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Honekamp, Wilfried, Nicoletta Wojtera, and Knut Meissner. "Fee-Free-Open-Access-Journals - Vor- und Nachteile." Saechsische Landesbibliothek- Staats- und Universitaetsbibliothek Dresden, 2011. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa-70830.
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In diesem Beitrag werden Publikationsmotivation und -formen sowie die Vor- und Nachteile von Open Access beschrieben und am Beispiel des Fee-Free-Open-Access-Journals Zeitschrift für Nachwuchswissenschaftler erläutert<br>In this paper, publications motivation and forms are described, as well as, the pros and cons of Open Access. They are explained using the fee-free open access journal German Journal of Young Researchers as an example
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Warlick, Stefanie E. "Publication Transformation: Why Authors Choose to Publish in Open Access/Free Full-text Journals." Thesis, School of Information and Library Science, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1901/299.
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In an attempt to identify motivating factors involved in decisions to publish in Open Access (OA) journals, individual interviews with biomedical faculty members at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a major research university, were conducted. The interviews focused on faculty identified as early adopters of OA/free full-text publishing. Searches conducted in PubMed and PubMed Central identified faculty from UNC-Chapel Hill who have published works in OA/free full-text journals. The searches targeted authors with multiple OA citations during a specified 18 month period. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the most prolific OA authors. Individual interviews attempted to determine whether the authors were aware they published in OA journals, why they chose to publish in OA journals, what factors influenced their publishing decisions, and their general attitude towards OA publishing models. Interview questions were based on a review of the literature and consultation with a scholarly communication working group. The interview results were analyzed to see whether these faculty members made conscious efforts to publish in OA/free full-text journals, and if so why.
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Honekamp, Wilfried, Nicoletta Wojtera, and Knut Meissner. "Fee-Free-Open-Access-Journals - Vor- und Nachteile." 11. Nachwuchswissenschaftlerkonferenz der Fachhochschulen Sachsens, Sachsen-Anhalts und Thüringens : Tagungsband ; 14. April 2010 Fachhochschule Schmalkalden. - Schmalkalden : Fachhochsch. (ISBN 978-3-00-030849-9), 2010. https://slub.qucosa.de/id/qucosa%3A1236.
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In diesem Beitrag werden Publikationsmotivation und -formen sowie die Vor- und Nachteile von Open Access beschrieben und am Beispiel des Fee-Free-Open-Access-Journals Zeitschrift für Nachwuchswissenschaftler erläutert.<br>In this paper, publications motivation and forms are described, as well as, the pros and cons of Open Access. They are explained using the fee-free open access journal German Journal of Young Researchers as an example.
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Schmitt, Katrin. "A new waveguide interferometer for the label free detection of biomolecules." Université Louis Pasteur (Strasbourg) (1971-2008), 2006. https://publication-theses.unistra.fr/public/theses_doctorat/2006/SCHMITT_Katrin_2006.pdf.
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The rapid development in life science research requires continually new methods for the analysis of biomolecular interactions. Optical detection systems based on evanescent field sensing for biomolecular binding studies are marked by a fast increase of their applications in fields like diagnostics, health care, screening or assay development. For a successful implementation the optical biosensors need to be highly sensitive, selective and accurate while allowing a wide range of applications. In this thesis a highly sensitive label-free detection method based on the optical principle of a Young interferometer and a description of the design and realization of the system is presented including an experimental characterization and a validation of the biosensor system by application measurements. In chapter 2, the theoretical basis of the propagation of light in planar waveguides and a background of evanescent field sensors is provided as well as calculations concerning the optimization of waveguide sensitivity for the interferometric biosensor proposed in this thesis. One section is devoted to the theoretical basis of interferometry, especially the optical principle of the Young interferometer since the proposed design for the interferometric biosensor is based on the Young configuration. For signal evaluation, algorithms based on Fast Fourier Transform are described and the implementation in the biosensor system proposed along with system principles and relationships and signal filtering methods for noise reduction. Chapter 3 is devoted to theoretical considerations on the biochemistry for waveguide surface functionalization. The kinetic theory of biochemical interactions such as antibody-antigen binding events is described in detail with respect to the evaluation of the application measurements in chapter 5. Furthermore a biochemical background on the application measurement reagents is given. The design of the interferometric biosensor is presented in chapter 4, describing two different readout schemes: a flow-cell system implementing a two-channel flow cell as fluidic element, and a system setup designed for the readout of microtiterplate (MTP)-formatted wellplates. The system components and system designs of the interferometric biosensor and their performance are discussed in detail. From the analysis of system components several conclusions can be made, such as the choice of waveguide chip materials, the light source and the CCD detector. The characteristics of the chosen components influence the final design and setup, leading to an optimal set of parameters for the interferometric biosensor. Further a detailed system characterization by refractometric test measurements is provided including an evaluation of the experimental results compared to theoretical calculations and simulations. Initial refractometric test measurements on the flow-cell system with glycerin show an effective refractive index resolution of ≈ 6. 0 · 10-8, corresponding to a refractive index resolution of ≈ 7. 5 · 10-7 for TE mode and ≈ 2. 7 · 10-7 for TM mode, respectively, at a sampling rate of 1 Hz. It is also found that the CCD sensor is the limiting system component concerning phase noise, whereas the phase noise is approximately equal for all three light sources tested and therefore the light source can be excluded as limiting factor. Signal filtering methods such as average filters are described and analyzed concerning their suitability for phase noise reduction. The experimentally derived sensitivity constants of the interferometer system are in very good accordance with the theoretical values derived from waveguide theory in chapter 2. The flow-cell system shows a good long-term stability with a typical drift of < 1 · 10-6/h in neff. This chapter also presents the system design and describes the realized setup of the interferometric biosensor with an MTP-formatted 8-well frame as fluidic element and newly introduced system components that are different from the flow cell system are discussed. Suitable system components are chosen for an optimal set of design parameters for the interferometric biosensor. The proposed biosensor system is characterized by refractometric test measurements with ethanol solutions and the experimental results are evaluated and compared to theory and the results obtained with the flow cell system. The refractometric test measurements on the microplate system show an effective refractive index resolution of ≈ 1. 0 · 10-7, corresponding to a refractive index resolution of ≈ 1. 2 · 10-6 for TE mode and ≈ 4. 5 · 10-7 for TM mode, respectively, at a sampling rate of 1 Hz. We found that, apart from the CCD sensor being the limiting system component concerning phase noise, the resolution of the microplate system is finally limited by the repeatability of the recorded data values. The experimentally derived sensitivity constants of the microplate interferometer system are also in good accordance with the theoretical values derived from waveguide theory in chapter 2. The system shows a long-term stability with a typical drift of < 5 · 10-5/h in neff and a repeatability of < 2 · 10-7 in neff. Chapter 5 presents a validation of the interferometric biosensor by biological application measurements on both systems and their discussion. In this chapter a detailed description of the materials and methods used for application and test measurements, a characterization of the surface chemistry on the Ta2O5 waveguide chips and finally application measurements on different affinity systems is provided. Differently functionalized surfaces are characterized by contact angle measurements and compared to literature values. Experiments with fluorescently labeled streptavidin allow a detailed characterization of different surface modifications and a direct comparison to measurements with the interferometric biosensor with the aim to find a stable and robust surface functionalization for the immobilization of biotinylated reagents. The immunoassay protein G -IgG is tested on the flow-cell system as well as on the microplate system, yielding affinity rate constants that are in good agreement with values found in literature. Experimental data obtained with the two-channel flow-cell system allow an evaluation of the reaction kinetics, while the microplate system is suited for the parallel detection of several analyte concentrations. Furthermore the direct detection of IgG by immobilized protein A is shown and the affinity rate constants determined. Test measurements with biotinylated cytochrome c on a streptavidin-functionalized surface compared directly to the same assay performed on the commercial biosensor system BIACORE 1000 show the suitability of the developed surface chemistry for the Ta2O5 waveguide chips implemented in the interferometric biosensor. The interferometric biosensor has been successfully used for the detection of the affinity system -NPT IgG -E2-NPT developed at Novartis in Basel. We tested the assay on both the interferometric biosensor (flow-cell system) and the commercial BIACORE 2000 system provided by Novartis. A comparison of the surface chemistries used on both biosensor systems is presented, and a series of measurements to detect the analyte from different sample buffers. We found that the performance of the interferometric biosensor system proposed in this thesis is approximately equal to the BIACORE system with a detection limit for the analyte in the low picomolar range. Measurements in cell lysate as sample matrix show that with the interferometric biosensor the analyte can be detected even out of a complex sample matrix without significant unspecific binding. In chapter 6, conclusions concerning the development of the interferometric biosensor and the results from the experimental characterization and validation are presented. A comparison between the proposed interferometric biosensor and other label-free biosensors is given. The chapter concludes with an outlook concerning further improvements of the resolution and surface chemistry and further possibilities for developments to adapt the sensor design to high throughput applications.
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Koether, Philipp. "On the basis of F.A.v. Hayek's idea of a free market monetary system and his publication: "Denationalisation ofmoney : an analysis of the theory and practice of concurrentcurrencies" (1976) about currency competition on financial markets inthe times of electronic commerce and the introduction of "e-money"." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2001. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31972810.
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Hardy, Pénélope. "Le droit à la sécurité sociale du travailleur hypermobile dans l'Union européenne : le cas de l'artiste du spectacle vivant en France, en Belgique et aux Pays-Bas." Electronic Thesis or Diss., Strasbourg, 2024. https://publication-theses.unistra.fr/restreint/theses_doctorat/2024/HARDY_Penelope_2024_ED101.pdf.
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L’analyse du droit européen et international montre que le droit à la sécurité sociale est un droit fondamental de l’homme. Pourtant, l’hypermobilité des travailleurs soulève de nombreuses questions relatives à la protection de ce droit dans l’UE qui sont révélées à la lumière du cas des artistes du spectacle vivant. La reconnaissance et la protection de ce droit au sein de l’ordre juridique de l’UE sont tout d’abord étudiées dans les mécanismes de protection des droits de l’homme, ainsi qu’à travers les enjeux de la liberté de circulation et de la citoyenneté sociale, qui encadrent la mobilité intra-UE des travailleurs. La thèse explore ensuite ces enjeux au prisme de l’européanisation de la sécurité sociale. En mettant en évidence la place prépondérante de la coordination en droit de l’UE de la sécurité sociale, la recherche interroge la contribution de cette approche à l’effectivité de la protection du droit à la sécurité sociale. Face aux insuffisances observées, nous proposons enfin des pistes d’amélioration qui pourraient être appliquées sur le fondement du droit en vigueur<br>The analysis of the EU and international legal orders shows that the right to social security is a fundamental human right. However, the high mobility of workers raises several questions about the protection of this right within the EU. These issues are analysed through the relevant example of performing artists. The recognition and protection of this right within the EU is examined in the light of human rights mechanisms, and in the context of the challenges arising from workers’ (hyper)mobility within the EU, which is determined by the freedom of movement and social citizenship. These challenges are then further explored through the prism of the Europeanisation of social security. Given the predominant role of coordination in EU social security law, the research questions whether this approach contributes to the effectiveness of the protection of the right to social security. Finally, in view of the shortcomings observed, we propose improvements that could be applied on the basis of current legislation
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Koether, Philipp. "On the basis of F.A.v. Hayek's idea of a free market monetary system and his publication "Denationalisation of money : an analysis of the theory and practice of concurrent currencies" (1976) about currency competition on financial markets in the times of electronic commerce and the introduction of "e-money" /." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 2001. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B31972810.
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Ronkainen, Helena. "Tribological properties of hydrogenated and hydrogen-free diamond-like carbon coatings /." Espoo [Finland] : Technical Research Centre of Finland, 2001. http://www.vtt.fi/inf/pdf/publications/2001/P434.pdf.
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Teichert, Fabian, Andreas Zienert, Jörg Schuster, and Michael Schreiber. "Electronic transport through defective semiconducting carbon nanotubes." IOP Publishing Ltd, 2018. https://monarch.qucosa.de/id/qucosa%3A32462.
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We investigate the electronic transport properties of semiconducting (m, n) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the mesoscopic length scale with arbitrarily distributed realistic defects. The study is done by performing quantum transport calculations based on recursive Green's function techniques and an underlying density-functional-based tight-binding model for the description of the electronic structure. Zigzag CNTs as well as chiral CNTs of different diameter are considered. Different defects are exemplarily represented by monovacancies and divacancies. We show the energy-dependent transmission and the temperature-dependent conductance as a function of the number of defects. In the limit of many defetcs, the transport is described by strong localization. Corresponding localization lengths are calculated (energy dependent and temperature dependent) and systematically compared for a large number of CNTs. It is shown, that a distinction by (m − n)mod 3 has to be drawn in order to classify CNTs with different bandgaps. Besides this, the localization length for a given defect probability per unit cell depends linearly on the CNT diameter, but not on the CNT chirality. Finally, elastic mean free paths in the diffusive regime are computed for the limit of few defects, yielding qualitatively same statements.
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Lavilley, Gemma. "Synthèse de ligands photosensibilisateurs de nanoparticules à base d'ions lanthanides pour des applications au diagnostic in vitro." Electronic Thesis or Diss., Strasbourg, 2024. https://publication-theses.unistra.fr/public/theses_doctorat/2024/Lavilley_Gemma_2024_ED222.pdf.
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Cette thèse CIFRE est réalisée en collaboration entre le laboratoire SynPA de l’IPHC Strasbourg et l’entreprise Poly-Dtech, et financée par l’ANRT.La première partie de la thèse porte sur la synthèse de ligands photosensibilisateurs de nanoparticules à base d’ions lanthanides. Ces ligands sont utilisés pour rendre les nanoparticules ultra brillantes afin de pouvoir les utiliser comme marqueurs luminescents dans des applications variées d’analyse et d’imagerie, et notamment des applications de diagnostic in vitro. Les nanoparticules ont été titrées avec chaque ligand synthétisé dans le but de comparer leur efficacité d’effet d’antenne.La deuxième partie de ce travail porte sur l’optimisation de la synthèse des nanoparticules à base d’ions lanthanides. Afin d’améliorer leurs propriétés photo-physiques, notamment leur taille et leur brillance, diverses modifications ont été réalisées sur les conditions de synthèse. Finalement, les nanoparticules synthétisées ont été utilisées dans des systèmes « sandwich » anticorps – antigène –anticorps, mis en place pour des analyses de transfert d’énergie de type FRET en temps résolu.L’objectif était d’évaluer le potentiel de chaque nanoparticules en tant que donneur d’énergie<br>This CIFRE thesis is carried out in collaboration between the SynPA laboratory at IPHC Strasbourg and Poly-Dtech company, and funded by ANRT.The first part of the thesis focuses on the synthesis of photosensitizing ligands for lanthanide ion based nanoparticles. These ligands are used to give ultrabright nanoparticles for use as luminescentmarkers in various analysis and imaging applications, particularly in in vitro diagnostic applications.The nanoparticles were titrated with each synthesized ligand to compare their antenna effect efficiency. The second part of this work focuses on optimizing the synthesis of lanthanide ion-basednanoparticles. Various modifications were made on the synthesis conditions to improve their photophysicalproperties, including size and brightness. Finally, the synthesized nanoparticles were used insandwich systems of antibody-antigen-antibody for time-resolved FRET energy transfer analyses. Thegoal was to to evaluate the potential of each nanoparticle as energy donor
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Starck, Matthieu. "Synthèse, propriétés photophysiques et marquage biologique par des complexes de lanthanides luminescents." Strasbourg, 2010. https://publication-theses.unistra.fr/public/theses_doctorat/2010/STARCK_Matthieu_2010.pdf.
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Ce travail de thèse a consisté en la synthèse multi-étape et convergente de nouveaux marqueurs luminescents à base d’ions lanthanides possédant une antenne de type 2,6-bispyrazol-1-yl-pyridine et des bras chélatants iminodiacetates. La première partie du projet a été la synthèse de ligands possédant des fonctionnalisations en position 4’ pouvant influencer les propriétés photophysiques des complexes et utilisables comme lien vers des molécules bioactives. Les complexes de lanthanides obtenus ont des rendements quantiques de luminescence variant de 4,5 % à 12 % pour les complexes d’europium et de 3,5 à 100 % pour les complexes de terbium. Leurs temps de vie de luminescence varient de 1 à 1,5 ms pour les complexes d’europium et peuvent atteindre 3 ms pour les complexes de terbium. La seconde partie du projet est axée sur l’utilisation de ces complexes comme marqueur de molécules bioactives, le but étant de mettre au point un dosage fluoroimmunologique de l’antigène ACE en utilisant le temps résolu et le transfert d’énergie par résonnance (FRET) d’un donneur d’énergie, un complexe de lanthanide, vers un accepteur d’énergie de type cyanine. Les résultats obtenus sont trés encourageants et nous nous sommes focalisés sur l’optimisation des complexes. La troisième partie de ce projet expose les efforts mis en oeuvre afin d’optimiser les propriétés photophysiques et la stabilité des complexes en milieu biologique. L’optimisation des propriétés photophysiques des complexes est obtenue par modification de l’antenne, avec la synthèse de l’antenne 2,6-bisindazol-1-yl-pyridine qui permet d’obtenir l’absorption des complexes dans la région proche du visible du spectre électromagnétique. L’optimisation de la stabilité des complexes en milieu biologique est obtenue par l’utilisation de bras chélatants de type glyphosate<br>The aim of this thesis was the multi-step synthesis of new luminescent dyes based on lanthanide ions with a core based on 2,6-bispyrazol-1-yl-pyridine and chelating arms such as iminodiacetate. The first part of this project was the synthesis of ligands with fonctionalisation in 4’ position of the antenna which can strongly influence the photophysical properties of the complexes and is useful for biomolecule labelling. Lanthanide complexes obtained have quantum yields between 4. 5 % and 12 % for europium complexes and between 3. 5 % and 100% for terbium complexes. Luminescence lifetime decays vary between 1 and 1. 5 ms for europium complexes and can reach 3 ms for terbium complexes. The second part of this project was focused one biological application of these lanthanide markers, in particular fluoroimmunoassays of antigen CEA, using time resolved measurement and fluorescence resonance energy transfer from a donor, a lanthanide chelate, to an acceptor, a cyanine. Results obtained were promising and we focus our effort to the optimisation of the photophysical properties of complexes and stability of complexes in biological media. In the third part, optimisation of photophysical properties of complexes was achieved with the synthesis of the antenna 2,6-bisindazol-1-yl-pyridine which displace the absorption of complexes to the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Optimisation of the complexes stability was obtained using glyphosate type chelating arms
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Barschdorff, Peter. "Facilitating transatlantic cooperation after the Cold War : an acquis atlantique ; [a publication of the Center on Transatlantic Foreign and Security Policy Studies, Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Political Science] /." Hamburg : Lit, 2001. http://www.gbv.de/dms/sub-hamburg/334298563.pdf.
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McCrabb, Samantha Lauren. "Smoke-free recovery: development of an online smoking cessation program for orthopaedic trauma patients." Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1384174.
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Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)<br>Continued tobacco smoking after orthopaedic trauma surgery can have a negative impact on health outcomes. Despite this, limited research has been conducted with the orthopaedic trauma population to determine current rates of care, and interest in receiving help to quit during hospital admission. Further, rates of current tobacco smoking among the orthopaedic trauma population has previously been found to be high, indicating a need to address rates of smoking in this population. The implementation of hospital smoke-free policy in Australia mandates the provision of smoking cessation care for all patients, and that the hospital admission may provide an ideal time when individuals are receptive to health messages. Despite this, implementation of hospital smoke-free policy has been found to be low, with care previously found to be sub-optimal. The aim of this thesis was to explore the current provision of care, the barriers faced by staff, and possible factors which may help address hospital smoke-free policy. The development and pilot testing of an online smoking cessation program designed specifically for orthopaedic trauma patients is described. Competing priorities and comorbid conditions in the lives of orthopaedic trauma patients were identified as complicating smoking cessation treatment and are discussed.
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Abdul, Razak Lubna. "Scheduling frequent opportunities for outdoor free-play – a simple approach to increasing physical activity in childcare." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1411906.
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Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)<br>To address the commonly reported barriers of reliance on educators’ resources and skills, this thesis sought to investigate the potential of simple environmental interventions in increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in childcare. Specifically, it aimed to: Describe the implementation of current recommended practices and policies encouraging physical activity in Australian childcare services.; Assess the efficacy of modifying the scheduling of outdoor free-play periods on the MVPA of attending children aged 3 to 6 years.; Systematically review the factors affecting the implementation of environmental recommendations to increase children’s activity in childcare; and Provide recommendations for future research and practice arising from this thesis. The initial cross-sectional study of 309 childcare services reported variable implementation of evidence based physical activity policies and practices but no implementation differences when examined by operational characteristics (service type, size, geographical locality and socioeconomic status). A cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) with 10 services (n= 316) found that a simple scheduling intervention, dividing one continuous outdoor free-play period into three periods, without a change in total duration from baseline, increased the child average daily MVPA in the intervention services compared to controls with an adjusted difference between groups of 5.21 minutes (95% CI 0.59-9.83, p=0.03). A second cRCT involving 6 services (n= 231) studied the effect of providing unrestricted access to outdoor areas when no structured programs were taking place, did not significantly improve child MVPA. Analysis of trial outcomes in both RCTs utilised Generalised Linear Mixed Models; accounting for clustering and repeated measures. A systematic review via a theoretical framework identified that factors influencing the implementation of environmental physical activity recommendations largely belonged to environmental, resource and social domains. This thesis provides further support for the significant potential of ecological interventions in childcare settings for increasing attending children’s MVPA While broadly supportive, further research is required prior to significant government investment in the implementation of greater outdoor free-play opportunities in childcare. These opportunities are described in the thesis and include larger RCTs, with longer term follow-up to confirm the effectiveness of these interventions; formative evaluation to better understand barriers to facilitate the development of implementation strategies, and the conduct of trials of large- scale implementation approaches.
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Maher, Rouhollah. "New Perspectives on Choking at the Free-throw Line." Thesis, 2018. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/41740/.
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The aim was to produce three quality publications including; a review of literature publication and two original studies designed to examine the effects of pressure on free-throw performance, particulary the phenomenon of choking, in the sport of basketball. Pressure when FT shooting is generally experienced by basketball players, irrespective of the level of participation, and resultant choking can affect game outcome and diminish personal enjoyment (Gómez, Lorenzo, Jiménez, Navarro, & Sampaio, 2015; Worthy, Markman, & Maddox, 2009).
The theoretical framework for the current study was a triangulated approach by examining choking from multiple perspectives with the common focus on choking in the task of basketball free throw shooting. The combination of a traditional quantitative approach (Study 1) and a less traditional qualitative approach (Study 2) were used to potentially provide perspectives on choking to illuminate possible consistencies and inconsistencies in how choking is experienced. Study 1 was designed to capitalize on the depth of athletes’ knowledge using a small number of elite athletes and reflected a predominantly inductive logic. The findings of this study informed a deeper understanding of how basketball players typically deal with choking and potentially present new knowledge and strategies relevant to alleviate choking within and beyond the sport of basketball. The elements of knowledge, transfer and exchange, the process of acquiring, developing, sharing and applying knowledge was used to question how the results can inform practice in the ‘real world’. In keeping with triangulation, the insider perspective used in Study 1 was equivalent to a ‘bottom up’ explanation of choking. Conversely, Study 2 was designed to more actively control variables in a quasi-experimental manner and was linked in design to the results from Study 1. Study 2 was designed to examine the effects of physical exertion on choking in conjunction with psychological using a larger population of competitive recreational student-athletes and reflected a predominantly deductive logic.
More specifically, the aim of the first study was to investigate ‘insider’ perspectives of elite basketball players regarding perceptions of pressure and the associated phenomenon of choking in basketball free-throw shooting. Seven elite basketball players (1 female and 6 males; Mage = 33.3, SD = 5.4) were recruited through snowball sampling. In-depth semi- structured interviews were conducted to enable participants to reflect on experiences of pressure and explanations of how to avoid choking. The data were thematically analysed, with six themes identified; choking definitions, antecedents, personality, automaticity, mental skills, and management strategies. The findings are discussed, especially in the context of mental skills, to reduce choking-susceptibility, and to recommended strategies for players, coaches and sport psychologists to consider when managing chronic choking.
More specifically, the aim of the second study was to examine the influence of physical exertion and pressure as potential antecedents of choking in basketball free-throw shooting. A within-subjects design was implemented with 50 student-basketball players who completed 40 basketball free-throws in four manipulated conditions: higher pressure-running, higher pressure-no running, lower pressure-running, and lower pressure-no running. A repeated measure analysis of variance revealed that participants scored significantly lower in the higher-pressure conditions than the lower-pressure conditions. Furthermore, participants scored significantly higher in the no-running conditions compared to the running conditions. The current study was the first to examine the effects of physical exertion on performance in pressure situations. The applied implications of these results are discussed and tentative conclusions drawn for the relevance to players, coaches and sport psychologists.
The participants in Study 1 provided unique insights based on their extensive experience performing under pressure at the highest levels of basketball. Participants were aware of the importance of mental skills but were not necessarily sufficiently informed or able to rectify choking without further assistance. The results of Study 2 contributed useful new information and insights into the link between physical exertion and choking. These results provide a new avenue for researchers interested in further examining physical exertion and fatigue as contributing to under-performance under pressure. Overall, the two studies broaden the knowledge regarding the triggers and underlying mechanisms of choking, and also enrich the strategies that athletes can use to optimise their performances. I expect that the current findings will be able to build capacity in assisting those players who experience difficulties in converting critical free-throws. Finally, the results of the current study assist athletes, coaches, and applied sport psychologists to better understand the deleterious effects of pressure in sport and suggest possible solutions to manage them.
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McPherson, Zachary Edward. "An investigation of the role of the microbiome in the development of glaucoma." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1438237.
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Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)<br>Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative illness of the optic nerve with only one treatment pathway due to the lack of clear modifiable factors. Amongst its pathophysiological mechanisms, neurotrophic factor deprivation [particularly of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)] and inflammation are mechanisms that may present therapeutic opportunity. Safely modulating the endogenous neurotrophic mechanisms or immune pathways may be suitable therapeutic pathways in future. The microbiome is now clearly understood to be crucial to the development of the host. In animal research the links between microbiome status and host physiology are becoming increasingly clear. It is now known that the microbiome plays an important role in the central nervous system with the ability to regulate neurotrophins and the neuro-immune system (amongst other mechanisms). As these mechanisms are important in glaucoma pathophysiology, the central hypothesis of this study is that the microbiome contributes to glaucoma. This thesis presents a series of studies that begin the process of linking glaucoma to the microbiome. The research presented in this thesis falls broadly into two categories: human observational epidemiology and experimental animal research. Epidemiological Research: As human microbiome research represents a data analysis problem, illnesses that are clearly related to abnormal microbiome should be useful markers of altered microbiome in epidemiological research. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and dental illness are both very strongly correlated to abnormal microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract and the oral cavity, respectively. The first study (Chapter 3) aimed to quantify the prevalence of IBS in an Australian cohort of glaucoma sufferers as compared to the general Australian population. Participants from the Australia and New Zealand Registry of Advanced Glaucoma (n=1021) and a population representative cohort, the Hunter Community Study (n=2251), returned a mailed survey with the ROME-III criteria for the diagnosis of IBS. The participants with glaucoma were also significantly more likely to have ROME-III defined IBS [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.93, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.52-2.44]. The second study (Chapter 4) aimed to identify and quantify an increased incidence of glaucoma in people with IBS in two large population based European cohorts. In the 1958 UK Birth Cohort, participants (n=9091) were surveyed regularly regarding their health. Amongst people who had IBS at 42 who continued to report their illness at age 50, the adjusted odds ratio of developing glaucoma in this period was 5.84 (95% CI 2.26-15.13). In the Danish National Patient Register (n=62,541 with IBS, 625,410 general population controls), people with IBS had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.35 for developing physician-diagnosed glaucoma (95%CI 1.15-1.59), a HR of 1.34 for undergoing surgery for glaucoma (95%CI 1.04-1.74), and a HR of 1.19 for initiating use of glaucoma medication (95%CI 1.02-1.40). These effects were similar in lagged analyses, and when Cholelithiasis was used as a negative control. A third investigation (Chapter 5) was undertaken to identify and quantify the size of an association between dental illness (periodontitis and incidental tooth loss) and the incidence of glaucoma. In the Health Professionals Follow-up Study participants (40,536 men) followed biennially from 1986 to 2012, the number of natural teeth, teeth lost, periodontal disease and root canal treatments was followed with assessment of glaucoma incidence as its outcome. Incident tooth loss was associated with receiving a glaucoma diagnosis in the following two years (Risk Ratio (RR) 1.45, 95% CI 1.06-1.97), especially if the tooth loss was in the context of periodontal disease (RR: 1.85, 95% CI 1.07-3.18). The total number of teeth, periodontal disease (alone) and root canal treatment were not related to glaucoma incidence. Animal Research: Although there are several microbiome manipulation models, Germ Free (GF) mice [when compared to Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) mice and Conventionalized GF (CON) mice] are the best model for assessing the role of the normal microbiome. Similarly, the Optic Nerve Crush (ONC), is a reproducible optic nerve injury model of glaucoma, that allows researchers to investigate the pressure independent mechanisms at work in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) neurodegeneration in mice. In the study presented in Chapter 6, GF, SPF and CON mice were subjected to ONC, and allowed to survive until their retinae were harvested for analysis (up to 3 days for protein analysis, 1 week for qPCR and 5 weeks for cell survival analysis). Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the cell survival, and qPCR and ELISA protein analysis were used to quantify the BDNF levels in the retina, at various time points after the ONC. A further cohort of GF mice were treated with live or heat-killed Lactobacillus probiotic, and its effects on cell survival after ONC were quantified. Finally, a cohort of GF and SPF mice that also received an injection of BDNF protein at the time of ONC and its effects were compared to mice who received a placebo injection. GF mice had significantly worse RGC survival at 7 days (RGC survival of 40.5% compared to 50.4% and 48.4% for SPF and CON mice, respectively, p<0.05) and at 35 days (RGC survival of 11.8% compared to 18.1% and 18.8% for SPF and CON mice, respectively, p<0.05) after initiation of ONC. Probiotic supplementation for GF mice with Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 was able to increase cell survival after ONC. At day 35 after ONC, cell survival in live probiotic treated mice was 16.2% compared to GF mice with 11.8% survival (p=0.04). When the probiotic was heat-killed the RGC cell survival was insignificantly elevated compared to GF mice (12.5%). At day 3 after ONC, it was shown that SPF mice had 34.6% greater expression of BDNF protein as compared to GF mice (p<0.001), however protein levels at baseline and mRNA levels at all timepoints were no different. To evaluate if the differentially expressed BDNF may be responsible for differential cell survival between SPF and GF mice, a single intraocular injection of recombinant BDNF was administered at the time of ONC. The BDNF injection was protective in both SPF and GF mice, and importantly it normalised the cell survival rates between SPF and GF mice after ONC [at day 35, cell survival was 22.4% and 19.9%, respectively (p=0.61)]. Conclusions and Discussion: These epidemiological studies together show that IBS and perhaps dental illness (both illnesses associated with abnormal microbiome), are risk factors for glaucoma. Although the microbiome is not certainly the mechanism linking these entities, as there is limited plausible overlap in the physiology of these illnesses aside from the microbiome these findings are evidence towards the hypothesis that the microbiome is relevant to glaucoma's pathology. The animal research presented demonstrated conclusively that the absence of microbiome leads to poorer outcomes after ONC, an optic nerve injury model of glaucoma. These findings also suggest that microbiome dependant effects on retinal BDNF levels after ONC may be the reasons for this protective effect. Although these findings require further investigation, they also support the hypothesis that the microbiome is involved in neuroprotective mechanisms in glaucoma. In summary, this thesis provides epidemiological evidence that the microbiome may be clinically relevant to glaucoma incidence; also, animal research suggests that a BDNF mediated mechanism could underly this effect.
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Cooper, Neil. "Race, Sovereignty and Free Trade: Arms Trade Regulation and Humanitarian Arms Control in the Age of Empire." 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/14761.
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Yes<br>This paper examines arms trade regulation in the late 19th century and contributes to the literature on norms, arms regulation, humanitarian arms control and arms control as governmentality. I begin by examining the 1890 Brussels Act as an example of the first ‘Matryoshka doll’ of arms trade governance, a specific humanitarian initiative focused on regulating a particular class of weapons in a specified area. I suggest the Act represented an attempt to graft a regulatory arms trade norm onto an established anti-slavery norm and that it was more extensively implemented than has been recognised. I then locate the Act within the second Matryoshka doll of arms trade governance, the broader approach to prohibition operating in the era. In contrast to representations of the period as one of free trade in arms I demonstrate the extensive efforts to restrict the transfer of firearms to colonial subjects. Finally, I demonstrate how mechanisms of prohibition and permission constituted the practices of arms control as governmentality – the third matryoshka doll - where the concern was to define and manage which gradations of people could legitimately own, trade and use which gradations of weapons in what contexts. Overall, the paper challenges the optimistic assumptions in much of the literature on humanitarian arms control and arms trade norms. Instead, I suggest the merger of humanitarianism and arms control can reflect the influence of both good and bad norms; is not necessarily incompatible with colonialism, racism or imperial violence and can be congruent with liberal militarism.<br>Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner.
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Ghobadi, Far Khosro. "Analysis of time-variable gravity signal from GRACE data." Thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1413263.
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Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)<br>The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission revolutionized our understanding of mass redistribution in the Earth system from 2002 to 2017 by measuring time-variable gravity field with unprecedented accuracy. The conventional data products of GRACE are global monthly-mean snapshots of Level-2 (L2) time-variable gravity, and Level-3 or mascon surface mass change. The global monthly fields are obtained from the fundamental measurements of inter-satellite ranging acquired by the K-band ranging (KBR) system. Relying exclusively on the monthly data confines the application of GRACE to geophysical processes that are mainly characterized by seasonal and inter-annual variations such as terrestrial water, ice and ocean mass change. The primary aim of this thesis is to show that direct analysis of inter-satellite ranging data opens the way for detecting new geophysical mass changes at time-scales of significantly less than one month, such as tsunamis. By pushing the limit of GRACE, this thesis brings new opportunities to study new areas of the Earth system mass change. To study the gravitational effect of regional mass changes using GRACE, we first develop a transfer function based on correlation-admittance spectral analysis for accurate estimation of line-of-sight gravity difference (LGD) from inter-satellite range-acceleration. The correlation spectrum between LGD and range-acceleration shows near-unity correlation for frequencies above 1 mHz or 5 cycles-per-revolution (CPR), and the admittance spectrum quantifies the LGD response to range-acceleration at the correlated frequency band. As the first application, we employ the GRACE LGD observations to quantify surface water storage change and calibrate the stream flow velocity of runoff routing models in large river basins. Our results show that the optimal stream flow velocity for the Amazon and Siberian basins is ~0.3 m/s, while surface water in the Congo and Parana basins is better simulated with a velocity larger than 2.0 m/s. Consequently, surface water change explains as much as half of total water storage anomaly in the Amazon, while its contribution in Congo and Parana basins is almost negligible at the monthly temporal resolution [Ghobadi-Far et al., 2018, JGR Solid Earth]. Secondly, we examine the gravitational effect of tsunami-induced transient ocean mass change at 500 km altitude and its observation using GRACE. By upward continuing the gravitational effect of tsunami wave field to satellite altitude and comparison with GRACE LGD, we show that GRACE satellites have detected the tsunamis triggered by the great 2004 Sumatra, 2010 Maule, and 2011 Tohoku earthquakes. GRACE provides an independent source of information useful to discriminate among various seismic source models. This study in particular points to the potential of GRACE Follow-On to deliver low-latency gravimetric data for monitoring transient mass change due to extreme events such as tsunamis and hurricanes [Ghobadi-Far et al., 2019, under review, J. Geodesy]. Regional-scale co- and post-seismic gravity changes caused by great earthquakes are now routinely observed by GRACE L2 time-variable gravity data. Earthquakes also excite global-scale transient gravity changes at certain frequencies associated with Earth’s free oscillations which could last up to several days. In this study, we examine the global transient gravity changes excited by Earth’s free oscillations using the GRACE inter-satellite ranging data. By extending the Kaula orbit perturbation theory, we show that excited frequencies in GRACE KBR data are described by a linear combination of eigenfrequencies of the normal modes, Earth’s rotation rate, and satellite angular velocity. Wavelet analysis of the actual KBR residuals in December 2004 reveals the existence of a significant transient signal after the 2004 Sumatra earthquake with a frequency of ~0.022 mHz, which could be potentially related to the largest excitation due to the “football” mode. However, GRACE accelerometer noise seems to affect the reliability of the obtained results [Ghobadi-Far et al., 2019, JGR Solid Earth]. As the final contribution in this thesis, we put forward a rigorous theory for determining improved surface mass change from GRACE L2 data. The L2 time-variable gravity data are conventionally converted into surface mass change on the spherical Earth. Considering the accuracy of the current L2 data, we show that such simplistic spherical geometry is no longer tenable. We derive a unique one-to-one spectral relationship between the ellipsoidal harmonic coefficients of geopotential and surface mass. In conjunction with our ellipsoidal formulation, the linear transformation between spherical and ellipsoidal geopotential coefficients enables us to determine mass change on the ellipsoid from GRACE L2 data. Using the L2 data to degree 60, we show that the ellipsoidal approach determines mass change rate better than the spherical method by 3 – 4 cm/yr, equivalent to 10 – 15 % increase of total signal, in Greenland and West Antarctica. Our study emphasizes the importance of the ellipsoidal approach for quantifying mass change at polar regions from GRACE and GRACE Follow-On L2 data [Ghobadi-Far et al., 2019, Geophy. J. Int.].
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Nyamutswa, Lavern Tendayi. "Light Transmitting Photocatalytic Membrane For Chemical-Free Fouling Control In Water Treatment." Thesis, 2020. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/42647/.
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Membrane filtration has revolutionised water treatment, enabling safer provision of drinking water due to its high efficiency to block human infectious pathogens commonly present in raw water sources. Accumulation of substances on membrane surfaces and pores during operation, referred to as fouling, is considered one of the biggest barriers to wider adoption of membrane technology in water treatment. Maintaining continuous low-pressure filtration requires significant amounts of chemicals to clean off the accumulated fouling substances. Chemical use comes with economic and environmental costs associated with acquisition, transportation, storage, usage and disposal of chemicals, especially in disadvantaged and remote communities. By conservative estimates, supply of household water to a remote community of 100 people using a membrane system would require continuous supply of at least 10 L of polyaluminium chloride coagulant and 4 L of sodium hypochlorite (in concentrated form) every month. The main aim of this thesis is to demonstrate a sustainable, innovative, low cost membrane solution harnessing conveniently available solar energy to offset these chemical demands. Coating membrane substrates with semiconductor photocatalysts such as titanium dioxide (TiO2) is an effective method for mitigating fouling in membranes through induced superhydrophilicity, enabling cleaning from the available water without chemicals. TiO2 also enables water contaminant degradation and pathogen inactivation through reactive oxygen species (ROS) facilitated advanced oxidation. Despite these well- known effects, a major challenge limiting practical adoption comes from light absorption and scattering by the turbid contaminants in the feed stream before reaching the TiO2. This thesis proposed a novel solution to this challenge by transmitting light to the TiO2 through cheap porous borosilicate glass substrates with between 10% and 80 % transmission in the 340-400 nm wavelength range relevant to activating commercial Degussa P25 TiO2 photocatalyst. The concept novel membrane was produced using commercial glass substrates modified by simply dip- coating and heat sintering Degussa P25. The formed asymmetric membrane’s mean pore size was measured at 0.5 μm, which classifies the membrane as a microfiltration (MF) membrane, which are utilised in the industry as a barrier to
water-borne pathogens such as protozoa and bacteria, and partially to viruses. To demonstrate the membrane’s photocatalytic ability, photocatalytic reactions stimulated by a UV lamp (365 nm peak) facing the glass substrate side in an ex-situ setup led to a 52% degradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution, being only slightly lower than the 58% degradation when the TiO2 active layer faced the UV light source. The membrane was then operated in-situ using a custom module with a quartz window and UV LED installed on the permeate side, enabling simultaneous microfiltration of model fouling solutions. Results showed significant reductions in trans-membrane pressure (TMP) rise rates directly linked to UV light application. Specifically, UV light was responsible for up to 3.0-fold reduction in total filtration resistance and up to 4.2-fold reduction in irreversible fouling indices. Testing continued on simulated indirect solar light with a real non-potable water. The membrane itself showed up to 94% turbidity removal and up to 80% total organic carbon (TOC) rejection. The sunlight was directly responsible for an 8-fold reduction in the irreversible fouling index. The significant practical findings were followed by an investigation to confirm the fundamental basis for improvement. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with fouling modelling showed the beneficial photocatalytic fouling reduction effects during microfiltration stemmed from reduced intrusion of organic fouling material inside the TiO2 membrane pores, as well as reduced cake layer resistance. Analysis of results and photocatalysis mechanisms from literature led to the conclusion this was due to both superhydrophilicity minimising organic attractions to the surface and photocatalytic oxidation of organics approaching the surface. The potential for advanced oxidation to participate in reacting with organic matter surfaces attracted to the membrane was confirmed from a measurable increase in the presence of hydroxyl radicals using para-chlorobenzoic acid (pCBA) probe experiments. The practical benefits for industry towards chemical consumption and energy reduction were also measured. For example, a 4.5-fold extension to the time needed for a clean-in-place (CIP) was realised when the membrane was operated in photocatalytic mode. A 50% reduction in filtration pump electricity demand was also calculated, which translates to a reduction in height of the feed water for a flux of 300 L/m2/h from 8.6 m to 3.7 m over a 5 hour run. Future work suggested includes using recycled glass to improve affordability and minimise glass manufacture environmental impact, as well as experimentally establishing the relationship hydroxyl radical concentration and TOC reduction. Optimisation of the glass material for enhancing light transmission efficiency and development of porous glass monoliths like current commercial ceramic membranes for full-scale use, as well as optimisation to increase contaminant degradation are also suggested.
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McConville, Anna. "The ecology of the east-coast free-tailed bat (Mormopterus norfolkensis) in the Hunter region." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1042325.
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Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)<br>A detailed understanding of the ecology of threatened species is essential if we wish to develop effective conservation management strategies. Mormopterus norfolkensis (eastcoast free-tailed bat) is a threatened insectivorous bat species of which little is known. The aim of this thesis was to address knowledge gaps regarding key aspects of the ecology of M. norfolkensis, including habitat, roost selection and diet. Habitat use was investigated at multiple spatial scales, using three independent and systematically collected datasets. Overall, preferred habitat for M. norfolkensis was identified as productive floodplain areas, especially freshwater wetland, with urban landuse and dry sclerophyll forest avoided. Habitat use by M. norfolkensis was contrasted with two other morphologically similar and sympatric molossid species. Despite having similar morphologies and echolocation designs, differences in habitat use among species were found. The broad habitat types predicted from habitat models prepared at a regional-scale, using presence - absence data, were generally consistent with local-scale models, prepared using an index of activity. However, the fine-scale predictive ability of regional-scale models was poor, indicating that a cautious approach be adopted regarding their use at fine-scales, particularly when the consequences of error are severe. In a detailed study of roost selection by a maternity colony, lactating female M. norfolkensis were found to be faithful to two patches of mangrove forest close to where they were captured. Females regularly switched roosts and roosted in hollows singularly or in small groups. Maternity roosts were located in locally unique mangrove forest which had abundant hollow-bearing trees and a stable microclimate. Finally, six insect orders were recorded in the diet of M. norfolkensis, with Lepidoptera and Diptera the most frequently encountered. A new and developing molecular method of prey identification.
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Skelton, Eliza Jane. "An investigation of an organisational change approach for smoking cessation in the alcohol and other drug treatment setting." Thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1393765.
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Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)<br>Tobacco smoking among persons receiving treatment in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) setting is highly prevalent. The health, social, and economic costs of tobacco smoking are profound for this group, who also have lower quit rates. Despite the presence of effective treatment for tobacco smoking, translating such interventions into clinical practice has been slow and limited in the AOD setting. Organisational barriers to care and a culture permissive of smoking have led to calls for an organisational change intervention to integrate smoking cessation care into routine delivery in the AOD setting. An organisational change intervention in relation to the tobacco control context can be defined as multicomponent strategies that target the system, culture, policies, and individuals, with the aim of integrating the identification of smoking and ensuring the treatment of tobacco smoking. Organisational change interventions aim to transform the culture so that it supports rather than conflicts with the goal of smoking cessation. In addition, such interventions aim to address identified barriers and ensure smoking cessation is routinely addressed in an ongoing sustainable manner. Importantly, the US Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend organisational change to facilitate the implementation of smoking cessation care into usual care within the health care setting. Also known as the Health Systems Change approach by Fiore et al., the organisational change strategies include the following: Strategy 1: Implement a system for identifying smokers; Strategy 2: Provide education, resources and feedback to promote smoking cessation care; Strategy 3: Dedicate staff to provide smoking cessation care and assess its delivery in staff performance evaluations; Strategy 4: Promote smoke-free policies that support and include the provision of smoking cessation care; Strategy 5: Include smoking cessation care (both counselling and pharmacotherapy) identified as effective as paid or covered for by the service; Strategy 6: Reimburse staff members for the delivery of effective smoking cessation care and include these interventions among the defined duties of staff members. Models of organisational change for smoking cessation in the AOD setting have been proposed; common to these interventions are: developing organisational commitment from management and staff; implementing systems to identifying smoking status; designating support champions; training; resources; smoke-free policy; and evidence based tobacco dependence treatments. International research provides some preliminary evidence that organisational change interventions are feasible and acceptable to the staff and clients of the AOD setting. Further research to elucidate the barriers and facilitators to implementing these interventions is important to ensure sustainable changes in the AOD setting. The aim of this thesis is to explore the opportunities for and barriers to the introduction of smoking cessation care in the AOD setting.