morbidly obese pregnant women, designed using a patient involvement in research method. Systematic Review: A systematic review of the literature reporting sedentary behaviour during pregnancy and its effects on pregnancy outcomes was conducted. Twenty six publications were included in the systematic review up until October 2015, and a further 18 were identified in the update completed in April 2018. Pregnant women spent at least 50% of their time in sedentary activities. Associations between increased time sedentary and higher risk of macrosomia, higher risk of pre-eclampsia, higher risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus, and larger new-born abdominal circumference were observed, as the main findings. Most of included studies scored an intermediate quality, only two of the 44 studies scored a good quality. Cross-sectional study. A cross-sectional study was conducted, using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ), and the Actical accelerometer, to assess energy expenditure, and energy expended in sedentary behaviour. Based on the PPAQ, women who were morbidly obese expended significantly more energy per day, as total expenditure, than lean pregnant women, which was confirmed by the Actical. During sedentary behaviour lean pregnant women expended significantly less energy than morbidly obese pregnant women, based on the PPAQ. No differences were observed between lean and morbidly obese pregnant women in the proportion of time spent in sedentary activities, nor in time sedentary. Exercise Intervention Design A patient involvement in research approach was used to design an active sitting exercise intervention for morbidly obese pregnant women. Twenty three women took part in the design of the intervention, enabling design of a final protocol including six exercises, to be performed in two sets of 10 repetitions. Active sitting exercise intervention An intervention based on active sitting exercises for morbidly obese pregnant women to reduce sedentary time was conducted to assess the feasibility. Thirty morbidly obese pregnant women were recruited of whom 20% completed the exercise intervention. The main reason not to complete the intervention was lack of time. Conclusion: A better understanding of sedentary behaviour is needed for the design of effective interventions to help to reduce the adverse effects of morbid obesity on pregnancy, especially as prevalence is growing. More time spent in light intensity activities rather than in sedentary behaviour may play a role as contributing to reduce those risks associated with obesity during pregnancy, and to reduce time spent sedentary. Participants have shown real interest in helping to design an effective exercise intervention. Involving and empowering participants in how to take care of themselves as part of the intervention helps to increase their commitment. Giving participants the tools to take care of their own health and their babies' should be considered as part of the intervention with very obese pregnant women. Providing the information in how and why exercise might help, and basing the intervention in giving participants easy and realistic tasks that they could do on their own and around their own environment, will help to increase their commitment. This appears to be a feasible and effective strategy.

No description available.

Dynamic regulation of the actin cytoskeleton is required for synapses to form and maintain their shape. The actin cytoskeleton is regulated by Rho GTPases in response to genetic and extracellular signals. Rho GTPases are regulated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors and GTPase activating proteins (GAPs). Syd-1 is a protein that has been identified as necessary for synapse formation in worms, with similar proteins in flies, and mice. Little is known about the molecular mechanism by which Syd-1 is acting. While genetic techniques are great tools for examining synapse development, they are limited by their inability to consider the molecular nature of the protein product. By studying the biochemical nature of synaptic proteins, we can begin to understand their function with a new level of clarity. Syd-1 has a predicted Rho GAP domain; however it is thought to be inactive. The activity of the fly protein, Dsyd-1, has never been examined although it has been speculated that it is inactive in all invertebrates. Recently the mouse version was reported to have Rho GAP activity. By performing GTPase activity assays on purified proteins, I found the GAP domain of Dsyd-1 increased the GTPase activity of Rac-1 and Cdc42 but not RhoA. Members of our lab found the activity of Dsyd-1 is necessary for proper synapse formation both at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction as well as in R7 neurons. In Caenorhabditis elegans, Syd-1 was found to interact with presynaptic protein RSY-1. Since RSY-1 is evolutionarily conserved, I tested whether or not RSY-1 has a similar effect on R neurons in Drosophila. I also isolated mRNA from R neurons and evaluated the possibility of analyzing mutant neurons using comparative transcriptomics. This dissertation includes previously unpublished coauthored material.

By immumolabeling and electronmicroscopy, the subcellular localization of GmPAP3 has been proved to be mainly localized in mitochondria, a primary site for ROS production. Ectopic expression of GmPAP3 in transgenic tobacco BY-2 cells mimicked the protective effects exhibited by the antioxidant ascorbic acid by: (1) increase the percentage of cells with active mitochondria; (2) reduce the percentage of dead cells; and (3) lower the accumulation of ROS under NaCl and osmotic stress treatments. However, when ectopically express a truncated GmPAP3 with the mitochondria transit peptide removed, such protective effect was not observed. This provides evidences on the significance of mitochondria localization to the physiological function of GmPAP3. In addition, when GmPAP3 transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings were subjected to NaCl, osmotic stress, and oxidative stress treatments, the growth performance of the transgenic lines was significantly better than the wild type. To summarize, these studies has demonstrate that the mitochondrial localized GmPAP3 may play a role in stress tolerance by enhancing ROS scavenging. / Mitochondrion is one of the major sites for the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Abiotic stresses such as salinity and osmotic stress can cause oxidative damage to organelle membranes due to excess accumulation of ROS. The inducibility of GmPAP3 gene expression by salinity and oxidative stresses and the putative mitochondrial localization of GmPAP3 prompt us to further investigate the possible physiological roles of GmPAP3 under abiotic stress-induced oxidative stress. / My Ph.D. study has been focused on the detailed functional analysis of the GmPAP3 gene. The objectives of my research include: (i) to verified the subcellular localization of GmPAP3; (ii) to investigate the physiological functions of GmPAP3 under NaC1 and osmotic stress in both cellular level and in planta level. and (iii) to examine the significance of mitochondria] localization of GmPAP3 in relationship to its protective roles. / Purple acid phosphatases (PAPs) represent a diverse group of acid phosphatases in animals and plants. While the mammalian PAPs were found to be related to Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) evolution in important physiological functions, the roles of plant PAPs remain largely unknown. / Recently, we have isolated a novel PAP-like gene (GmPAP3) from soybean that is induced by NaC1 and oxidative stresses. Subcellular localization prediction programs suggested that GmPAP3 may be a novel PAP that localized in mitochondria. Most other PAPs are extracellularly located and membrane localization of PAPs was only verified in a few cases. / by Li, Wing Yen Francisca. / "December 2009." / Adviser: Lam Hon-Ming. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-134). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Photocopy of typescript. / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

The labeling of language resources is a time consuming task, whether aided by machine learning or not. Much of the prior work in this area has focused on accelerating human annotation in the context of machine learning, yielding a variety of active learning approaches. Most of these attempt to lead an annotator to label the items which are most likely to improve the quality of an automated, machine learning-based model. These active learning approaches seek to understand the effect of item selection on the machine learning model, but give significantly less emphasis to the effect of item selection on the human annotator. In this work, we consider a sentiment labeling task where existing, traditional active learning seems to have little or no value. We focus instead on the human annotator by ordering the items for better annotator efficiency.

Photopolymerization is considered an attractive alternative in many industries to traditional polymerization processes. The advantages of photopolymerization over other types of polymerization include elimination of heat sources, faster cure times, and reduction in the use of volatile organic solvents. Despite these environmental and cost-saving advantages, photopolymerizations have several limitations. Light attenuation can be a problem for systems containing pigments or fillers. The radiation source penetrates only to a shallow depth beneath the surface, limiting the thickness of strongly pigmented or filled coatings and films. Photopolymerization is also generally limited to systems with simple geometries that can be uniformly illuminated. Coatings on three-dimensional substrates, or other systems with complex geometries, are difficult to uniformly cure. These problems can be solved by "shadow cure," which is defined as the reactive diffusion of photoinitiated active centers into regions of a polymer that are unilluminated. In this contribution, the generation and subsequent spatial and temporal evolution of the active center concentrations during illumination are analyzed using the differential equations that govern the light intensity gradient and photoinitiator concentration gradient for polychromatic illumination. Reactive diffusion of the active centers during the post-illumination period is shown to result in cure of unilluminated regions. A kinetic analysis is performed by coupling the active center concentration profiles with the propagation rate equation, yielding predicted cure times for a variety of applications. This analysis is used for the evaluation of cationic shadow cure in pigmented photopolymerization systems, and systems with complex geometries. The extensive characterization of cationic systems is then applied to free-radical photopolymerization to examine the potential of shadow cure for active centers with much shorter lifetimes. An example of a free-radical photopolymerization system is characterized in which the dimensional scales are small enough to utilize the short lifetimes of the active centers. The results presented for both free-radical and cationic shadow cure indicate that the reactive diffusion of photoinitiated active centers may be used for effective cure in unilluminated regions of a photopolymer. This research will potentially allow photopolymerization to be applied in industries where it has never before been utilized.

Purpose To describe outcomes of community partnerships for promoting healthy active living among families with young children in the ReadNPlay for a Bright Future Project. Methods ReadNPlay for a Bright Future was developed through grant support from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Metlife Foundation awarded to the East Tennessee State University Department of Pediatrics and Tennessee AAP Chapter. ReadNPlay is a coordinated, multi-level, multi-component initiative promoting healthy active living among families with young children during infant-toddler health supervision visits and in childcare and other community settings. The project site is located in rural southern Appalachia, an area of the country with a high prevalence of obesity. Materials and messages developed by the project team were finalized during a community forum with stakeholders held in Northeast Tennessee in fall 2012. Four themes emerged as a focus for the initiative: Play More: Shut off the Screen, Play Together: Be Active as a Family, Fuel to Play: Eat Healthy, and Play Safely. Partnerships with the regional children's hospital, childcare providers, health department, public libraries, and farmers' markets were supported through on-going communication via email, social media, and individual meetings. Availability of two $750 pediatric resident mini-grants and structure afforded by the residency program's existing community pediatrics rotation facilitated development and implementation of community initiatives for this project. Results Project posters displayed in community settings, use of social media, and periodic community events are reinforcing efforts to promote healthy active living in the clinical setting. A new event for families with infants/toddlers was added to the children's hospital annual Kids Run, involving over 120 families during the first year. Walk N' Rollers received free Reach Out and Read books and were surprised at the sugar content of juice and other beverages displayed in sippy cups as part of a “Sugar Quiz.” Information disseminated through regional child care centers will promote participation in a summer Walk N' Roll program in addition to this annual event. At a regional childcare provider conference, ReadNPlay workshops with over 100 infant-toddler teachers and 40 families were conducted and information on Tennessee's “Gold Sneaker” designation for compliance with state nutrition and physical activity policies was shared (only 6% of local centers are designated). During summer 2013, 75 families are being provided with $10 farmers' market vouchers at their 12-15 month well child visit to encourage consumption of fruits and vegetables. 18-month statistics on social media reach, walking program participation, new Gold Sneaker designations, and farmers' market program participation will be presented. Conclusion This presentation will illustrate how pediatric residency programs and practitioners may partner with existing community organizations and initiatives to promote healthy active living in families with young children.