Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are the enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of cyclic nucleotides including cAMP and cGMP. We recently discovered that natriuretic peptides elicit effects in the atrial myocardium via a PDE dependant pathway; however, the role(s) of specific PDE subtypes in atrial myocytes are not clear. Thus, I studied the effects of PDE selective blockers on mouse atrial action potentials (APs) and L-type Ca2+ currents (ICa,L). AP duration (APD) was significantly increased in the presence of IBMX (inhibits all PDEs) as well as EHNA (PDE2 inhibitor) and rolipram (PDE4 inhibitor). The PDE 3 inhibitor milrinone had no effect on APD. Applying milrinone and rolipram (PDE3/PDE4 inhibition) or EHNA, milrinone, and rolipram (PDE2/ PDE3/PDE4 inhibition) in combination prolonged APD as effectively as IBMX. A similar pattern of results was obtained for atrial ICa,L. These data provide novel insight into the unique effects of PDE inhibitors in atrial myocytes

The mechanical behavior of asphalt binders is nonlinear. The binders exhibit shear thinning/thickening behavior in steady shear tests and non-proportational behavior in other standard viscoelastic tests such as creep-recovery or stress relaxation tests. Moreover, they develop normal stress differences even in simple shear flows - a characteristic feature of nonlinear viscoelastic behavior. Many researchers have asserted the importance of considering the nonlinearity of the mechanical behavior of asphalt binders for accurately estimating their performance under field conditions, and for comparing and ranking them accordingly. In order to do so, it is necessary to have a robust and reliable nonlinear viscoelastic model. However, most of the models available in the literature do not capture the various features of the nonlinear response of asphalt binders accurately. Those that could are too complicated and still possess other shortcomings. Considering these issues, a new nonlinear viscoelastic model is developed here using a new Gibbs-potential based thermodynamic framework. The model is then corraborated with data from experiments in which the shear-thinning behavior and the nonproportional creep-recovery behavior were observed together. Finally, the model is used to evaluate the various criteria available for predicting rutting susceptibility of asphalt binders. Results of the analysis of the rutting prediction criteria show that each criterion characterizes the resistance to permanent strain shown by asphalt binders over a different range of applied stress - the zero-shear viscosity at very low stress levels, the Superpave criterion at very high stress levels and the MSCR test in the intermediate range of stresses.

No description available.

Det finns idag fler personer som heter Johan som är VD i börsnoterade bolag än vad det finns kvinnliga VD:ar i Sverige. Uppsatsen är skriven om ett stort svenskt företag i näringslivet. Syfte med studien var att utvärdera varför kvinnliga chefer på höga positioner inom ett större svenskt företag i näringslivet har valt att sluta samt vad företaget kan förbättra för att bli en mer jämställd och attraktiv arbetsplats för kvinnor i chefsbefattningar. Forskning visar på att det idag 2013 fortfarande finns en hel del ojämställda arbetsplatser. Via kvalitativa semi-strukturerade intervjuer med sju kvinnliga före detta chefer på företaget har en bild av vad detta kan bero på skapats. Det som uppdagades i uppsatsen var att många av informanterna ansåg att företaget hade en gubbig struktur som de ansåg att företaget måste arbeta med att sudda ut för att bli en attraktivare arbetsplats samt att kvinnor generellt har svårare att nå högre positioner inom företaget jämfört med deras manliga kollegor. Det uppdagades även att ett antal av informanterna som företaget ansåg var high potential inte var medvetna om det.

Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata (QCA) is being investigated as a possible alternative for encoding and processing binary information in an attempt to realize dramatic improvements in device density and processing speed over conventional CMOS design. The binary information is encoded in the locations of two excess electrons in a system of four quantum dots. The dots are arranged with each on a corner of a square, and electrons are able to quantum-mechanically tunnel between dots. Each set of four dots and two excess electrons constitutes a QCA cell. Coulomb repulsion ensures that the electrons will tend to occupy antipodal sites, giving two possible polarizations, or lowest energy ground states for a QCA cell. The electrons would tend to align along one diagonal or the other. Arrangements of QCA cells can be used to pass along input binary information and perform necessary logic operations on the input signal.When electrons tunnel back and forth between dots, it is possible they will occupy excited states in the dots. Two undesirable effects result from this: 1) Energy will be dissipated to the environment and cause thermal heating, and 2) it is possible a cell could become locked in a metastable state, which may be a local energy minimum, but is not one of the ground state polarizations we desire. Through the modulation of the heights of the inter-dot potential barriers, it would be possible to allow electrons to more easily tunnel between dots. This would help prevent the system from reaching excited states. The time variance in the heights of the potential barriers must be greater than the time it takes for the electrons to tunnel between dots, thus, effectively clocking the QCA device.We present theoretical studies of controlling the inter-dot potential barriers in a QCA device using an electric field due to electrostatically charged rods. The amount of charge on the rods is varied in time to increase and decrease the electric field, which will raise and lower the inter-dot potential barriers as desired. Different arrangements of rods provide different time-dependent behavior in the electric field, which may be useful depending on the arrangements of QCA cells required to make a logic device. / Department of Physics and Astronomy

Nowadays, there are various electrokinetic phenomena which are utilized in a wide range of applications, ranging from microfluidics and colloid and interface science to electrochemistry. However, even after 200 years of research on electrokinetic phenomena, there are still open questions with respect to fundamental understanding. The focus of this thesis is on three different phenomena, i.e., streaming potential, streaming current and electroosmosis. Hence, the thesis is divided in two parts: The first part focuses on the applicability of the classical Helmholtz-Smoluchowski theory on streaming potential and streaming current measurements of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) wafers, to infer the zeta potential of this substrate in contact with liquids of defined pH and ionic strength. In detail, we perform electrical impedance spectroscopy measurements to infer the electrical resistance in a PMMA microchannel and derive novel correlations for the electrokinetic characterization of the substrate. We conclude that convection can have a significant impact on the electrical double layer configuration which is reflected by changes in the surfaces conductivity. The second part of the thesis is concerned with electroosmotic flows in porous substrates where we develop a phenomenological correlation which is based on dimensional reasoning. A large set of experiments is carried out using a relatively simple and cost-effective setup including different sintered packed beds of borosilicate microspheres. A centre-of-mass model of the experimental setup allows for the interpretation of various effects. Streaming current measurements result in a correlation for the zeta potential of borosilicate depending on ionic strength and pH of the liquid. Finally, a quantitative expression for electroosmotic flow in packed beds of granular material is derived from the experiments. This correlation can be employed with other materials as well. / Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2014-06-11 10:58:11.557

Chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDLs) are on the increase in South Africa and appears to be increasing the financial burden on the economy. Biokinetics is a health profession addressing CDL, with exercise as the treatment modality. The scope of practice includes the prevention and treatment of CDL. Biokinetics as a profession has been registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), previously the South African Medical and Dental Council (SAMDC), since 1983. In this period of 25 years, the profession has only been practising in the private health care sector of South Africa. There have been no investigations to determine the market demand for this health profession. Therefore the purpose of this investigation is to determine the potential market demand for biokinetics in the private health care sector of South Africa. This investigation will take into account the potential market demand based on the patients that can be treated for CDL by biokinetics, and not the number of persons that are at risk of developing CDL. For this investigation secondary data from a pharmaceutical benefit management company (PBM) were analysed to determine the prevalence of chronic diseases in the private health care sector based on chronic medication usage in 2007. These numbers were linked to the postal codes that made it possible to determine the medication usage at municipality level. Telephonic interviews provided information about the average number of patients treated per biokineticist per month, while the number of biokineticists with active practice numbers were obtained from the Board of Health Care Funders (BHF). The results indicate that about 56% (911,212 out of 1,600,000) of the subscribers managed by the PBM were treated with medication for CDL. The prevalence of non-steroid anti-inflammatory medication (20.8%) gave an indication of medication prescribed mostly for chronic musculo-skeletal injuries. Cardiovascular diseases (13.1%), bronchodilators (10.95%) and hypertension (9.8%) were the most prevalent chronic diseases treated with medication. In 2007, the profession consisted of 284 biokinetic practices with 625 actively practicing biokineticists. The majority of the practices were located in Gauteng (130) with 63 in the Western Cape. The sub-sample of 50 biokineticists indicated that an average of 100 patients can realistically be treated by one biokineticist per month. The potential market demand calculated from these figures indicate that 9,112 biokineticists are needed in the private health care sector. These numbers indicate that in 2007, only an estimated 6.2% of CDL could potentially be treated by the number of registered biokineticists. The conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that there is an immense potential market for biokinetics in the private health care sector. This study has only investigated the diseased persons and has not taken into account those who are at risk of developing a chronic disease of lifestyle, which are also treated by biokinetics intervention with exercise as modality. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

This dissertation is an attempt to promote complementarity among churches in order to affect their activities in doing mission in the Vaal Triangle region. The study tends to uncover the potential of cooperation, unity and partnership in the Body of Christ in the area which may also be an example to the churches in other cities outside the Vaal Triangle. The purpose of this is to raise the consciousness of specialization of ministries in mission to achieve greater results through target evangelism. The literature review in the second chapter revealed the biblical and theological basis of the concept. In this context complementarity is explained as churches, Para church organizations, ministers and to a certain extent, government agencies, working together to complement one another with their distinctive resources, skills and abilities to tackle the crucial issues in their communities. The complementary approach that was implemented by the Apostles during the early church show case that we have different callings which when they are all put together, work in such a way that there can never be competition but partnership. Diversity of callings directs a diverse approach to a diverse society. The literature review also highlights that a complementary approach has been there even in the Old Testament and gives insight into other related concepts like stewardship and target evangelism. Due to the fact that there are diverse groups and that the Gospel must be preached to such, it becomes imperative to target such groups with 'specialists' that will meet the exact challenges among those groups. The growing understanding that Vaal Triangle with its political history is becoming a complex area with all diverse demographics, bring to light the possibility of churches working together as an organism in spite of their distinctiveness. These fast changing demographics oblige the churches to develop complementary strategies that will match the urban growth challenges in the area as well as the evolving societal problems. There are still some underlying challenges that the churches need to do in mission work to heal the traumatic effects resulting from the previous violent era. An empirical study done among few churches found out that the churches believe that a complementary approach is necessary. Although there has been a healthy cooperation and unity in the Vaal Triangle churches history, duplication and competition have also grown like weeds and has resulted in membership recycling (moving from church to church) and less fresh new conversions. As the city evolves, there are new dynamics that requires winsome partnerships, diversity, and ministry specialization as well as target evangelism. The conclusions that the research arrived at, gave rise to recommendations that are very practical to the context of the Vaal Triangle churches. / Thesis (M.A. (Biblical Studies/Theology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

This dissertation is an attempt to promote complementarity among churches in order to affect their activities in doing mission in the Vaal Triangle region. The study tends to uncover the potential of cooperation, unity and partnership in the Body of Christ in the area which may also be an example to the churches in other cities outside the Vaal Triangle. The purpose of this is to raise the consciousness of specialization of ministries in mission to achieve greater results through target evangelism. The literature review in the second chapter revealed the biblical and theological basis of the concept. In this context complementarity is explained as churches, Para church organizations, ministers and to a certain extent, government agencies, working together to complement one another with their distinctive resources, skills and abilities to tackle the crucial issues in their communities. The complementary approach that was implemented by the Apostles during the early church show case that we have different callings which when they are all put together, work in such a way that there can never be competition but partnership. Diversity of callings directs a diverse approach to a diverse society. The literature review also highlights that a complementary approach has been there even in the Old Testament and gives insight into other related concepts like stewardship and target evangelism. Due to the fact that there are diverse groups and that the Gospel must be preached to such, it becomes imperative to target such groups with 'specialists' that will meet the exact challenges among those groups. The growing understanding that Vaal Triangle with its political history is becoming a complex area with all diverse demographics, bring to light the possibility of churches working together as an organism in spite of their distinctiveness. These fast changing demographics oblige the churches to develop complementary strategies that will match the urban growth challenges in the area as well as the evolving societal problems. There are still some underlying challenges that the churches need to do in mission work to heal the traumatic effects resulting from the previous violent era. An empirical study done among few churches found out that the churches believe that a complementary approach is necessary. Although there has been a healthy cooperation and unity in the Vaal Triangle churches history, duplication and competition have also grown like weeds and has resulted in membership recycling (moving from church to church) and less fresh new conversions. As the city evolves, there are new dynamics that requires winsome partnerships, diversity, and ministry specialization as well as target evangelism. The conclusions that the research arrived at, gave rise to recommendations that are very practical to the context of the Vaal Triangle churches. / Thesis (M.A. (Biblical Studies/Theology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDLs) are on the increase in South Africa and appears to be increasing the financial burden on the economy. Biokinetics is a health profession addressing CDL, with exercise as the treatment modality. The scope of practice includes the prevention and treatment of CDL. Biokinetics as a profession has been registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), previously the South African Medical and Dental Council (SAMDC), since 1983. In this period of 25 years, the profession has only been practising in the private health care sector of South Africa. There have been no investigations to determine the market demand for this health profession. Therefore the purpose of this investigation is to determine the potential market demand for biokinetics in the private health care sector of South Africa. This investigation will take into account the potential market demand based on the patients that can be treated for CDL by biokinetics, and not the number of persons that are at risk of developing CDL. For this investigation secondary data from a pharmaceutical benefit management company (PBM) were analysed to determine the prevalence of chronic diseases in the private health care sector based on chronic medication usage in 2007. These numbers were linked to the postal codes that made it possible to determine the medication usage at municipality level. Telephonic interviews provided information about the average number of patients treated per biokineticist per month, while the number of biokineticists with active practice numbers were obtained from the Board of Health Care Funders (BHF). The results indicate that about 56% (911,212 out of 1,600,000) of the subscribers managed by the PBM were treated with medication for CDL. The prevalence of non-steroid anti-inflammatory medication (20.8%) gave an indication of medication prescribed mostly for chronic musculo-skeletal injuries. Cardiovascular diseases (13.1%), bronchodilators (10.95%) and hypertension (9.8%) were the most prevalent chronic diseases treated with medication. In 2007, the profession consisted of 284 biokinetic practices with 625 actively practicing biokineticists. The majority of the practices were located in Gauteng (130) with 63 in the Western Cape. The sub-sample of 50 biokineticists indicated that an average of 100 patients can realistically be treated by one biokineticist per month. The potential market demand calculated from these figures indicate that 9,112 biokineticists are needed in the private health care sector. These numbers indicate that in 2007, only an estimated 6.2% of CDL could potentially be treated by the number of registered biokineticists. The conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that there is an immense potential market for biokinetics in the private health care sector. This study has only investigated the diseased persons and has not taken into account those who are at risk of developing a chronic disease of lifestyle, which are also treated by biokinetics intervention with exercise as modality. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.