Thesis (MSc (Physics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Experimental double differential cross sections and analyzing powers for the inclusive 93 Nb(p,α) r and 93 Nb(p, 3He) r reactions have been measured at an incident energy of 160 MeV. The results of this experiment, for emission angles ranging from 15º to 60º as well as previously measured data for 93 Nb(p,α) r at 100 MeV and 59Co(p,α) r at 100 and 160 MeV, have been compared with theoretical calculations based on a direct quasi-free α- cluster knockout mechanism. A computer code has been employed which calculates triple differential cross section and analysing power values using the distorted wave impulse approximation (DWIA). Inclusive double differential cross sections and analysing powers were calculated by integrating over the solid angle of the unobserved proton. It was found that the DWIA is limited in its ability to reproduce the experimental data. Some slight agreements have been observed in the region of large emission energies and small angles. This is consistent with the findings of previous studies based on a direct multi-step analysis which indicated that the first step knock-out reaction dominates in this region.

Of the thousands of dividing progenitor cells (PCs) generated daily in the adult brain only a very small proportion survive to become mature neurons through the process of neurogenesis. Identification of the mechanisms that regulate cell death associated with neurogenesis would aid in harnessing the potential therapeutic value of PCs. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is suggested to regulate death of PCs in the adult brain as overexpression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), an anti-apoptotic protein, enhances the survival of new neurons. To directly assess if Bcl-2 is a regulator of apoptosis in PCs, this study examined the outcome of removal of Bcl-2 from the developing PCs in the adult mouse brain. Retroviral mediated gene transfer of Cre into adult floxed Bcl-2 mice eliminated Bcl-2 from developing PCs and resulted in the complete absence of new neurons at 30 days post viral injection. Similarly, Bcl-2 removal through the use of nestin-induced conditional knockout mice resulted in reduced number of mature neurons. The function of Bcl-2 in the PCs was also dependent on Bcl-2-associated X (BAX) protein, as demonstrated by an increase in new neurons formed following viral-mediated removal of Bcl-2 in BAX knockout mice. Together these findings demonstrate that Bcl-2 is an essential regulator of neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus.

Chemical kinetics has been widely acknowledged as a fundamental theory in analysis of chemical processes and the corresponding reaction outputs and rates. The study and application of chemical kinetics thus provide a simulation tool to predict many characteristics a chemical process. Oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels applied in internal combustion engines is a complex chemical process involving a great number of a series of chained reaction steps and intermediate and simultaneous species. Symbolic and Numerical description of such a chemical process leads to the development and application of chemical kinetics models. The up-to-date application of chemical kinetics models is to the simulation of autoignition process in internal combustion engines. Multi-zone thermodynamic combustion modelling has been regarded as a functional simulation approach to studying combustion process in IC engines as a decent compromise between computation accuracy and efficiency. Integration of chemical kinetics models into multi-zone models is therefore a potential modelling method to investigate the chemical and physical processes of autoignition in engine combustion. This research work has been therefore concerned with the development, validation and application of multi-zone chemical kinetic engine models in the simulation of autoignition driven combustion in SI and HCCI engines. The contribution of this work is primarily made to establish a mathematical model based on the underlying physical and chemical principles of autoignition of the fuel-air mixture in SI and HCCI engines. Then, a computer code package has been developed to numerically solve the model. The derived model aims at improving the understanding of autoignition behaviour under engine-like conditions and providing an investigative tool to autoignition characteristics. Furthermore, as part of the ongoing program in the research of free piston engines, the results of this work will significantly aid in the investigation and simulation of the constant volume autoignition applied in free piston engines.

In my senior project I work with the unseen furniture: the side table. The name, Quadro, is a combination of the italian word quattro that means four and the latin word ”quadratum” or ”quadratus.”  After conducting an analysis of different side tables, I concluded that the side table's function is primarily to elevate other artifacts. I draw connections to the creation of identity through consumption and have created a sidetble through combining furniture design and conceptual design. The project was finalized with a survey to see if identity is visible through the selection of artifacts. / I mitt projekt arbetar jag med den osedda möbeln: sidobordet. Namnet Quadro är en blandning mellan italienskans quattro som betyder fyra och latinets ”quadratum” eller ”quadratus”. Efter analys av olika sidobord kom jag fram till att sidobordets primärfunktion är att höja upp andra artefakter. Jag drar kopplingar till identitetsskapande genom konsumtion och har skapat ett sidobord genom att kombinera möbeldesign med konceptuell design. Projektet slutförs med en undersökning för att se om identitetsskapandet går att observera genom valet av artefakter.

Title: Measurement of muscle activity during gait at patients with knock knees Objective: The aim of this study was to compare muscle activation between two groups of volunteers with and without knock-knees during level ground and incline walking on treadmill by surface electromyography. Muscles were measured on both legs, specificly tibialis anterior muscle, gastrocnemius lateralis muscle, vastus medialis muscle, adductor magnus muscle, semimembranosus muscle and tensor fasciae latae muscle. The goal of this experiment was to discover which muscles are more or less aktive according to the other group of participants. Then based on the conclusion could be possible to affect these changes by physiotherapy in future. Methods: The surface electromyography was used for measurement muscle activation. There were 12 volunteers, 9 women and 3 men, participate on this study in age from 21 to 27. Intermalleolar distance was used as a screening investigation for sorting into two groups whether the knock-knees are present or not. Result: There were different muscle activation between both groupes. Some muscles had increased activation others had lowest activation. However, this increase can be considered as statistically significant only in case of averrage amplitude muscle activity during midstance of step by...

This thesis deals with the differences of various types of working tools of the Kverneland CLC Pro cultivator. Under specific conditions of the agricultural enterprise in the Czech Republic, it compares ordinary turning tine, carbide tine, Knock-on tine and renovated tine. In the introduction, there is a general overview of the properties of the soil, followed by an overview of various methods of soil cultivation, which are also related to various methods of founding plants. Furthermore, I summarized the types of cultivators and tillers, followed by an overview of the types of wear tines with their advantages and disadvantages. In the practical part of the work there is the monitoring of the lifetime of the compared technologies, the time required for their replacement, the cost of their acquisition and the overall economic evaluation.

As legislações com restrições nos níveis de emissões de poluentes e a grande concorrência entre as montadoras fomentaram o desenvolvimento de sistemas mais eficientes de gerenciamento de motores a combustão interna. Entretanto, a falta de sensores que identifiquem as propriedades da combustão, e que sejam economicamente viáveis, dificulta o desenvolvimento de novos sistemas. Visando suprir parte dessas limitações, este trabalho propõe o uso do sensor de corrente iônica com duas finalidades: identificação dos fenômenos de combustão e detonação. Para identificação da combustão, atualmente é utilizado o sensor de fase instalado no motor, o que encarece o sistema de gerenciamento. Uma alternativa a este sensor seria utilizar a vela de ignição, já instalada dentro do cilindro do motor, como sensor de ionização da mistura ar/combustível durante a queima. Comparando a área sob a curva do sinal da corrente iônica durante a combustão com a área sob a curva durante a admissão, foi possível verificar que é viável a utilização do sinal da corrente iônica para substituição de uma funcionalidade do sensor de fase. Quanto à identificação do fenômeno da detonação, foi mostrado que o uso do sensor de corrente iônica possibilita a remoção do sensor de detonação. Para isso, foi realizada a correlação entre a energia de uma faixa de frequências dos harmônicos do sinal da corrente iônica com a energia do sinal proveniente do sensor de detonação. Dessa forma, este trabalho mostrou que é possível usar somente as velas de ignição, já presentes no veículo, como sensores. Além disso, os resultados positivos obtidos propiciam oportunidades para novas aplicações e novas pesquisas. / The laws that restrict pollutant emission levels and the competition among manufacturers fostered the development of more efficient internal combustion engine management systems. However, the lack of sensors to identify the properties of combustion, and which are economically viable, hinders the development of new systems. In order to address such limitations, this investigation proposes using the ionic current sensor with two purposes: identification of combustion and knock phenomena. The combustion identification is currently identified by the camshaft position sensor installed in the motor, which becomes more expensive for the management system. An alternative is using the spark plug, already installed inside the engine cylinder, such as ionization sensor of air/fuel mixture during combustion. Comparing the area under the curve of the ion current signal during combustion to the area under the curve during admission, it was found that it is feasible the use of ionic current signal to replace one feature of the camshaft position sensor. Concerning the identification of the knock phenomenon, it was shown that the use of the ionic current sensor allows the removal of the knock sensor. For this, the correlation between the energy signal in a frequency range of the ionic current harmonic with the energy of the signal from the knock sensor was performed Therefore, the use of spark plugs as sensors is very promising, in replacement to two existing sensors. Moreover, the positive results provide opportunities for new applications and researches.

Syfte: Uppsatsens huvudsyfte är att kartlägga och beskriva hur modebranschen förhåller sig till fenomenet kopiering. Genom att kategorisera olika attityder gentemot kopiering samt de aktörer som står bakom attityderna, analyseras även varför vilka aktörer har specifika attityder kopplat till fenomenet.Design/Metod/Ansats: Uppsatsen presenterar, med hjälp av kategorier, de attityder och aktörer som är representerade i debatten om kopiering. Ett urval har gjorts i fråga om vilka media och texter som ska analyseras i ramen för studien. Dessa texter har sedan analyserats så till vida att kategorier av attityder kunnat identifieras i texterna. I ett andra steg har de aktörer som står bakom de identifierade attityderna kategoriserats. Slutligen har en analys gjorts gällande varför vissa attityder kan sammankopplas med vissa aktörer. Resultat: Studiens referensram och uppsatsens empiriska studies resultat har vid analys kunnat visa på vilka attityder gentemot kopiering som finns representerade i modebranschen, samt på vilka aspekter som påverkar hur, och förklarar varför, en aktör resonerar och förhåller sig till kopiering på det sätt som görs.Originalitet/Värde: Uppsatsen belyser nya typer av kopiering som är aktuella idag och kompletterar på så vis tidigare forsking inom området, vilken framför allt behandlat piratkopiering. Dessutom fokuseras modebranschens interna och professionella aktörer istället för konsumenter, vilket också syftar till att belysa ämnet kopiering utifrån en nytt perspektiv.Objective: The main objective of this paper is to identify and describe how the fashion industry is related to the phenomenon of copying. By categorizing different attitudes toward copying, and the actors behind the attitudes, analysis is made as to why the actors have specific attitudes associated with the phenomenon. Design/Methodology/Approach: The thesis presents, using categories, the attitudes and actors that are represented in the debate on copying. A selection has been made on what media and texts are to be analyzed in the study. These texts were then analyzed in the sense that the categories of attitudes were identified in the texts. In a second step, the actors behind the identified attitudes also were categorized. Finally, an analysis is made as to why certain attitudes are associated with certain actors.Results: When analyzed, the study of reference and the thesis empirical study results, show the attitudes toward copying that are represented in the fashion industry. The analysis also present the aspects that affect how, and explains why an actor think and relate to copying in the manner set out.Originality/Value: The thesis highlights new types of copying that are relevant today and the thesis is therefore complementary to previous research in the area, which has mainly focused on piracy. Furthermore, the thesis is focused on the fashion industry's professional actors rather than consumers, which also serves to illustrate the subject of copying from a new perspective. / Program: Textilekonomutbildningen

As legislações com restrições nos níveis de emissões de poluentes e a grande concorrência entre as montadoras fomentaram o desenvolvimento de sistemas mais eficientes de gerenciamento de motores a combustão interna. Entretanto, a falta de sensores que identifiquem as propriedades da combustão, e que sejam economicamente viáveis, dificulta o desenvolvimento de novos sistemas. Visando suprir parte dessas limitações, este trabalho propõe o uso do sensor de corrente iônica com duas finalidades: identificação dos fenômenos de combustão e detonação. Para identificação da combustão, atualmente é utilizado o sensor de fase instalado no motor, o que encarece o sistema de gerenciamento. Uma alternativa a este sensor seria utilizar a vela de ignição, já instalada dentro do cilindro do motor, como sensor de ionização da mistura ar/combustível durante a queima. Comparando a área sob a curva do sinal da corrente iônica durante a combustão com a área sob a curva durante a admissão, foi possível verificar que é viável a utilização do sinal da corrente iônica para substituição de uma funcionalidade do sensor de fase. Quanto à identificação do fenômeno da detonação, foi mostrado que o uso do sensor de corrente iônica possibilita a remoção do sensor de detonação. Para isso, foi realizada a correlação entre a energia de uma faixa de frequências dos harmônicos do sinal da corrente iônica com a energia do sinal proveniente do sensor de detonação. Dessa forma, este trabalho mostrou que é possível usar somente as velas de ignição, já presentes no veículo, como sensores. Além disso, os resultados positivos obtidos propiciam oportunidades para novas aplicações e novas pesquisas. / The laws that restrict pollutant emission levels and the competition among manufacturers fostered the development of more efficient internal combustion engine management systems. However, the lack of sensors to identify the properties of combustion, and which are economically viable, hinders the development of new systems. In order to address such limitations, this investigation proposes using the ionic current sensor with two purposes: identification of combustion and knock phenomena. The combustion identification is currently identified by the camshaft position sensor installed in the motor, which becomes more expensive for the management system. An alternative is using the spark plug, already installed inside the engine cylinder, such as ionization sensor of air/fuel mixture during combustion. Comparing the area under the curve of the ion current signal during combustion to the area under the curve during admission, it was found that it is feasible the use of ionic current signal to replace one feature of the camshaft position sensor. Concerning the identification of the knock phenomenon, it was shown that the use of the ionic current sensor allows the removal of the knock sensor. For this, the correlation between the energy signal in a frequency range of the ionic current harmonic with the energy of the signal from the knock sensor was performed Therefore, the use of spark plugs as sensors is very promising, in replacement to two existing sensors. Moreover, the positive results provide opportunities for new applications and researches.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), is a gasotransmitter with several key roles in metabolism and vascular function. The effects of H2S are dependent on concentration and target organ. For example, increased H2S concentrations impair liver metabolic function but protect against vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Thiosulfate sulfurtransferase (TST), a nuclear encoded mitochondrial matrix enzyme, is proposed to be a component of the sulfide oxidising unit (SOU) which metabolises H2S. Preliminary data has shown that Tst deletion in mice (Tst-/-) increases circulating H2S levels measured in whole blood. Therefore, it was hypothesised that Tst-/- mice would exhibit worsened metabolic function in the liver but also protection of vascular function under conditions of vascular stress e.g. atherosclerosis. Liver metabolism was assessed by extensive metabolic phenotyping of Tst-/-mice fed control diet and in conditions of metabolic dysfunction induced by a high fat diet (HFD). Tst deletion altered glucose metabolism in mice; gluconeogenesis was increased in liver from Tst-/-mice fed control diet. Glucose intolerance in HFD-fed Tst-/-mice was also more severe than HFDfed C57BL/6 controls. In vitro metabolic investigations in primary hepatocytes isolated from Tst-/-mice demonstrated that mitochondrial ATP-linked and leak respiration were increased compared to controls. The effect of Tst deletion on vascular function was investigated in Tst- /-mice fed control or HFD using myography. Tst deletion did not alter vessel function when mice were maintained on a normal diet. HFD feeding (20 weeks) reduced maximal vessel constriction in the presence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors in C57BL/6 aorta. However, in Tst-/-mice fed HFD there was no reduction in maximal constriction suggesting a protective action of Tst deletion. The effects of Tst deletion on atherosclerotic lesions was investigated by generating double knock-out (DKO) mice by deletion of the Tst gene in ApoE-/- mice and (ApoE-/-Tst-/-). Atherosclerotic lesion formation was accelerated by feeding mice a western diet. Within the brachiocephalic branch lesion volume and total vessel volume were reduced in DKO mice fed western diet for 12 weeks, indicating that Tst deletion reduced lesion formation. Plasma cholesterol was reduced in DKO mice compared to ApoE-/- controls and a trend towards reduced systolic blood pressure was also noted. Overall this work supported the hypothesis that Tst deletion engenders metabolic dysfunction but vascular protection. The findings are consistent with the reported effects of increased H2S signalling. Overall inhibition of TST represents a novel target for treatment of atherosclerosis, with the caveat that glycaemia may be worsened due to hepatic metabolic dysfunction.