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No description available.

Luminescent microspheres encapsulating glucose oxidase and an oxygensensitive lumophore have recently been reported as potential implantable sensors for in vivo glucose monitoring. However, there are two main issues that must be addressed for enzymatic systems such as these to realize the goal of minimally-invasive glucose monitoring. The first issue is related to the short response range of such sensors, less than 200 mg/dL, which must be extended to cover the full physiological range (0-600 mg/dL) of glucose possible for diabetics. The second issue is concerning the short operating lifetime of these systems due to enzyme degradation (less than 7 days). Two approaches were considered for increasing the range of the sensor response; nanofilm coatings and particle porosity. In the first approach, microparticle sensors were coated with layer-by-layer deposited thin nanofilms to increase the response range. It was observed that, a precise control on the response range of such sensors can be achieved by manipulating different characteristics (e.g., thickness, deposition condition, and the outermost capping layer) of the nanofilms. However, even with 15 bilayers of poly(allylamine hydrochloride)/poly(styrene sulfonate) (PAH/PSS) nanofilm, limited range was achieved (less than 200 mg/dL). By performing extrapolation on the data obtained for the experimentally-determined response range versus the number of PAH/PSS bilayers, it was predicted that a nanofilm coating comprising of more than 60 PAH/PSS bilayers will be needed to achieve a linear response up to 600 mg/dL. Using modeling, it was realized that a more effective method for achieving a linear response up to 600 mg/dL is to employ microparticles with higher porosity. Sensors were prepared from highly porous silica microparticles (diameter = 7 mu m, porosity = 0.6) and their experimental response was determined. Not surprisingly, the experimentally determined response range of such sensors was found to be higher than 600 mg/dL. To improve the longevity of these sensors, two approaches were employed; incorporation of catalase and increasing the loading of glucose oxidase. Catalase was incorporated into microparticles, which protects the enzyme from peroxide-mediated deactivation, and thus improves the stability of such sensors. Sensors incorporating catalase were found to ~5 times more stable than the GOx-only sensors. It was theoretically predicted, that by maximizing the loading of glucose oxidase within the microparticles, the longevity of such sensors can be substantially improved. Based on this understanding, sensors were fabricated using highly porous microparticles; response range did not vary even after one month of continuous operation under normal physiological conditions. Modeling predicts that 1 mM of glucose oxidase and 1 mM of catalase would extend the operating lifetime to more than 90 days.

Magister Artium - MA / This study used a multisemiotic/multimodal discourse analysis approach to analyze tattoos of selected female students at three Western Cape Universities: the University of the Western Cape (UWC), the University of Cape Town (UCT), and Stellenbosch University (SUN). This study looked at the popular cultural practice of tattooing as a site for identity formation. The aim of this research project was to establish how popular culture is semiotized and resemiotized on corporeal landscapes. The focus was on the kind of semiotics that female students draw on when getting their tattoos, and also where they put these tattoos. The researcher intended to investigate the semiotics of female bodies within the broader field of linguistic landscaping, with a specific look at corporeal linguistic landscapes (Peck & Stroud, 2015). This research was also interested in establishing whether the historical background of each university has an influence on the student population, and subsequently, the tattoos they choose to inscribe on their bodies. This study sought to answer whether there are similarities and/or differences in the tattoos the participants chose across the different campuses and to what effect the social context affects the type of tattoos they chose. All participants were selected via purposive sampling. This means that only those with visible tattoos were approached, as they met the criteria described above (cf. Patton, 1990; Kumar, 1999). Methodologically, interviews as well as text data collection were used to collect the data. In addition, a multimodal text analysis was used as the tattoos were read as texts. Among others, the findings indicated that female participants negotiate their femininity by acquiring traditionally feminine tattoo designs, relatively small in size, which are typically placed where they can be concealed easily. This in contrast with male tattoo designs which tend to be bigger and more visible. It was found that there was preference for solitary texts designs across the three campuses followed by a combination of text and image. In terms of agency, it was found that participants were agentive by being able to control who read and how others read their bodies. The study concludes that women are mindful of their female identity when they choose the designs, sizes and placements of their tattoos. It was found that they typically defy social norms through getting tattoos, but at the same time adhere to social (and feminine) norms by using small tattoos emplaced in hidden body spaces. This means there is a restriction on who is allowed to consume the tattoos. This study adds to a deeper understanding of tattooing as popular culture at universities in post-apartheid South Africa. It also contributes to recent development in corporeal linguistic landscapes studies. In turn, it offers a profound understanding of the concept of ‘skinscapes,’ which allows for a deeper understanding of how female bodies are ‘authored’ by the tattooee as well as how they are ‘read’ and consumed by onlookers.

Tatueringskonsten är uråldrig och har präglats av negativa attityder och stigmatisering samt att forskning har visat att tatueringar påverkar tillskrivningen av egenskaper. Syftet med studien var att undersöka om tatueringar kan förstärka tillskrivningen av egenskaper när en individ anses vara vårdad eller ovårdad. Studien utfördes genom ett experiment där fyra versioner av bilder på en kvinna manipulerats utifrån resultatet av en pilotstudie som undersökte vårdadhet. Resultatet visade att tatueringar har en signifikant påverkan på tillskrivningen av positiva sociala egenskaper där kvinnan med tatueringar skattades högre än sin icke-tatuerade motpart. Tatueringar hade ingen effekt på indexen Utseende och Kompetens. Ingen interaktionseffekt mellan vårdadhet och tatueringar identifierades. Resultatet går i linje med forskning från de senaste tre åren och tyder på att bilden av tatuerade har förändrats. Förslag till framtida forskning är att replikera studien med starkare manipulation av variabeln vårdadhet samt studera tidigare undersökta områden för att verifiera attityden till tatuerade.

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Habitus is a type of order that explains how an individual becomes a member of a society or a culture and can be studied to learn about that society or culture. Daniel Miller is introducing a similar approach to order of individuals’ material relationships through which one can learn about meaningful representation of the individual subjects themselves. These relationships could be interpreted as being highly subjective and be seen in the form of a practice of self-construction. In a search for an anthropology of morality authors such as Mattingly (et.al) are complementary using virtue ethics and Foucault´s notion of “a care of the self” as a moral practice to study moral subjectivity and its formation. Strathern and Stewart claim that embodiment, as a theoretical concept, can show how the mind, body, and experience come together and provide insight into personhood. This thesis focuses on tattoos as a moral practice, by studying individuals through a narrative of a moral being, with the aim to understand its formation of moral subjectivity and its embodiment of individuality. In conclusion, there will be argued that the practice of tattoos creates a negotiation between the individual mind and body, and between the practice itself and the society where it takes place.

En esta investigación se analizó el uso de los principios gráficos en la representación de elementos de la cultura popular peruana dentro del tatuaje. Se postuló como hipótesis que los estilos que conforman esta práctica afectan la ejecución de dichos elementos, por lo tanto, su representación está condicionada por el estilo en el que se realiza el tatuaje, al tener reglas ya establecidas. Para comprobarla, se analizó la producción de tres tatuadores locales con la temática mencionada, complementándolo con entrevistas a expertos. Los resultados de ambos sugieren que en el discurso visual del tatuaje se emplean elementos de la cultura popular que escapan de los que convencionalmente se les atribuye dicha categoría. Debido a que se representan el transporte público, el combo de comida rápida, los platos típicos y la Inca Kola. Igualmente, se observó que el color, contraste, tamaño y posición son los más afectados por los estilos y por otros factores como el elemento, la región del cuerpo, la piel y el tatuador. A partir de lo mencionado, se llegó a la conclusión de que los principios gráficos dentro del tatuaje que representan lo popular son afectados por una variedad de factores además del estilo. Además, se están utilizando estos elementos considerados triviales dentro del discurso del tatuaje antes que otros, debido a que busca crear una relación entre el diseño, el cuerpo y lo que identifica al sujeto como peruano, por lo que busca representar su estilo de vida a nivel personal. / In this research, the use of graphic principles in the representation of elements of Peruvian popular culture within the tattoo was analyzed. It was postulated as a hypothesis that the styles that conform this practice affect the execution of such elements, therefore, its representation is conditioned by the style in which the tattoo is performed, having already established rules. In order to verify it, the production of three local tattooists with the mentioned subject was analyzed, complementing it with interviews to experts. The results of both suggest that the visual discourse of tattooing uses elements of popular culture that escape those conventionally attributed to them. Due to the fact that public transportation, fast food combo, typical dishes and Inca Kola are represented. Likewise, it was observed that the color, contrast, size and position are the most affected by the styles and other factors such as the element, the region of the body, the skin and the tattooist. From the above, it was concluded that the graphic principles within the tattoo that represent the popular are affected by a variety of factors in addition to style. Furthermore, these elements are being used as trivial elements within the tattooing discourse before others, because it seeks to create a relationship between the design, the body and what identifies the subject as Peruvian, so it seeks to represent his lifestyle on a personal level. / Trabajo de investigación

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Syfte Studien handlar om att undersöka ifall tatueringar påverkar uppfattningen om professionalism hos tandläkarstudenter och personal på tandvårdshögskolan i Malmö. Syftet är att lyfta fram vad olika grupper anser om dessa kroppsmodifikationer men också bidra till ökad insikt inom och bland dessa grupper. Material och metod En enkätundersökning granskade deltagarnas förhållning till professionalism gällande tatueringsmotiv, storlek, kompetens, ansvarsfullhet, hygien, etik, pålitlighet, anställningsbarhet och klinikens/yrkesgruppens rykte. Resultat 196 deltagare deltog i studien, 132 studenter och 64 personal. Mellan dessa grupper påvisades ingen statistisk signifikans förutom gällande yrkesgruppens och klinikens rykte. Datan visade att män var mer negativa än kvinnor, yngre kvinnor var mer positiva än övriga deltagare och tatuerade var mer accepterande. Ett stötande motiv eller stor tatuering hade en negativ påverkan på professionalismen. Slutsats Inga skillnader kunde påvisas mellan studenter och personalen gällande synen på professionalism och tatueringar. Variabler som påverkade synen på professionalismen var deltagarnas ålder, kön och om hen var tatuerad eller ej. / Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate whether tattoos affect the perception of professionalism among dental students and staff at the School of Dentistry in Malmö. The purpose is to highlight what different groups think about these body modifications but also contribute to increased insight within and among these groups. Material and method A survey was used to examine participants' attitudes towards professionalism regarding tattoo motifs, size, competence, responsibility, hygiene, ethics, reliability, employability and the clinic / occupational group's reputation. Results 196 participants participated in the study, 132 students and 64 staff. No statistical significance was demonstrated between these groups other than the reputation of the clinic and the occupational group. The data showed that men were more negative than women, younger women were more positive than other participants and tattooed were more accepting. An offensive motive or large tattoo had a negative impact on professionalism. Conclusion No differences could be demonstrated between students and staff regarding the view of professionalism and tattoos. Variables that affected the view of professionalism were the participants' age, gender and whether they were tattooed or not.