Creating spinout companies (USOs) from university research is one focus of innovation policy. The phenomenon features in two main fields of enquiry: academic entrepreneurship studies, and literature on academic capitalism and the entrepreneurial university. Studies have explored the academic entrepreneur, the development stages of these nascent ventures, and the tools universities can provide to encourage and assist in the spinout process. This literature is however limited in that it is overwhelmingly concerned with resources, and little is known about how the USO relates to the parent research institution over time. The purpose of this study is therefore to explore social forces in research linked to a USO, and the main research question is: how can a social lens help us to understand some of the forces at play in research commercialisation, specifically through the early development of a USO from a parent research organisation? The case study is based on interviews and observations of university researchers, USO actors, and representatives from state agencies and a multinational corporation involved in a technology demonstration project. The sociologist Robert Park’s concepts of social groups, the individual within the collective, and social forces are used to explore the experiences of actors involved in academic research and industrial development throughout the changing relationship of a research group and USO. Five social forces were identified around the border between academia and industry, based on some of the concepts that seem to inform the actors’ understandings of the case at hand. An exploration of these forces helps to develop an understanding of how actors experience and negotiate various forces, and positions the results of the study in relation to the dominant models in academic entrepreneurship and academic life. Park’s concepts of specialised roles moves the discussion forward by considering how social forces might be handled within research and research commercialisation, and how such forces might in turn motivate the movement of individuals within and out of a particular social group. This discussion leads into the metaphor of the theatre, connected to project management literature, and research commercialisation as a performance by actors to safeguard the collective’s interests.

This thesis considers the problem of determining Casimir-Lifshitz forces in inhomogeneous media. The ground-state energy of the electromagnetic field in a piston-geometry is discussed. When the cavity is empty, the Casimir pressure on the piston is finite and independent of the small-scale physics of the media that compose the mirrors. However, it is demonstrated that, when the cavity is filled with an inhomogeneous dielectric medium, the Casimir energy is cut-off dependent. The local behavior of the stress tensor commonly used in calculations of Casimir forces is also determined. It is shown that the usual expression for the stress tensor is not finite anywhere within such a medium, whatever the temporal dispersion or index profile, and that this divergence is unlikely to be removed by modifying the regularisation. These findings suggest that the value of the Casimir pressure may be inextricably dependent on the detailed behavior of the mirror and the medium at large wave vectors. This thesis also examines two exceptions to this rule: first, the case of an idealised metamaterial is considered which, when introduced into a cavity, reduces the magnitude of the Casimir force. It is shown that, although the medium is inhomogeneous, it does not contribute additional scattering events but simply modifies the effective length of the cavity, so the predicted force is finite and can be stated exactly. Secondly, a geometric argument is presented for determining a Casimir stress in a spherical mirror filled with the inhomogeneous medium of Maxwell's fish-eye. This solution questions the idea that the Casimir force of a spherical mirror is repulsive, but prompts additional questions concerning regularisation and the role of non-local effects in determining Casimir forces.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / The collapse of the Soviet Union, and the associated end of global confrontation, has resulted in a dynamic process of changes, which has transformed the entire security situation in the Baltic Sea region. In recognition that NATO is becoming an organization able to extend stability and security throughout all of Europe, Latvia has considered membership into NATO a key to the solution of the Baltic security dilemma. This thesis examines the influence of NATO institutions on the Latvian security environment, in advance of Latvia's full-fledged membership into NATO. The analysis is particularly concerned with the gradual growth of various NATO cooperative institutions by which NATO will extend its influence in the strengthening of security and stability in the Baltic Sea region. The analysis concludes that NATO's involvement with Latvia has had multiple positive effects, including increased security, transformation of armed forces, and creation of a new framework in Latvian-Russian relations. / Captain, Latvian Armed Forces

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / This thesis examines the role of paramilitary forces in the counterinsurgency operations being launched by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People's Army (NPA). The Philippine government and the AFP firmly believe that the present Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (CAA) is an essential component of the AFP's Operational clear-hold-support methodology. Many scholars have argued that separating the Communist guerrillas from the populace is an important element in winning the counterinsurgency campaign. Isolating the Communist insurgents is done through the creation of local militia. However, some authors contend it would be dangerous for any government to train paramilitary forces because, in the long term, the governments are unsure of the future loyalties of these paramilitary forces. They may currently be working for the government, but as they work and gain skills, these paramilitary forces could use these same skills against the government in the future. Thus, it is quite dangerous to train paramilitary forces. The Philippine paramilitaries are good examples of paramilitary forces being used effectively for counterinsurgency. Their primary task of protecting the communities and the people from the coercive and abusive acts of the Communist insurgents are achieved. They are an effective counterinsurgency force because of proper training as well as command and control. This thesis concludes that the Philippine government and the AFP are headed in the right operational direction for utilizing paramilitary forces for village defense and as the protectors of the people. The paramilitary forces in the Philippines need the proper training as well as command and control in order to make these paramilitary forces effective counterinsurgency forces. / Colonel, Philippine Army

A prática do alongamento muscular é comum durante as rotinas de aquecimento para a corrida, com a crença de que tal atividade pode prevenir lesões e/ou melhorar o desempenho. Evidências experimentais indicaram que de forma aguda o alongamento estático pode prejudicar, melhorar ou não influenciar no desempenho de corridas de longas distâncias. Da mesma forma, evidenciou-se que o alongamento dinâmico pode melhorar ou não interferir no desempenho da corrida subsequente. No entanto, são escassos os dados relacionados à biomecânica da corrida em função destes estímulos. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi o de dimensionar os efeitos agudos do alongamento estático e do alongamento dinâmico sobre as variáveis biomecânicas da corrida relacionadas ao desempenho e à sobrecarga mecânica externa. 32 corredores amadores participaram do estudo (20 homens e 12 mulheres; 31,5 ± 4,9 anos; 1,7 ± 0,1 metros; 68 ± 10,8 kg). Os corredores participaram de três sessões experimentais para a avaliação biomecânica durante 15 minutos de corrida em esteira numa velocidade constante. A velocidade de corrida foi individualizada e correspondente à velocidade média da última prova de 10 km de cada participante. Foram feitas aquisições do comportamento da força de reação do solo no eixo vertical (esteira Mercury® Med, H/P/Cosmos Sports & Medical GMB) e da atividade muscular (TeleMyoDTS) do reto femoral, do vasto lateral, do bíceps femoral, do gastrocnemio lateral e do tibial anterior, bem como de parâmetros espaço temporais como o tempo de apoio, a frequência e o comprimento de passos, em quatro momentos distintos: momento 1- entre 0 e 1 minuto de corrida, momento 2 - entre 4 e 5 minutos de corrida, momento 3 - entre 9 e 10 minutos de corrida e momento 4 - entre 14 e 15 minutos de corrida. Em cada sessão de avaliação, os voluntários foram submetidos a um protocolo de exercícios de alongamento distinto, sendo eles: alongamento estático para os membros inferiores, alongamento dinâmico para os membros inferiores e alongamento estático para os membros superiores. Em cada um dos dias, foram executados 5 exercícios distintos, com um volume total de estímulo de 60 segundos para cada grupamento muscular. Os resultados não evidenciaram influência significativa do alongamento estático ou do alongamento dinâmico sobre as variáveis biomecânicas da corrida avaliadas neste estudo. Observou-se somente efeitos principais de momento, evidenciando uma diminuição no primeiro pico da força de reação do solo no momento 4 em comparação com o momento 2 (p = 0,011), um aumento no comprimento e uma diminuição na frequência de passos (p < 0,05) nos momentos 3 e 4, e uma menor intensidade de atividade muscular do bíceps femoral e do gastrocnêmio lateral na fase de apoio a partir do momento 2 (p < 0,05), independentemente do tipo de exercício de alongamento utilizado. Com base nestes resultados é possível concluir que a utilização de até 60 segundos de alongamento, estático ou dinâmico, para os membros inferiores não foi capaz de influenciar significativamente o comportamento muscular e os parâmetros dinâmicos durante uma corrida na esteira em velocidade constante submáxima / Stretching is a common practice during warm up routines for running, with the belief that it could prevent against injuries or improve performance. Literature suggests that static stretching can impair, improve or cannot influence on subsequent long-distance running performance. On the same way, it has been shown that dynamic stretching can improve or do not influence running performance. However, data about the acute effects of stretching on running mechanics are rare. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the acute effects of static and dynamic stretching on running mechanics related to performance and to mechanical overload. 32 amateur runners volunteered to this study (20 men, 12 women; 31,5 ± 4,9 years; 1,7 ± 0,1 meters; 68 ± 10,8 kg). The runners underwent on three experimental sessions to assess running mechanics for 15 minutes of constant speed running on a instrumented treadmill. The speed was correspondent to the average speed of the last 10 km race performance of each volunteer. Ground reaction forces (Mercury® Med, H/P/Cosmos Sports & Medical GMB) data were collected, and electromyographic activity were assessed (TeleMyoDTS) of rectus femoral, vastus lateral, biceps femoral, lateral gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior during trials. Step frequency and step length were also assessed. These parameters were assessed in four different moments: moment 1 - between 0 and 1 minute of test; moment 2 - between 4 and 5 minutes of test; moment 3 - between 9 and 10 minutes of test; moment 4 - between 14 and 15 minutes of test. At each session, the volunteers underwent a different protocol of stretching exercises: static stretching for lower limbs; dynamic stretching for lower limbs; and static stretching for upper limbs. There were 5 different exercises for lower limbs, with a total volume of 60 seconds for each muscle. The results did not show any significant influence of static or dynamic stretching on running mechanics. It was only observed a moment main effects, showing a decrease in the first peak of ground reaction forces at time 4 compared to moment 2 (p = 0,011), an increase on step length and a decrease on step frequency (p < 0,05) at moments 3 and 4, and a decrease on electromyograph intensity of biceps femoral and lateral gastrocnemius during stance phase from the moment 2 to the end of the test. With these results, is possible to conclude that the use up to 60 seconds of static or dynamic stretching for lower limbs was not able to significant influence the neuromuscular behavior and the dynamic parameters during a treadmill running at a constant submaximal speed

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in 33% fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Management (in the field of Security) 23 March 2016 / The manifestation of terrorism on the African continent has increasingly become a major emerging and evolving security concern. Based on the number of incidents happening on the continent, it is evident that the approach in addressing this phenomenon needs to be rethought, restrategised and redesigned in order to maximise the effect of current counter interventions by different organisations. At the centre of terrorism is the financing thereof. The bulk of this study will focus on the financing of terrorism and how the United Nations Security Council respond to it focussing on North, West and East Africa. Results should not just address the challenges of the current environment, but should be able to stand the test of time and ensure that these horrific activities do not re-occur. In order to reach this stage, it is critical that all role-players, stakeholders and organisations work together to ensure that the crisis is addressed in the most effective way, but also, critically, managed under the umbrella of an organisation that has the capability, resources, capacity and leadership to intervene in these situations successfully. The United Nations Security Council is the one organisation that can fulfil this role. / MB2016

The demand for materials with high mechanical performances such as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) is increasing. However, there are major challenges in machining CFRP as it involves delamination, fiber pullouts, and extreme cutting tool wear. Analysis of chip formation mechanisms and prediction of associated cutting forces in CFRP machining enables one to address these challenges. This study proposes a mechanistic cutting force model for milling operations of the CFRP workpiece, considering its non-homogeneity and anisotropy, by taking into account variations of fiber cutting angle during machining. A mechanistic model of cutting force constants is obtained from a number of experimentally measured unidirectional CFRP milling forces. The obtained mechanistic force model predictions are verified against experimentally measured milling forces with arbitrary tool path indicating the accuracy of the proposed mechanistic model in predicting cutting forces. The proposed mechanistic cutting force model is capable of being integrated into the manufacturing process to allow optimized machining of quality certified CFRP work-pieces. / Graduate

This work entitled "Legal and internal regulations in Czech armed forces" endeavours to tackle the relation between legal and internal regulations in public administration focusing on their hierarchy, quantity, liability in specific area of armed forces. At first sight military service is independent on legal code, because there is wide range and amount of relatively autonomous service regulations and official channels. Career soldiers and civil employees have to obey not only the texts of legislation composed of laws, govermental directions etc., but also must maintain discipline and work rules founded on internal orders, guidelines and advices. All commanders and managers as military superiors are obliged to enforce their authority through this regulations. Relation between legal and internal level is not clear. There are many doubts and questions based on facts regarding for instance these features and issues of any internal system of rules: delegation of authority to creation and publishing; verification of compatibility and harmony with legal framework; persistence, integrity, perpetual modifications and amendments.

In this thesis, we investigate theoretically a new model of charge regulation of a single charged planar surface immersed in an aqueous electrolyte solution. Assuming that the adsorbed ions are mobile in the charged plane, we formulate a field theory of charge regulation where the numbers of adsorbed ions can be determined consistently by equating the chemical potentials of the adsorbed ions to that of the ions in the bulk. We analyze the mean-field treatment of the model for electrolyte of arbitrary valences, and then beyond, where correlation effects are systematically taken into account in a loop expansion. In particular, we compute exactly various one-loop quantities, including electrostatic potentials, ion distributions, and chemical potentials, not only for symmetric (1, 1) electrolyte but also for asymmetric (2, 1) electrolyte, and make use of these quantities to address charge regulation at the one-loop level. We find that correlation effects give rise to various phase transitions in the adsorption of ions, and present phase diagrams for (1, 1) and (2, 1) electrolytes, whose distinct behaviors suggest that charge regulation, at the one-loop level, is no longer universal but depends crucially on the valency of the ions. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Healthy articular joints exhibit remarkable lubrication due in large part to the complex rheological and tribological behavior of the synovial fluid (SF) that lubricates the joints. Current approaches that seek to elucidate such remarkable lubrication usually focus on the roles of high molecular weight SF components such as lubricin and hyaluronic acid but frequently overlook the role of serum albumin (SA), although it represents 90% of the protein content of SF. In this thesis, we used the Surface Forces Apparatus to investigate in detail the structural and tribological response of SA thin films when sheared between model surfaces and subjected to a large range of shearing parameters. Our data indicate that, under shear, SA films reproduce closely the shear response previously reported for SF, i.e., film thickening and formation of numerous long-lived aggregates accompanied by low friction and efficient surface protection against damage. More specifically, our detailed investigation of shear parameters reveals that (i) strong anchoring of SA to surfaces promotes the formation of large rod-like shaped aggregates that enable rolling friction and keep surfaces far apart, preventing damage, (ii) aggregation mechanism is irreversible, which makes aggregates long-lived (though mobile) in the contact, and (iii) aggregate formation only occur when SA was sheared above a ‘critical’ amplitude Ac and a critical shear velocity Vc. Collectively, our results provide experimental evidence of the role of globular proteins, such as SA, in lubrication and establish a correlation between shearing parameters, formation and stability of aggregates, low friction and wear protection. Although our findings are based on experiments involving rigid, nonporous surfaces hence can hardly be generalized to compliant and porous cartilage surfaces, they are applicable to other rigid tribosystems such as artificial joints and will certainly advance our understanding of joint implants’ lubrication in SF mediated by protein aggregation, with implications for future design of artificial joints and therapeutic interventions.