A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Strategic Marketing 2016 / The African hair-care business has become a multibillion-dollar industry, stretching from India to china attracting global retailers such as Unilever and L’Oréal. The African hair-care market will continue to grow, especially in the informal sector where it is said to employ about 1.5 people per business on permanent basis. In order for small businesses’ performance to improve in emerging markets, especially in the informal sector, improving their marketing skills is quite essential. Mobile marketing is cost effective and can be utilised to benefit both marketing practitioners and consumers. This is imperative in the informal hair-care industry, where businesses generally lack financial resources and therefore do not have a budget to spend on marketing and advertising. The mobile phone therefore becomes an important marketing channel to reach customers and increase profitability in informal hair-care businesses, yet there has not been much academic research conducted on this and little is known about the factors that might influence mobile marketing acceptance. The purpose of this study is therefore to bridge the gap by investigating perceived mobile interactivity influence on usability and mobile marketing acceptance in the informal hair-care industry in South Africa. A quantitative study was conducted using a sample of 312 informal hair-care business operators in the Johannesburg area. Given the nature of the informal sector, a nonprobability sampling method, known as convenience sampling, was used for data collection. For analysing and interpreting data, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach was utilised. The study findings indicate that perceived interactivity dimensions (control, responsiveness and nonverbal information) have a positive effect on mobile phone usability and lead to mobile marketing acceptance. However, the findings showed a negative relation between perceived personalisation and mobile phone usability. This study aims to contribute to mobile marketing literature, be of benefit to Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) policy makers and add value to the field of marketing. Key words: perceived control, perceived responsiveness, nonverbal information, perceived personalisation, mobile phone usability, mobile marketing acceptance / GR2018

No Brasil, poucos estudos investigaram a prevalência de medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados (MPIs) em idosos ambulatoriais. Este estudo visa determinar a prevalência de MPIs prescritos para estes pacientes, identificando os mais comumente envolvidos e verificando se a idade, o sexo e o número de medicamentos estão relacionados à prescrição de tais medicamentos. Foram coletadas prescrições de 3070 pacientes idosos (60 anos) em banco de dados, provenientes dos ambulatórios de Geriatria e Clínica Geral de um hospital universitário de atenção terciária em São Paulo-Brasil entre fevereiro e maio de 2008, que foram divididas de acordo com o sexo e faixa etária (60-69; 70-79 e 80). Os critérios de Beers versão 2003 foram utilizados para a avaliação de MPIs. A maior parte da casuística foi composta por mulheres em ambos os ambulatórios (66,6% na Clínica Geral e 77,7% na Geriatria). Os pacientes da Clínica Geral apresentaram média de idade de 71,3 anos e os da Geriatria, 80,1 anos. Na Clínica Geral a prevalência média de prescrição de MPIs foi de 37,6% e na Geriatria de 26,9%, sendo que em ambos as mulheres de 60-69 foram as que apresentaram a maior prevalência destes medicamentos. Os MPIs mais prescritos nos dois ambulatórios foram o carisoprodol, a fluoxetina e a amitriptilina, sendo que houve diferenças nos perfis de prescrições entre homens e mulheres. A chance de uso de MPI no sexo feminino é maior que no masculino (p<0,001); a chance de uso de MPI na faixa de 70-79 anos é menor que na faixa de 60-69 anos (p=0,030), assim como na faixa de 80 (p=0,024). Estas conclusões não dependem do ambulatório (p=0,164).O efeito de ambulatório depende do número de medicamentos (p=0,009). Se o número de medicamentos é < 9 a chance de uso de MPI na Clínica Geral é maior que na Geriatria (p=0,041). Quando o número de medicamentos é 7 ou 8, a chance de uso de MPI é maior do que quando são prescritos 1-4 medicamentos (p<0,001), nos dois ambulatórios (p=0,098). Quando são usados 9 medicamentos, a chance de uso de MPI depende do ambulatório (p=0,044). Na Geriatria, a chance de uso de um MPI é 8,2 vezes a RC na categoria 1-4 medicamentos; enquanto que na Clínica Geral a razão de chances é 4,6. As prevalências de MPIs encontradas foram semelhantes ao relatado na literatura e estão correlacionadas ao sexo feminino. A chance de prescrição de MPIs foi menor em pacientes com 70 anos; observou-se que se o número de medicamentos for <9, a chance de uso de MPI na Clínica Geral é maior que na Geriatria, porém, se o número de medicamentos for 9 não há diferença entre as chances de uso de MPI nos dois ambulatórios / In Brazil, few studies have investigated the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) among elderly outpatients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PIMs prescribed to such patients, identify the medications most commonly involved and investigate whether age, sex and number of medications are related to the prescription of such medications. Prescriptions issued to 3,070 elderly patients (60 years) were gathered from a database. These patients were attended at the geriatric and general clinical outpatient services of a tertiary-level university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, between February and May 2008. They were divided according to sex and age group (60- 69; 70-79; and 80 years). The Beers criteria (2003 version) were used to evaluate PIMs. The majority of the sample comprised women, at both outpatient services (66.6% in the general clinic and 77.7% in geriatrics). The mean age of the general clinical patients was 71.3 years and the mean for the geriatric patients was 80.1 years. At the general clinic, the mean prevalence of prescriptions of PIMs was 37.6%, and it was 26.9% at the geriatric clinic. At both outpatient services, women aged 60-69 years presented the highest prevalence of such medications. The PIMs most prescribed at the two outpatient services were carisoprodol, fluoxetine and amitriptyline, and there were differences in the prescription profiles between the men and women. The chances of using PIMs were greater for the women than for the men (p < 0.001). The chances of using PIMs in the 70-79 years group were lower than in the 60-69 years group (p = 0.030), and likewise for the group 80 years (p = 0.024). These conclusions were independent of the outpatient service (p = 0.164). The outpatient effect depended on the number of medications (p = 0.009). If the number of medications was < 9, the chances of using PIMs at the general clinic were greater than the chances at the geriatric clinic (p = 0.041). When the number of medications was 7 or 8, the chances of using PIMs were greater than when prescribed 1-4 medications (p < 0.001), at both outpatient services (p = 0.098). When 9 medications were used, the chances of using PIMs depended on the outpatient service (p = 0.044). At the geriatric clinic, the chances of using PIMs were 8.2 times greater than the chances in the category of 1-4 medications; while at the general clinic, the odds ratio was 4.6. The prevalence of PIMs encountered was similar to what has been reported in the literature, and it correlated with female sex. The chances of being prescribed PIMs were lower among patients 70 years. If the number of medications was < 9, the chances of using PIMs at the general clinic were greater than the chances at the geriatric clinic. However, if the number of medications was 9, there was no difference in the chances of using PIMs between the two outpatient services

Os Transtornos psiquiátricos acompanham a história da humanidade. Classificados em categorias distintas podemos observar que dentre todas as patologias que constituem os transtornos mentais e de comportamento, as doenças mais prevalentes são as doenças de Ansiedade e de Transtorno Depressivo Maior (TDM). Mesmo com muitos avanços nas neurociências, assim como na terapêutica (psicofarmacologia), ainda hoje a fisiopatologia e o desenvolvimento farmacológico são áreas que necessitam intenso estudo. Avanços recentes tem sugerido que drogas capazes de modular os sistemas glutamatérgico e purinérgico possuem potencial efeito neuromodulador, sendo promissores candidatos para o desenvolvimento de novas drogas com ação ansiolítica e/ou antidepressiva. Dessa maneira, o objetivo desta tese foi investigar o potencial efeito ansiolítico da guanosina (GUO) em modelos animais preditivos para o estudo da potencial atividade ansiolítica de novos compostos, assim como seu potencial efeito antidepressivo no modelo animal de depressão da Bulbectomia Olfatória Bilateral (OBX). Inicialmente, nossos resultados demonstram que a administração de GUO foi capaz de produzir um consistente efeito ansiolítico modulando os níveis de adenosina (ADO) e glutamato cerebral. Ainda, pela primeira vez, foi observado que a GUO per se promoveu uma diminuição da liberação de glutamato em preparações de sinaptosomas de hipocampo, um efeito dependente da ativação dos receptores A1 de ADO. Após a caracterização do potencial efeito ansiolítico da GUO, nosso objetivo foi avaliar o potencial efeito antidepressivo da GUO em um modelo animal com validade de face e de constructo, como o modelo da OBX. Contudo, após revisão da literatura em estudos que utilizaram o modelo da OBX, observou-se a necessidade de uma investigação a longo prazo, das principais alterações comportamentais e neuroquímicas induzidas pela OBX. Nossos resultados, mostram pela primeira vez, que camundongos submetidos a OBX apresentaram simultaneamente alterações comportamentais e neuroquímicas transitórias e de longa duração. Ademais, as evidências indicam que o hipocampo possui alta susceptibilidade aos danos induzidos pela OBX, visto que uma sinaptotoxicidade transitória, acompanhada de um duradouro desequilíbrio redox e aumento da resposta inflamatória foram observados. Por fim, o tratamento crônico com GUO foi capaz de reverter a maioria das alterações identificadas previamente como duradouras nos parâmetros comportamentais e neuroquímicos no modelo da OBX. Considerando os resultados neuroquímicos obtidos pelos diferentes protocolos de tratamento realizados neste estudo, novas hipóteses de mecanismos de ação exercidos pela GUO foram apresentadas, e mecanismos já estabelecidos foram reproduzidos. Por fim, de uma maneira geral os dados apresentados nesta tese reforçam a hipótese do envolvimento do sistema purinérgico nos transtornos psiquiátricos, e sugerem que a GUO apresenta uma potencial ação terapêutica para o tratamento destas doenças, abrindo assim novas perspectivas para elucidação dos mecanismos envolvidos na fisiopatologia da ansiedade e TDM. / Psychiatric disorder had accompanied the course of human history. Mental and behavioral disorders are classified in different categories and among all different psychiatric disorders; anxiety and major depressive disorder (MDD) are the most prevalents. Despite the substantial advances in our knowledge on the neurobiological bases of both anxiety and MDD, as well as in the therapeutic area (psychopharmacology), even today, the pathophysiology of these disorders as well as pharmacological development are still under investigation. Recent advances have suggested that drugs able to modulate glutamatergic and purinergic systems present a potential neuromodulatory effect, and are promising candidates for the development of new drugs with both anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. Thus, the aim of this work was to investigate the potential guanosine (GUO) anxiolytic-like effects in predictive animal models largely used to elucidate anxiolytic properties of new compounds, as well as investigate the potential GUO antidepressant effect in Olfactory Bulbectomy (OBX) model of depression. Initially, our results demonstrate that acute GUO administration was able to induce a consistent anxiolytic-like effect, by modulating the adenosine and glutamate cerebrospinal levels. Here, for the first time, it was observed that GUO per se was able to decrease the glutamate release in hippocampal synaptosome. After characterizing the potential anxiolytic-like effect promoted by GUO, our second goal was to evaluate the potential GUO antidepressant-like effect in an animal model with recognized face and construct validity as the OBX model of depression. However, given the lack of studies in the literature considering the time course of the behavioral and neurochemical changes after the depressive-like behavior onset induced by OBX we firstly characterize some important features regarding the OBX model. Collectively, mice submitted to the OBX model of depression and followed up to 8 weeks simultaneously presented transient and long-lasting deleterious effects in behavioral and neurochemical parameters. The evidences pointed that hippocampus was the most affected brain structure, since a transient hippocampal-related synaptotoxicity, accompanied by a long-lasting hippocampal imbalance in redox and inflammatory homeostasis were observed. Additionally, the neurochemical effects seem to strengthen our behavioral findings. Finally, chronic GUO treatment, similarly to the classical tricyclic antidepressant imipramine, was able to improve the long-term behavioral phenotype impairment induced by OBX, specifically improving behavioral performances that require cognitive functions, accompanied by reversion of hippocampal redox imbalance parameters, as well as in peripheral and central anti-inflammatory IL-10 release. Thus, in present study, the pre-clinical evaluation of GUO as a potential drug for treatment of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders (anxiety and MDD) presented promising results. Furthermore, additional GUO mechanisms of action were evidenced and new perspectives were established. Thus, the data presented in this thesis support the hypothesis of the involvement of the purinergic system in mood disorders, and suggest that GUO has a potential therapeutic activity for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Zhang, Xinran. / Thesis submitted in: December 2007. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-87). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / TITLE PAGE --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / 中文摘要 --- p.v / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.vii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.viii / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xi / LIST OF TABLES --- p.xiv / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.xv / Chapter CHAPTER 1. --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1. --- Rationale of the Study --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2. --- Current technologies for formulating long-acting parenteral protein deliver system --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1. --- Chemical Modification --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2. --- Sustained-release formulation --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.2.1. --- Phase separation method --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.2.2. --- Solvent evaporation/extraction method --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.2.3. --- Spray drying method --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.2.4. --- Causes for protein instability --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.2.4.1. --- Water/organic solvent interface --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.2.4.2. --- Lyophilization --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2.4.3. --- Polymer --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.2.4.4. --- Stabilizing additive --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3. --- Aqueous-aqueous emulsion technology --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.1. --- Background --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.2. --- Basic Principle --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.3. --- Phase diagram --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.4. --- Formation of aqueous-aqueous emulsion --- p.19 / Chapter 1.3.4.1. --- Introduction of a water-soluble charged polymer as stabilizer --- p.19 / Chapter 1.3.4.2. --- Freezing-induced phase separation --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3.5. --- General Protocol --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.5.1. --- Introduction of a water-soluble charged polymeric stabilizer --- p.22 / Chapter 1.3.5.2. --- Freezing-induced phase separation --- p.22 / Chapter 1.3.6. --- Merits and limitations of the aqueous-aqueous emulsion technology --- p.23 / Chapter 1.3.7. --- Protein selection for the sustained release formulation --- p.25 / Chapter 1.4. --- Aims and scope of study --- p.26 / Chapter "CHAPTER 2," --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.1. --- Materials --- p.28 / Chapter 2.1.1. --- Proteins --- p.28 / Chapter 2.1.2. --- Polymers --- p.28 / Chapter 2.1.3. --- Media for TF-1 Cell Culture --- p.28 / Chapter 2.1.4. --- Chemicals and Solvents for Cell Proliferation Assay --- p.29 / Chapter 2.1.5. --- Other Chemicals and Solvents --- p.29 / Chapter 2.1.6. --- Materials for Cell Culture --- p.29 / Chapter 2.1.7. --- Materials for Reagent Kits --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2. --- Methods --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- Determination of the Partition Coefficients of Proteins Between PEG and Dextran --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Preparation of Glassy Particles --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.2.1. --- Standard Stable Aqueous-aqueous Emulsion Method --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.2.2. --- Freezing-induced Phase Separation --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.3. --- Preparation of Protein-loaded and Blank Microspheres Using S-o-w Solvent Extraction Technique --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.4. --- Optical Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy --- p.33 / Chapter 2.2.5. --- Determination of Protein Loading --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.5.1. --- Within Dextran Particles --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.5.2. --- Within PLGA microspheres --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.6. --- Evaluation of Protein Structural Integrity and Bioactivity in Dextran Particles and PGLA Microspheres --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2.7. --- In vitro Release Study --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.8. --- RhIFN Stability Determination under Simulated In Vitro Release Conditions --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.8.1. --- In the Absence of PLGA --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.8.2. --- In the Presence of PLGA --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.9. --- MicroBCÁёØ Protein Assay --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.10. --- Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) - High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.11. --- ELISA --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.12. --- Bioactivity Assay --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.12.1. --- RhIFN --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.12.2. --- RhGM-CSF --- p.41 / Chapter CHAPTER 3. --- Results and Discussions / Chapter 3.1. --- Sustained-release RhIFN Formulation --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1.1. --- Partition Coefficient of RhIFN --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1.2. --- Formulation Based on the Standard Aqueous-aqueous Emulsion (SA-AE) Method With Sodium Alginate as Stabilizer --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1.2.1. --- Surface Morphology --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1.2.2. --- Formulation Characterization --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1.2.3. --- In Vitro Release of RhIFN from PLGA Microsheres --- p.54 / Chapter 3.1.3. --- Formulation Based on the Freezing-induced Phase Separation (FIPS) Technique without Sodium Alginate --- p.56 / Chapter 3.1.3.1. --- Formulation Characterization --- p.56 / Chapter 3.1.3.2. --- In Vitro Release of RhIFN from PGLA Microsphees --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2. --- RhIFN Stability Assessment under Simulated In Vitro Release Conditions --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.1. --- In the Absence of PLGA --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- In the Presence of PLGA --- p.65 / Chapter 3.3. --- Sustained-release RhGM-CSF Formulation --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- Partition Coefficient Determination of RhGM-CSF Between PEG and Dextran --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Formulation Based on Freezing-induced Phase Separation --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3.2.1. --- Validation of MTT Assay Conditions --- p.69 / Chapter 3.3.2.2. --- Formulation Characterization --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.2.3. --- In Vitro Release of RhGM-CSF from PLGA Microspheres --- p.75 / Chapter CHAPTER 4. --- Conclusion and Future Studies / Chapter 4.1. --- Conclusion --- p.78 / Chapter 4.2. --- Future Studies --- p.79 / References --- p.80

Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug effective against several forms of cancer, but can also cause serious side-effects, including nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Curcumin, a natural plant compound, can increase cisplatin’s anti-cancer activity and counteract cisplatin’s deleterious effect on the auditory and renal systems. Unfortunately, curcumin exhibits poor bioavailability, which has promoted interest in the development of synthetic curcumin analogs (curcuminoids) that are soluble, target cancer, and do not cause side effects. This study investigated whether the curcuminoid (3E,5E)-3,5-bis[(2-fluorophenyl) methylene]-4-piperidinone (EF-24) increases the anti-cancer effects of cisplatin against a human ovarian cancer cell line (A2780) and its cisplatin-resistant counterpart (A2780cis), while preventing cisplatin-mediated side effects in a human kidney cell line (HEK-293T) and a mouse auditory hybridoma cell line (HEI-OC1). The effect of cisplatin and EF-24 on cellular viability was measured using the colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The expression and activity of signal transduction proteins in several apoptotic pathways was measured using caspase luminescence assays. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was also measured using flow cytometry. Our data suggest that cisplatin and EF-24 are effective against ovarian cancer cell lines, but both compounds may also have adverse effects on auditory and renal cells. This project provides relevant information that may improve our understanding of how these compounds function in different tissues, facilitating improved cancer treatment and circumvention of side effects commonly associated with cisplatin treatment.

In response to the growing rates of antibiotic resistance in human bacterial pathogens, this study explores the natural products involved in the defensive symbiosis between actinobacteria and fungus-growing ants to uncover new potential antibiotics. This study also seeks to understand the function of natural antibiotics in their ecological contexts, especially those involved in defensive symbioses. Defensive symbiosis can be a beneficial platform for discovering useful antibiotics, because antibiotics in these relationships must be able to selectively inhibit enemies without harming hosts, and are therefore likely more specific and less toxic. Pseudonocardia sp. associated with Trachymyrmex septentrionalis ants demonstrated antibiotic activity against several gram-positive bacteria. Therefore, the natural products from this strain were extracted and purified through activity-guided fractionation. Using mass spectrometry, the structure of the active compound was elucidated as GE37468A, an antibiotic that has been previously identified from Streptomyces sp. ATCC 55365 from Italy. This compound had never before been characterized in a defensive symbiosis, which demonstrates the use of the molecule in a new context. Antibiotic GE37468A is a thiopeptide, which is a group of antibiotics that has previously demonstrated strong activity against many gram-positive bacteria, including bacterial human pathogens. Due to its potency against dangerous bacteria and its likely low toxicity, this antibiotic could therefore hold potential pharmacological uses.

<p>Operation Tonga var en del av de allierades invasion av Hitlers Fort Europa. Syftet med operationen var att skydda de landstigande styrkorna vid Normandies östra flank. Operationen genomfördes av major John Howard och hans glidflygplansburna trupper från Oxford and Buckinghamshires lätta infanteriregemente. Denna enhet genomförde en operation utan understöd eller underhåll från egna förband och hade en begränsad möjlighet att fysiskt kunna medföra utrustning, likt den svenska luftburna bataljonen.</p><p>Syftet med uppsatsen var att undersöka om förberedelser och förövning är nyckeln till framgång när en enhet skall anfalla en starkare försvarsgrupperad enhet.</p><p>Uppsatsen innehåller en analys av de förberedelser som gjordes inför operation Tonga utifrån de grundläggande förmågorna. Utifrån den analysen förs en diskussion över dessa förberedelsers betydelse utifrån de taktiska grundprinciperna för markarenan. Analysen och diskussionen visar att förberedelserna och förövningen ledde till att chefen fick en större handlingsfrihet och att enheten fick ett högre stridstempo och genom det höga stridstempot kunde upprätthålla sin överraskning som skapats genom en coup de main operation. Det höga stridstempot och överraskningen gjorde att major Howard kunde ta initiativet i striden och nå lokal överlägsenhet och på så vis slå den försvarsgrupperade fienden vid bron Pegasus bridge. Det höga stridstempot uppnåddes tack vare förbandets förövning och förberedelser samt de goda underrättelser som major John Howard hade tillgång till vid framtagandet av sin stridsplan.</p> / <p>Operation Tonga served a bigger purpose than to take control over Pegasus bridge. The purpose of the operation was to protect the flank of the allied troops at Normandy. The operation was carried out by Major John Howard and his troops from the Oxford and Buckinghamshire light infantry regiment. This unit had no support or supply assistance from other units and had limited capability to bring equipment, just like the Swedish air assault battalion.</p><p>The purpose of this essay was to examine if preparations is the key to success when one unit is about to bring out an assault against a stronger, dug in unit.</p><p>This essay contains an analysis of the preparations on the basis of the basic abilities. Those preparations are later discussed based on the principals of ground tactics in order to see the effects of the preparations in the operation. The analysis and the discussion show that the unit gained a higher tempo of combat and achieved a surprise element. The high tempo of combat and the surprise made it possible for Major Howard to take the initiative in the battle and achieve local superiority. That made it possible for Major Howard to defeat the dug in enemy at Pegasus bridge. The high tempo of combat was possible because of the units’ preparations and the intelligence reports Major John Howard got as support when planning for combat.</p>

Operation Tonga var en del av de allierades invasion av Hitlers Fort Europa. Syftet med operationen var att skydda de landstigande styrkorna vid Normandies östra flank. Operationen genomfördes av major John Howard och hans glidflygplansburna trupper från Oxford and Buckinghamshires lätta infanteriregemente. Denna enhet genomförde en operation utan understöd eller underhåll från egna förband och hade en begränsad möjlighet att fysiskt kunna medföra utrustning, likt den svenska luftburna bataljonen. Syftet med uppsatsen var att undersöka om förberedelser och förövning är nyckeln till framgång när en enhet skall anfalla en starkare försvarsgrupperad enhet. Uppsatsen innehåller en analys av de förberedelser som gjordes inför operation Tonga utifrån de grundläggande förmågorna. Utifrån den analysen förs en diskussion över dessa förberedelsers betydelse utifrån de taktiska grundprinciperna för markarenan. Analysen och diskussionen visar att förberedelserna och förövningen ledde till att chefen fick en större handlingsfrihet och att enheten fick ett högre stridstempo och genom det höga stridstempot kunde upprätthålla sin överraskning som skapats genom en coup de main operation. Det höga stridstempot och överraskningen gjorde att major Howard kunde ta initiativet i striden och nå lokal överlägsenhet och på så vis slå den försvarsgrupperade fienden vid bron Pegasus bridge. Det höga stridstempot uppnåddes tack vare förbandets förövning och förberedelser samt de goda underrättelser som major John Howard hade tillgång till vid framtagandet av sin stridsplan. / Operation Tonga served a bigger purpose than to take control over Pegasus bridge. The purpose of the operation was to protect the flank of the allied troops at Normandy. The operation was carried out by Major John Howard and his troops from the Oxford and Buckinghamshire light infantry regiment. This unit had no support or supply assistance from other units and had limited capability to bring equipment, just like the Swedish air assault battalion. The purpose of this essay was to examine if preparations is the key to success when one unit is about to bring out an assault against a stronger, dug in unit. This essay contains an analysis of the preparations on the basis of the basic abilities. Those preparations are later discussed based on the principals of ground tactics in order to see the effects of the preparations in the operation. The analysis and the discussion show that the unit gained a higher tempo of combat and achieved a surprise element. The high tempo of combat and the surprise made it possible for Major Howard to take the initiative in the battle and achieve local superiority. That made it possible for Major Howard to defeat the dug in enemy at Pegasus bridge. The high tempo of combat was possible because of the units’ preparations and the intelligence reports Major John Howard got as support when planning for combat.

Cancer is a disease that varies dramatically from person to person due to the specifics of the individual's physiology and the source of the cancer. In most cases, the origin of the cancer can be determined but metastasis can lead to tumors anywhere and thus many cancers require treatment of the whole body. Since many of the drugs that are used to treat cancer are toxic to healthy cells as well as cancerous ones, there has been considerable interest in developing ways to convey the drug specifically to the cancer cells with minimal exposure to healthy cells. Colloid drug delivery vehicles have shown considerable progress toward this end, while also reducing degradation of the drug prior to delivery to targeted sites (particularly important for oligonucleotide and protein therapeutics), and controlling release rates. Toward the end of improved drug delivery, this thesis work investigates the encapsulation of DNA in gelatin microspheres (GMS) and the subsequent temperature controlled release of the encapsulated DNA from these GMS. DNA-loaded GMS were then used as templates for colloidal satellite assemblies and the released DNA was shown to competitively displace the original partner strands of immobilized DNA on the surface of the assemblies. To support these investigations, hybridization of DNA at colloidal surfaces was also investigated using in situ measurements and found to significantly deviate from solution behavior. DNA hybridization is of particular interest as means of controlling the functionality of colloidal structures because it is uniquely reversible and tunable as well as biocompatible. Gelatin was chosen as the encapsulation matrix for its superior biocompatibility, convenient gel to liquid phase transition at ~35 oC, and economical availability.

Magistrantūros baigiamojo darbo tyrimų tikslas buvo nustatyti Naujosios Gvinėjos sprigėse (Impatiens hawkeri) plintančias ligas, kenkėjus, ištirti augalų apsaugos produktų ir augalų priežiūrai skirtų produktų efektyvumą jų daromai žalai sumažinti. Bandymai atlikti 2012–2013 m. R. Pauliuko ūkyje Plukių kaime, Panevėžio rajone ir Lietuvos Agrarinių ir Miškų Mokslų Centro filialo Sodininkystės ir daržininkystės instituto (LAMMC SDI) Augalų apsaugos laboratorijoje. Tyrimų objektas: Naujosios Gvinėjos (Impatiens hawkeri) sprigių veislės: ‘Paradise Logia‘,‘Paradise Moores‘ ir ‘Paradise Coiba‘. Tyrimų metodai. Tyrimai atlikti 2-iem etapais. Pirmo etapo 2012 m. tyrimuose nustatėme Naujosios Gvinėjos sprigėse plintančias pagrindines ligas, kenkėjus. Jų apibūdinimui naudojome vizualinį–simptomatinį, ligų sukėlėjų identifikavimui – drėgnų kamerų ir mikroskopavimo metodus. Antro etapo 2012–2013 m. tyrimuose įvertinome biologinių augalų priežiūrai skirtų produktų Mimoten, Funres, Konflic, augimo stimuliatoriaus Florone, augalų apsaugos produktų – fungicido Previcur 607 SL, insekticido Vertimec 018 EC poveikį sprigių ligų, kenkėjų prevencijai ir kontrolei, sprigių augimui ir vystymusi. Tyrimų rezultatai. Tyrimų rezultatai parodė, kad Naujosios Gvinėjos sprigės 'Paradise Logia', 'Paradise Moorea' ir 'Paradise Coiba' R. Pauliuko šiltnamyje buvo pažeistos kekeriniu puviniu, miltlige, netikrąja miltlige, pašaknio puviniais, dėmėtligėmis. Skirtingose sprigių veislėse šios ligos pasireiškė... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The main aim of Master studies research was to identify diseases and parasites that can harm New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri). Also, investigate effectiveness and efficacy of plant protection and maintenance products. The investigation was conducted in the greenhouse of farmer R. Pauliukas in Plukiai, Panevėžys country and at Agricultural and Forest Sciences Center Gardening Institute Plant protection lab. Object of the research: New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) Breeds: Paradise Logia‘, ‚Paradise Mooera‘ and ‚Paradise Coiba‘. Research methods: Experiments were performed in two phases. First phase was performed in 2012 and major diseases and parasites were identified for New Guinea impatiens. Visual-symptomatic method was used for description of the diseases and parasites. Disease agent was identified with wet camera and microscopy. During a second phase we have evaluated biologically derived agents Mimoten, Funres, Konflic, and growth simulator Florone used in maintentance of plants. Also we have evaluated plant protectants fungicide Previcur, insecticide Vertimec effect on prevention and control of New Guinea impatiens diseases and parasites as well as effect on growth and development of the plant. Research results. The results of this investigation showed that New Guinea impatients ‚Paradise Logia‘, ‚Paradise Moorea‘ and ‚Paradise Coiba‘ in R. Pauliukas greenhouse were affected by gray mould (Botrytis cinerea), mildew (Oidium sp.), downy mildew (Plasmopara... [to full text]