The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of caffeine supplementation on caffeine tolerant and caffeine naïve individual’s lymphocyte counts, apoptosis and migration levels. In addition, effects of exercise on post-caffeine ingestion lymphocyte counts, apoptosis and migration levels were determined. It was hypothesized that caffeine would alter the immune system cell counts, but that exercise would be able to restore the immune system to homeostasis. Seventeen Western Kentucky University students were tested (males n=7, females n=10; n=7: caffeine tolerant= 200mg or more per day group, n=9: caffeine naïve= 50mg or less per day group). In this double-blind investigation, all participants completed two exercise bouts: 30 min of treadmill running at 60-80% HRR once with a placebo drink before exercise and once with 6 mg/kg body weight of caffeine drink completed in a counterbalanced manner. Blood was taken at rest, 30 min after drink ingestion, immediately post exercise, and 60 min post exercise. Blood was stained with antibody markers (Annexin V to determine apoptotic cell counts, CX3CR1 to determine cell migration, CD4=helper T cells, CD8=cytotoxic T cells, CD19=B cells). Blood was analyzed using flow cytometry. We found that cytotoxic T cells showed significant increases following the caffeinated run in both groups combined (tolerant and naïve, p=0.001) and specifically in the naïve group on the caffeine run (p=.004). We did not see any significant changes in CD4, or CD19 cell counts. There were no significant changes in CD4, CD8 or CD19 cell migration or apoptosis. Our results showed that caffeine supplementation causes an increased effect on cytotoxic T cells counts when combined with exercise, and this effect was greater for the caffeine naïve group. The combined effects of caffeine and exercise may have elevated the plasma catecholamine and cortisol levels which are associated with immune cell function and movement. CD8 cells have a greater density of β-receptors, which are influenced by catecholamine, and may explain the increase in their cell counts compared to CD4 and CD19.

No description available.

Some studies have reported in vitro inactivation of membrane enveloped viruses by Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). This study investigates the effect of orally administered BHT on primary infections of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) using rabbit corneas as the assay system. Assigned levels of BHT were incorporated into the diet of New Zealand White rabbits with HSV-1 McKrae strain on the corneal surface of the eyes. The degree of infection was measured by a subjective assay. Rabbits receiving BHT in their diet consistently experienced lower levels of infection. The interpretation of this data is that orally administered BHT can be an effective inhibitor of primary infections by HSV in rabbits.

Structured data stores have been the dominating technologies for the past few decades. Although dominating, structured data stores lack the functionality to handle the ‘Big Data’ phenomenon. A new technology has recently emerged which stores unstructured data and can handle the ‘Big Data’ phenomenon. This study describes the development of an artefact to aid in the analysis of NoSQL document data stores in terms of relational database model constructs. Design science research (DSR) is the methodology implemented in the study and it is used to assist in the understanding, design and development of the problem, artefact and solution. This study explores the existing literature on DSR, in addition to structured and unstructured data stores. The literature review formulates the descriptive and prescriptive knowledge used in the development of the artefact. The artefact is developed using a series of six activities derived from two DSR approaches. The problem domain is derived from the existing literature and a real application environment (RAE). The reviewed literature provided a general problem statement. A representative from NFM (the RAE) is interviewed for a situation analysis providing a specific problem statement. An objective is formulated for the development of the artefact and suggestions are made to address the problem domain, assisting the artefact’s objective. The artefact is designed and developed using the descriptive knowledge of structured and unstructured data stores, combined with prescriptive knowledge of algorithms, pseudo code, continuous design and object-oriented design. The artefact evolves through multiple design cycles into a final product that analyses document data stores in terms of relational database model constructs. The artefact is evaluated for acceptability and utility. This provides credibility and rigour to the research in the DSR paradigm. Acceptability is demonstrated through simulation and the utility is evaluated using a real application environment (RAE). A representative from NFM is interviewed for the evaluation of the artefact. Finally, the study is communicated by describing its findings, summarising the artefact and looking into future possibilities for research and application. / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

This dissertation presents the synthesis of a series of well-defined multiresponsive hydrophilic ABA linear triblock copolymers and the study of their aqueous micellar gels. By incorporating a small amount of stimuli-responsive groups into thermosensitive outer blocks of ABA triblock copolymers, the lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) of thermosensitive blocks can be modified by external stimuli. Consequently, the sol-gel transition temperatures (Tsol-gel) of their aqueous solutions can be altered. Chapter 1 describes the synthesis and solution behavior of a series of thermo- and light-sensitive triblock copolymers, poly(ethoxytri(ethylene glycol) acrylate-co-o-nitrobenzyl acrylate)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(ethoxytri(ethylene glycol) acrylate-co-o-nitrobenzyl acrylate), with different contents of light-responsive o-nitrobenzyl groups. Aqueous solutions of these block copolymers with a 10.0 wt% concentration exhibited thermo-induced sol-gel transitions. Upon UV irradiation, the hydrophobic o-nitrobenzyl groups were cleaved, resulting in an increase in the LCST and consequently gel-to-sol transitions. The UV-irradiated solutions again underwent temperature-induced sol-gel transitions but at higher temperatures. The change of Tsol-gel was, in general, larger for the copolymer with a higher o-nitrobenzyl content after UV irradiation. Chapter 2 presents the synthesis of thermo- and enzyme-responsive ABA triblock copolymers, poly(ethoxydi(ethylene glycol) acrylate-co-4-((dihydroxyphosphoryl)oxy)butyl acrylate)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(ethoxydi(ethylene glycol) acrylate-co-4-((dihydroxyphosphoryl)oxy)butyl acrylate), and the enzyme-induced formation of thermoreversible micellar gels from their moderately concentrated aqueous solutions at 37 °C. The dephosphorylation by acid phosphatase decreased the LCST of thermosensitive outer blocks from above to below 37 °C. The enzyme-induced gelation of 7.9 wt % aqueous polymer solutions at pH 4.4 was monitored by rheological measurements. The Tsol-gel decreased and the gel strength increased with the increase of reaction time. The gels formed were thermoreversible. Chapter 3 presents the synthesis of two thermo- and pH-sensitive tertiary amine-containing ABA triblock copolymers and the sol-gel transitions of their aqueous solutions with a 10 wt% concentration at different pH values. Chapter 4 describes the use of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization for the synthesis of well-defined thermosensitive polymethacrylates and polyacrylates. Eight chain transfer agents were synthesized. The RAFT polymerizations of alkoxyoligo(ethylene glycol) (meth)acrylates using these chain transfer agents were well controlled, producing well-defined polymers. A summary of this dissertation research and future work are presented in Chapter 5.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1967. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

An issue tracking system is a vital part of a company’s structure and organization. This system is primarily client-based and is only available through a client on a computer or the like. Because of this type of structure, the system is often limited to an internal level. However, implementing a web-based issue tracking system results in a wider availability and usability for users by providing the system to a mobile level. Since this study aims to develop and implement an artifact (web-based issue tracking system), then evaluate its usability, the research methodology: Design Science Research is appropriate for this study as its purpose is to implement and evaluate an artifact as a solution to a phenomenon or problem. A client-based issue tracking system in a business means that customers to a certain company only has the opportunity to monitor their issues if they have mutual remote-control capabilities and the same type of system. With a mostly quantitative questionnaire, designed according to the acceptance model Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), data was collected regarding the usefulness of the artifact. The survey respondents were exclusively users of the Pyramid enterprise resource system. The result in accordance of UTAUT showed a positive attitude towards implementation and usability of the artifact, thus, making the conclusion of the study a positive attitude towards a web-based issue tracking system, as users of an enterprise resource planning system perceived the artifact as useful and at least as functional as the existing client-based implementation.

Esta pesquisa foi motivada pela observação de um problema prático com potenciais contribuições teóricas. O problema em questão é a dificuldade de gerenciar projetos complexos de construção de modo que os objetivos estratégicos de sua implementação sejam alcançados, problema observado em um complexo programa de reestruturação urbana na cidade de Porto Alegre. Estudos indicam que nas últimas décadas houve um aumento na complexidade de gestão de projetos que resultou em desafios para as práticas gerenciais tradicionalmente adotadas. Alguns autores relacionam esse aumento de complexidade com uma demanda, cada vez maior, de compreender como projetos estão alinhados com os objetivos estratégicos e como irão contribuir para a geração dos benefícios esperados pelos diversos agentes intervenientes de um projeto. Dentro deste contexto, a falta de suporte dado pelas tradicionais praticas gerenciais é apontada. As críticas focam não só na falta de alinhamento estratégico e na dificuldade de gerenciar interesses conflitantes, mas também na dificuldade de lidar com a susceptibilidade desses projetos ao contexto politico, econômico e social no qual se inserem, e com a dinâmica desse contexto. Dentro deste contexto, foram identificadas duas abordagens gerenciais que emergem no contexto da construção civil em resposta às deficiências observadas: a Benefits Realisation Approach (BeReal) e o Lean Project Delivery System (LPDS). O foco da literatura existente sobre essas abordagens é predominantemente de caráter prescritivo, oferecendo modelos e métodos para sua aplicação. Identificou-se portanto a necessidade de avaliar a contribuição dessas abordagens para lidar com os desafios observados e contribuir para a melhoria do suporte a geração de valor em projetos complexos. Uma terceira abordagem, a Logical Framework Approach (LFA), utilizada no programa onde o problema foi identificado, também foi avaliada, pois é sugerido na literatura que ela oferece suporte para lidar com alguns aspectos da complexidade dos projetos. O processo de pesquisa envolveu as principais etapas de Design Science Research: encontrar um problema prático e com potencial para contribuição teórica, obter um entendimento deste problema, desenvolver ou identificar potencial solução, testar a solução, avaliando sua utilidade, e avaliar a contribuição teórica desta solução. Neste estudo, ênfase foi dada à avaliação das potenciais soluções identificadas. Três estudos empíricos foram realizados: o primeiro teve como objetivo entender o problema - programa de reestruturação urbana em Porto Alegre/Brasil; o segundo para avaliar as contribuições da adoção da BeReal em um programa de reestruturação de um campus hospitalar em Brighton/Inglaterra; e o terceiro para avaliar as contribuições do LPDS em um projeto de um hospital em San Carlos/Estados Unidos. Os três estudos apresentam diferentes contribuições gerenciais para o suporte a geração de valor em projetos complexos de construção. Tais contribuições são explicadas com base em um referencial teórico desenvolvido, formando um modelo conceitual que explica as mudanças necessárias no contexto de gestão de empreendimentos complexos para um melhor foco na geração de valor e como as diferentes praticas observadas e mecanismos de suporte contribuem para esta mudança. / This research was motivated by a practical problem with potential theoretical contributions. The problem in hand is the difficulty to generate value in complex construction projects, a problem observed in a large urban regeneration programme in Porto Alegre. Past research indicate that in the last decades there was an increase in project complexity, posing challenges to traditional managerial practices. According to some authors, such complexity is partially due to an increasing concern to understand how project’s outputs contribute to generating change and delivering benefits to different stakeholder groups. Within this context, the lack of managerial support provided by traditional project management approaches is pointed out. Firstly because such approaches generally focus on the delivery of a physical product, within time and budget. Secondly, they do not provide support for dealing with the conflicting interests of multiple stakeholders. And thirdly because they do not properly consider that projects are susceptible to their economic, social and political context and subject to changes in such environment. In this research, two managerial approaches that are being used in the construction industry were identified as having potential contributions to improve value generation in complex projects: the Benefits Realisation Approach (BeReal) and the Lean Project Delivery System (LPDS). The literature available about these approaches is mainly prescriptive. Thus, there is still a need to understand why and how such approaches contribute for value generation. A third approach, the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) used where the problem was identified, was also analysed, as the literature suggests it also offers contributions to deal with some aspects of complexity. This research followed a Design Science Research process: finding a practical problem with potential theoretical contributions, framing the problem and searching for potential solutions, understanding how and why the solutions contribute for solving the problem and analyse the theoretical contributions of the solutions. In this study, emphasis was given to the evaluation of potential solutions identified. Three empirical cases were realised: the first one was in a urban regeneration programme in Brazil, aiming to understand the problem; the second was realised in a healthcare infrastructure programme in the UK, to analyse the adoption of BeReal; and the third in a healthcare infrastructure programme in the US, to analyse the adoption of LPDS. The three studies presented different managerial contributions to support value generation. Such contributions are analysed based on a conceptual framework that was devised. The model reveals the underlying concepts of observed managerial practices that contribute towards the improvement of value generation.