Resilient ecological solutions for urban regeneration

There is a need for biological conservation at the global scale, and urban conservation has the potential to support the delivery of this wider goal. Despite historic trends, efforts are underway to protect and enhance the quality, quantity and accessibility of green infrastructure within cities, including biodiversity features within new developments. However, there are questions over their long-term persistence and function. This paper applies an urban futures resilience analysis to a case study site to illustrate how such concerns may be explored and addressed in practice. The analysis identifies vulnerable sustainability solutions and clarifies the aspects that may be improved. The results suggest that the resilience of these solutions is questionable, even though resilience has clearly been considered. In particular, future compliance with, and enforcement of, planning conditions is questionable. The resilience of these ecological solutions may be improved by including some redundancy, designing for low maintenance, incorporating microclimate buffers and locating features in areas unlikely to be subject to future disturbance. The establishment of endowment funds or other dedicated funding mechanisms should also be explored. The paper also recommends that a futures-based resilience analysis be included within the development planning process

Implementation of Catalytic, Asymmetric Technology Toward the Total Synthesis of Apoptolidin C

The total synthesis of apoptolidin C (3), a highly selective cytotoxic macrolide, has been under investigation in our lab. Work completed includes the synthesis of the C1-C11 fragment 29, the macrocyclic core 3b, and the disaccharide subunit 31. These goals have been realized utilizing catalytic, asymmetric reaction methodology including the acyl halide-aldehyde cyclocondensation (AAC) and proline catalyzed dimerization of simple aldehyde starting materials 33-38

Role of the Thrombospondin - CD36 - Histidine Rich Glycoprotein Pathway in Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis

Cancer is typically thought of as an uncommon disease, in which solid tumors require a blood supply in order to grow and metastasize. Interestingly, upon autopsy a large portion of elderly individuals display numerous non-vascularized lesions throughout their bodies. Thus, the angiogenic switch in the development of cancer presents an important therapeutic target. Previous work by our laboratory has established an interaction between CD36, Histidine Rich Glycoprotein (HRGP) and Thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1) in the modulation of angiogenesis. Briefly, endothelial cell receptor CD36 interaction with soluble or cell bound TSP-1 leads to the induction of an apoptotic signaling cascade in vascular endothelial cells resulting in decreased proliferation, migration and tube formation, thereby inhibiting angiogenesis. Presence of soluble HRGP leads to inhibition of the anti-angiogenic potential of the CD36-TSP-1 pathway through a decoy receptor function whereby TSP-1is bound and sequestered. Previous studies have focused on this pathway with regards to wound healing. However, pathologically relevant modulation of angiogenesis is also observed in tumors. In the current work we evaluate the role of the CD36-TSP-HRGP pathway in tumor growth and angiogenesis. Further, we examine a possible processing mechanism by which TSP function may be modulated by a matrix metalloprotease, ADAMTS1.Chapters two through five will outline the role of the TSP-CD36 axis in tumor biology, namely angiogenesis and growth. We will also address modulation of this pathway via HRGP. Further we will describe a matrix metalloprotease mechanism by which TSP function may be regulate

PNS algorithm for solving supersonic flows with upstream influences

The goal of this research is to produce a robust, parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) code that will significantly reduce the computer time required to calculate flows about complex vehicles with embedded subsonic/separated regions. The major drawback of current day PNS codes is that they cannot be used to compute separated regions which occur near canopies, wing-body junctures, etc. As a result, Navier-Stokes (NS) codes are often used to compute the entire flowfield despite the fact that a PNS code requires at least one order of magnitude less computer time and storage;An innovative approach has been developed to permit a PNS code to compute embedded regions that cause upstream influence. In this approach, the embedded region is automatically detected and the streamwise extent is determined prior to the computation or while the computation is in progress. The PNS equations are then solved with an iterative (IPNS) algorithm in this region to duplicate the results that would he obtained with a NS code. Once the embedded region is computed, the algorithm returns to the standard space-marching PNS mode until the next embedded region is encountered. This method has been incorporated into NASA\u27s upwind PNS (UPS) code and validated by applying it to several 2-D test cases. These test cases include flows over compression ramps, shock-boundary-layer interactions, flows over expansion corners, and flow over a general geometry with multiple embedded regions. The results computed using this approach are in excellent agreement with NS computations and experimental data;In addition, new correlation functions have been developed that accurately predict the streamwise extent of the embedded regions for all of the geometries considered. This is the first time that any correlation (theoretical or empirical) has been shown to accurately predict where the single-sweep PNS method is inaccurate for a wide range of flow conditions. These correlation functions in conjunction with the IPNS algorithm permit completely automatic computation of steady, laminar supersonic flowfields with embedded subsonic/separated regions using a space-marching code as the primary flow solver

An Experimental Study of the Relationship of Language Reading Ability and the Physical Notation Recognition-Performance Process as Encountered during the Sight-Reading of Music Literature by Instrumental Musicians in Grades Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, and Twelve

A thesis presented to the Department of Music at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Music by James Dwight Hale in July of 1974

Influence of heterocycle substitution in π-functional materials for organic photovoltaics

Heterocycle substitution can have a dramatic, and potentially unintended, impact the physical, optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of donor materials used in organic electronics. A change as small as a heteroatom substitution up or down a group can selectively tune energy levels by either stabilizing or destabilizing them, resulting in wider or narrower bandgaps. Along the same lines, a substitution with a heteroatom from a different group can completely reverse the role of a building block from being π-electron acceptor to a π-electron donor. Full heterocycle substitution can further be used to tune the absorption of materials, by playing on strength of aromaticity. This dissertation reports the synthesis and characterization of various π-conjugated systems, and examines the role heterocycle substitution plays on the optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of the materials

Chemical Safety Training: Lessons Learned from a Model for Evaluating Effectiveness

A research study was undertaken that examined issues related to evaluating the effectiveness of safety training. Specific research areas were identified after a thorough review of the literature. Research questions were identified and evaluated with the context of evaluating a chemical safety training course offered at Iowa State University in both classroom and computer-based formats. The first major focus of the study was on the development and testing of a model that could be used to develop and then evaluate the effectiveness of the training. The second major focus area was related to examining learning and retention of course material; characteristics of the learner that may influence learning were also evaluated. The third focus area examined nuances associated with the assessment techniques used to measure learning. Results of the first focus area showed that the model was a very useful mechanism by which data could be collected, analyzed and then used by the safety professional to improve the effectiveness of safety training. Results of the second focus area showed that there were no significant differences in learning and retention between study participants taking the training on computer versus in the classroom; learner characteristics did not impact the observed amount of learning in either group. Results of the third focus area showed the importance of evaluating and considering characteristics associated with the assessment technique such as question and exam difficulty relative to interpreting the measured amount of learning. The study concludes with a summary of lessons learned information related to each of the three focus areas and suggests that more extensive research be conducted and that the day-to-day safety practitioner can play a key role in advancing the state of knowledge of evaluating training effectiveness