In this thesis, we develop the a new immersed finite element(IFE) space formed by piecewise linear polynomials defined on sub-elements cut by the actual interface curve for solving elliptic interface problems on interface independent meshes. A group of geometric identities and estimates on interface elements are derived. Based on these geometric identities and estimates, we establish a multi-point Taylor expansion of the true solutions and show the estimates for the second order terms in the expansion. Then, we construct the local IFE spaces by imposing the weak jump conditions and nodal value conditions on the piecewise polynomials. The unisolvence of the IFE shape functions is proven by the invertibility of the well-known Sherman-Morrison system. Furthermore we derive a group of fundamental identities about the IFE shape functions, which show that the two polynomial components in an IFE shape function are highly related. Finally we employ these fundamental identities and the multi-point Taylor expansion to derive the estimates for IFE interpolation errors in L2 and semi-H1 norms. / Master of Science / Interface problems occur in many mathematical models in science and engineering that are posed on domains consisting of multiple materials. In general, materials in a modeling domain have different physical or chemical properties; thus, the transmission behaviors across the interface between different materials must be considered. Partial differential equations (PDEs) are often employed in these models and their coefficients are usually discontinuous across the material interface. This leads to the so called interface problems for the involved PDEs whose solutions are usually not smooth across the interface, and this non-smoothness is an obstacle for mathematical analysis and numerical computation. In this thesis, we present a new immersed finite element (IFE) space for efficiently solving a class of interface problems on interface independent meshes. The new IFE space is formed by piecewise linear polynomials defined on sub-elements cut by the actual interface. We present the construction procedure for this IFE space and establish fundamental properties for its shape functions. Furthermore, we prove that the proposed IFE space has the optimal approximation capability.

Yes / The hERG potassium channel is critical for repolarisation of the cardiac action potential. Reduced expression of hERG at the plasma membrane, whether caused by hereditary mutations or drugs, results in long QT syndrome and increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Thus, it is of fundamental importance to understand how the density of this channel at the plasma membrane is regulated. We used antibodies to an extracellular native or engineered epitope, in conjunction with immunofluorescence and ELISA, to investigate the mechanism of hERG endocytosis in recombinant cells and validated the findings in rat neonatal cardiac myocytes. The data reveal that this channel undergoes rapid internalisation, which is inhibited by neither dynasore, an inhibitor of dynamin, nor a dominant negative construct of Rab5a, into endosomes that are largely devoid of the transferrin receptor. These results support a clathrin-independent mechanism of endocytosis and exclude involvement of dynamin-dependent caveolin and RhoA mechanisms. In agreement, internalised hERG displayed marked overlap with glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored GFP, a clathrin-independent cargo. Endocytosis was significantly affected by cholesterol extraction with methyl-β-cyclodextrin and inhibition of Arf6 function with dominant negative Arf6-T27N-eGFP. Taken together, we conclude that hERG undergoes clathrin-independent endocytosis via a mechanism involving Arf6. / British Heart Foundation (grant number PG/10/68/28528; http://www.bhf.org.uk)

No / Aim: A diagnostic test that could detect Treponema pallidum antigens in urine would facilitate the prompt diagnosis of syphilis. Materials & methods: Urine from 54 individuals with various clinical stages of syphilis and 6 controls were pooled according to disease stage and interrogated with complementary mass spectrometry techniques to uncover potential syphilis biomarkers. Results & conclusion: In total, 26 unique peptides were uncovered corresponding to four unique T. pallidum proteins that have low genetic sequence similarity to other prokaryotes and human proteins. This is the first account of direct T. pallidum protein detection in human clinical samples using mass spectrometry. The implications of these findings for future diagnostic test development is discussed. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD009707.

The Log-Periodic Loop Antenna with Ground Reflector (LPLA-GR) is investigated as a new type of antenna, which provides wide bandwidth, broad beamwidth, and high gain. This antenna has smaller transverse dimensions (by a factor of 2/pi) than a log-periodic dipole antenna with comparable radiation characteristics. Several geometries with different parameters are analyzed numerically using ESP code, which is based on the method of moments. A LPLA-GR with 6 turns and a cone angle of 30* offers the most promising radiation characteristics. This antenna yields 47.6 % gain bandwidth and 12 dB gain according to the numerical analysis. The LPLA-GR also provides linear polarization and unidirectional patterns. Three prototype antennas were constructed and measured in the Virginia Tech Antenna Laboratory. Far-field patterns and input impedance were measured over a wide range of frequencies. The measured results agree well with the calculated results. Because of its wide bandwidth, high gain, and small size, the LPLA is expected to find applications as feeds for reflector antennas, as detectors in EMC scattering range, and as mobile communication antennas. / Master of Science

This thesis addressed the following research activities: (1) Developing and evaluating the usability of an adult age-independent online assessment tool that includes health care related content and is centered on the needs and capabilities of both older and younger users and, (2) Developing adult age-independent design guidelines. An online tool, which was developed for a previous study, was revised according to the results of the previous study and preliminary development activities based upon the user requirements of older adults (50 years or older). The online assessment tool was also tested with younger adults (between 18 and 35 years of age) to determine the differences between younger and older adults. Subsequent to these activities, a final tool that captured the needs of both older and younger adults was developed and evaluated for usability. According to the usability testing results, a design guideline set for an adult age-independent Online Needs Assessment Tool was developed and revisions were conducted in order to develop the final Online Needs Assessment Tool. The results of these studies, along with the tools developed, provide online survey and interface designers information on older and younger adult user requirements. They provide a knowledge resource for older and younger user healthcare information needs and information about the usability of one online assessment tool to accommodate both older and younger adult users. They also assist interface designers to proliferate and to facilitate more rapid application development / Master of Science

No / In this paper a distributed handover optimized authentication scheme based on independent session key per access network (HOISKA) is developed for the decentralized multi-service group key management scheme over wireless mobile multicast. It enables a handover user Mi involved in multiple multicast service subscriptions to securely reuse the long term credential initially issued by the trusted authentication server (As) for deriving unique session keys per access network as it performs handover authentication across various access networks. The distributed nature of the scheme enables offloading the authentication function to the area network controllers (AKDs) such that As is not involved during handover exchange authentication signaling. This simplifies handover by reducing handover exchange signalling constituting to handover delays. Handover Access authentication (HAA) phase in HOISKA is presented then analyzed using the delay analytical model. The model proves efficacy by inducing minimum delays with less handover blocking probability while providing same level of security to the widely deployed handover authentication scheme.

Although behavioral science, due to its emphasis on the use of single-subject research design, appears to focus solely on individual behaviors, behavioral scientists have a long history of lamenting the trajectory of humans, societies, and the discipline itself. Some scholars, for instance, called for our attention to expand our focus beyond individual behaviors to generate solutions for societal issues that we face. When we attempt to develop solutions for issues that require multi-level analysis, we must be cognizant of how institutional contingencies operate at the individual level. The current study analyzed triadic interactions using an exchange task in six triads. The result of this study showed that one common pattern of interactions among participants across triads was direct reciprocation between two participants. The implications of such findings, how they inform social behavior and metacontingency experiments, and future directions are discussed.

This research explores which entrepreneurial competencies are important for independent consultants to succeed in their projects. The topic is important because independent consultants' businesses are facing a high failure rate. Understanding which entrepreneurial competencies contribute to independent consultants' projects success can therefore increase their clients' satisfaction and impact the sustainability of their businesses. Although entrepreneurial competencies have been linked to the survival and success of new businesses, current research has not sufficiently examined which entrepreneurial competencies influence independent consultants’ project success. To our knowledge, there is a scarcity of qualitative research in this area. This gap limits our understanding of which entrepreneurial competencies are required for independent consultants to achieve success in their projects. Further exploration, particularly through qualitative methods, is needed to bridge this gap and provide deeper insights to the topic. To fulfill this, we formulated thefollowing research question: Which entrepreneurial competencies do independent consultants need to execute their projects successfully? We believe the more nuanced knowledge about this topic can help enhance project success and long-term business sustainability for independent consultants. In this research we hold a subjectivist and interpretivist perspective, and utilize an inductive and exploratory approach to explore the subject. The European Commissions’ framework “Entrepreneurship Competence Framework” (EntreComp) is used as a base to help us frame the interview guide and analysis. EntreComp helps us identify and understand entrepreneurial competencies. Taking the initiative, working with others, learning through experience, self-awareness & self-efficacy, mobilizing others, and creativity were found to be the key entrepreneurial competencies for independent consultants to succeed in their projects. Our findings also highlight the interconnectedness of these, along with other entrepreneurial competencies. This emphasized the importance for independent consultants to consider the entrepreneurial competencies interrelated relationships to achieve success in their project. Our research found that the entrepreneurial competencies vision and valuing ideas could be interpreted as having little to no importance for independent consultants and their project success. We also identified communication as an additional entrepreneurial competency of importance, previously not mentioned, and suggest its possible inclusion. Our research contributes to the field as it provides practical guidance for independent consultants in enhancing their project success, and may mitigate the risk of their business failure. The research can also foster discussion among academics, policymakers, and business support organizations about the support mechanisms needed to enhance the survival of new ventures. Lastly, it advocates for the development and integration of entrepreneurship education and training programs aimed at equipping aspiring entrepreneurs with essential entrepreneurial competencies to effectively navigate the competitive business environment.

The purpose of this study is to ascertain the extent to which the present industrial arts program of the Van Independent School District of Van, Texas, serves the needs and interests of the students and school community.

For students with moderate to severe disabilities, their secondary education, specific to Grades 9 through 12, greatly impacts postsecondary outcomes. Key components of secondary education for this learner population include classroom structures and alternative curricula implementation. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine selected secondary programs to determine whether classroom structures and alternative curricula were meeting the postsecondary needs of students with moderate to severe disabilities. One school district was selected for participation in this study. One document, the selected district's special education operating procedures, was used in the document analysis portion of this study. Six parents of students with moderate to severe disabilities and six special education district-level administrators were selected as interview participants. Findings revealed that current secondary programs were not consistently meeting postsecondary needs for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Findings also showed inconsistences with classroom structures and alternative curriculum implementation that would facilitate postsecondary readiness. A need for additional staff training and parent preparation for the transition into postsecondary life with their adult child was discovered. A notable finding was that teacher characteristics played a role in promoting postsecondary success. In summary, all participants had pure intentions to produce desirable postsecondary outcomes for students with moderate to severe disabilities, but a gap was identified between intentions and implementation that impacted the likelihood of desirable postsecondary outcomes.