Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths among women. Early detection improves the chances of survival following diagnosis, and new imaging modalities have the potential to reduce deaths due to this disease. The confocal microendoscope (CME) is a non-destructive in-vivo imaging device for visualization of the ovaries that operates in real-time. Two components of the CME system are evaluated in this paper, and initial results from an ongoing clinical trial are presented.Fiber-optic imaging bundles are used in the CME imaging catheter to relay images over distances of up to 20 feet. When detecting fluorescent signals from investigated tissue, any fluorescence in the system can potentially reduce contrast in images. The emission and transmission properties of three commercially available fiber optic imaging bundles were evaluated. Emission maps of fluorescence from bundles were generated at multiple excitation wavelengths to determine the profile and amount of fluorescence present in bundles manufactured by Sumitomo, Fujikura, and Schott. Results are also presented that show the variation of transmittance as a function of illumination angle in these bundles. Users of high-resolution fiber-optic imaging bundles should be aware of these properties and take them into account during system design.Contrast is improved in images obtained with the CME through the application of topical dyes. Acridine orange (AO) and SYTO 16 are two fluorescent stains that are used to show the size, shape, and distribution of cell nuclei. Unfortunately, little is known about the effects of these dyes on living tissues. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of dye treatment on peritoneal tissues in mice. Seventy-five Balb/c mice were split into five groups of fifteen and given peritoneal injections of dye or saline. The proportions of negative outcomes for the control and test groups were compared using confidence intervals and the Fisher's exact test. No significant difference was determined between the groups. These data provide preliminary results on determining the effect of these dyes on living tissues.Preliminary results of a clinical trial are presented showing in-vivo use of the CME for imaging of the ovaries. This is the first portion of a two part study to demonstrate the clinical diagnosis potential of the CME system. A mobile version of the bench-top CME was modified to be used in the clinic. Fluorescein sodium is used as an initial contrast agent in these studies to demonstrate fluorescence imaging. Twenty patients were successfully imaged, and results of this study have allowed progression to a clinical validation study showing the diagnostic capabilities of the CME.

Vitamin C is an essential water soluble vitamin found mainly in fruits, vegetables and their derivatives. Orange juice is a popular thirst quencher and a convenient way to reach the daily recommended intake of vitamin C. The aim of this thesis was to determine how the vitamin C content in orange juice is affected by storage temperature and oxygen content in the product. Bottles of orange juice were stored at different temperatures. Regular orange juice was compared to juice where dissolved oxygen in product water had been decreased before mixing the juice. One other aim was to determine the efficiency of a stress test room where a higher temperature was supposed to simulate longer storage time. The study showed a larger non-linear loss of vitamin C over time in the bottles stored at the higher temperatures. The samples with less dissolved oxygen showed a higher vitamin C content after five and six months of storage in room temperature. For a storage time up to one week the loss of vitamin C in the stress test does not appear to be equal to the corresponding storage time in room temperature.KeywordsOrange juice, / Vitamin C är en livsnödvändig vattenlöslig vitamin som främst förekommer i grönsaker, frukter och produkter framställda från dessa. Apelsinjuice är en populär törstsläckare och ett enkelt sätt att få i sig sin dagliga dos C-vitamin. Syftet med denna rapport är att undersöka hur halten C-vitamin i apelsinjuice från Kiviks Musteri ändras beroende på lagringstemperatur och syrehalt i produktvatten. Apelsinjuice tillverkad från kranvatten jämfördes med juice tillverkad med vatten där syrehalten minskats genom kokning. Ett annat syfte var att fastställa effektiviteten för ett lagringsrum som simulerade en längre lagringsperiod genom att höja temperaturen. Resultaten visade att det var en större ickelinjär förlust av C-vitamin i flaskor som lagras vid en högre temperatur. Juiceflaskor med mindre mängd löst syre visade en lägre förlust av C-vitamin efter fem respektive sex månaders lagring i rumstemperatur. Förlusten av C-vitamin i juice lagrad en vecka i rummet med högre temperatur var ej den mängd som förutspåddes enligt företagets modell.

This thesis examines Canada West’s colonial perceptions and reactions towards the Fenian Brotherhood in the Confederation era. Its focus is on the impact of the Fenians on the contemporary public mind, beginning in the fall of 1864 and culminating with the Fenian Raid on the Niagara frontier in June 1866. Newspapers, sermons, first-hand accounts, and popular poems and books from the time suggest the Fenians had a significant impact on the public mind by nurturing and reflecting the province’s social and defensive concerns, and the Raid on Canada West was used by contemporaries after the fact to promote Confederation and support a young Canadian identity. / Thesis (Master, History) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-24 00:17:49.563

This work studied the effects of step size, angle, spindle speed, and feed rate on the external surface roughening, orange peel effect, observed in single point incremental forming (SPIF). Experimental results were used to estimate models to categorize the extent of orange peel roughening based on visual inspection and on surface roughness measurements. Tests were performed at very high rotational speeds and feed rates and showed various influences on surface roughness, thickness distribution, and grain size. Friction at the tool-sheet interface was also studied with a completely instrumented tool that measured and recorded torsion and forming forces through deformation strains. Coefficients of friction for each part were determined and through statistical analysis, the influence of each of the following forming parameters was established: material thickness, formed shape, tool size, step size, forming speeds (feed rate and rotational speed), and forming angle. Multidimensional response surfaces were generated to show when and under what condition friction was minimized. A new contact zone representation for SPIF was also established. This formulation used common forming parameters and geometric considerations to determine the contacting zone between the sheet and the tool. Area models were proposed for both the tangential and torsional component of friction in SPIF. / Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2010-02-01 16:47:17.249

The taxonomic status, distribution and ecology of the herpetofauna of the Orange Free State are discussed, based on the examination of 10 096 specimens housed in various southern African museums. The majority of specimens were collected during the years 1972 - 1978 and 1983 - 1992, and are housed at the National Museum, Bloemfontein. A total of 25 amphibian and 95 reptilian (one translocated species) forms have been determined as occurring in the Orange Free State, 12 (three amphibians, nine reptiles) of which are new (or recently published) records for the province. An additional 10 amphibian and 28 reptilian forms have been determined as occurring nearby but extralimitally to the O.F.S., and several of these forms are expected to occur in the province. New distributional records have resulted in the amendment of the ranges of several species. Detailed taxonomic data on new material, including rare species, have been given. Some problem areas in the taxonomy of O.F.S. taxa have been higlighted. An analysis of habit utilization indicated that 84,0% of amphibians and 61,1% of reptiles are terricolous, whereas up to 21,5% of reptiles are rupicolous. The majority of snakes (72,2%) are terrestrial in habits, but 13,9% are fossorial. More than half of all lizards (52,8%) are terrestrial, although 34,6% are rupicolous. A total of six amphibian and 27 reptile forms utilize inactive termitaria as a microhabitat, including several basically terrestrial forms. Snake forms were particularly well represented in termitaria, 60,6% of all forms known from the O.F.S. having been recorded from inactive termitaria. General features of the ecology of O.F.S. amphibians and reptiles have also been discussed. The biogeographical analysis indicated that O.F.S. amphibian forms can be classified into one of nine range clusters (common patterns of distribution), and reptiles into 13 such cluster groups. By testing these classifications by means of a transect through the northern O.F.S. (from eastern to western borders), it was determined that a fairly distinct east-west subtraction of amphibian and reptilian species and subspecies occurs in the O.F.S. Clustering of range boundaries and high species and subspecies diversity at the western and eastern ends of the transect zone suggest dynamic biogeographical situations occurring in those areas - the western group being associated with the transition from grassland to bushveld, and the eastern group associated with the transition from Highveld Grassland to Drakensberg Mountains. The general eastern and western groupings of taxa appear to be associated with the cooler, wetter and mountainous east vs the warmer, drier and lower-lying west, respectively. Despite a great deal of collecting having been conducted in the O.F.S. from 1972 to 1992, an analysis of the number of taxa collected in each quarter-degree unit in the O.F.S. indicated that additional collecting would be required in order to conduct effectively a mathematically-based biogeographical analysis. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, 1992.

Denna kandidatuppsats avhandlar tre stycken analyser av tre stycken filmscener från filmerna A Clockwork Orange, Reservoir Dogs och Watchmen, tre stycken exempel på scener där så kallad anempathetic music används. Denna form av musik kan beskrivas som att den distanserar sig från vad som händer i den rörliga bilden genom att förmedla den motsatta känslan, till exempel om musiken är glad och lättsam medan en våldtäkt sker i bild. Denna uppsats analyserar i dessa tre analysexempel vad sådan filmmusik kan bidra med för berättarfunktioner och meningspotential i filmexemplens narrativ. Resultaten från analysen visade på att musiken i de tre valda analysexemplen bidrar till ökad reflektion hos publiken och hur detta möjliggör för att anempathetic music kan ses som empathetic mot publiken och deras tolkning av filmscenernas narrativ.

The research presented in this thesis introduces design criteria for development of a new type of self-contained optical biosensor. The study begins with evaluation of a dual label, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) bioassay format, and then goes on to demonstrate a signalling platform that uses an immobilized fluorescent intercalating dye so as to avoid labelling of both the target and probe strands. An extensive survey of FRET pairs that can be used to monitor hybridization events in solution and at solid interfaces was conducted in solution to provide a set of calculated Förster distances for the extrinsic labels Cyanine 3 (Cy3), Cyanine 5 (Cy5), Carboxytetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA), Iowa Black Fluorescence Quencher (IabFQ) and Iowa Black RQ (IabRQ). FRET parameters using thiazole orange (TO) intercalating dye as a FRET donor for various acceptor dye-labelled DNA conjugates in solution were determined. Limitations associated with quenching mechanisms other than those mediated by FRET motivated the development of a molecular switch that contained intercalating dye. The four binding sites associated with Neutravidin served for assembly of the switch using biotin interactions. One binding site was used to immobilize an unlabelled oligonucleotide probe. The adjacent site was used to immobilize a novel biotinylated TO derivative that could physically reach the probe. On hybridization of the probe with target, the intercalating dye was captured by the hybrid, leading to a change of fluorescence. This reversible signalling mechanism offers a method without nucleic acid labelling to detect nucleic acid association at an interface. A SNP discrimination strategy involving TO and formamide was investigated, and SNP discrimination without the requirement of thermal denaturation was achieved for multiple target lengths, including a 141-base pair PCR amplicon in solution. It was determined that formamide could also provide improvements of signal-to-noise when using thiazole orange to detect hybridization.

The research presented in this thesis introduces design criteria for development of a new type of self-contained optical biosensor. The study begins with evaluation of a dual label, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) bioassay format, and then goes on to demonstrate a signalling platform that uses an immobilized fluorescent intercalating dye so as to avoid labelling of both the target and probe strands. An extensive survey of FRET pairs that can be used to monitor hybridization events in solution and at solid interfaces was conducted in solution to provide a set of calculated Förster distances for the extrinsic labels Cyanine 3 (Cy3), Cyanine 5 (Cy5), Carboxytetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA), Iowa Black Fluorescence Quencher (IabFQ) and Iowa Black RQ (IabRQ). FRET parameters using thiazole orange (TO) intercalating dye as a FRET donor for various acceptor dye-labelled DNA conjugates in solution were determined. Limitations associated with quenching mechanisms other than those mediated by FRET motivated the development of a molecular switch that contained intercalating dye. The four binding sites associated with Neutravidin served for assembly of the switch using biotin interactions. One binding site was used to immobilize an unlabelled oligonucleotide probe. The adjacent site was used to immobilize a novel biotinylated TO derivative that could physically reach the probe. On hybridization of the probe with target, the intercalating dye was captured by the hybrid, leading to a change of fluorescence. This reversible signalling mechanism offers a method without nucleic acid labelling to detect nucleic acid association at an interface. A SNP discrimination strategy involving TO and formamide was investigated, and SNP discrimination without the requirement of thermal denaturation was achieved for multiple target lengths, including a 141-base pair PCR amplicon in solution. It was determined that formamide could also provide improvements of signal-to-noise when using thiazole orange to detect hybridization.

The effect of sweeteners on fruit flavor perception was studied through the use of fruitiness power functions for unsweetened and sweetened model systems. In the first part of the study, two isosweet concentrations of aspartame and sucrose were determined and combined with five concentrations of orange and strawberry flavorants. Fruitiness power functions were developed and compared to determine the effect of each sweetener on the fruit flavor. For the second part of the study in the first experiment, one isosweet concentration of sucrose, aspartame, acesulfame-K and 1:1 blended APM/Ace-K was combined with five concentrations of each of three orange flavorants. Fruitiness power functions were developed and compared to determine how each sweetener effected the fruit flavor of each flavorant. The second experiment addressed the question of whether or not subjects associated sweet taste with fruitiness or if there was an actual change in the volatile composition of the aroma between the unsweetened reference and the sweetened solutions. Fruit aroma of the middle concentration of each flavorant sweetened with the four sweeteners was compared to the corresponding unsweetened reference. Enhancement of fruitiness was observed in the aspartame sweetened systems at low flavor levels. The power function slopes of both flavorants were lowered by the addition of aspartame which resulted in a slower rate of growth in fruitiness perception with the addition of flavorant to the system. In both the orange and strawberry flavored systems the aspartame sweetened solutions were rated higher in fruitiness than the sucrose sweetened solutions. The enhancement was more pronounced in the orange flavored system, suggesting a flavorant effect. The sweeteners affected the fruitiness perception of the three orange flavorants in different magnitudes but the patterns were similar. The three fruitiness slopes were all lowered by the addition of each sweetener. Flavor enhancement was greatest in flavor 1 sweetened with aspartame or aspartame/acesulfame-K. The higher relative placement and low slope of the fruitiness power functions in aspartame sweetened systems caused the enhancement effect to be greatest over the lower concentrations of each flavorant. In the second experiment, the fruit aroma of aspartame sweetened solutions in flavor 1 was significantly higher than the other sweetened solutions. The fruit aroma of the second and third flavorants was not significantly changed by the sweeteners. / Graduation date: 1992

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2004. / A thesis presented to the University of Western Sydney, Centre for Advanced Food Research, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Advanced Food Science (& Food Packaging Science). Includes bibliography.