The study of relationship between narcissistic disorder and body dysmorphic between applicants and non-applicants for nose cosmetic surgery

زمینه و هدف: جراحی پلاستیک بینی شایع ترین عمل زیبایی در ایران است. از این رو، پژوهش حاضر با هدف بررسی رابطه اختلال خود شیفتگی و بد شکلی بدن در متقاضیان جراحی زیبایی بینی و مقایسه آن با افراد غیر متقاضی جراحی زیبایی بینی انجام گردید. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی- تحلیلی، 100 نفر متقاضی جراحی زیبایی بینی و 100 نفر غیر متقاضی جراحی بینی که از نظر میزان تحصیلات، جنسیت، تأهل و محل زندگی با یکدیگر همتا شده بودند، به شیوه نمونه گیری در دسترس در شهر ساری (1391) انتخاب شدند. کلیه افراد، توسط پرسشنامه خود شیفتگی و پرسشنامه روابط چند بعدی بدن- خود (MBSRQ)، مورد ارزیابی قرار گرفتند. داده ها با استفاده از روش آماری رگرسیون لجستیک تحلیل گردید. یافته ها: تحلیل داده ها نشان داد، سطح میانگین اختلال بدشکلی بدن و خود شیفتگی در افراد متقاضی جراحی زیبایی نسبت به افراد غیر متقاضی بیشتر است. نتایج همچنین نشان دادند اختلال بدشکلی بدن نقش معنی داری در پیش بینی اقدام به جراحی زیبایی بینی داشت. نسبت شانس مربوط به اختلال بدشکلی بدن بیشتر از یک بود (218/1) که بیانگر شانس مراجعه بیشتر افراد دارای اختلال بدشکلی بدن نسبت به افراد عادی جهت مراجعه برای جراحی زیبایی می باشد. اختلال خود شیفتگی نقش معنی داری در پیش بینی مراجعه برای جراحی زیبایی نداشت. نتیجه گیری: بر اساس نتایج، به نظر می رسد خود پنداره منفی از بدشکل بدنی در میزان مراجعه و اقدام برای عمل جراحی زیبایی بینی تأثیر دارد

Escaping Monstropolis: child-friendly cities, peak oil and Monsters, Inc

In Monstropolis, the virtual world of monsters in the 2001 Pixar-animated Disney movie Monsters, Inc., the screams of human children are the source of energy. In this paper, the energy shortage (or ‘scream shortage’) depicted in Monsters, Inc. serves as a subtle and engaging allegory, drawing attention to the non-virtual world’s concerns with energy supplies, particularly oil. Peak oil, the time at which the global production of oil reaches its maximum, is arguably one of the most important issues that will affect the conceptualisation of children and our ability to create and maintain child-friendly cities. This paper derives new ways of conceptualising the relationship between peak oil and children in modern western societies, through a critical analysis of a number of themes from Monsters, Inc. The value of such an analysis is that in Monsters, Inc. the issues of children, lifestyle and energy acquisition and use are all brought together in a common problematic. Thus, the underlying descriptions in Monsters, Inc. provide a catalyst for a wider debate about children and peak oi

Inert Dinuclear Polypyridylruthenium (II) Complexes as Anticancer Drugs.

This thesis reports the development of a series of inert dinuclear polypyridylruthenium(II) complexes from DNA binding agents to anticancer drugs. The complexes of the general form ΔΔ/ΛΛ-[{Ru(phen)2}2{µ-bbn}]4+ {“Rubbn”; where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; bbn = bis[4(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)]-1,n-alkane (n = 2, 5, 7, 10, 12 or 16)}, were tested for inherent cytotoxicity, mechanism of cytotoxicity and cellular uptake in the L1210 murine leukaemia cell line, and DNA-binding affinity. Poly(amidoamine) dendrimers and cucurbit[10]uril have also been evaluated as potential delivery vehicles for the Rubbn series of complexes.The Rubbn series of complexes and corresponding mononuclear complexes containing the bbn ligands were tested for anticancer activity. The ΔΔ-Rubb16 complex displayed the highest cytotoxicity of the series, with an IC50 value of 5 μM, similar to that of carboplatin in the L1210 murine leukaemia cell line. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments showed that all complexes bound to CT-DNA with binding affinities (K) ranging from 6.7 – 28.0 x 104 M-1, and that the binding was entropically favoured and enthalpically opposed. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry studies indicated that the complexes accumulated in the mitochondria of L1210 cells, with the magnitude of cellular uptake and accumulation increasing with linking chain length in the bbn bridge of the metal complex. ΔΔ-Rubb16 entered the L1210 cells by passive diffusion (with a minor contribution from protein-mediated active transport) while inducing cell death via apoptosis. Additionally, metal complex uptake in leukaemia cells was approximately 16-times that observed in healthy B cells.Rubbn was used as a model compound to evaluate the potential of anionic half-generation poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers and cucurbit[10]uril as delivery vehicles for large cationic ruthenium compounds. Given the ability of each class of delivery molecule to act as a host for metal-based drugs, the suitability of each delivery molecule was evaluated with a suitable platinum compound in addition to Rubbn.The suitability of PAMAM dendrimers as drug delivery vehicles for Rubb7 was studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and evaluated against [Pt(S,S-dach)(5,6-Me2phen)]2+ (56MESS) (where; S,S-dach = 1S,2S-diaminocyclohexane). From one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectra both 56MESS and Rubb7 were found to bind to the surface of generation 3.5, 4.5, 5.5 and 6.5 dendrimers through electrostatic interactions. The higher charge and larger size of Rubb7 resulted in stronger binding to all dendrimer generations (Kb ≥ 2 x 105 M-1) compared with 56MESS (Kb ≥ 1 x 104 M-1). Interestingly, there appeared to be no observable trend between dendrimer size and binding constant strength. The relatively low binding constants (104 – 105 M-1) indicate that anionic dendrimers are not useful drug delivery vehicles for small, charged cationic transition metal-based complexes.The binding of Rubb5 to Q[10] was studied by 1H NMR and luminescence spectroscopy, and molecular modelling. The 1H NMR resonances of the methylene protons in the bridging ligand exhibited large upfield chemical shift changes upon addition of Q[10]. These shifts are indicative of encapsulation of the bridging ligand within the Q[10] cavity, with the metal centres positioned outside the portals. The large metal centres of Rubb5 provided a restriction to the movement of the complex in and out of the cavity and resulted in binding kinetics that were slow on both the 1H NMR and biological timescales. This result was consistent with molecular modelling simulations. Due to the strong binding affinity (1.9 x 109 M-1) and slow exchange rates Q[10] showed considerable promise as a delivery mechanism for large dinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes.These studies highlight the utility of the Rubbn series of complexes to act as anticancer agents. The results of this study may be used in the future to assist in the design of further derivatives of dinuclear polypyridylruthenium(II) complexes for biological application

Magnetic resonance studies of issues critical to solid state quantum computer

The spins of phosphorus doped in silicon are potential candidates for a quantum computing device, with models based on the use of nuclear and/or electron spins suggested. For a quantum computing device, several essential criteria must be demonstrated before any physical implementation, and these include qubit control gates, long decoherence time and scalability. Scalability and compatibility with existing fabrication technologies are strong points in favour of a silicon based system. For spin based schemes, silicon has the potential to provide a host with zero nuclear spin (isotopically purifed 28Si) and also the phosphorus donor provides both nuclear and electron half integer spins (ideal case). In this work, a magnetic resonance method (electron spin resonance) was utilised to investigate these critical issues (controllable quantum gates and decoherence time) for the electron spins of phosphorus donors in silicon. Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies of an ensemble of phosphorus electron spins in silicon were conducted via both continuous wave and pulsed methods. For pulsed ESR operations, two low temperature (4 K and millikelvin) X-band pulsed ESR systems were built. They were designed especially to suit Si:P decoherence time measurements. The design, modelling, construction and evaluation of the probe heads are described. With the aid of computer simulations, the performance of the probe heads was optimised and a rectangular loop gap resonator was found to be the most suitable for wafer type samples. The resonant frequency, quality factor, and coupling coeffcient were calculated via simulation and are in reasonable agreement with experimental results. This demonstrates the effectiveness of such simulations as a tool for optimising the probe head performance. A millikelvin pulsed ESR system was set up through the combination of a dilution refrigerator, superconducting magnet and the in-house construction of a pulsed ESR spectrometer. This novel system allows pulsed ESR experiments on an ensemble system to be realised down to the millikelvin temperature range, hence providing conditions considered most favourable for quantum computing studies. The use of light in combination with the pulsed ESR systems was also explored in an endeavour to overcome the problem of very long spin-lattice relaxation time, T1, allowing the decoherence time to be measured more effciently. With these novel low temperature pulsed ESR units, two-pulse electron spin echo experiments were conducted on phosphorus donors in silicon (both natural silicon (natSi) and 28Si) with the phosphorus concentration in the range of 1015- 1016 P/cm3 and to lower temperatures than previously investigated. Decoherence times measured for both natSi:P and 28Si:P (with similar donor concentrations) were longer than previously reported. Discussions on several effective ways to obtain even longer Si:P decoherence times including variations to sample configurations and experimental conditions are presented. In addition to the pulsed ESR studies, the Si:P controllable quantum gate functions, A gate and J gate, were examined by the continuous wave technique via Stark shift and exchange interaction experiments respectively. Stark shift experiments on bulk samples were carried out to investigate possible manipulation of the spins by the applied electric field. Continuous wave ESR was also used to examine low energy ion implanted Si:P devices, both by single (P+) and dimer (P+2 ) implanted donors. The outcomes from these studies provide materials information useful in formulating a strategy toward the Si:P device fabrication via the top down approach

Classifying urban green space distribution: Analysing spatial relationships in human and nature interactions by integrating remote sensing and socioeconomic data

Urban green space plays an important functional role in the urban environment by providing environmental, social and economic values to the growing cities and regions. Estimating urban green space patterns and changes with socioeconomic characteristics has become increasingly important for ecologically oriented city planning and environmentally sustainable urban development. The specific aim of this thesis is to investigate the spatial relationship between urban green space distribution and human socioeconomic status in Canberra, Australia to better understand human-nature interactions.The study first examined and compared three remote sensing classification techniques to select the best method to quantify urban green space patterns using Landsat TM autumn images from 1996 and 2006. Object-based image classification achieved the highest total accuracy of 82.42% among other traditional pixel-based classifications, and was therefore selected as the most appropriate method for this study. Urban green space patterns were extracted and changes over time were calculated.Global linear regression and geographically weighted regression (GWR) were then used, along with Australian Bureau of Statistics census data, to investigate the spatial relationship between vegetation density (as independent variable) and seven selected socioeconomic variables (as dependent variables) in urban residential areas. The results showed that the GWR significantly outperforms the global regression in capturing variable variance, as well as providing more insight into the local variability of the relationships within the study area. The results also suggested that the spatial variability of urban green space patterns in Canberra was most strongly and consistently related to housing density, education level and immigration status for both 1996 and 2006. The GWR analysis results were mapped using standard residuals and local R² values to assist in visualizing the spatially heterogeneous processes. The changing of the relationships over the ten years was discussed, based on the output maps. Finally, a detailed look at the vegetation density and median household income in various conditions provided valuable information on the human-dominated environmental inequity issues in an urbanizing world. This research is useful in demonstrating the location-specific social and environmental conditions that may assist city planners to better allocate environmental resources for the less advantaged neighbourhoods and for sustainable urban development policy making

The Development of the Princess Charlotte Bay Chenier Plain

Chenier plains record changes in the mode of coastal progradation between periods of mudflat progradation and coarse sediment deposition. There are several environmental forces responsible for these changes. Chenier research worldwide has led to an understanding of these forces in some settings. In Australia, however, the causes of these changes are still not well understood. Several conflicting theories have been proposed to explain the development of a chenier plain in Princess Charlotte Bay on the eastern coast of Cape York, northern Queensland, Australia. These include an internal dynamic, climate fluctuations, and storm activity. Since these were put forward, both our methods and our understanding of Holocene environmental processes have improved. Improvements include new dating methods with luminescence techniques. Improvements to our understanding include a body of research regarding Holocene climate and sea level changes. These have allowed a re-examination of the development of the Princess Charlotte Bay chenier plain. Data was obtained from a different section of the bay than was examined previously. Optically-stimulated luminescence and radiocarbon ages from eight of the 11 chenier ridges yielded estimates of Holocene chenier ridge building phases. These were: (1) An early phase from around 4000 yr BP 2000 yr BP (seven ridges built); (2) a phase centred on approximately 1350 yr BP (two ridges built); and (3) a phase since 820 yr BP (one ridge built). Six models for chenier plain formation were tested. It was proposed that the development of the chenier plain has been driven by several environmental forces acting in a morphodynamic hierarchy. From first order to fourth order, these forces are: (1) Holocene climate and sea level changes, (2) tropical cyclone activity, (3) mangrove distribution, and longshore currents, and (4) river channel changes.A statistical reassessment of Australian chenier ridge ages was also undertaken and revealed periods of non-localised chenier ridge building across multiple northern Australia sites at around 620, 1120, 1850, and 2230 cal yr BP, and around the entire continent between 2400 and 1300 cal yr BP. These results provide further support that sea level oscillations have played a role in chenier plain development in Australia

Evaluating the Australian Defence Force Environmental Management System: A Case Study of Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland

The integration of environmental management into military activities has become a growing concern for defence sectors internationally. As one of the largest landholders in Australia, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) recognises its responsibilities in environmental management, and the ISO14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) is widely used. Using Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA), Queensland, as an example, this thesis examines the operation of the ADF EMS and its effectiveness. SWBTA is both a significant military training area and an important environmental protection area. It is both essential and difficult to maintain a sustainable environment in the area. This thesis adopted the ISO14031 Environmental Performance Evaluation (EPE) to develop an environmental performance indicator framework by selecting a set of environmental performance indicators (EPIs) specific to SWBTA. Relevant data were collected by various methods. Field studies were conducted at SWBTA and in the surrounding areas, together with observations of the military exercises. SWBTA stakeholders, both military and civilian, were extensively interviewed, and questionnaire surveys administered to military-exercise participants and the general public. The initial EPIs were ranked by SWBTA experts to produce a prioritised indicator set for ADF environmental management at SWBTA. The combination of the EMS and the EPE using the EPI framework provided a systematic evaluation of the ADF EMS at SWBTA. Several key issues were further analysed, such as legislation and policy compliance, environmental risk assessment, environmental awareness training and stakeholder participation. Based on multidisciplinary research and analysis, this study concluded that, overall, the ADF EMS was effective, with a high level of environmental performance at SWBTA. The ADF has complied with all relevant legislation and policies. Military activities at SWBTA, therefore, accorded well with environmental management objectives. Environmental awareness training for exercise participants and stakeholder participation were considered by respondents to be effective. The EPI framework provided by this study should be a useful means for future environmental planning and performance assessment. Recommendations were finally provided on several aspects, including environmental impact assessment, data and information collection, environmental monitoring and communication, and integrated environmental management, that should help to ensure that the EMS remains an effective tool for sustainable environmental management of military activities at SWBTA

Study of Marine Protected Areas in Australia and in China

Marine protected areas are recognized as an important approach to conserve marine ecosystems and biodiversity as well as to manage costal and marine resource. This thesis addresses the development and management of marine protected areas in Australia and in China. Australia and China are major maritime countries with diverse marine creatures and ecosystems. Both countries have adopted marine protected areas as a management tool to protect the marine environment. This thesis introduces their marine environment and threats, and then makes a close study of the development, legislation and management of marine protected areas in both Australia and China. Two case studies, Jervis Bay Marine Park in Australia, and Shankou Mangrove Marine Nature Reserve in China provide examples of the management strategies and lessons learnt. In order to improve the management of marine protected areas in China, the thesis analyzes the conflicts in the development of marine protected areas in China and prescribes community participation and the marine special reserve as solutions to promote the development of marine protected areas. This study also examines how the Australian Defence Force, an important stakeholder, manages its activities in the marine protected areas

The application of MODIS Aqua/Terra surface reflectance product to estimating the surface turbidity in Darwin Harbour, Australia

Turbidity is an indicator of the quality of water and usually exhibits variability associated with changing hydrodynamic conditions, which can be reflected in the sediment dynamics in coastal regions. The conventional method of measuring turbidity is water sampling at fixed stations. However, conventional methods can be costly and may not properly capture the spatial patterns in turbidity. The use of satellite data to retrieve turbidity in coastal areas is an optimal approach to detect spatial patterns in surface turbidity. Darwin Harbour is a typical macro-tidal environment influenced by industries, human activities and natural factors including winds, currents, river discharges, waves and tides. Because of the many activities that influence Darwin Harbour and the complexity of its estuarine environment, and the lack of research using remote sensing methods in this domain, Darwin Harbour was chosen as the case study to investigate the variability in turbidity. In this study, a correlation model between turbidity and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua/Terra surface reflectance is used to retrieve turbidity in Darwin Harbour. MODIS data from November 2012 to October 2017 are used to examine the seasonal, spring-neap and intra-tidal turbidity variations, and explore the factors controlling these variabilities in the study domain. A two-dimensional hydrodynamics model is also developed to study the formation of a turbidity maximum zone (TMZ) observed in the coastal area outside of Darwin Harbour. The results of this study illustrate that the seasonal turbidity variation is mainly influenced by the wind waves. The dredging campaigns in 2013 and 2014 wet seasons contributed to the rise of turbidity in Darwin Harbour. The action of tidal currents appears to be the dominant factor controlling the turbidity pattern in a spring-neap cycle and the turbidity intra-tidal variation. In addition, based on the results of the modelling study, the TMZ near Charles Point is formed by tidal current convergence. The techniques, data and results presented in this study can be applied to other coastal areas to detect and monitor water turbidity for better management of turbid harbours, estuarine and other coastal waters

Spectroscopy of a samarium(III) activated X-ray storage phosphor

Nanocrystalline BaFCl:Sm3+, as prepared by co-precipitation from aqueous solutions, is an efficient photoluminescent storage phosphor for ionising radiation. It has potential applications in medical imaging and personal radiation monitoring (dosimetry). Upon X-ray, -ray or -irradiation, the Sm3+ ions in BaFCl host are reduced to Sm2+ ions which can be read out efficiently by measuring the narrow 5DJ-7FJ f-f luminescence lines via excitation into the very intense, parity-allowed 4f6-4f55d transition in the blue-violet region of the spectrum. This thesis focuses on investigations of the storage mechanism of the phosphor by a variety of spectroscopic techniques, such as synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, cathodoluminescence microanalysis, synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy, high-resolution laser spectroscopy (e.g. spectral hole-burning) and electron spin resonance. The results are further compared with those obtained for microcrystalline BaFCl:Sm3+ prepared by high-temperature sintering.Significant differences in the local coordination environment and spatial distribution of Sm3+ ions between nanocrystalline and microcrystalline BaFCl:Sm3+ are revealed by comparing the photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence spectra of the two samples before and after X-irradiation. For nanocrystalline BaFCl:Sm3+, the X-irradiation induced reduction of Sm3+ to Sm2+ ions and photoionisation of Sm2+ to Sm3+ ions during photobleaching are investigated by monitoring the photoluminescence intensities of both Sm3+ and Sm2+ ions in the two processes. Both processes can be modelled well by a formulation based on dispersive first-order kinetics. The photoionisation of Sm2+ ions is also demonstrated in spectral hole-burning experiments of the X-irradiated nanocrystalline and microcrystalline BaFCl:Sm3+. It is found that non-Sm3+ electronic traps are likely involved in the photoionisation process. In search for defect centres by electron spin resonance spectroscopy, oxygen defects are found to play an important part in the storage mechanism of the phosphor. In addition, some key aspects of the application of the phosphor in personal radiation dosimetry and medical imaging are evaluated. It turns out that the phosphor has a linear and reproducible response within the dose range of practical application and the image generated from the phosphor displays favourable contrast and brightness and a high signal-to-noise ratio