Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries / Department: Journalism and Mass Communication.

Fluorescent nucleic acid base analogues (FBAs) are an important class of molecule used to study the structure and dynamics of DNA and RNA. These base analogues are molecules with structures that resemble one of the natural bases but which, unlike the natural bases, have high fluorescence quantum yields. 2-Aminopurine (2AP) has long been the most widely used fluorescent base analogue and is one of the few base analogues commercially available. One problem with 2AP is that it undergoes significant quenching when incorporated into DNA: the quantum yield decreases 100 fold from that of the free base, thus becoming too low for use in, for example, single molecule studies. A secondary problem is that the 305 nm absorption peak requires excitation in the UV. A variety of new fluorescent base analogues are being produced, with a view to remedying the deficiencies of 2AP and expanding the current range of use. The first part of this thesis explores the one-photon photophysical properties of several of these novel FBAs. The first of these novel FBAs is the 6-aza-uridine family. These compounds, analogues of uridine, have large Stokes shifts and their absorption and emission spectra are red-shifted in comparison to 2AP; their quantum yields as free bases have been shown to exceed that of 2AP and their environmental sensitivity has been demonstrated. Time-resolved measurements reported in this thesis indicate the presence of multiple emitting species. A density functional theory (DFT) study has been carried out to rationalise these emitting species as rotational isomers. Similar fluorescence lifetime measurements were made on a second class of FBAs, the quadracyclic adenine analogues, qANs; these results also indicated the presence of multiple emitting species. Experimental results show that these FBAs undergo excited-state proton transfer. The final FBA studied in this thesis is pentacyclic adenine, pA. This FBA showed some of the most promising characteristics of all the analogues investigated, such as a high quantum yield in both polar and non-polar solvents. A time-resolved investigation into pA-containing oligonucleotides indicated that in an oligonucleotide pA adopts multiple stacked conformations and its behaviour is highly sequence dependent. Several of these aforementioned fluorescent base analogues have absorption spectra in a region that makes them accessible to two-photon (2P) excitation with a Ti:Sapphire laser. In biological systems, multiphoton excitation has several advantages over one-photon excitation. By avoiding the use of ultraviolet light there is reduced phototoxicity. Out of focus photobleaching and autofluorescence are also minimised which leads to a higher signal-to-background ratio and allows deeper tissue penetration to be achieved. Fluorescent base analogues tend to have small Stokes shifts; this is another problem that can be overcome by using two-photon excitation. To be of potential use in multiphoton microscopy, a FBA must have a high two-photon absorption cross-section and a high two-photon brightness. Previously, the highest two- photon brightness measured for a fluorescent base analogue was less than 2 GM. Amongst the base analogues investigated here, are several that have higher two-photon brightness than ever reported for FBAs; these include pA which is shown to have the highest 2P brightness of a FBA in an oligonucleotide, 1.3 GM, and a member of the 6-azauridine family which as a free base has a 2P brightness of 18 GM. Detection of individual molecules represents the ultimate level of sensitivity and enables details about a molecular system that would otherwise be concealed using conventional ensemble techniques to be revealed. With the improved 2P brightness of the molecules measured in this thesis, it has become feasible to detect single FBA molecules using 2P excitation. To maximise the chance of detection, ultrafast, shaped laser pulses have been used as the excitation source. For the first time, the signal has been high enough and the molecule of interest sufficiently photostable such that 2P fluorescence correlation spectroscopy of a fluorescent base analogue in an oligonucleotide could be measured. In summary, this thesis reports the fluorescence lifetimes and two-photon cross-sections of a series of novel fluorescent base analogues, as well as fluorescence correlation spectroscopy measurements of the most promising candidates.

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-06-07T18:34:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 FredericoSantos.pdf: 963672 bytes, checksum: 82f7ae1b28b9c136b94c6c04439b8c32 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-07T18:34:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 FredericoSantos.pdf: 963672 bytes, checksum: 82f7ae1b28b9c136b94c6c04439b8c32 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-12-15 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Maranhão (FAPEMA) / The standard model extension is a theoretical framework which includes the possibility of Lorentz symmetry violation in the Standard Model of elementary interactions. In electrodynamics, this possibility is represented by the term, Kμν∝βFμνF∝β , that violates Lorentz symmetry without jeopardizing CPT symmetry, and the term ε∝μβνV∝Aμ∂βAν, which violates Lorentz and CPT symmetries. These additional terms are inserted in the Maxwell Lagrangena and alter the field equations, as well. In this work we study the influence of Lorentz violation in the photonic sector on fermion scattering processes, regarding individually the CPT-odd and CPT-even coefficients. At first, we present a review through some topics of great interest, as the Dirac equation, Dirac propagator, scattering matrix, Feynman rules, Casimir trick, and the evaluation of the differential cross sections. Next, we implemented the developed techniques to carry out the corrections (to the cross sections) induced by the Lorentz-violating terms. Our results reveal as each Lorentz-violating component changes the cross section. In the CPT-even case, we observed that the contribution of the term tr to the process e− + μ− → e− + μ− is of difficult detection once it can be disguised between the radioactive corrections. The contributions coming from the vector i imply an angular dependence in the differential cross section of the process e− + μ− → e− + μ−, and do not contribute for the process e− + e+ → μ− + μ+. The CPT-even coefficients, (Ke−)ij , lead to significant contributions in both cases. We highlight its influence in the pair electron-positron annihilation process, where they act as the only components that imply sensitive contributions. The contribution stemming from the CPT-odd sector, represented by the Carroll-Field-Jackiw term, is of less relevance, since the contribute are second order ones. Although we have initially developed a perturbative procedure for evaluating the cross section correction, it was also possible to evaluate the exact propagators of the CPT-odd and CPT-even sectors in a tensor closed form. Such tensor expressions may be used to rederive the cross section corrections. / O Modelo Padrão Estendido (MPE)é um arcabouço teórico que considera a possibilidade de violação de simetria de Lorentz no Modelo Padrão das interações elementares. Na eletrodinâmica, esta possibilidade é representada pelo termo Kμν∝βFμνF∝β , que viola a simetria de Lorentz sem violar a simetria CPT, e o termo ε∝μβνV∝Aμ∂βAν, que viola a simetria de Lorentz, juntamente com a simetria CPT. Estes termos extras são incluídos na lagrangena de Maxwell e, consequentemente, também alteram a equação de movimento dos campos. Neste trabalho consideramos a influência da violação de Lorentz no setor fotônico em processos de espalhamento de férmions, e− + μ− ! e− + μ− e e− + e+ ! μ− + μ+, considerando individualmente o setor CPT-ímpar e CPT-par em suas componentes não-birrefringentes. No primeiro momento, apresentamos uma revisão de tópicos de interesse, passando pela equação de Dirac, propagador de Dirac, matriz de espalhamento, regras de Feynman, truque de Casimir, finalizando com o cálculo das seções de choque diferenciais para processos elementares. Em seguida, implementamos as técnicas desenvolvidas para calcular o incremento à seção de choque, oriundo da violação de simetria de Lorentz no setor fotônico. Em nossos resultados, obtivemos como cada componente de violação de Lorentz altera a seção de choque. No caso CPT-par, observamos que a contribuição do termo Kir ao processo e− + e+ → μ− + μ+ é de difícil verificação, pois se confunde com as contribuições radioativas. Já as contribuições advindas do vetor Ki, inserem uma dependência angular na seção de choque diferencial do processo e− + μ− → e− + μ−, mas não contribui no processo e− + e+ → μ− + μ+. Os coeficientes paridade-par, (Ke−)ij , implicam em contribuições relevantes em ambos os processos, e destacamos sua influência no processo de aniquilação elétron-pósitron, onde atuam como únicas componentes que contribuem de forma notável. A contribuição do setor CPT-ímpar (termo de Carroll-Field-Jackiw) é comparativamente de menor relevância, já que as contribuições à seção de choque aparecem apenas em segunda ordem. Embora tenhamos inicialmente desenvolvido um procedimento perturbativo para calcular as contribuições dos parâmetros de quebra de Lorentz à seção de choque, também foi possível obter os propagadores de Feynman exatos tanto para o setor CPT-ímpar quanto para o setor CPT-par. Tais expressões podem ser usadas para recalcular as seções de choque.

Nesta pesquisa, temos por objeto de estudo o envolvimento interpessoal. Buscamos descrever um conjunto de opções linguísticas que constitui uma atividade interativa e que tenham por finalidade gerenciar o contato com o leitor. Nosso objetivo é analisar o papel do envolvimento e delinear sua rede de recursos na construção das relações interpessoais. Para tanto, investigamos textos produzidos no âmbito da interação midiática, em particular em revistas de nicho, uma vez que favorecem a particularidade da relação com o público alvo, empregando em suas publicações estratégias para criar afinidade e identificação com o mercado consumidor, além de investir na atratividade dos textos. Selecionamos como corpus um espaço interativo composto por cartas de leitores e respostas das revistas às perguntas enviadas no caso, por homens adultos, mulheres adultas e mulheres adolescentes , que constituem os textos das seções Pergunte à Vizinha e Pergunte ao Beto, o Barman (revista Mens Health), Pergunte ao Amigo Gay e Pergunte ao Vizinho (revista Womens Health) e Arrasa! Ficadas e rolos (revista Atrevida). Por oferecer soluções sucintas para situaçõesproblema do cotidiano, tais seções caracterizam-se como prática discursiva de aconselhamento, e, para analisá-las, respaldamo-nos na abordagem sistêmico-funcional, com foco na metafunção interpessoal, a fim de depreender os recursos responsáveis pela construção do envolvimento, complementando com estudos a respeito do que ocorre na dinâmica da interação, para verificar de que maneira são efetivados a solidariedade e o estreitamento dos vínculos entre revista de nicho e leitor. Particularmente, fundamentamo-nos na concepção e nas categorias propostas por Gonçalves Segundo (2011), e, em diálogo com essa perspectiva, a partir da análise do corpus, pudemos ampliar a rede de opções linguísticas que constroem vínculos e buscam atrair a atenção dos leitores. Os resultados da investigação apontam variadas opções paradigmáticas que desempenham a função de tracionar e atrair o leitor e que formam a rede de envolvimento, bem como revelam o papel de relevância dos recursos dessa rede na prática de conselhos em revistas de nicho, por possibilitar que efeitos de empatia sejam neles insculpidos, sinalizando padrões interpessoais que enfatizam o gerenciamento interativo. / This research aims to study the interpersonal involvement. We seek to describe a set of linguistic options that constitutes an interactive activity and whose purpose is to manage the contact with the reader. Our objective is analyzing the role of involvement and delineating its network resources in the construction of interpersonal relations. To this end, we investigate texts produced within a mediatic interaction approach, specifically in Brazilian niche magazines, in view of the fact that they foster the relation with the targeted public, embracing in their publications strategies to promote bonding and identification with the consumer market, besides investing in attractiveness of the texts. We have selected as corpus an interactive space formed by letters from readers and replies from the magazines to the questions sent by adult men and women, and teenage girls, which compound the texts of the sections Pergunte à Vizinha and Pergunte ao Beto, o Barman (Mens Health), Pergunte ao Amigo Gay and Pergunte ao Vizinho (Womens Health) and Arrasa! Ficadas e rolos (Atrevida). Since they offer simple solutions for daily-basis problems, those sections are characterized as discursive practice of counselling, and, in order to analyze them we employed the systemic functional approach, focusing on interpersonal metafunction, so as to understand the responsible resources in the construction of involvement, adding studies regarding the dynamics of interaction in order that it is possible to verify solidarity and interpersonal bonds between niche magazine and the reader. Particularly, we are based on the conception and categories proposed by Gonçalves Segundo (2011), and, in dialogue with this perspective, from the analysis of the corpus, it was possible to extend the network linguistic options that build bonds and seek to attract the attention of readers. The results of the investigation suggest a varied number of paradigmatic options which perform the function of traction and attract the reader, build an involvement network, as well as reveal the role of relevance of these network resources in the practice of counselling in niche magazines due to the allowance-insertion of empathy effects, signaling to interpersonal patterns which emphasize the interaction management.

Absolute K-shell x-ray cross sections and Auger-electron cross sections are measured for carbon for 0.6 to 2.0 MeV proton incident on CH₄, n-C₄H₁₀ (n-Butane), i-C₄H₁₀ (isobutane), C₆H₆ (Benzene), C₂H₂ (Acetylene), CO and CO₂. Carbon K-shell fluorescence yields are calculated from the measurements of x-ray and Auger-electron cross sections. X-ray cross sections are measured using a variable geometry end window proportional counter. An alternate method is described for the measurement of the transmission of the proportional counter window. Auger electrons are detected by using a constant transmission energy Π/4 parallel pi ate electrostatic analyzer. Absolute carbon K-shell x-ray cross sections for CH₄ are compared to the known results of Khan et al. (1965). Auger-electron cross sections for proton impact on CH₄ are compared to the known experimental values of RΦdbro et al. (1979), and to the theoretical predictions of the first Born and ECPSSR. The data is in good agreement with both the first Born and ECPSSR, and within our experimental uncertainties with the measurements of RΦdbro et al. The x-ray cross sections, Auger-electron cross sections and fluorescence yields are plotted as a function of the Pauling charge, and show significant variations. These changes in the x-ray cross sections are compared to a model based on the number of electrons present in the 2s and 2p sub shells of these carbon based molecules. The changes in the Auger-electron cross sections are compared to the calculations of Matthews and Hopkins. The variation in the fluorescence yield is explained on the basis of the multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock model.

Alvos naturais de Mg, Al, Si, Cr, Ti, Ni e Zr foram irradiados com prótons e as seções de choque para várias reações nucleares foram determinadas a energias inferiores a 30 MeV. As irradiações foram efetuadas nos ciclotrons CV-28 e CYCLONE 30 do IPEN, que possuem energia nominal de 24 e 30 MeV, respectivamente. O feixe de prótons foi monitorado por meio de lâminas de Cu ou a partir da formação de nuclídeos na própria amostra com seção de choque conhecida para as energias utilizadas. Especial interesse foi dedicado às reações raras di tipo (p, 2alfa) e (p, ANTPOT.3 H) das quais existem, em geral, poucos dados publicados, principalmente para energias próximas do limiar. A determinação da seção de choque foi realizada a partir da medida da atividade residual dos produtos pelo método de espectroscopia gama simples. Um detector HPG com resolução menor que 2 keV foi utilizado. Devido ao valor reduzido da seção de choque das reações de interesse no intervalo de energia considerado, uma análise estatística cuidadosa dos dado foi necessária. Em áreas reduzidas dos picos detectados precisaram da quantificação, em alguns casos, da contribuição de nuclídeos formados na própria amostra por outras reações, a partir de impurezas ou provenientes do fundo radioativo. Entre os produtos obtidos encontram-se os nuclídeos ANTPOT.22 Na, ANTPOT.26 Al, ANTPOT.44 Ti, e ANTPOT.54 Mn. A detecção de ANTPOT.26 Al nas amostras de Al e Si, permitiu estimar os limites do método proposto para o estudo de reações raras de interesse astrofísico. No total, são apresentados neste trabalho 72 valores de seção de choque. Desse total, 21 dados são apresentados pela primeira vez ou foram obtidos pela primeira vez pelo método proposto ou às energias estudadas. Os resultados mais importantes referem-se às reações ANTPOT.29 Si(p, 2alfa)ANTPOT.22 Na,ANTPOT.53 Cr(p, 2alfa)ANTPOT.46 Sc, ANTPOT.46 Ti(p, ANTPOT.3 H)ANTPOT.44 Ti, )ANTPOT.58 Ni(p, ANTPOT.3 H)ANTPOT.56 Ni e ANTPOT.90 Zr(p, ANTPOT.3 H)ANTPOT.88 Zr. Os resultados foram comparados com valores publicados na literatura e com o resultado do cálculo realizado a partir de modelos teóricos conhecidos, permitindo a obtenção de conclusões relativas ao método experimental, assim como aos mecanismos da reação envolvidos. / Natural targets of Mg, Al, Si, Cr, Ti, Ni and Zr were irradiated with protons and the cross section for several reactions were determined for incident energies up to 30 MeV. The irradiations were performed at the CV-28 and CYCLONE 30 cyclotrons from the IPEN, which have nominal energies of 24 and 30 MeV, respectively. The protons beams were monitored by copper foils or by the nuclide formation in the irradiated targets with known cross sections for the used energy. Special interest was dedicated to rare reactions of the (p, 2alfa) and (p, ANTPOT.3 H) kind, from which we have a few published data, mainly for energies near the threshold. The cross section determination was accomplished by the residual actives measurement of the reaction products by the simple gamma spectroscopy method using an HPGe detector with resolution better than 2 keV. Due to the low value of the cross section for the considered reaction, a careful statistical analysis of the obtained data was needed. The small areas of the detected peaks required the quantification of the contributions of nuclides produced by others reactions, from contaminants or from the radioactive background. Among others, the ANTPOT.22 Na, ANTPOT.26 Al, ANTPOT.44 Ti and ANTPOT.54 Mn products have been detected. The detection of ANTPOT.26 Al in the Al and Si targets allow the estimation of the limits of the proposed method for the study of astrophysical interest reaction. In total, 72 cross section values are being presented. Out of this amount, 21 are being presented for the first time or have been obtained for the first time by the method or for the studied energies. The most important results refer to the ANTPOT.29 Si(p, 2gamma)²²Na, ANTPOT.53 Cr(p, 2gamma)ANTPOT.46 Sc, ANTPOT.46 Ti(p, ANTPOT.3 H)ANTPOT.44 Ti, ANTPOT.58 Ni(p, ANTPOT.3 H)ANTPOT.56 Ni and ANTPOT.90 Zr(p, ANTPOT.3 H)ANTPOT.88 Zr reactions. The results have been compared to published vales and calculations using known theoretical models, allowing the achievement of conclusions related to the experimental method, as well as the reaction mechanism involved.

L'anomalie isotopique de l'ozone observée au début des années 1980 a été la première manifestation de fractionnement isotopique indépendant de la masse d'origine chimique. Attribuée au départ, essentiellement au processus de formation de l'ozone, les travaux récents mettent en évidence d'autres contributions telles que la photodissociation. Cette thèse utilise une approche théorique basée sur des calculs ab initio de chimie et dynamique quantique pour déterminer les sections efficaces d'absorption et leurs variations isotopiques. Ces sections efficaces permettent d'étudier la photodissociation de l'ozone par irradiation du soleil (flux actinique) ; ce qui permet une évaluation précise du processus de photodissociation à l'enrichissement isotopique de l'ozone. Ces résultats pourront être intégrés dans un modèle global prenant en compte à la fois les processus de formation et de destruction de l'ozone. / The ozone isotopic anomaly observed in early 1980s has been the first occurance of mass independent fractionation of chemical origin. Assigned first, essentially to the ozone formation process, recent works show additional contributions such as the photolysis process. This thesis uses a theoretical approach based on ab initio quantum chemistry and dynamics computations to obtain the absorption cross sections and their isotopic variations. The absorption cross sections allow to study ozone's photodissociation by solar irradiation (actinic flux) ; which enables an accurate evaluation of the photodissociation process in ozone's isotopic enrichment. Obtained results could be integrated in a global model that takes into account both ozone's formation and destruction processes.

Cette thèse a pour but de contribuer à l’étude des aquifères karstiques en (1) identifiant les facteurs influençants le stockage et l’écoulement de l’eau souterraine et en (2) localisant et estimant de manière quantitative les ressources en eau au sein d’une série carbonatée. Cette étude a été réalisée sur l’aquifère de Dardennes, près de Toulon, en France. L’eau de l’aquifère est utilisée pour l’alimentation en eau potable et alimente le fleuve Las, susceptible de provoquer de fortes crues. Le bassin versant de l’aquifère est estimé à 70 km². Des mesures de porosité et de géochimie isotopique sur les roches carbonatées sont mises en relation dans le but de localiser et d’expliquer les vides créés au sein de la série sédimentaire. Des coupes équilibrées et des analyses structurales ont été réalisées pour évaluer la géométrie de l’aquifère. L’acquisition de données en continu (CTD) et de données hydrochimiques permet d’étudier le dynamisme et le fonctionnement de l'aquifère. Une approche de modélisation pluie-débit avec la plateforme de modélisation KarstMod, basée sur les chroniques de précipitations et de débits sur trois années a été utilisée afin d’estimer la part de l’écoulement disponible pour l’eau potable et celle générant des crues éclair. Une déconvolution du débit des sources a été effectuée à l’échelle annuelle et à l’échelle des crues. Les résultats du modèle ont été comparés avec la gestion actuelle de l’aquifère, montrant une exploitation actuelle équilibrée, et ouvrant des perspectives pour la mise en place d’une gestion active, combinant une exploitation plus importante de l’eau, un écrêtage des crues et un respect de l’écologie du cours d’eau en aval. / The aim of this PhD is to contribute to the karst aquifers understanding by (1) identifying the factors influencing the groundwater storage and flow and by (2) locating and quantitatively estimating water resources within the carbonate sedimentary series. This study was conducted on the Dardennes aquifer near Toulon, France. The aquifer water is used for the supply of drinking water and feeds the Las River, which can cause important floods. The recharge area of the aquifer is estimated at 70 km². Measurements of porosity and isotopic geochemistry on carbonate rocks are related in order to locate and explain the voids created within the sedimentary series. Balanced cross-sections and structural analyses were performed to evaluate the geometry of the aquifer at depth. Continuous data acquisition (specific conductivity, temperature and water depth-pressure) and hydrochemical data (major ions, stables isotopes of water and carbon-13) allow to study the aquifer dynamism and functioning. A daily rainfall-discharge modeling approach was used with the KarstMod platform to estimate the flow part available for drinking water and the part that generates karst flash-floods. A hydrograph separation of springs discharge was carried out at annual and floods scales. Model results have been compared with the current groundwater management, showing a balanced current exploitation. In new perspective, it would be interesting to establish active management, combining a greater groundwater exploitation, floods mitigation and stream ecology respect.

The present study was largely concerned with measuring accurate absolute values for the electronic state excitation cross sections in H2O, in the incident electron energy range 15eV to 50eV. It is hoped that these data will eventually help to improve the current state of electron - molecule scattering theory, as well as being useful in various fields of modelling. As an illustration of this latter point, the cross sections determined here were used to calculate quantities of importance in atmospheric modelling, namely, electron energy transfer rates and rates for the excitation of water molecules by auroral secondary electrons.

Thin-walled steel sections made from high strength thin cold-reduced G550 steel to Australian Standard AS 1397-1993 under compression are investigated experimentally and theoretically in this thesis. This thesis describes three series of compression tests performed on box-section stub columns, box-section long columns and lipped channel section columns cold-formed from high strength steel plates in 0.42 mm or 0.60 mm thickness with nominal yield stress of 550 MPa. The tests presented in this thesis formed part of an Australian Research Council research project entitled: Compression Stability of High Strength Steel Sections with Low Strain-Hardening. For the fix-ended stub column tests, a total of 94 lipped-square and hexagonal section stub columns were tested to study the influence of low strain hardening of G550 steel on the compressive section capacities of the column members. For the pin-ended long column tests, a total of 28 box-section columns were tested to study the stability of members with sections which undergo local instability at loads significantly less than the ultimate loads. For the fix-ended lipped channel section columns, a total of 21 stub and long columns were tested to study the failure resulting from local and distortional buckling with interaction between the modes. A numerical simulation on the three series of tests using the commercial finite element computer program ABAQUS is also presented as part of this thesis. The post-buckling behaviour of thin-walled compression members is investigated. The effect of changing variables, such as geometric imperfections and end boundary conditions is also investigated. The ABAQUS analysis gives accurate simulations of the tests and is in good agreement to the experimental results. Theoretical studies using finite strip methods are presented in this thesis to investigate the buckling behaviour of cold-formed members in compression. The theoretical studies provide valuable information on the local and distortional buckling stresses for use in the interaction buckling studies. The finite strip models used are the semi-analytical and spline models. As expected for the stub columns tests, the greatest effect of low strain hardening was for the stockier sections where material properties play an important role. For the more slender sections where elastic local buckling and post-local buckling are more important, the effect of low strain hardening does not appear to be as significant. The pin-ended and fix-ended long column tests show that interaction, which is between local and overall buckling in the box sections, and between local and distortional buckling in the open channel sections, has a significant effect on their member capacities. The results of the successful column tests and ABAQUS simulation have been compared with the design procedures in the Australian & New Zealand Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Structures AS&NZS 4600 and the North American Specification for Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members prepared by the American Iron and Steel Institute. The stub column tests show that the current design rules give too conservative predictions on the compressive section capacities of the column members; whereas the long column tests show that the current column design rules are unconservative if used in their current form for G550 steel. Three design proposals are presented in this thesis to account for the effects of high strength thin steels on the section and member capacities.