This paper examines the styles, shapes, and chemical composition, and ceramic fabric of Minoan Barbotine Ware. During the Middle Minoan period, Barbotine Ware exemplifies the creative ingenuity of the Minoan potter. The vessels’ elaborate decorative motifs play an integral part in the development of Minoan pottery. Barbotine Ware remains an ill-defined tradition. This paper will analyze the styles and shapes of Barbotine Ware vessels, as well as provide a chemical and petrographic study of Barbotine Ware from Kommos. The ultimate goal is to provide a thorough study of all aspects of the Ware in the hopes that future scholars may better understand its place within Minoan pottery and appreciate how it exemplifies the spirit of experimentation during the Middle Bronze Age on Crete. / Art History

El éxito de la fecundación humana depende, entre otros eventos moleculares, de la capacidad de los espermatozoides para llevar a cabo de forma adecuada la capacitación. Este proceso implica una serie de cambios bioquímicos en los espermatozoides para favorecer su interacción con el gameto femenino. Aunque es posible capacitar las células in vitro, el tiempo óptimo para que un espermatozoide complete la capacitación en estas condiciones sigue siendo objeto de debate debido a la falta de biomarcadores de capacitación adecuados. Los estudios en esta área, se han centrado en aquellos receptores espermáticos implicados en la interacción entre gametos. En particular, el complejo molecular formado por la proteína de choque térmico A2 (HSPA2; del inglés heat shock protein A2), la molécula de adhesión a hialuronidasa 1 (SPAM1; del inglés sperm adhesion molecule 1) y la proteína arilsulfatasa A (ARSA; del inglés arylsulfatase A), ha sido estudiado por varios grupos de investigación debido a su participación en el reconocimiento del ovocito por parte del espermatozoide. Los estudios más relevantes sobre la ubicación de este complejo se basan en la evidencia de la colocalización de estas proteínas en la región periacrosomal de la cabeza espermática. Sin embargo,Esta premisa es controvertida, ya que otros autores han encontrado una asociación entre diferentes áreas de distribución de HSPA2 en la cabeza del espermatozoide y la fertilidad. A pesar del importante papel que desempeña este complejo proteico durante la unión del espermatozoide a la zona pelúcida del ovocito (ZP), aún no se ha ilustrado el grado de dependencia del tiempo de capacitación sobre la presencia y distribución de una topografía específica en la superficie espermática de estas proteínas. Con esta premisa, en la presente tesis evaluamos la influencia del tiempo de capacitación in vitro en la localización y distribución de HSPA2 y ARSA en la cabeza de espermatozoides humanos. De esta manera, y mediante microscopía de fluorescencia, se evaluó la presencia de HSPA2 y ARSA en donantes normozoospérmicos2 tanto antes como tras la capacitación in vitro durante una y cuatro horas. Además, se utilizó la microscopía electrónica de campo de alta resolución (FE-SEM; microscopía electrónica de barrido de emisión de campo; del inglés field emission scanning electron microscopy) para cuantificar la densidad de ARSA y la localización específica de esta proteína en los diferentes dominios de la membrana espermática antes y después de la capacitación in vitro durante una y cuatro horas. Con respecto al porcentaje de células positivas para HSPA2, no se observaron diferencias significativas entre las poblaciones analizadas antes y después de una hora de capacitación. No obstante, observamos un porcentaje significativamente mayor de células marcadas con HSPA2 tras cuatro horas de capacitación in vitro. A pesar de que no se pudo determinar un patrón de distribución de HSPA2 predominante en las células que fueron positivas antes de la capacitación, el patrón de distribución mayoritario después de la capacitación fue de fluorescencia en la banda ecuatorial y el acrosoma. Al estudiar la distribución de ARSA se observó un aumento significativo en el porcentaje de células positivas para esta proteína tras la capacitación, pero sin diferencias entre una y cuatro horas de incubación. Al igual que ocurría con HSPA2, el análisis mediante microscopía de fluorescencia no mostró un patrón mayoritario de distribución de ARSA en la subpoblación espermática previa a la capacitación, mientras que, tras este proceso las células presentaron de manera predominante un marcaje intenso en la región acrosomal. Por otra parte, el análisis mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido de emisión de campo mostró una agregación de ARSA en la región periacrosomal tras la capacitación. Nuestros resultados apuntan que el complejo formado por HSPA2, ARSA y SPAM1 requiere más de una hora de capacitación in vitro para distribuirse correctamente en la cabeza espermática. Además, el presente estudio proporciona evidencias sólidas de la utilidad de HSPA2 y ARSA como biomarcadores de capacitación, sugiriendo su uso como biomarcadores suplementarios al clásico análisis seminal previo a una técnica de reproducción artificial. / Este trabajo de investigación ha sido subvencionado por la Cátedra Human Fertility de la Universidad de Alicante y los proyectos de I+D+i ViGrob-186 y UAIND17-03.

This master thesis was a part of an ongoing project at Research institutes of Sweden (RISE) and Chalmers University of technology, studying the formation of white layers (WLs) upon hard machining AISI 52100 steel. With a focus on the nanocrystalline microstructure of the machined steel, X-ray diffraction (XRD), white light interferometry (WLI), optical microscopy (LOM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized in the analysis of gathering an in-depth understanding of the WL formation mechanism. By introducing varying cutting parameters as part of the machining process, the effect of cutting speed and tool wear could be observed to directly impact the WL formation and could be linked to the thermomechanical contribution to the formation mechanism. Both thermal and mechanical WLs were observed and could be distinguished by the occurrence of dark layers in thermal WLs. The purpose of this thesis was to observe the influence of retained austenite (RA) on WL formation and from the XRD analysis the residual stress for different RA content could not be concluded. Furthermore, SEM concluded differences in the microstructure where a higher abundance of carbides was observed in the case of lower RA, a phenomenon most likely originating in the heat treatment process. Indications of facilitated mechanical WL formation for lower RA was observed but could not be deemed conclusive. The RA content could not be concluded to have an impact on the surface roughness nor the residual stress where variations were rather linked to the cutting parameters.

Respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) still poses serious occupational health hazards to coal miners and can lead to incurable lung diseases such as coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP, also referred to as "black lung"). Further, CWP can develop into a more severe form known as progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). There has been a resurgence of PMF since the late 1990s. Coal miners are also exposed to crystalline silica, which can lead to a lung disease known as silicosis. While coal mining related disease is on the rise, the historic dust monitoring data does not indicate such a striking resurgence. As a result, there has been an increased interest in research surrounding RCMD to understand exposure as well as prevent health effects. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) is a powerful tool that can analyze RCMD on a particle-level. The images produced by the SEM can size and characterize morphology of micron and submicron-sized particles. In addition, the EDX can determine elemental content, which can be used to infer mineralogy. However, particle classification can be impacted by interferences due to particle loading density (PLD) and agglomeration. PLD refers to the number of particles per unit area of substrate, while agglomeration describes clustered or overlapping particles. This thesis includes two studies aimed at exploring the effects of both PLD and agglomeration on SEM-EDX analysis. Study 1 includes an investigation into the effect of PLD on RCMD classification by SEM-EDX analysis. Dust recovered from the sample parent filters under low and high PLD conditions were used to isolate the effect of PLD. The comparison between the low and high PLD filters was then used to establish modified classification criteria to correct for high PLD. When the modified criteria were then applied to RCMD particles analyzed direct-on-filter, minimal change was observed in the apparent mineralogy distributions for most samples. These results suggest that particle agglomeration may have substantial effects on the particle classification of respirable dust analyzed direct-on-filter. Study 2 includes an investigation into the effect of particle agglomeration on RCMD by SEM-EDX analysis. Automated and manual SEM-EDX analysis was performed on paired filters collected from a parent filter. The manual analysis targeted respirable silica containing agglomerates. Each pair consisted of a filter analyzed directly and a filter that underwent a recovery process to deposit dust particles onto a new filter. The mineralogy distributions from the automated analysis suggest that agglomeration affects sizing and particle classification. Based on the manual analysis, there was an apparent increase in independent silica and a decrease in respirable silica-containing agglomerates after the recovery process. A limited collection of passive samples revealed more agglomerates than on the filters that were collected using a pump and size-selector cyclone. The work in this thesis is relevant to the research efforts aimed at the resurgence of coal mining related lung diseases, as the use of SEM-EDX can characterize RCMD by geographic region, geology, and location within a mine. Future work in this area of study might look at methods to estimate PLD in the field, other dust recovery methods, and a comparison of sampling methods. / Master of Science / Respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) still poses serious occupational health hazards to coal miners and can lead to incurable lung diseases such as coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP, also referred to as "black lung"). Further, CWP can develop into a more severe form known as progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). There has been a resurgence of PMF since the late 1990s. Coal miners are also exposed to crystalline silica, which can lead to a lung disease known as silicosis. While coal mining related disease is on the rise, the historic dust monitoring data does not indicate such a striking resurgence. As a result, there has been an increased interest in research surrounding RCMD to understand exposure as well as prevent health effects. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) is a powerful tool that can analyze RCMD on a particle-level. SEM-EDX analysis can provide data on the size and elemental content of individual particles. The elemental content of each particle can be used to infer the mineralogy. However, the effectiveness of SEM-EDX analysis is dependent on sample conditions. Interference can occur if the samples are loaded with too many particles close together or clustered particles. In Study 1, a modified classification criteria to correct for overloading was created by using a dataset that consisted of paired filters with ideal loading and overloading. The modified criteria were applied to a second dataset, resulting in minimal change on the filters analyzed directly indicating that clustered particles may be present. Study 2 utilized automated and manual SEM-EDX analysis on paired filters, one filter was analyzed directly, and the other filter was dispersed using a recovery method. The automated results suggest that clustered particles can affect the sizing and particle classification. The manual analysis, which looked at clusters containing silica, revealed that less clusters were present on the filters that underwent the recovery process. A collection of passive samples exhibited more clustered particles compared to direct filters collected using a pump and size-selector. These findings are relevant to the research efforts aimed at the resurgence of coal mining related lung diseases, as the use of SEM-EDX analysis can characterize RCMD by geographic region, geology, and location within a mine.

In this study, 236 heavy-drinking college students completed measures of self-efficacy for limiting drinking, specific coping skills for limiting drinking, outcome expectancies associated both with expected effects of drinking and expected effects of limiting drinking, and retrospective drinking behavior. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine reliability and validity, as well as serving as a pre-requisite for structural equation modeling (SEM). Results were generally consistent with predictions and supported the distinction between self-efficacy and outcome expectancies. One notable exception was that positive expectancies for limiting drinking did not load heavily on the predicted expectancy construct. Three models predicting drinking were compared utilizing SEM. The first was a model in which all constructs predicted drinking with no indirect effects. The second was based upon the ideas of Kirsch (1995) and predicted that outcome expectancies influence self-efficacy judgments. The third was based upon Bandura's (1986) theory and predicted that self-efficacy judgments would instead influence outcome expectancies. Both the models based on Kirsch and Bandura appeared to better fit the data than the model with no indirect effects. Differences in model-fit between models based on Kirsch and Bandura were not large, but slightly supported the Kirsch model. Additional analyses also supported the importance of outcome expectancies in predicting drinking behavior. Implications for theory and future directions for research are discussed. / Ph. D.

Both a recent narrative review and a meta-analytic review of prevalence rates, indicates that prior sexual victimization increases risk for future victimization (Messman & Long, 1996, Roodman & Clum, in press). The purpose of this study was to examine two competing models of sexual victimization that examined the path between child abuse and later sexual victimization. Hypothesized mediating variables were negative cognitive schemas, dissociation, risky behaviors, and coping strategies. Structural equation modeling was used to examine two competing models of sexual victimization. A sample of 276 college students taking introductory psychology were participants. They anonymously completed a packet of questionnaires that provided the indicator variables for the path models that were tested. Both models tested received minimal support but many of the proposed pathways in the model were not statistically significant suggesting problems with the models. Due to measurement issues with the manifest indicators of the latent factors, any results should be viewed with caution. It appears as though none of the factors in the model mediate the relationship between early and later victimization. However, both models tested demonstrated significant pathways between the factor for child abuse (comprising physical and sexual abuse) and negative cognitive schemas and for child abuse and dissociation. However, the paths from negative cognitive schemas and dissociation to sexual victimization (comprising both adolescent and adult sexual victimization) were not significant suggesting that, although these factors are influenced by child abuse, they do not mediate revictimization. Risky behaviors, as measured by consensual sex and alcohol consumption, do not appear to be influenced by early abuse, but there was a significant pathway between this factor and sexual victimization suggesting that these risky behaviors are independent risk factors for sexual victimization in adolescence and adulthood. In one model there was a significant pathway between child abuse and sexual victimization which is what would be expected given previous findings that suggest past abuse is the best predictor of future victimization experiences (Roodman & Clum, in press). That the other model did not demonstrate this relationship was surprising. / Ph. D.

The insect respiratory system serves as a model for both robust microfluidic transport and mate- rial design. In the system, the convective flow of gas is driven through local deformations of the tracheal network, a phenomenon that is dependent on the unique structure and material properties of the tracheal tissue. To understand the underlying mechanics of this method of gas transport, we studied the microstructure and material properties of the primary thoracic tracheal tubes of the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana). We performed quasi-static uniaxial tests on the tissue which revealed a nonlinear stress-strain response even under small deformations. A detailed analysis of the tissue's microstructural arrangement using both light and electron mi- croscopy revealed the primary sources of reinforcement for the tissue as well as heterogeneity on the meso-scale that may contribute to the physiological function of the tracheae during respi- ration. Finally, a custom mechanical testing system was developed with which inflation-extension tests on the tracheae were used to gather data on the biaxial elastic response of the tissue over a wide range of physiologically relevant loading conditions. From information gathered about the material microstructure, a robust constitutive model was chosen to quantify the biaxial response of the tracheae. This model will provide a basis from which to simulate the behavior of tracheal net- works in future computational studies. This study gives the first description of the elastic response of the tracheae which is essential for understanding the mechanics of respiration in insects. Thus it brings us closer to the realization of novel bio-inspired microfluidic systems and materials that utilize mechanical principles from the insect respiratory system. / Ph. D.

Sprains are the most common injuries to ligamentous tissues. They are classified as first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree sprains depending upon their severity. First-degree sprains are the result of over-stretching of ligaments. Second-degree sprains involve partial tears of the ligaments. In third-degree sprains, the ligaments are completely torn. Although first- and second-degree sprains are not as severe as third-degree sprains, they occur more frequently. The mechanisms leading to sprains are still not well understood. Therefore, histo-mechanical experiments and theoretical studies are needed to advance our current knowledge on the etiology of sprains. In the first part of this study, a structurally-based constitutive equation is proposed to simulate the damage evolution process in ligaments. The ligament is modeled as a bundle of crimped collagen fibers that are assumed to be oriented along one direction, the physiological loading direction. The gradual straightening of collagen fibers determines the nonlinearity in the toe region of the tensile axial stress-strain curve. Straight collagen fibers behave as a linear elastic material. The gradual damage of collagen fibers determines the nonlinearity in the failure region of the tensile axial stress-strain curve. The parameters in the constitutive equation are estimated by curve fitting experimental data on rat medial collateral ligaments (MCLs) published in the biomechanics literature. In the second part of this study, mechanical experiments are performed in order to identify and quantify damage in ligamentous tissues. MCLs, which are harvested from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, are subjected to displacement controlled tensile tests. Specifically, the ligaments are stretched to consecutively increasing stretch values until their complete failure occurs. The elongation of the toe region and decrease in tangent modulus of the linear region of the collected stress-strain data are analyzed and two significantly different damage threshold strains are determined. The effect of age and skeletal maturation on the damage evolution process is also investigated by performing mechanical tests on MCLs isolated from two age groups of SD rats. In the third part of this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to determine variations in the microstructure of ligaments that are associated with the elongation of the toe region and decrease in tangent modulus of the linear region of the stress-strain curve. MCLs from SD rats are subjected to different threshold strains that produce damage and, subsequently, examined using SEM. By comparing the morphology of collagen fibers and fibrils in undamaged and damaged MCLs, the microscopic variations induced by strain are determined and correlated to the observed macroscopic mechanical damage. / Ph. D.

Enactment of regulatory standards for respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) concentration and crystalline silica content, and advancements in mine ventilation and dust controls led to a steady decline of occupational lung disease among US coal miners between the early 1970s and the mid-1990s. Since that time, there has been an alarming resurgence of disease especially in central Appalachia—with little hard data to pinpoint the causative factors in the mine environment. This situation has emphasized the knowledge gap surrounding specific dust characteristics and their sources. Key observations from many disease cases have suggested that dust constituents sourced from the rock strata in the mine (i.e., the rock layers that surround the target coal seam) may be particularly important; and this fits with the general tendency to extract thinner coal seams, and thus more rock, in many central Appalachian mines. To explore the characteristics of rock-strata sourced dust and its possible influence on the overall RCMD, this thesis reports two primary research efforts: Chapter 1 encompasses a case study conducted in an underground coal mine in West Virginia. (This chapter was previously published in the proceedings of the 18th North American Mine Ventilation Symposium, and is being reproduced with permission of the licensor through.) Following precedent from other studies, respirable dust samples were collected from key locations including in the intake airway, downwind an operating roof bolter, and adjacent to the feeder breaker. Additionally, three locations downwind the production face were simultaneously sampled during four individual continuous miner cuts—which was a unique feature of the current study. Dust was analyzed using previously established methods, including scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) to determine particle size and mineralogy distributions. Where comparable, results were generally consistent with those from other central Appalachian mines. However, the unique production sampling scheme offered new insights regarding the shift in particle characteristics as dust moves downwind from the generation point. Changes in size and mineralogy suggested that rock-strata sourced particles, especially aluminosilicates, might interfere with the SEM-EDX classification of other particles, especially coal. To explore the issue of aluminosilicate interference with coal classification, and the possible reasons, Chapter 2 covers two main lines of study. First, existing RCMD samples and SEM-EDX metadata were re-examined. Results suggested that particle loading effects could be at least partly responsible for the appearance of inordinately high aluminosilicate abundance (and conversely low coal) in some samples (i.e., the mineral particles might deposit on the sample filter in close proximity to the coal). Additionally, the presence of coal-mineral microagglomerates (MAGs) was demonstrated. The second line of study in Chapter 2 was therefore to explore whether MAG formation could be due to the RCMD generation process or environmental conditions—rather than merely an artifact of the sampling procedure—and the dispersibility of MAGs, which may have important implications with respect to dust exposure and biological response. Laboratory-generated samples collected passively demonstrated that coal-mineral MAGs can indeed occur without influence from typical RCMD sampling equipment. MAGs were significantly dispersed by sonication in deionized water, though gentle swirling did not yield consistent results. Moreover, in a surfactant solution that mimics natural lung fluid, MAGs were also dispersed. Compared to deionized water, the surfactant may promote more dispersion of coal particles in particular. / Master of Science / Occupational illnesses such as black lung in underground coal mining are still a worrisome issue in the industry. This research was aimed at gaining insight into rock-strata sourced dust and its possible influence on the overall characteristics of respirable coal mine dust (RCMD). The rock strata surrounding the coal seam is often rich in silicates and silica. A case study of RCMD was conducted in a thin-seam mine in West Virginia. Samples were collected in various locations and analyzed using electron microscopy among other methods. Results indicated that mineral dust, especially aluminosilicates, can be very abundant near the production face and might interfere with the measurement of coal dust. To explore such interference, a follow-up study was performed by revisiting a subset of RCMD samples examined in prior work. This approach yielded evidence of coal-mineral microagglomerates. Additional efforts in the laboratory recreated agglomerate formation and demonstrated their dispersibility. Results suggested that the occurrence of microagglomerates is not entirely a direct consequence of the sampling methodology and highlighted their potential importance within the context of exposure assessment and possible biological response.

Understanding fuel use is important in researching ancient communities. This project developed methods to identify archaeological fuel from midden, hearth, and ash samples using comparison to modern analogues. Modern analogue fuels were ashed at 2000C, 4000C, and 9000C then analysed with a suite of methods, the results were then used to inform the development of an approach for the identification of archaeological fuels. These methods were tested using samples from Ness of Brodgar, Knowe of Swandro, and Smerquoy/Muckquoy in Orkney. Magnetic susceptibility, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, pH and Munsell colour assignment were chosen based upon previous archaeological, biofuel, and soil pollution research. The methodologies were refined with the analysis of ash from fuels including peat, seaweed, driftwood, willow, hazel, heather, grasses, cow dung, sheep dung, and bone. Modern analogue fuels at increasing temperatures showed an intensification in magnetism and alkalinity, and an alteration to mineral components during the chemical reaction of combustion that is indicative of fuel type and temperature. Principal components analysis confirmed matches between archaeological samples and modern ash, indicating a strong relationship between peat fuels and the archaeological samples. A correlation is also demonstrated between some of the archaeological samples and sheep dung, driftwood, willow, and animal bone. It is evident that each archaeological site has unique patterns of both fuel type and temperature. This shows that in the absence of abundant traditional wood fuel resources, the occupants of these sites used a combination of alternative fuels.