Linear weirs are a common hydraulic structure that have been used for centuries with many different applications. One characteristic of weirs that is particularly useful is the head-discharge relationship where the discharge over the weir is directly related to the upstream water depth above the crest. In general, the head-discharge relationship for a weir is determined experimentally in laboratories using geometrically similar models. Due to space, time, money, and discharge capacity limitations at water laboratories, creating full scale models is not always a feasible option when determining head-discharge relationships for large prototype weirs. It is typically more cost effective to create a scale model than to build a full scale model or conduct tests on the prototype. Because of this fact, physical modeling has been one the most important tools in determining head-discharge relationships for weirs. However, as the physical size of the model decreases, size scale effects associated with surface tension and viscosity forces can significantly affect the results from the physical model and cause the results to differ from what would actually occur at the prototype scale. Therefore, it is important to understand what affects surface tension and viscosity forces have on the head-discharge relationship for different size weirs and when those effects are no longer negligible. The purpose of this research was to evaluate size scale effects for linear weirs. Weirs models of three different crest shapes (flat-top, quarter-round, and half-round) were constructed and tested at four different geometrically similar sizes [weir heights (P) = 24-, 12-, 6-, and 3-in]. This was done in order to evaluate how size scale effects affect the head-discharge relationship as model size decreases for different crest shapes. Discharge coefficients were calculated for relative upstream head values ranging from 0.01 ≤ Ht/P ≤ 2.0 for vented and non-vented conditions. Nappe aeration behavior was documented and compared to determine where differences in the nappe trajectory occurred as a result of scale effects. Comparisons were made with data from others researchers to determine if the recommendations for minimum head limits were similar to the results from this study. This study examined the errors in the discharge coefficient associated with size scale effects and suggested limits to avoidance depending on model scale and crest shape.

Russia and the US have both articulated their willingness to develop a regime for counter cyberterrorism. Yet, to date, they have been unsuccessful in following through with this goal. Their failure to form such a regime can best be explained through the lens of social constructivism, and most specifically, through the concept of strategic culture, given that such an approach allows for the examination of ideological, historical, and cultural issues that have shaped the strategy choices of both countries. Russia and the US have successfully formed regimes with other countries in which issues of counter cyberterrorism come to play. Russia has entered into agreements with BRICS and with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The US has involved itself in cybersecurity regimes both with its NATO allies and with its Latin American and Caribbean allies. Russia and the US have furthermore entered into a number of agreements with each other, including the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the Intermediate- Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, and New-START. A strategic culture perspective, which focuses primarily on historical factors, such as a history of invasion or lack thereof, and the relations of both countries with their respective neighbors, reveals how the discourse of human rights and the freedoms of...

Solar photovoltaic energy has gained great importance in the last couple of years, as its costs getlower and the total installed capacity increases. As a result of this, new technologies are arisingwithin the field, with the objective of increasing performance and reducing costs. One of themis the half-cell solar modules which, among other advantages, are said to perform better undershaded conditions compared to standard modules.This project checks the veracity of this statement. For that, a Matlab/Simulink model capable ofrepresenting the behavior of the JAM60S21-365-MR solar module has been created, andexperimentally calibrated with measurements performed in an actual panel. After the modelaccuracy has been checked, it has been used to simulate various shaded scenarios for standardand half-cell modules, to carry out an equivalent comparison between the two.The results for the model show a maximum error of 0.62% for the reference case, and of 6.06%for the worst 4-module-string simulation. This has been found to be an acceptable error, whichis created mainly as a result of temperature measuring inaccuracies and the rough estimation ofsolar cell model parameters. To reduce it, it is recommended that these issues are addressed.Which module does better under shading has been found to be dependent on multiple factors:The temperature and irradiance at which the module operates, its constructive parameters, thenumber of series or parallel connected devices and the shape and size of the shadow. This lastone is the one with the biggest impact in electrical power output. Because of it, the most usualcases for shadowing in PV facilities have been compared. For equivalent modules, shading in thedirection of the string of a single cell is less detrimental in half-cell modules; however, if thatshadow covers a whole row, it is equally damaging. If a full cell is 50% shaded in this scenario, a20% less power is lost in the half cell module compared to the normal one. On the other hand,shadowing in the direction on the bypass-diode line tends to slightly benefit standard modulesfor equal cell parameters if the shadowed full-cell percentage is below 50%, for both cell androw shading. However, as this value increases, half-cell modules tend to gain an advantage overstandard ones.

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Concerns regarding Mean Length of Utterance (MLU) has led to adaptations of this method of analysis. A recent study by Johnston (2001) introduced an alternative to MLU called MLU2. The current study investigates the split-half reliability of MLU and MLU2 as well as another alternative, Median Length of Utterance (Med-LU). Split-half reliability was found for these methods when segmented into Phonological and Communication Units. Split-half reliability of MLU2 was generally higher than that of MLU, and both were higher than Med-LU. The study suggests that MLU2 may also be a valuable tool for clinicians in analyzing child language.

Duke and Jenkins defined a family of linear maps from spaces of weakly holomorphic modular forms of negative integral weight and level 1 into spaces of weakly holomorphic modular forms of half integral weight and level 4 and showed that these lifts preserve the integrality of Fourier coefficients. We show that the generalization of these lifts to modular forms of genus 0 odd prime level also preserves the integrality of Fourier coefficients.

Protein therapeutics are available as cytokines, clotting factors, enzymes, hormones, growth factors, antibodies et al. They have been shown to be effective in treating a variety of important human diseases. Since human insulin was approved as the first recombinant protein therapeutic, this field has experienced rapid growth. One of the biggest challenges for protein therapeutics in clinical application is their short half-life. Except for monoclonal antibodies, which have serum half-life for weeks, most of the protein therapeutics have half-lives ranging from minutes to hours. Kidney filtration, proteasome degradation and liver metabolism are the main factors that attribute to their short half-lives. The short half-life of protein therapeutics requires a higher dose or frequent application to maintain therapeutic concentration over a certain period. However, higher dose is easy to cause large plasma concentration fluctuation, which is easy to cause side effects. Most of protein therapeutics are not orally bioavailable. Frequent application will increase the burden of patients, affect their life quality, and reduce patient compliance. Thus, it is important to generate long-lasting therapeutics with improved pharmacokinetic properties. The current half-life extension approaches for protein therapeutics include PEGylation, albumin fusion or binding and fusion to an immunoglobulin Fc region. Their primary aim is to increase the size of biotherapeutics or to implement recycling by the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). However, the half-life extension by PEGylation, albumin fusion or Fc fusion is at the cost of binding affinity reduction. And the increase of size has limited their application in the field of anticancer agents where tumor penetration is required. Noncovalent albumin binding using albumin binding ligands such as fatty acids could maintain the small size and binding affinity. However, it would increase hydrophobicity, therefore is not suitable for protein therapeutics with low solubility. Here, we present a new approach for half-life extension for biotherapeutics. Human interleukin 2 (IL-2), a low solubility cytokine, was used as a model protein. By conjugating IL-2 with a hydrophilic small molecule that binds reversibly to the serum protein transthyretin, we enhanced its circulation half-life in rodents while maintained its in vitro bioactivity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a successful approach that harnesses a small molecule in extending the circulation half-life of a protein while at the same time maintains the small size and hydrophilicity.

<p>The shallow soils of a former orchard area in Point Pelee National Park, near Leamington, Ontario, Canada have elevated concentrations of chlorinated pesticides above the regulatory limits. Previous studies in this area have shown that the DDT, DOE and ODD are highly persistent with an estimated half-life of DDT in the range of 15-30 years. In 2002 a pilot-scale field remediation experiment involving the application of cyclodextrin was conducted. This experiment resulted in substantial decrease of DDT, DDE and DDD concentrations in the upper soil layer within the remediation grid. Soil samples were collected within the treatment plots a year after the cyclodextrin application was completed to assess any further changes in concentrations of DDT, DDE and DDD. Groundwater samples were collected in the vicinity of the soil remediation grid which provided DDT, DDE and DDD concentrations in groundwater to assess the vertical mobilization of the compounds. Mass balance of the "soil - groundwater" system was calculated in order to estimate the degradation rate of DDT within the remediation zone. The 2-D unsaturated/saturated flow and solute transport numerical model "HYDRUS 2-D" was used to gain a better estimation of DDT, DDE and DDD mass and distribution in groundwater. The effectiveness of cyclodextrin application for remediation of DDT contaminated soils was assessed. After remediation treatments had stopped, there was no indication of further degradation of DDT and its metabolites in the upper layer of soil. The groundwater concentration of DDT, DDE and DDD near the remediation grid was 10-100 times higher than background value. This increase in groundwater concentration is a direct indication of DDT, DDE and DDD mobilization by cyclodextrin. The estimates of total mass of DDT in groundwater are less than 1% of mass leached from the soil. It was concluded that the application of cyclodextrin promoted enhanced co-metabolic biodegradation of DDT and it metabolites DDE and DDD. The estimated half-life for the displaced DDT was less than 2 months. This work demonstrates that cyclodextrin can be a highly effective agent for remediation of DDT contaminated soils.<p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for up to 80% of the cases of dementia making it the most common type of dementia. As of 2015, 46.8 million people are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease worldwide with an alarming rate of increase in the onset of the disease. Despite the ongoing research, the true cause of Alzheimer’s disease remains unknown. Aluminum is one of the major environmental toxins linked to the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease. A pilot clinical study for non-invasive measurement of bone aluminum was performed at the in vivo neutron activation analysis facility at McMaster University including 15 Alzheimer’s and 15 control subjects. A significant difference in bone aluminum, relative to calcium, was found between the two groups. Multiple methods of analysis were investigated to determine the method with the lowest minimum detection limit. The method of in vivo neutron activation analysis allows for the simultaneous activation of multiple elements. As such, it was possible to measure the magnesium levels, which has been shown to be involved in Alzheimer’s disease, in the study subjects. The results of bone measurements did not show a significant association between bone magnesium levels and Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, the short-term kinetic behaviours of sodium and chlorine, both essential for the human body, were studied. The outcome of this study revealed an increase in the biological half-lives of sodium and chlorine with age and a higher variability in Alzheimer’s patients compared to control subjects. Finally, bone samples from parenteral nutrition patients were analyzed to determine their aluminum content for comparison and benchmarking purposes. The present results suggest a possible association between bone aluminum and the presence of Alzheimer’s disease. No such association was found for magnesium or the biological half-lives of sodium and chlorine. The technique of in vivo neutron activation analysis was shown to be a promising tool for measuring bone aluminum and magnesium; however, a better detection limit is required to strengthen the current results. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown, but both genetic and environmental factors are known to be involved. Different elements have been studied for their possible role in this disease. Aluminum and to a lesser extent magnesium have been linked to the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease. The current thesis presents the results of a clinical study that utilizes the method of in vivo neutron activation analysis to measure aluminum and magnesium in the hand bone of Alzheimer’s disease and control subjects. In vivo neutron activation analysis is a non-invasive method that uses neutrons to activate elements in the human body and measures the radiation emitted. Different methods of analyzing the resulting data were investigated to find the most suitable analysis approach. The biological half-lives of sodium and chlorine were also measured to investigate their short-term kinetic behaviour and pattern with age.

INTRODUCTION: Academic half-days (AHDs) are regular teaching events that occur outside of patient care. AHDs often take the form of extended didactic lectures, despite the literature around effective teaching techniques. This may decrease residents’ ability to pay attention to the content being presented and instead promote mind wandering (defined in this thesis as self-reported task-unrelated thought). This thesis examines mind wandering during academic half-days (AHDs) in postgraduate medical training through two studies, with the overarching goal of understanding how results might inform the design of classroom-based teaching sessions in postgraduate medical education. METHODS: In the first study, a qualitative approach was used to examine residents’ perceptions about the nature of their learning experience during AHDs. Two focus groups were held with residents in hematology (n = 5) and obstetrics and gynecology (n = 15) and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. In the second study, thought probes were administered approximately every 15 minutes during three AHD sessions in each program (hematology: n = 6 residents; obstetrics and gynecology: n = 30 residents) to quantitatively examine how three commonly-used instructional methods (didactic lecture, group discussion, and case-based learning) influenced mind wandering during AHDs. RESULTS: Findings of the qualitative study revealed differences with respect to residents’ overall perceptions of AHDs, perceptions of attention during AHDs, and motivations for learning. However, residents in both programs agreed that presenters could maximize resident engagement and learning by spending more time on case-based learning and group discussions as opposed to didactic lectures. Quantitative findings supported resident perceptions, demonstrating significantly less mind wandering during case-based learning (7%) than didactic lectures (33%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this work suggest that instructional method influences the amount of self-reported mind wandering during AHDs, and specifically, that case-based learning may be more effective than didactic lectures in maintaining engagement during AHDs. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Academic half-days (AHDs) are regular teaching events that occur outside of patient care. AHDs often take the form of extended didactic lectures, despite the literature around effective teaching techniques. This may decrease residents’ ability to pay attention to the content being presented and instead promote mind wandering (defined in this thesis as self-reported task-unrelated thought). This thesis examines mind wandering during AHDs, with the goal of understanding how results might inform the design of classroom-based teaching sessions in postgraduate medical education through two studies: a qualitative study examining residents’ perceptions about their learning experience during AHDs, and a quantitative study examining how three commonly-used instructional methods (didactic lecture, group discussion, and case-based learning) influenced mind wandering during AHDs. Taken together, these two studies make a contribution to the exploration of how classroom-based teaching sessions such as AHDs can be optimized to enhance student learning in postgraduate medical education.