Starch is an important component of a wheat grain, comprising 50-70% of its dry weight. Its biosynthesis involves a complex pathway mediated by several enzymes, each of which is encoded by genes that have more than one family member. To better understand starch synthesis in wheat grains, this study characterized the sucrose-starch metabolic pathway using physiological, molecular, biochemical and metabolic approaches. These analyses led to the identification of genes that appear to have predominant expression during grain development in wheat including, TaSUT1, TaSuSy2, AGPL1, SSI, SSIIIa and SBEIIa, suggesting that these genes play a regulatory role in starch accumulation. This was further confirmed by comparative analyses of starch synthesis between cultivars with contrasting thousand kernel weights, which revealed a closer association of the expression of the same set of genes with starch accumulation in developing wheat grains. The effect on starch yield of one of the candidate genes identified, AGPase, was examined through a transgenic approach, which involved expression of a gene encoding modified version of maize AGPase large subunit, designated as Sh2r6hs, in wheat under the control of maize’s constitutive Ubiquitin1 promoter. This manipulation of the wheat AGPase activity produced wheat lines with increased AGPase activity, grain weight and grain starch level, suggesting that the wheat grain size can be enhanced through increasing the capacity of starch synthesis both in the source and sink tissues. The study also identified and characterized a partial fragment of wheat rbcS promoter, and indicated that the promoter fragment can potentially be used as a tool for targeting the expression of genes of interest in photosynthetic source tissues. / October 2014

Molecular diagnostics offer quick access to information for healthcare decision-making towards personalized therapeutics, but complicated procedures requiring extensive labor and infrastructure restrict their use. Droplet-based technologies can expand the accessibility of molecular diagnostics by miniaturizing devices, shortening sample-to-answer times, decreasing costs and increasing throughput. Methods for droplet manipulation are central to the automation of molecular diagnostics protocols. The innovative method, wire-guided droplet manipulation (WDM), is the actuation of liquid droplets in a hydrophobic milieu with a wire, or needle, guide. In this work, WDM is demonstrated for the automation of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on reprogrammable platforms for the diagnosis of cardiovascular infections. WDM is used to minimize thermal resistance by convective heat transfer for PCR amplification at a maximum speed of 8.67 s/cycle. The oil-water interfacial boundary is shown to passively partition molecular contaminants from sample matrices, including blood and heart valve tissue. Molecular self-assembly at the oil-water interface is used to increase PCR efficiency with blood in situ and is used as an innovative sensing modality for real-time monitoring of PCR amplification. Temperature feedback controlled droplet actuation is achieved by using a thermocouple loop as a functionalized wire-guide. Our novel methodology for real-time PCR, droplet-on-thermocouple silhouette real-time PCR (DOTS qPCR), utilizes interfacial effects to achieve droplet actuation, relief from PCR inhibitors and amplification sensing, for a sample-to-answer time as short as 3 min 30 s. DOTS qPCR addresses three major issues for rapid PCR—sample preparation, rapid thermocycling and sensitive real-time detection—on an inexpensive, disposable device with smartphone-based detection. In contrast, commercially available real-time PCR systems rely on fluorescence detection, have substantially higher threshold cycles, and require expensive optical components and extensive sample preparation. Due to the advantages of low threshold cycle detection we anticipate extending this technology towards trending biological research applications such as single cell, single nucleus, and single DNA molecule analyses, especially in droplet microfluidic platforms.

Current robot manipulation and control paradigms have largely been developed for static or highly structured environments such as those common in factories. For most techniques in robot trajectory generation, such as heuristic-based geometric planning, this has led to putting a high cost on contact with the world. This approach and methodology can be prohibitive to robots operating in many unmodeled and dynamic environments. This dissertation presents work on using haptic based feedback (torque and tactile sensing) to formulate a controller for robot manipulation in clutter. We define “clutter” as any environment in which we expect the robot to make both incidental and purposeful contact while maneuvering and manipulating. The controllers developed in this dissertation take the form of single or multi-time step Model Predictive Control (a form of optimal control which incorporates feedback) which attempts to regulate contact forces at multiple locations on a robot arm while reaching to a goal. The results and conclusions in this dissertation are based on extensive testing in simulation (tens of thousands of trials) and testing in realistic scenarios with real robots incorporating tactile sensing. The approach is novel in the sense that it allows contact and explicitly incorporate the contact and predictive model of the robot arm in calculating control effort at every time step. The expected broader impact of this research is progress towards a new foundation of reactive feedback controllers that will include a higher likelihood of success in many constrained and dynamic scenarios such as reaching into containers without line of sight, maneuvering in cluttered search and rescue situations or working with unpredictable human co-workers.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters’ Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / Background: Motor learning theories indicate that training improves motor performance by reducing variability and increasing task control. Elastic tubing and tyre resistance training methods may allow for the development of control over the dynamics of spinal manipulation. This study thus aimed to determine whether training with elastic tubing and tyre resistance, in conjunction with the standard manipulative training at the Durban University of Technology, resulted in the development of control of the dynamics of manipulation compared to training with the standard training alone. Methods: A quantitative, prospective, experimental cohort design was used. Fifty-three participants were randomly allocated into tyre or elastic tubing resistance training intervention groups, or the control group. All groups continued with the standard manipulative training at the Durban University of Technology. The dynamics of manipulation were measured with the Dynadjust pre-, mid- and post-training. The SPSS was utilised to compute the parametric and non-parametric analyses. Results: The results showed no statistically significant differences over time for any of the measured dynamics of manipulation. None of the groups (excluding the control group for S-I manipulation) developed control of the relationships between the dynamics. Overall, there was no difference between the groups with regards to development of control of the dynamics. Conclusion: The results suggest that the additional training methods, should be carefully considered when employed over a short term. Study limitations include the sample size and the effect of outliers, therefore any firm conclusions drawn from this study are required to be interpreted with caution.

Darbo tikslas: Įvertinti asmenų, patyrusių C4-C7 nugaros smegenų kaklinės dalies pažeidimą, savarankiškumo bei vežimėlio valdymo įgūdžių kaitą ir juos įtakojančius veiksnius velyvuoju reabilitacijos laikotarpiu. Metodika. Tyrime dalyvavo asmenys, patyrę kaklinės dalies nugaros smegenų pažeidimą, vėlyvuoju reabilitacijos laikotarpiu Valakupių reabilitacijos centre dalyvavę šiame centre organizuojamoje Savarankiškumo įgūdžių ugdymo programoje. Testuojant siekiama įvertinti Savarankiškumo įgūdžių ugdymo programos efektyvumą šiems asmenims. Pagal nugaros smegenų pažeidimus, asmenys suskirstyti į patyrusius: C5 ir aukštesnio segmento pažeidimus, С6 segmento pažeidimus, С7 segmento pažeidimus. Tiriamieji vertinti programos pradžioje ir pabaigoje vertinant jų funkcinį nepriklausomumą Funkcinio nepriklausomumo testu (FNT), taip pat vežimėlio valdymo įgūdžius Vežimėlio valdymo testu. Rezultatai. Programos metu asmenims, patyrusiems kaklinės dalies nugaros smegenų pažeidimą, efektyviai pagerėjo tiek funkcinio savarankiškumo, tiek vežimėlio valdymo įgūdžiai (p<0,05). Funkcinio nepriklausomumo rezultatai prieš ir po programos labai priklausė nuo pažeidimo lygio, pažeidimo gylis šiame tyrime lemiamos įtakos neturėjo. Įvertinus funkcinę būklę nustatyta, kad mažiausia problema šiems asmenims buvo pavalgymas (4,98±1,0), didžiausi sunkumai iškildavo susidūrus su laiptais (1,38±0,49), kitose srityse tiriamieji apsitarnaudavo esant vidutinei ar minimaliai pagalbai. Pagal Vežimėlio valdymo... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Thesis subject: Effectiveness of Self-support skills development program in Valakupiai Reabilitation Center for persons with cervical part spinal cord injury. Thesis aim: To evaluate self-support wheelchair manipulation skills development for persons with cervical part spinal cord injury during late rehabilitation stage. Thesis methods: The participants of the study were patients with cervical part spinal cord injury, that participated in Self-support skills development program in Valakupiai Reabilitation Center. The examination was performed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of this program for participants. According to spinal cord injuries, participants were grouped into groups of injured spinal cord cervical segments: C5 or higher, C6 and C7 segments. Participants were assessed using Functional Independence Measure (FIM) to assess their independecy and Wheelchair manipulation test to assess wheelchair manipulation skills in the beginning and in the end of the program. Outcomes: Functional independence and wheelchair manipulation skills statistically significantly improved for participants (p<0,05). Functional independence results were dependent on injured segment, the level of the injury did not influence the results very much. Functional independence results showed, that the least problematic domain for participants was eating (4,98±1,0), the most problematic domain was climbing staircase (1,38±0,49). The hardest task in wheelchair manipulation was safe falling out... [to full text]

In this thesis three circuits are presented that demonstrate the creation and manipulation of various phases over a large bandwidth. Many systems demand the interoperability of various circuit blocks over a large frequency range in order to minimize costs. In addition, the use of low resistivity silicon facilitates a further reduction in costs. The circuits presented in this thesis demonstrate both these key concepts by using the conventional CMOS process in addition to operating over large bandwidths which is ideal for inclusion in any number of standard wireless systems. A new novel balun is proposed that achieves wideband performance through the use of an external compensating capacitor to counter the effects of parasitic capacitances that reduce its effective bandwidth. An input stage common gate amplifier is then used to improve the return loss and provide additional gain. The fabricated active balun using the proposed circuit shows that the device performs with a 7.5 GHz bandwidth. In addition an excellent 16 dB return loss, -5.8 dBm compression point and 12 mW power consumption are also reported. Following this, an inductorless quadrature oscillator is proposed using an artificial resonator composed of conventional OTA circuits in order to increase the tuning range. The measured tuning range was found to be 100 MHz. This circuit demonstrates the ability to use a synthetic resonator circuit as a method of achieving wide tuning. The measured phase noise of -97.7 dBc/Hz is on par with other inductorless oscillators found in literature. Finally a wideband feedback quadrature generator is presented. Existing circuits do not provide a wide frequency of operation and in addition are highly susceptible to variances in component values used. The result is that the fabricated system will not operate at its intended operating frequency. In order to mitigate this problem a RC-CR network was used in conjunction with two variable gain amplifiers that uses a feedback network to actively compensate the amplitude imbalance over a large frequency range. This new design first is of its kind and the resulting circuit is measured to have over a 4 GHz bandwidth while maintaining a +/- 1 dB amplitude balance. / Thesis (Master, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2008-03-28 16:06:33.014

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Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic) -Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005 xiii, 117 leaves of pages : ill. / The purpose of this pre-post crossover clinical trial was to investigate the relative effectiveness of the combination of stretching followed by strengthening, versus the combination of strengthening followed by stretching, of the gluteus medius and iliotibial band (ITB), in the rehabilitation of chronic Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) in long distance runners. The results were based upon subjective and objective clinical findings, as well as effect on running performance.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003 1 v. (various pagings) / Mechanical low back pain is one of the most common clinical disorders that most people seek help for (Painting et al. 1998:110). Epidemiological studies indicate a lifetime prevalence of low back pain ranging from 60 to 80% with an annual incidence of approximately 30% (Mosheni-Bandepi et al., 1998). The Sacroiliac (S.I.) joint is a significant source of pain in patients with chronic low back pain and it therefore warrants further study (Schwarzer et al. 1995:31). S.I. syndrome is defined as pain over the S.I. joint in the region of the posterior superior iliac spine, which may be accompanied by referred pain over the buttock, greater trochanter, groin, posterior thigh, knee, and occasionally to the postero-lateral calf, ankle and foot (Kirkaldy-Willis, 1992:123). Research indicates that there seems to be a correlation between low back pain, more specifically S.I. pain and hip rotation (Ellison et al. 1990, Cibulka et al. 1999, Fairbank et al. 1984). Cibulka et al. (1998) found that patients with lower back pain who were classified as having signs suggestive of S.I. regional pain had significantly more external rotation than internal rotation on the posterior innominate side i.e. side of S.I. dysfunction (approximately a 20 difference). Manipulation is recognised as an effective means of treating mechanical low back pain, with respect to both Lumbar Facet Joint Syndrome and S.I. Joint Syndrome (Assendelft et al. 1992 and Koes et al. 1996). Kirkaldy- Willis (1992:123) states that manipulation is the most certain way of relieving the symptoms of S.I. syndrome. This investigation aimed to determine the effect of a sacroiliac joint manipulation on hip rotation ranges of motion (active and passive motion) in patients with chronic sacroiliac syndrome in terms of objective measures.