archives@tulane.edu / 1 / ZHU ZHANG

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Prior work on command recommendations for feature-rich software has relied on data supplied by a large community of users to generate personalized recommendations. In this work, I explored the feasibility of using an alternative data source: web documentation. Specifically, the proposed approach uses QF-Graphs, a previously introduced technique that maps higher-level tasks (i.e., search queries) to commands referenced in online documentation. The proposed approach uses these command-to-task mappings as an automatically generated plan library, enabling our prototype system to make personalized recommendations for task-relevant commands. Through both offline and online evaluations, I explored potential benefits and drawbacks of this approach.

Zugl.: Ulm, Univ., Diss., 2010

Nitrogen-rich materials are of increasing interests for the development of a wide variety of applications. These compounds are prime candidates for ligands used in the complexation of metals since they possess several lone pairs. Resulting complexes have also exhibited a wide variety of interesting properties, ranging from magnetism to gas absorption to energetic properties. This thesis describes the synthesis and characterisation of new metallic complexes with the known energetic ligands: hydrazine and H3bta, as well as that of a new nitrogen-rich compound: H4ttp. Chapter 2 outlines a series of chains bridged by hydrazine and their potential as initiatory compounds. Mononuclear lanthanide H3bta complexes are presented in Chapter 3. The development of the new nitrogen-rich, tetrazole-based H4ttp ligand is described in Chapter 4. This new ligand was used to synthesise various lanthanide complexes through hydrothermal reactions.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a popular treatment for equine tendon and ligament injuries; however, commercial PRP systems are expensive. Development of a safe, inexpensive alternative would make PRP therapy more widely available to horse owners. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality and bacteriologic safety of PRP produced by three simple, inexpensive tube centrifugation methods and compare the results to a commercial system. Citrated blood collected from 26 normal horses was processed by four methods: blood collection tubes centrifuged at 1200 and 2000 x g, a 50ml conical tube, and a commercial system. Platelet and cell counts and mean platelet volume (MPV) in whole blood and PRP were determined using an automated hematology analyzer. Results were analyzed using mixed model ANOVA with post-hoc comparisons (MPV and fold change for RBC, WBC, and platelets) and binary logistic generalized estimating equations with horse as a blocking factor (absolute numbers of WBC, and platelets). Aerobic and anaerobic cultures were performed. Significance was set at p<0.05. Mean platelet concentrations ranged from 1.55 to 2.58 fold. The conical tube method produced the highest number of PRP samples with platelet concentrations of greater than 2.5-fold and within the clinically acceptable range of >250,000 platelets/?l. WBC counts were lowest using the commercial system and unacceptably high using the red top methods. The incidence of bacterial contamination was low (2.1%). Based on these results, the conical tube method may be a suitable alternative to commercial PRP systems in cases with budgetary constraints. / Master of Science

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