Chicken nuggets are commonly made with varying levels of textured vegetable proteins such as soy and wheat, for their ability to bind water and their meat like conformation. This project compared textured wheat proteins and soy proteins at 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% in both emulsified and non-emulsified chicken nuggets. A total of 6,048 chicken nuggets were evaluated in replications for batter breader pickup (%), par fry yield (%), cook loss (%), L*, a*, b* color value, texture profile analysis, and sensory analysis. Analysis was conducted for all four concentrations of wheat and soy treatments then compared to each other and an all-white meat chicken nugget control. All data was analyzed with a α <0.05 using SAS with PROC GLM and Duncan’s MRT, except for sensory data which was analyzed as a complete randomized block design using analysis of variance with a α <0.05, and was analyzed using SAS with PROC GLM. Results indicated that no notable trends were apparent in the quality testing. A trained sensory panel determined that Soy flavor was more detectable at 20% and 30% than wheat flavor was at similar levels. The results indicate that wheat proteins can replace soy proteins for functional properties in both emulsified and non-emulsified chicken nuggets at all concentrations evaluated. It was also determined that wheat proteins could be used at levels up to 30% without imparting a noticeable flavor.

The rheology and development morphology of textured fluids have been investigated. The first fluid considered in this work was a liquid crystalline polymer consisting of isotropic and anisotropic solutions of poly-p-phenyleneterephthalamide (PPT) in sulfuric acid. The second textured fluid considered in this work was an immiscible polymer blend consisting of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and nylon 6,6. The role played by liquid crystalline order (LCO) and a polydomain texture on the rheology of PPT solutions was investigated. It was found that several of the rheological phenomena commonly attributed to liquid crystalline order in polymers (e.g., three region flow curve, negative steady state first normal stress difference, and oscillatory behavior at the start up of shear flow) were not observed in the solution in its anisotropic state. The solution in both its anisotropic and isotropic state exhibited a two region flow curve (Newtonian plateau and shear thinning region at rates ranging from 10^-4 to 10² sec^-I), a positive steady state first normal stress difference which increased with shear rate, and a transient shear stress which displayed a single overshoot before reaching a steady state value. The rheology of PET/nylon 6,6 blends was found to be a function of both polymer degradation and the two phase texture. An accelerated degradation rate was found for the blends relative to the neat polymers, and as a consequence, the values of the steady shear viscosity (η), magnitude of the complex viscosity |η*|, storage modulus (G') and steady state first normal stress difference (N₁) for samples melt blended in an extruder were lower than those of the neat polymers. Blends prepared by dry blending followed by mixing in a cone and plate device where the degradation occurring during extrusion was avoided were found to have a higher value of |η*| and G' and enhanced transient behavior relative to those of the neat polymers. Scaling of the transient stress indicated there was no intrinsic time constant for these blends at shear rates lower than the longest relaxation time of the neat polymers The theory developed by Doi and Ohta which describes the additional stresses arising as a consequence of interfacial tension in two phase systems was evaluated for its ability to model the rheology of the 2575 w/w PET/nylon 6,6 blend. The Doi-Ohta theory was found to be capable of qualitatively predicting the extra stresses arising as a result of the interfacial tension as observed in the steady state viscosity and steady state first normal stress difference and the transient stresses at the start up of steady shear flow. While the overshoot and undershoot of the stresses observed during stepwise changes of shear rate were not predicted, the scaling relation for the transient stresses predicted by the theory were found to hold for the blend using stepwise changes of shear rate at a constant step ratio. / Ph. D.

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) possesses huge potential in solar energy utilisation and immense research has been carried out in order to improve its performance. There are several aspects that affect the solar cell’s performance, such as the photon collection efficiency of the cell, the reflectivity of the semiconductor, the transparency and conductivity of the transparent conductive oxide layer, and the photon-electron conversion efficiency. In this research, a pre-patterned substrate was used as a base to fabricate DSSC for improving the photon collection efficiency of DSSC. The pre-patterned substrate was prepared using maskless dry etching technique, resulting in micro-size features on the substrates and giving a 1% reduction on reflectance. The effect of Aluminium doped ZnO sputtered as the Transparent Conductive Oxide layer (TCO) in comparison with a typical DSSC fabricated on Tin doped Indium Oxide glass (ITO) was also studied. The research was carried out in two parts: substrate texturing of glass fabrication with Al:ZnO deposition, and DSSC cell assembly. The first half was carried out in the nanofabrication laboratory at University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and the second half was in National Nano Device Laboratory, Taiwan. The characteristics of both the substrates and the cells were measured using spectrophotometer with integrating sphere and solar cell simulation system. Decrease in reflectance of the Al:ZnO coated substrate at infrared region from 20% to 10 % was achieved. Due to the high resistivity of Al:ZnO and the problem of incapability in TiO2 coating, DSSC cells fabricated with these substrates have efficiencies around 2%, which is lower than the typical DSSC cells fabricated with ITO glass. Future adjustments on the substrate etching process and the cell assembly are needed for optimizing the results. The relatively high resistivity of Al:ZnO also needs to be lower for better DSSC cell performance.

The establishment and maintenance of functional endothelial cells (ECs) on an engineered surface is central to tissue engineering. As the field advances, the role of cellular mechanisms, particularly the adhesive interaction between the surface of implantable devices and biological systems, becomes more relevant in both research and clinical practice. Knowledge of these interactions can address many fundamental biological questions and would provide key design parameters for medical implants. It has been shown that EC functionality and adhesivity, crucial for the re-endothelialization process, can be induced by nanotopographical modification. Therefore, the goal of this dissertation research was to develop an ensemble surface composing of nanoscale features for the enhancement of endothelial cell adhesion. Without adhesion, subsequent vital mechanism involved in cell alignment, elongation or spreading, proliferation, migration, and ECM proteins deposition will not occur.Experiments in support of this goal were broken down into three specific aims. The first aim was to characterize and develop a size-dependent self-assembly (SDSA) nanoarray of Octamer transcription factor 4 as a demonstration to the fabrication of nanoscale feature surface. This nanoparticle array platform was a pilot studied for the second aim, which was the development of an ensemble surface of nanoscale features for endothelial cell adhesion. The third aim was to evaluate and assess EC response to the ensemble surface.Hence, we developed an ensemble surface composed of nanoscale features and adhesive elements for EC adhesivity. By using shear stress as a detachment force, we demonstrated greater cell retention by the ensemble surface than uniform controls. Adhesive interactions and cellular migration through integrin expressions, which are critical to tissue development and wound healing process was also observed. Furthermore, cell viability was relatively sustainable, as indicated by the low expression of apoptotic signaling molecules. The findings presented within this dissertation research can be applicable to blood-contact medical implants and possess the potential for future clinical translation.

In my paintings and mixed media works, I incorporate rough textures and vibrant, high contrast colors. I find beauty and intrigue in the gnarled roots of a tree; the crumbling plaster on a wall; and the wrinkled, roughened hands of my grandmother. To explore these types of surfaces, the materials are distorted by twisting, ripping, and pulling the pieces apart. For instance, canvas is layered and stitched together in an uneven manner with knots and lumps added to the distressed surface. I view these distorted, strained surfaces as different forces in my life that push or pull me in varied directions. This metaphor helps me to express myself through formal elements. I approach my compositions gesturally and intuitively by letting them evolve during my process. As a compositional device, I sometimes use a gridded infrastructure or multi-piece presentation. This underlying framework allows me to organize my presentation as I apply marks and manipulate surfaces. I use complementary color palettes that are bright and vibrant. These palettes have a virile quality that emanates a strong sense of purpose and commands attention from the viewer.

During the past decades there has been an increase in the use of geosynthetics in construction due to their versatility in providing a wide array of functions such as reinforcement, containment, separation, filtration and drainage. Often, geosynthetics are used in conjunction with other geosynthetics to accomplish these functions. However, geosynthetics create possible planes of weakness which can lead to failures. Textured geomembranes are widely used within landfill and mining industries due to their containment and shear strength properties, however, there are subjected to a wide array of loads and environments which are potentially hazardous, as such is of utmost importance to retain their integrity in order to avoid ecological disasters. The challenge is to understand how geomembranes resist damage, wear and which of these factors control the development of wear on textured geomembranes. Digital imaging techniques have been used in order to develop a protocol that describes the quantification of wear on textured structured geomembranes. Direct shear tests were performed to induce wear on the geomembrane textures (asperities) to analyse the wear mechanisms and study the factors that induce wear on the asperities. The research showed that normal stress and shear displacement have a major role in the development of wear on interfaces. However, the geometrical characteristics of the geomembrane asperities control the amount of wear the geomembrane can sustain without significant shear strength loss. These outcomes help to better understand the behaviour of interfaces which have as component geomembranes, leading to more robust designs. This study also proposed new asperity texture shapes by using Rapid Prototyping (RP) techniques, such as Selective Laser Sintering and Fused Filament Fabrication. Using RP techniques to create new textures for the geomembrane, could allow the creation of textures which have increased shear strength thresholds and better withstand wear, allowing for more advanced and economical designs.

Ruwe manier describes loose painting, characterized by visible brushwork that is casually or even crudely exposed. Although Rembrandt did not invent ruwe manier, his late style is practically synonymous with highly developed surface texture. The goal of this study is to help develop historical context for understanding Rembrandt’s characteristic approach to thick paint, as well as to attempt to locate what is so distinctive about Rembrandt’s expressive brushwork. The ruwe manier is particularly prominent in Rembrandt’s 1658 Self-Portrait housed in the Frick Collection in New York City. The Frick Self-Portrait thus operates as a case study and as a point of departure from which to discuss notions of the rough manner in this period. Through detailed formal analysis and primary texts, I propose how the emotional impact of impasto, as understood in Rembrandt’s time, might have served as motivation for Rembrandt’s painting approach in his later years. In the last section, I apply these discussions about Rembrandt’s ruwe manier to a current neuroscience research about visual and tactile perception. This final, exploratory chapter is more of an inquiry of neuroaesthetic methodology than of Rembrandt’s painting. I ultimately suggest that the assertion of self is manifest not only in the Rembrandt’s presentation of himself as a subject, but also as it is imbued on a conscious and fundamental level—in the very tactility of the paint itself. / text

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

Mining operations lead to considerable land disturbance and accumulation of large amounts of waste rock that may contain elevated concentrations of hazardous substances. Without proper capping, they may have considerable negative environmental impact on different spheres of the Earth. Capping of waste rock with a soil cover re-creates the water and nutrient regimes required for the growth of native plants and returns biological productivity and biodiversity of the land to a condition similar to that existing before site disturbance. In many cases the area of disturbance is composed of coarse-textured materials with low water retention properties, which are not desirable in semi-arid zones. This study was conducted to determine (1) whether a considerable increase of water storage is possible after separation of coarse-textured soil into size fractions and layering them in such a way that the finer fraction overlies the coarser fraction; and (2) whether such soil covers are susceptible to preferential flow under various initial and boundary conditions and what influence this type of flow has on residence time. Four types of soil covers were constructed in chambers: homogeneous covers composed of natural sand, two-layered covers with abrupt and gradual interlayer transitions, and four layered soil covers with abrupt transitions. Soil water storage was measured at field capacity (FC). Soil covers were tested under two types of lower boundary conditions: gravel layer and -25-cm matric potential. Flow stability was assessed during intermittent and constant ponded infiltrations. Water storage capacities (WSCs) for soil covers with -25-cm matric potential at the bottom of a cover were additionally simulated in HYDRUS-1D. Water storage capacities increased with the number of layers under both lower boundary conditions. Two-layered covers with a transition layer had slightly lower water storage than the same cover without the transition, due to a decreased hydraulic contrast at the layer interface. Simulated WSCs under -25-cm matric potential at the bottom were in satisfactory agreement with measured WSCs. The wetting front was stable in the homogeneous cover under both initially dry and FC conditions and in the two-layered cover with a gradual transition under initially dry water content during intermittent ponded infiltration. Unstable flow was observed only in the two-layered soil cover under both initial water contents. Other covers were partially unstable under initially air-dry and FC conditions. Generally, the wetting front was more diffuse at FC. Flow in all covers was stable under constant ponded infiltration. The residence time of water increased with the increase in the number of layers under both types of infiltration. Results of the study show that WSC and residence time do increase with increasing number of layers in soil covers, where layers are composed of different fractions of coarse-textured soil. In addition, tested soil covers have shown limited susceptibility to preferential flow even when layered into finer-over-coarser soil systems.

The aim of the study is to develop air-textured threads for sewing working clothes with high speed sewing machines; also to study and forecast mechanical and other indicators of sewing threads being produced through the creation of mathematical models that define the association between yarn indicators and technological parameters of production.