Under the title 'Performative Architecture', this thesis draws on theories from performance studies and phenomenology in order to look beyond humanist practices that see the body as fixed and static. This thesis addresses two questions that I will be arguing are of increasing significance to contemporary architecture: Firstly, in the context of emerging digital and digitised spaces, how does the living body interact with the surrounding environment?; and secondly, what do these changing forms of human inhabitation and movement mean for the practice of architecture? The time frame spans from the work of Oskar Schlemmer in the 1920s to contemporary built works, examining the different ways that performativity has infiltrated architectural design. The case studies are divided into architectural performances that highlight the living body, and performative drawings that explore how to bring that body into the design process. In doing so a number of emerging paradigms become apparent that find built form in contemporary architectural examples. This approach is used to describe and analyse recent projects by Daniel Libeskind, Peter Eisenman, Diller and Scofidio and Lars Spuybroek, and to identify a common orientation through very different types of built environments. Acknowledging the change in both bodies and spaces in the Information Age, this research seeks to make room for the living body in the design of emerging, multidimensional, built environments.

Atopic eczema is a T-lymphocyte mediated chronic inflammatory skin disorder. The interaction of CD4+ T-lymphocytes with epidermal keratinocytes results in dysregulated, chronic inflammation and altered barrier function. T-lymphocyte induced keratinocyte apoptosis has been proposed as a mechanism by which epidermal integrity is impaired in eczema. Apoptosis of keratinocytes is thought to result from Tlymphocyte associated Fas ligand (FasL) binding to the death receptor Fas on keratinocytes. The primary aim of this project was to characterize the induction of keratinocyte apoptosis by T-lymphocytes and address the hypothesis that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1), transforming growth factor [beta]1 (TGF[beta]1) and a milk derived growth factor extract containing TGF[beta] and IGF-I (whey growth factor extract; WGFE) protect keratinocytes from T-lymphocyte mediated apoptosis. To address the aims of this project, an in vitro co-culture model was developed combining T-lymphocytes with keratinocytes. Co-cultures were initially established using human Jurkat T-lymphocytes and human HaCaT keratinocytes with more extensive characterisation undertaken using primary CD4+ T-lymphocytes together with HaCaTs or normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). Annexin V and propidium iodide staining was established as the primary method for measuring keratinocyte apoptosis with this validated using sodium butyrate a known inducer of apoptosis. Changes in nuclear fragmentation and cell morphology were also examined as a key feature of apoptosis. The involvement of the Fas pathway was investigated by assessing T-lymphocyte FasL expression, keratinocyte Fas expression and downstream caspase activation. Inflammatory cytokines IFN[gamma] and TNF[alpha] were also examined due to their ability to induce Fas expression. Studies performed with T-lymphocytes demonstrated that keratinocyte apoptosis was induced, with this due primarily to direct T-lymphocytes and keratinocytes interactions, rather than soluble mediators in the co-culture milieu. Activated T-lymphocytes were found to have high levels of FasL and to upregulate keratinocyte Fas expression. The increased keratinocyte Fas was associated with increased IFN[gamma] levels in the co-culture media and activation of the caspase cascade. A Fas blocking antibody prevented T-lymphocyte induced keratinocyte apoptosis demonstrating that this was a Fas dependent event. As the primary function of keratinocytes is to terminally differentiate, the differentiation status of the cells induced to undergo apoptosis was examined. It was demonstrated that T-lymphocytes decrease the intensity of ?6 integrin expression by the keratinocytes. This marker identifies undifferentiated basal cells as high expressors of [alpha]6, with cells in the early stages of differentiation pathway found to be low expressors of [alpha]6. Co-staining with Annexin V demonstrated that the apoptotic keratinocytes were low expressors of [alpha]6 and thus cells committed to the early stages of differentiation. This suggested that the T-lymphocytes initiated the onset of keratinocyte terminal differentiation with this linked to the cells being more susceptible to death induced by T-lymphocyte by activation of the Fas pathway. The ability of TGF[beta]1, IGF-I and WGFE to inhibit T-lymphocyte induced keratinocyte apoptosis was examined. A combination of recombinant TGF[beta] (10ng) & IGF-I (100ng) was able to significantly inhibit keratinocyte apoptosis. A similar result was obtained with WGFE, and although these growth factor treatments were able to reduce the elevated IFN[gamma] levels in the co-culture media, they did not reduce T-lymphocyte induced Fas upregulation. The TGF?1 and IGF-I combination as well as WGFE did however prevent the T-lymphocyte induced shift from [alpha]6 bright to dim expressing keratinocytes. As such, the growth factor combinations appeared to protect the keratinocytes from T-lymphocyte mediated apoptosis by preventing them from committing to terminal differentiation. The studies in this thesis have characterised the Fas associated mechanisms by which T-lymphocytes induce keratinocyte apoptosis and suggest specific growth factor combinations may have the potential to ameliorate the reduced barrier function associated with inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic eczema.

Background: Many risk factors for venous thromboembolism have been identified, but two particular exposures - the use of combined oral contraceptives and long-distance air travel - have generated considerable concern in recent years. In contrast, a possible link between venous thromboembolism and a third exposure - the use of psychotropic drugs - was first raised in the 1950s, but has received surprisingly little attention. Information about all three exposures and the risk of fatal events is limited. These risks were examined in three inter-related national population-based studies. Methods: The underlying study population included all men and women aged 15 - 59 years who died in New Zealand between 1990 and 2000, for whom the underlying cause of death was pulmonary embolism. The potential associations between fatal pulmonary embolism and the use of oral contraceptives and psychotropic drugs were explored in a general practice records-based case-control study. Non-users were the reference category for all analyses. Contraceptive supply data were used to estimate the absolute risk of death from pulmonary embolism in users of oral contraceptives. A second case-control study, in which computer-assisted telephone interviews were undertaken with the next of kin of cases who had been resident in New Zealand, and with sex and age-matched controls randomly selected from the electoral roll, investigated the possible association between long-distance air travel and fatal pulmonary embolism. Finally, the absolute risk of dying from pulmonary embolism following a long-distance flight was estimated in a descriptive study based on official migration data and deaths in recent air travellers. Results: The adjusted odds ratio for use of any oral contraceptive in the three months before the index date (the onset of the fatal episode) was 13.1 (95% CI 4.4 - 39.0). The odds ratio for formulations containing desogestrel and gestodene was about three times higher than the point estimate for levonorgestrel products; preparations containing cyproterone acetate appeared to carry the highest risk. The estimated absolute risk of fatal pulmonary embolism in current users of oral contraceptives was 10.5 (95% CI 6.2 - 16.6) per million woman-years. The adjusted odds ratio for current use of any antipsychotic was 13.3 (95% CI 2.3 - 76.3). Low-potency antipsychotics carried a 20-fold increase in risk; thioridazine was the main drug involved. Antidepressant use was also associated with a significantly increased risk (adjusted odds ratio 4.9 [95% CI 1.1 - 22.5]). Compared with non-travellers, people who had undertaken a flight of more than eight hours� duration in the preceding four weeks were eight times more likely to die from pulmonary embolism (odds ratio 7.9 [95% CI 1.1 - 55.1]). The absolute risk of fatal pulmonary embolism following air travel of more than eight hours was 1.3 (95% CI 0.4 - 3.0) per million arrivals. Conclusions: The present research was the first to have estimated the relative risks of fatal pulmonary embolism in relation to three exposures: oral contraceptive use in a population in which preparations containing desogestrel and gestodene preparations were widely used, conventional antipsychotics, and long-distance air travel. The findings were consistent with previous, and subsequent, studies of non-fatal events. Increased risks of fatal pulmonary embolism in users of antidepressants, and in people with an intellectual disability, have not been described previously and warrant further investigation. Referral and diagnostic biases are very unlikely in these studies of fatal events, and other types of bias and possible confounding are considered unlikely explanations for the findings.

Background: As a multifactorial disease glaucoma may be associated with pressure-dependent and -independent factors. Ocular hypertension (OHT) may develop into primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) for many patients. We compared groups with OHT and POAG for pressure-dependent and -independent risk factors. A high prevalence of any factor(s) could indicate a contribution to progression from OHT to POAG. Method: A sample of patients with POAG (n 438) and with OHT (n 301) were selected from those attending a tertiary referral private glaucoma practice, and data were collected regarding age and intraocular pressure at the time of diagnosis, gender, family history of glaucoma, systemic hypertension, diabetes, Raynaud's phenomenon, migraine and myopia. Results: After multivariate analysis, older age at time of diagnosis (P<0.001), myopia (odds ratio (O.R) 1.5, 95percent confidence interval (C.I)1.0-2.2; P 0.05), a family history of glaucoma (O.R 1.6, 95 percent C.I 1.1-2.3; P 0.01) and a high intraocular pressure (P 0.002) were associated with POAG. No other significant differences were found between the two groups. Conclusion: Patients who have OHT may be at higher risk of developing POAG if they also have myopia, a family history of glaucoma or are of older age.

"March 2003" / Bibliography: leaves 133-143. / x, 143 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, 2003

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

<p><strong>Date: </strong>23^rd November, 2009</p><p> </p><p><strong>Level: </strong>Master Thesis in International Business and Entrepreneurship (EFO705), 15 credits</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Authors: </strong>Karakawat Sarasalin (830117-T255)    Thitiporn Watthanachai (831031-T124)</p><p>ksn08001@student.mdh.se                       twi08001@student.mdh.se</p><p>Title: The internationalization process of Red Bull from the perspectives of global expansion</p><p><strong>Supervisor: </strong>Jean-Charles Languilaire</p><p><strong>Problem</strong><strong> </strong><strong>Statement</strong><strong>: </strong>How did RED BULL manage to be as an important central international market player?</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this research is to describe the internationalization process of Red Bull; how Red Bull created, sustained and developed?</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We mainly use secondary data and the qualitative data. Qualitative data in the form of interview questions through e-mailing. But we also use quantitative method based on documental research from books and internet.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Red Bull does not follow the standard pattern of establishment chain presented in the Uppsala model. Its establishment chain is composed of three stages: licensing ,wholly owned sales subsidiaries and jointed venture. Red Bull has developed strong market within the beverage industry network and strong bonds with its external suppliers. The expansion decisions of Red Bull have been influenced by the factors. Red Bull developed in the European market, we found that it careful consideration about both internal and external factors, Red Bull usually prefers to conquer a new market with a relevant low risk entry mode.</p><p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Red Bull, internationalization, network, factors</p>

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Full text release at OhioLINK's ETD Center delayed at author's request

The shell composition of planktonic foraminifera used in many paleoreconstructions assumes they are accurately representing conditions at the surface/mixed layer. However, planktonic foraminifera are known to inhabit a depth range that extends below the mixed layer. In the present study, foraminifera were collected at discrete depth intervals using a Multiple Opening and Closing Net Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) in either cyclonic or anticyclonic eddies that had contrasting environmental conditions. The foraminifera abundances and distributions were compared to the water depth, temperature, density, and chlorophyll profiles. Nine species were found consistently among all the tows and composed at least 96% of the species found, though a shift in the species abundances and depths occurred between eddies. Species occurred where physical factors were compatible with conditions and feeding opportunities they were adapted to. Three species pink and white Globigerinoides ruber and Globigerinoides sacculifer thrived best when a steep density gradient resulted in a shallower mixed-layer that restricted them under more intense light and allowed them to better exploit their algae symbionts. Globigerina bulloides was found outside its sub-polar habitat because the waters of the cyclones were cool enough (less than 26??C) at the same depths that sufficient chlorophyll was available. Two species Orbulina universa, and Globorotalia menardii were consistently absent in the mixed layer, but tracked deeper chlorophyll concentrations. Three other species were found inconsistently among the tows: Hastigerina pelagica, Globigerinella siphonifera, and Globigerinella calida. H. pelagica probably follows chlorophyll concentrations. G. siphonifera, and G. calida have a preference for deeper waters within the photic zone. The drastic doubling to tripling of the foraminifera abundances in cyclones biases downcore reconstructions of sea surface temperature towards cooler conditions. Also, the shift in species composition between the two eddies indicates that in environments where eddies, upwellings, or rings exist may bias the downcore composition of each species towards cooler conditions. G. sacculifer was found to live primarily in the mixed layer and at least 75% of its downcore individuals are expected to represent conditions there. Researchers should consider the described species distributions to better understand the water column conditions they are reconstructing.