Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry for the Analysis of Non-Polar Compounds

Strategies to expand the applicability of LC/MS to the analysis of non-polar compounds are presented within this thesis: The most important techniques presented here are on-line electrochemical conversion of the analytes to more polar reaction products, atmospheric pressure electron capture negative ion-MS and coordination ionspray-MS. These techniques are presented in detail, compared and discussed critically with respect to their current status and future perspectives. Particular focus is directed from a chemical point of view on the substance groups which are accessible by each of the new approaches

Beta Spectrum Generator: High precision allowed β\beta spectrum shapes

Several searches for Beyond Standard Model physics rely on an accurate and highly precise theoretical description of the allowed $\beta$ spectrum. Following recent theoretical advances, a C++ implementation of an analytical description of the allowed beta spectrum shape was constructed. It implements all known corrections required to give a theoretical description accurate to a few parts in $10^4$. The remaining nuclear structure-sensitive input can optionally be calculated in an extreme single-particle approximation with a variety of nuclear potentials, or obtained through an interface with more state-of-the-art computations. Due to its relevance in modern neutrino physics, the corresponding (anti)neutrino spectra are readily available with appropriate radiative corrections. In the interest of user-friendliness, a graphical interface was developed in Python with a coupling to a variety of nuclear databases. We present several test cases and illustrate potential usage of the code. Our work can be used as the foundation for current and future high-precision experiments related to the beta decay process. Source code: https://github.com/leenderthayen/BSG Documentation: http://bsg.readthedocs.i

A Society Impaired: Why Students Must Be Taught Mythology

This piece investigates why mythology taught in schools is not being retained by most students and therefore causing a major deficit of understanding in society. The author analyzes why mythology is still relevant and how it has impacted our world by shaping our language, our brain, and our perception of the world. Different educational methods are introduced to demonstrate how mythology education can be advanced in all levels of schooling. Lastly, the author shares stories from teachers and students that have successfully integrated impactful mythology into their curriculum and in order to see how this impacted their communities

Lifetime risk of prostate cancer overdiagnosis in Australia: Quantifying the risk of overdiagnosis associated with prostate cancer screening in Australia using a novel lifetime risk approach

© 2019 Author(s). Objectives To quantify the risk of overdiagnosis associated with prostate cancer screening in Australia using a novel lifetime risk approach. Design Modelling and validation of the lifetime risk method using publicly available population data. Setting Opportunistic screening for prostate cancer in the Australian population. Participants Australian male population (1982-2012). Interventions Prostate-specific antigen testing for prostate cancer screening. Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary: Lifetime risk of overdiagnosis in 2012 (excess lifetime cancer risk adjusted for changing competing mortality); Secondary: Lifetime risk of prostate cancer diagnosis (unadjusted and adjusted for competing mortality); Excess lifetime risk of prostate cancer diagnosis (for all years subsequent to 1982). Results The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer increased from 6.1% in 1982 (1 in 17) to 19.6% in 2012 (1 in 5). Using 2012 competing mortality rates, the lifetime risk in 1982 was 11.5% (95% CI 11.0% to 12.0%). The excess lifetime risk of prostate cancer in 2012 (adjusted for changing competing mortality) was 8.2% (95% CI 7.6% to 8.7%) (1 in 13). This corresponds to 41% of prostate cancers being overdiagnosed. Conclusions Our estimated rate of overdiagnosis is in agreement with estimates using other methods. This method may be used without the need to adjust for lead times. If annual (cross-sectional) data are used, then it may give valid estimates of overdiagnosis once screening has been established long enough for the benefits from the early detection of non-overdiagnosed cancer at a younger age to be realised in older age groups

Perilaku Peralihan Merek (Brand Switching) Kosmetik pada Mahasiswa Psikologi Unesa

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana perilaku brand switching kosmetik dan faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi perilaku brand switching di kalangan mahasiswa perempuan psikologi Unesa. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi kasus deskriptif. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara semi-terstruktur dan dianalisis dengan teknik analisis tematik. Berdasarkan hasil wawancara dengan lima mahasiswi psikologi yang memenuhi kriteria, penelitian ini berhasil mengidentifikasikan latar belakang, cara dan sumber pengetahuan merek kosmetik baru. Penelitian ini juga berhasil mengungkap faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi perilaku brand switching yang meliputi faktor internal dan eksternal. Faktor internal meliputi keinginan untuk mencari variasi baru, ketidakpuasan terhadap produk lama dan keinginan untuk mencari kosmetik yang cocok sedang faktor eksternal meliputi iklan, promosi, dan pengaruh kelompok referensi seperti keluarga, teman sebaya dan beauty vlogger. Di samping memberikan kesenangan dalam mencoba hal baru serta pengetahuan baru tentang kosmetik, perilaku peralihan merek kosmetik dapat menyebabkan kerusakan wajah, penyesalan dan pemborosan bagi para pelakunya.Kata Kunci: peralihan merek (brand switching), kosmetik, mahasiswa perempuan

Response control of structural systems using semi-actively controlled interactions

The objective of the research described herein is to demonstrate conditions under which controlled interactions between two structures or structural components can be made effective in reducing the response of structures that are subjected to seismic excitation. It is shown that the effectiveness depends upon such factors as the control strategy implementation, the interaction element mechanical properties, and the parameters which characterize the dynamic behavior of the structural systems. A study is conducted to examine the performance of a structural response control approach referred to as Active Interface Damping (AID). This control approach utilizes controlled interactions between two distinct structural systems - or different components of a single structural system - to reduce the resonance buildup that develops during an external excitation. Control devices or elements may be employed to physically produce the interactions between the systems. The proposed control approach differs from some other control approaches in that the sensors, processors, and switching components all operate actively, whereas the interaction elements function passively. The major advantage of this semi-active control technology is that relatively large control forces can be generated with minimal power requirements, which is of prime importance for the control of relatively massive systems, such as structures. In the most simple form, the strategy of the control approach is to remove energy associated with vibration from only one system (the primary system). This process is accomplished through the transfer of energy to another system (the auxiliary system) by means of interaction elements, the dissipation of energy directly in the interaction elements, or a combination of both these methods. In a more complex form, the control strategy may be to minimize some composite response measure of the combined primaryauxiliary system. Only the most simple form of the control strategy is considered in the present study. Several physical interpretations of the control approach are possible: one is that the systems represent two adjacent multi-story buildings; another is that the primary system represents a single multi-story building, while the auxiliary system could represent either an externally-situated resilient frame or a relatively small, unrestrained mass - or even be completely absent (in this latter scenario, the interaction elements are internally mounted control devices). The interactions consist of reaction forces that are developed within and transmitted through the elements which are located between the two systems (or different points of a single system). The mechanical properties of these elements can be altered in real time by control signals, so the reaction forces applied to the systems may be changed, and the response control objective is achieved by actively changing the interactions at the interface of the two systems (or different points of a single system). Initially, a preliminary study of the proposed control approach is conducted within the specialized setting of linear single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) primary and auxiliary systems. Numerical simulations are performed for a series of control cases using horizontal ground accelerations from an ensemble of earthquake time histories as excitation input. Subsequently, a follow-on study of the proposed control approach is conducted for linear multiple-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) primary and auxiliary systems intended to represent actual structural systems. Based upon the investigation and insight obtained from the preliminary study, a limited number of control cases are considered which include those deemed most effective and implementable. Numerical simulations are again performed using the same excitation input as for the SDOF systems. The control approach is targeted at reducing the response contribution from the fundamental or dominant mode of vibration associated with the primary system. Uniformly-discretized models of a 6-story primary structural system capable of only lateral deformations are considered in most cases. A few cases involving models of a 3-story primary structural system are also examined

Direction in Business Intelligence: An Analysis of Applications

Business intelligence (BI) is a growing area of applications that go beyond the reporting and analysis available with transaction processing systems, which are more frequently being implemented with enterprise software. The BI space shares many of the same objectives as previously examined decision support systems (DSS). A number of DSS frameworks were formulated that describe their characteristics and may apply in the BI applications space. DSS frameworks are examined to formulate a set of characteristics that are useful with BI case-based applications. The research supports the framework characteristics. However, the results indicate that the source, time horizon, and currency of information do not have a strong relationship to decision category, whereas the range of users, operational efficiency, duration of use, and need for rapid development are distinguishing characteristics. Prototyping is supported as the only development methodology exploited in creating BI applications. Additional research should be conducted regarding other BI applications and DSS frameworks

The 'Maagdentoren' of Zichem (Belgium) : damage assessment of ferruginous sandstone by X-ray tomography

The ferruginous sandstone of the gothic “Maagdentoren” is suffering from a specific biological deterioration process triggered by perforating activities of mason bees. The damage due to these perforations causes extensive loss of material, so that a durable conservation of such degraded stone blocs becomes questionable. In order to evaluate the conservation possibilities of stone blocs damaged by perforating mason bees, an investigation of the internal structure by means of X-ray tomography was carried out. This investigation revealed that the cumulative effect of the digging work by multiple generations of mason bees may result in networks of perforations. Bioturbated sandstones were found to be most suitable for attack by mason bees because of morphological and geometrical compatibility between the original layered burrowings by marine organisms and those by the mason bees. As a conclusion the conservation is not recommended of sandstone blocs for which the load bearing capacity is endangered by the branched and layered perforations