No description available.

Mammary gland (MG) is a dynamic organ that is essential for the production and secretion of breast milk. During pregnancy the MG undergoes a critical phase of remodeling, which is accompanied by the differentiation of mammary epithelial cells (MECs). During lactation, the MG requires high level of energy for proper folding of proteins in the secretory pathway, which takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Limited evidence has been reported on the impact of cannabis or its components, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), on the differentiation of MECs. However, both THC and CBD have been reported to induce ER stress in various cell types, resulting in impacting cellular function. Furthermore, consequences of cannabis use in the perinatal period on breast milk composition have not been reported. Using the HC11 cell line, we investigated whether THC and CBD evoke ER stress in MECs resulting in the impaired cellular function. We also reported on the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy and lactation on the levels of macronutrients and bioactive factors in the breast milk of cannabis users. Relative to control, 10μM THC and 10μM CBD reduced mRNA levels of milk proteins (CSN2 and WAP) and lipid synthesizing enzymes (FASN, FABP4, PLIN2 and LPL), as well as whey acidic protein and lipid levels. In addition, 10μM THC, 10μM CBD, and the combination of 10μM THC + 10μM CBD significantly induced the expression of ER stress genes in HC11 cells. Furthermore, in the milk of women who used cannabis during pregnancy and lactation, the levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) were decreased, relative to non-users. Altogether, our findings indicate that cannabis use in the perinatal period may have implications on breast milk composition and infant health. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science) / Breast milk is crucial to the nutrition and immunity of the newborn. It is produced by the mammary gland (MG), which is composed of mammary epithelial cells (MEC) that play a key role in producing and secreting proteins and factors into the milk. During pregnancy, the MG undergoes remodeling which is accompanied by differentiation of the MECs (change from unspecialized to a specialized stage that allows the MECs to produce milk proteins and other factors). The disruption in MEC differentiation can result in altered milk production and composition. Cannabis is used by women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In this study, we investigated the impact of cannabinoids on the MEC differentiation and examined the effect of cannabis use in the perinatal period on the breast milk composition in humans. We reported that cannabinoids reduced the differentiation of MECs and maternal cannabis use during breastfeeding reduced levels of an essential immune factor.

No description available.

The purpose of this integrative literature review was to understand the effects of medical cannabis for chronic pain management in adults. Anecdotal reports suggest the use of medical marijuana as a pain management therapy could be an alternative to opioids and other medications which have long term consequences. Potential uses span the health care continuum, from prescribed outpatient symptom management, to acute care, extended care, home care, and hospice treatment settings. The methodology included a review and synthesis of relevant research articles from 2012 to 2018, written in the English language. The findings suggest medical cannabis has the potential of effectively managing chronic pain in older adults. Adverse effects, if present, are mild and resolve without intervention. Lower doses of medical cannabis were reported to be more effective in treating chronic pain compared to higher doses. Inconsistencies in the efficacy of THC were noted compared to CBD for managing neuropathic pain. Implication for nursing practice, policy, education, and recommendation for future research were discussed along with study limitations.

The improvement of low cost, efficient photovoltaic devices is a leading technological challenge in the recent decade. There is a need to develop scalable and high-throughput manufacturing techniques that could reduce costs and improve manufacturing of chalcogenide solar cells. Copper, indium, gallium, and selenium (CIGS) Thin films polycrystalline heterojunction solar cells appear to be most appropriate with to cost and ease of manufacture. Currently Cu (In,Ga) (Se, S)2 materials hold the highest record cell efficiency of 22.3% in laboratory scale for thin films solar cells and the efficiency still be boosted by improving the different layers of the photovoltaic devices. CIGS chalcogenide absorber layers has been a leading candidate material in photovoltaic devices for thin films solar cells and space applications due to its unique optical-electronic properties as well as its radiation resistance. In the present work, thin films of Cu (In, Ga) (Se, S)2 were deposited at room temperature on glass substrates coated with ITO and Mo by electrodeposition techniques. The obtained polycrystalline thin films were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Thin films of Cu (In, Ga) (Se, S)2 grown by electrodeposition were subsequently processed into several sets of conditions including vacuum heat treatment, heat treatment in the presence of selenium or sulfur, heat treatment in nitrous gas atmosphere (N2H2) at different temperature and processing times. To improve the composition and the crystalline structure of the thin layers and to optimize the electro-optical properties a heat treatment of the thin films was developed in two stages after the electrodeposition. It was observed that the first annealing step (heating treatment at 450 °C in a selenium atmosphere 40 minutes) produced an appreciable improvement in the crystalline structure in the thin layer composition. In a second stage a sulfurization of the CuGaSe2 films was performed at 400 °C for 10 min in the presence of molecular sulfur and under the forming gas atmosphere. The effect of sulfurization was the complete conversion of selenium to sulfur and, therefore, the transformation of CuGaSe2 into CuGaS2. The formation of CuGaS2 thin films was evidenced by the by the displacement of the diffraction peaks of the CuGaSe2 towards higher angles to which makes the X-Ray diffraction 18 pattern which makes it coincide with the diffraction pattern of the CuGaSe2 films, and by the shift towards the blue (higher energies) of the optical gap. The optical gap found for the CuGaSe2 layer was 1.66 eV, while the optical gap for the CuGaS2 was raised up to 2.2 eV. CdS thin films have been widely used as buffer layer in CIGS solar cells. However, when alloyed with Zn, ZnCdS can still improve its performance as buffer layer. ZnCdS can be used as buffer and as window material in photoconductive devices and in heterojunction thin film solar cells due the possibility to tune the bandgap with the content of Zn. The band spacing of this ternary material can be from 2.42 to 3.50 eV, depending on the Cd/Zn ratio. / La obtención de dispositivos fotovoltaicos más eficientes y de bajo coste es uno de los desafíos tecnológicos más importantes de las últimas décadas. Existe la necesidad de desarrollar técnicas de fabricación escalables y de alto rendimiento que puedan reducir los costos y mejorar la fabricación de células solares de capa fina. Las células solares de heterounión de capas finas de seleniuro (o sulfuro) de cobre, indio y galio (CIGS) parecen estar bien adaptadas lograr este reto debido a su bajo costo, facilidad de fabricación y elevado rendimiento de los dispositivos. En la actualidad, Cu(In, Ga)Se2 ostenta el record de eficiencia de células solares con 22,3% a escala de laboratorio y esta eficiencia todavía puede ser acrecentada si se mejoran las diferentes capas de los dispositivos fotovoltaicos. Además, las capas absorbedoras de calcogenuros CIGS son un material candidato importante en dispositivos fotovoltaicos para capas delgadas celdas solares para aplicaciones espaciales debido a sus propiedades electrónicas, así como a su resistencia a la radiación. En el presente trabajo, las películas delgadas de Cu(In, Ga)(Se, S)2 se depositaron a temperatura ambiente sobre sustratos de vidrio recubiertos con ITO y Mo mediante técnicas electroquímicas. Las películas finas policristalinas obtenidas se caracterizaron por espectroscopia óptica UV-Vis, difracción de rayos X (XRD), microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM), microscopía de fuerza atómica (AFM), microscopía electrónica de transmisión (TEM) y espectroscopia de energía dispersiva (EDS). Las películas finas de Cu(In, Ga)(Se, S)2 crecidas por electrodeposición se procesaron posteriormente en varios conjuntos de condiciones que incluían tratamiento térmico en vacío, tratamiento térmico en presencia de selenio o de azufre, tratamiento térmico en atmósfera gas nidrón (N2H2) a diferentes temperaturas y tiempos de procesado. Para mejorar la composición y la estructura cristalina de las capas finas y para optimizar las propiedades electro-ópticas se desarrolló un tratamiento térmico de las películas finas en dos etapas posterior a la electrodeposición. Se observó que la primera etapa de recocido (tratamiento térmico a 450 ºC en una atmósfera de selenio durante 40 minutos) producía una mejora apreciable en la estructura cristalina y en la composición de la capa fina. 20 En una segunda etapa se realizó una sulfuración de las películas de CuGaSe2 se realizó a 400 °C durante 10 min en presencia de azufre molecular y bajo la atmósfera reductora de gas nidrón. El efecto de la sulfuración fue la completa conversión del selenio en azufre y, por tanto, la transformación de CuGaSe2 en CuGaS2. La formación de películas delgadas de CuGaS2 se evidenció por el desplazamiento de los picos de difracción de las capas de CuGaSe2 hacia ángulos más altos hasta lo que hace que el patrón de difracción de rayos X lo que hace que coincida con el patrón de difracción del CuGaS2 y por el desplazamiento hacia el azul (energías más altas) del gap óptico. El gap óptico encontrado para las capas de CuGaSe2 era de 1,66 eV, mientras que el gap óptico para las capas de CuGaS2 se elevó hasta 2,2 eV. Las películas delgadas de CdS se han utilizado ampliamente como capa tampón en células solares CIGS. Sin embargo, cuando se alea con Zn, para formar el ternario ZnCdS, todavía puede mejorar su rendimiento como capa buffer. ZnCdS puede utilizarse como tampón y como ventana óptica en dispositivos fotoconductores y en células solares de capa fina de heterounión debido a la posibilidad de ajustar el bandgap con el contenido de Zn. / L'obtenció de dispositius fotovoltaics més eficients i més barats és un dels reptes tecnològics més importants de les últimes dècades. Hi ha la necessitat de desenvolupar tècniques de fabricació que siguen escalables i d'alt rendiment i que permeten reduir els costos de fabricació i millorar el rendiment de les cèl·lules solars de capa fina. Les cèl·lules solars de heterounió de capes fines de seleniur (o sulfur) de coure, indi i gal·li (CIGS) semblen estar ben adaptades per assolir aquest repte degut a del seu baix cost, facilitat de fabricació i elevat rendiment dels dispositius. En l'actualitat, el Cu(In, Ga)Se2 ostenta el rècord d'eficiència de cèl·lules solars amb 22,3% a escala de laboratori i aquesta eficiència encara pot ser augmentada si es milloren les característiques de les diferents capes dels dispositius fotovoltaics. Les capes absorbidores de calcogenurs CIGS són un candidat important per dispositius fotovoltaics per a pel·lícules primes en cel·les solars i aplicacions espacialles degut a les seues propietats electròniques així com a la seua resistència a la radiació. En el present treball, les pel·lícules primes de Cu(In, Ga)(Se, S)2 es van dipositar a temperatura ambient sobre substrats de vidre recoberts amb ITO i Mo mitjançant tècniques electroquímiques. Les pel·lícules fines policristal·lines obtingudes es van caracteritzar per espectroscòpia òptica UV-Vis, difracció de raigs X (XRD), microscòpia electrònica de rastreig (SEM), microscòpia de força atòmica (AFM), microscòpia electrònica de transmissió (TEM) i espectroscòpia d'energia dispersiva (EDS). Les pel·lícules fines de Cu(In, Ga)(Se, S)2 crescudes per electrodeposició es van processar posteriorment en diversos conjunts de condicions que incloïen tractament tèrmic en buit, tractament tèrmic en presència de seleni o de sofre, tractament tèrmic en atmosfera reductora de gas nidró (N2H2) a diferents temperatures i temps de processat. Per millorar la composició i l'estructura cristal·lina de les capes fines i per optimitzar les propietats electro-òptiques es va desenvolupar un tractament tèrmic de les pel·lícules fines en dues etapes posterior a la electrodeposició. Es va observar que la primera etapa de recuit (tractament tèrmic a 450 º C en una atmosfera de seleni durant 40 minuts) produïa una millora apreciable en l'estructura cristal·lina i en la composició de la capa fina. 24 En una segona etapa es va dur a terme una sulfuració de les pel·lícules de CuGaSe2 que es va realitzar a 400 °C durant 10 min en presència de sofre molecular i sota l'atmosfera reductora de gas nidró. L'efecte de la sulfuració va ser la completa conversió seleni en sofre i, per tant, la transformació de CuGaSe2 a CuGaS2. La formació de pel·lícules primes de CuGaS2 es va evidenciar pel desplaçament dels pics de difracció de les capes de CuGaSe2 cap angles més alts fins el que fa que el patró de difracció de raigs X el que fa que coincideixi amb el patró de difracció del CuGaS2 i pel desplaçament cap al blau (energies més altes) del gap òptic. El gap òptic trobat per a les capes de CuGaSe2 era de 1,66 eV, mentre que el gap òptic per a les capes de CuGaS2 es va elevar fins a 2,2 eV. Les pel·lícules primes de CdS s'han utilitzat àmpliament com a capa amortidora en cèl·lules solars de CIGS. No obstant això, quan s'alea amb Zn per formar ZnCdS encara pot millorar el seu rendiment com a capa d'amortiment. ZnCdS pot utilitzar-se com capa tampó i com a finestra òptica en dispositius fotoconductors i en cèl·lules solars de pel·lícula fina d'heterounió degut a la possibilitat d'ajustar el seu bandgap que depoen del contingut de Zn. / Ullah, S. (2017). THIN FILM SOLAR CELLS BASED ON COPPER-INDIUMGALIUM SELENIDE (CIGS) MATERIALS DEPOSITED BY ELECTROCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/86290

Yes / We outline the valuation process for a No-Negative Equity Guarantee in an Equity Release Mortgage loan and for an Equity Release Mortgage that has such a guarantee. Illustrative valuations are provided based on the Black ’76 put pricing formula and mortality projections based on the M5, M6 and M7 mortality versions of the Cairns–Blake–Dowd (CBD) family of mortality models. Results indicate that the valuations of No-Negative Equity Guarantees are high relative to loan amounts and subject to considerable model risk but that the valuations of Equity Release Mortgage loans are robust to the choice of mortality model. Results have significant ramifications for industry practice and prudential regulation.

Student number: 0200613W Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Master of Property Development and Management. / This paper is a report on the research undertaken to evaluate the implementation of the Urban Renewal strategies that the City of Johannesburg adopted for the CBD renewal through the Blue IQ. The study was restricted to the views expressed by the general community, business community, Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA). Johannesburg Housing Company (JHC), Blue IQ, Gauteng Development Agency and Gauteng Economic Development Agency (GEDA), which are the main role players in the CBD renewal effort. There was administered questioner to the members of the Business and general communities that were randomly picked using the fish bowl method. Interviews were conducted with the senior executive staff of JDA. Blue IQ, JHC. Statistics derived from the above company s websites was used as well. The results of the study show that the renewal strategy has been largely successful in so far as a number of factors, which have contributed to the CBD decay such as poor infrastructure and slumps. There have also been considerable efforts to address acute shortage of parking space by private partners such as financial institutions. Although crime has decreased it is still posing a serious challenge as most people still consider the CBD high risk. However there is still a room for improvement, which includes: the enhancement of safety and security, the infrastructure maintenance policy and the enforcement of the municipality by laws and town planning scheme. Overall the strategies have also improved the economic performance of the city significantly though unemployment still remain high with the ever increasing number of people coming to seek opportunities.

This study evaluated the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration, as waterfronts are used as the element that re-establishes the physical links between parts of the city. Consequently, waterfront development is an essential open resource where visitors can carry out diverse social and cultural activities on a daily basis. Furthermore, CBDs benefit from lively waterfronts, which become popular tourist attractions. There is a dire need for urban regeneration. The study focuses on the evolution of waterfront development through the urban morphology modelsto identify the starting point of central places and the factors that may have an effect on the growth of a city. Just as urban regeneration forms part of the evolution of cities and waterfronts, and as the cities and waterfronts developed so did the term urban regeneration evolve to its present form. Thus, one has to understand what components have an influence on the term urban regeneration and what the benefits are. Thereafter, the different aspects of urban development and urban regeneration are incorporated into waterfront development to understand the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration. As waterfront development took place, the first port was developed to ensure transportation of goods from one place to the next. Subsequently, the role of the waterfront became economically driven. As time passed and the old harbour fronts fell into disuse, a new role for the waterfront was needed, and the new role came with waterfront regeneration. Historically, waterfront regeneration was only seen as imperative when a waterfront area is critical for the growth of the city. Notably, when there is no use for the area and the city is in the decline period, waterfront regeneration will be a priority. Consequently, the empirical study focused on exploring this role of waterfront development by means of two international case studies (Baltimore Inner Harbour, Toronto Harbour Front) and two national case studies (V& A Waterfront, Mossel Bay CBD and Port Precinct Plan). A qualitative approach was selected because it focuses on collecting and analysing information in as many forms as possible. Furthermore, a qualitative approach aims to achieve an in-depth understanding of the matter, which is important to allocate the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration. As the study focuses on understanding the role of waterfront development as part of urban regeneration within cities, it explores the methodological framework of case studies. The case study approach involves one or more circumstances within a bounded system. As some of the case studies can be irrelevant to a study, the qualitative approach was appropriate for this study, because it focuses on eliminating unwanted case studies. This is importantto ensure that case studies do not influence the result. To ensure that the relevant information is selected, the multiple case study design was used. The study concludes that waterfront development has three primary roles in urban regeneration and that these roles have evolved over time. In conclusion, the role of waterfront development is not only economically motivated, but also environmentally and socially significant. / MSc (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This study evaluated the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration, as waterfronts are used as the element that re-establishes the physical links between parts of the city. Consequently, waterfront development is an essential open resource where visitors can carry out diverse social and cultural activities on a daily basis. Furthermore, CBDs benefit from lively waterfronts, which become popular tourist attractions. There is a dire need for urban regeneration. The study focuses on the evolution of waterfront development through the urban morphology modelsto identify the starting point of central places and the factors that may have an effect on the growth of a city. Just as urban regeneration forms part of the evolution of cities and waterfronts, and as the cities and waterfronts developed so did the term urban regeneration evolve to its present form. Thus, one has to understand what components have an influence on the term urban regeneration and what the benefits are. Thereafter, the different aspects of urban development and urban regeneration are incorporated into waterfront development to understand the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration. As waterfront development took place, the first port was developed to ensure transportation of goods from one place to the next. Subsequently, the role of the waterfront became economically driven. As time passed and the old harbour fronts fell into disuse, a new role for the waterfront was needed, and the new role came with waterfront regeneration. Historically, waterfront regeneration was only seen as imperative when a waterfront area is critical for the growth of the city. Notably, when there is no use for the area and the city is in the decline period, waterfront regeneration will be a priority. Consequently, the empirical study focused on exploring this role of waterfront development by means of two international case studies (Baltimore Inner Harbour, Toronto Harbour Front) and two national case studies (V& A Waterfront, Mossel Bay CBD and Port Precinct Plan). A qualitative approach was selected because it focuses on collecting and analysing information in as many forms as possible. Furthermore, a qualitative approach aims to achieve an in-depth understanding of the matter, which is important to allocate the role of waterfront development in urban regeneration. As the study focuses on understanding the role of waterfront development as part of urban regeneration within cities, it explores the methodological framework of case studies. The case study approach involves one or more circumstances within a bounded system. As some of the case studies can be irrelevant to a study, the qualitative approach was appropriate for this study, because it focuses on eliminating unwanted case studies. This is importantto ensure that case studies do not influence the result. To ensure that the relevant information is selected, the multiple case study design was used. The study concludes that waterfront development has three primary roles in urban regeneration and that these roles have evolved over time. In conclusion, the role of waterfront development is not only economically motivated, but also environmentally and socially significant. / MSc (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Esta dissertação tem por escopo estudar a interface do Acordo TRIPS com o a Convenção sobre Diversidade Biológica, sob a perspectiva dos países em desenvolvimento. Para tanto, resgata a construção epistemológica Ocidental do conhecimento, direito, propriedade intelectual e desenvolvimento. Esta base teórica constituída é questionada pela CDB, que apresenta direitos relativos ao acesso de recursos genéticos e / ou conhecimento tradicional que subvertem a ordem estabelecida de geração do conhecimento e acumulação econômica. Tal subversão é parte integrante de movimento maior que questiona o próprio modelo de desenvolvimento e a relação Norte e Sul. Esta pesquisa contextualiza a estruturação legal e organizacional do tema e revisa as contribuições de autores que estudam este, sistematizando-as. Com este arcabouço, ela levanta hipóteses e reflete sobre as respostas destas, identificando paradoxos, compatibilidades e desafios. Apresenta (ndo) se, por fim, uma análise da governança institucional deste tema, através de uma nova configuração cognitiva e legal do mesmo. / This MA dissertation aims at studying the interface of the \'TRIPS Agreement\' with the \'Convention on the Biological Diversity\', under the view of the developing countries. As such, it ransoms the epistemologic building of the Ocidental knowledge, as well as the rights, intelectual property and development. This theoretical basis is questioned by \'CDB\', which presents rights related to the access of genetic resourses/ and the traditional knwledge, which subvert the established order of knowledge generation and economic accumulation. Such subvertion is part of a larger movement that questions its own development model and the North/ South relation. This research contextualizes the legal orgazing structuralization of the theme and revises the contributions of authors that study it, systematizing them. With this backbone, it rises hypotheses and thinks of these hypotheses, identifying paradoxes, compatibilities and challenges. It finally presents an analysis of the institutional governing of this theme, via a new cognitive and legal configuration of the same.