252 research outputs found
The progress of evangelicalism in the Western Isles, 1800-1850
In the first half of the nineteenth century the Highlands and Islands
of Scotland were affected by social and economic changes. During that
half-century the religious life of the people of the Western Isles was also
transformed, so that by the time of the Disruption, Skye and the Outer
Hebrides had become a stronghold of Evangelicalism. The purpose of this
thesis is to explore and evaluate the different forces which moulded the
religious thinking and practice of the Presbyterian population of the islands
during that period.Because parishes were extensive and ministers few, religion in many
remote areas must have been of a nominal nature, although there was much
traditional religious lore extant among the people. Endeavours which were
made in the first half of the nineteenth century to improve the educational
and religious lot of the Hebrideans introduced to the Western Isles earnest
men of Evangelical faith. A revival movement began whose impact is still
felt in the twentieth century.For the purposes of this survey the three Presbyteries of Skye, Lewis
and Uist are included in the term "Western Isles" - the Argyllshire islands,
with their distinctive religious history, are omitte
The genetics of drug resistance in malaria parasites
This thesis describes work performed on the genetics of
resistance to the drugs sulphadiazine and pyrimethamine in the
rodent 'malaria parasite Plasmodium chabaudi.A number of lines resistant to pyrimethamine were obtained
by direct exposure to the drug in a single step. Characteristically
these were some 20 times resistant to pyrimethamine and had an
increased dependence on FABA. Subsequent genetic analyses
showed that this class of mutant was genetically homogeneous and
that the primary resistance to pyrimethamine and the concomitant
FABA dependence were inseparable by recombination — both consistent
with a single gene model of resistance.a number of lines resistant to sulphadiazine were obtained in
a single step either by direct exposure to the drug or following
FABA restriction. Characteristically these lines were some 4
times resistant to sulphddiazine and required a reduced FABA
growth supplement but exhibited a variable spectrum of crossresistance
to pyrimethamine uncorrelated with their mode of
selection. A phenotypically indistinguishable example of this
type of line was also obtained following exposure to pyrimethamine. Evidence from subsequent selection experiments was
taken to show that at least two types of separate heritable
change might result in the acquisition of sulphadiazine
1' G kj 1 £> ticlaiC G 0 ai-Xl GUxcLmple of one of these was later shown to
segregate in a simple mendelian fashion when crossed with a wild
line.A number of lines were obtained by selection in two discrete
steps: either following the FABA restriction of a pyrimethamine
resistant line; or by the direct exposure of a sulphadiazine
resistant line to pyrimethamine. While these lines uere some
40 times resistant to pyrimethamine they exhibited wild type
responses to. sulphuuiazine and PABA.One such line was crossed with a wild line and two types
of non-parental clone were detected among the-products of the
cross. These resembled either the pyrimethamine resistant or
sulphadiazine resistant lines obtained by selection in a
single step. This result was consistent with a genetic
recombination event having taken place between, the genetic
elements proposed to confer resistance to either of these two
drugs. Evidence from a reconstruction experiment suggested that
the linkage between these elements was either loose or non¬
existent. \An unsuccessful attempt was mq.de to analyse this
cross in the greater precision afforded by the characterisation
of clones derived from single oocysts obtained by micro¬
dissection. ) In another cross between two single step lines
resistant to pyrimethamine and to sulphadiazine respectively
both wild type and double mutant parasites were detected among
the cross—products - thus confirming that recombination could
link these mutants to produce multiple drug resistance.during the development of a rat-adapted line of P.chabaudi
(which was later shown to be unsuitable for use as a selective
marker) it was discovered that garnetocytogenesis was enhanced in
unadapted parasites during subsistence in rats. This led to the
substitution of rats for mice as rodent carriers of the foi-parental mixed-blood infection prior to cyclical passage in
crosses.Estimates of the rates of acquisition are presented for each
type of resistance in the Discussion together with a critic
appreciation of the extent to which these represent true
mutation rates
Fabrication and Characterization of GaInAs-InP Nanostructures
This thesis is concerned with the fabrication and characterization of semiconductor nanostructures. In particular, the semiconductor material used in this research consisted of InGaAs, as a quantum well layer, sandwiched between layers of InP, which acts as a barrier layer. The driving force behind this research was twofold. Firstly, it included a desire to understand the physics governing the behaviour of these devices. As the lateral sizes of these devices decrease, theories predict that the structures will give strong atom-like resonances, so a study of these structures is similar to studying large quasi-atoms. Secondly, besides the fundamental physics involved, there was also a practical application stimulating this research. Already, quantum well lasers are used in the consumer electronics market, and it was speculated that by using quantum wire or dot systems the laser threshold currents would be reduced still further, yielding improved laser efficiency. The fabrication process involved electron beam lithography to pattern structures as small as 1 Onm in diameter, reactive ion etching (RIE) to transfer these patterns to the semiconductor, and various other post-RIE fabrication steps including wet chemical etching and annealing, as required. No evidence of an optically inactive "dead layer" was found because luminescence was observed from even the smallest structures. If an optically inactive region did exist its thickness could only be of the order of a few nanometres. The characterization of the nanostructures included techniques such as photoluminescence spectroscopy and absorption measurements. The photoluminescence measurements revealed the participation of a number of different energy levels in the emission spectra when the lateral dimensions of the nanostructures were reduced to 100nm or less. This high energy level participation became more pronounced when the lateral dimensions were reduced below 50nm. Quantum confinement was clearly observed in the low temperature emission spectra of 10nm and 20nm diameter dots. This quantum confinement was manifested by an energy upshift of the PL peak energy. It was found that exciton transport plays a crucial role in the emission strength of wires. This was attributed to localization effects resulting from variations in the layer thickness at the InGaAs/InP interface, as well as alloy potential fluctuations. Annealing of a sample after RIE and wet chemical etching reduced the absolute PL intensity of the quantum structures and also caused narrowing of the PL emission. Wet chemical etching of a sample after RIE narrowed the PL spectrum of quantum structures compared with structures of similar lateral dimensions which were only subjected to RIE. In particular, the samples which were wet etched did not exhibit the broadening to high energies characteristic of the RIE only samples
Modelling and optimising the mechanical behaviour of fractures treated with locking plates
A large number of bone fractures are treated with stabilisation devices that utilise metal
wires or screws, which traverse the bone and are connected to an external frame or
internal plate. Clinically, fixation devices are required to be able to: sustain loads;
minimise patient discomfort and possible implant loosening; and promote healing. In
the recent years locking plates have become increasingly popular for osteoporotic or
complex fractures, which can be difficult to manage. It, however, remains unclear as to
how these devices need to be configured for optimum clinical performance. This thesis
investigates the mechanics of locking plates, factors that influence their performance
and provides guidance to optimise the placement of screws. Finite element simulation
and analytical models were developed and validated using lab-based experimental
models.
The local behaviour around the screw-bone interface is considered and the implications
of different modelling assumptions assessed. A novel method of simulating the effect of
radial interference due to pilot-hole size is proposed. Different screw types are evaluated:
osteoporotic bone is found to be particularly susceptible to the screw tightening preload
used in compression screws; far-cortical locking screws are found to slightly reduce
device stiffness but substantially increase strain levels around screw holes. Finite
element simulations show that many of the local effects, such as preloads and contact
modelling, can profoundly influence the prediction of strains around screws but do not
generally influence the global load-displacement behaviour; the screw-plate connection
and bone/plate material and geometric properties are found to have an influence on
global stiffness predictions. The key determinants of load-displacement behaviour
evaluated through models are the loading and restraint conditions, which explain the
huge range of stiffness predictions in the literature (three orders of magnitude). An
analytical model based on 7 bone-plate construct parameters is developed. Despite its
simplicity, the model is found to be able to predict the axial stiffness for experimental tests conducted and for 16 other cases from five previous studies with an average error
of 20%. The manner of load application, not considered in the literature, is shown to
dramatically alter predictions of plate stress, strains within the bone and conclusions
regarding screw placement. Even with the inclusion of muscles forces, the choice of
restraint condition dominates the mechanical behaviour. Using the models, the influence
of screw position is systematically evaluated in varying bone qualities under axial
loading and torsion and guidance for optimising fixation is developed
Individual Consciousness
If there is a plurality of absolutely separate individual conscious existences, corresponding to individual living organisms, then the directly experienced fact that only a particular one of these consciousnesses, one's own, stands out as immediately present, can not be true absolutely, but only relative to some specific context of conditions and qualifications singling out that particular consciousness. But further consideration demonstrates that it is not possible for any such context to be specified. This implies that all conscious existences must ultimately be united as, or in, some single conscious entity underlying the apparent plurality of individuals
The evolving role of the Commonwealth in Canadian foreign policy, 1956-1965.
This thesis examines the significance of the Commonwealth in Canadian foreign policy, the motivations behind Canadian policy and the reasons for changes in this policy in the period 1956-1965 in particular. It does so by evaluating Canadian policy towards the development and use of Commonwealth institutions for cooperation. The thesis begins by sketching the development of Canadian policy towards the Commonwealth between 1944 and 1955. It argues that Canadian behaviour during this period set a pattern, which as it evolved in the face of changing conditions, was generally pursued through the period 1956 to 1965. The Commonwealth's role in Canadian policy was as a 'bridge' between the West and the new members from the developing world in support of Western interests in the Cold War. The thesis then looks at the year 1956. When the Suez Crisis occurred, the Commonwealth seemed poised for another transformation as members prepared to admit the first African member and considered British plans for closer economic links with Europe. The Canadian government's actions highlight its efforts to counteract division within the Commonwealth and preserve the 'bridge' to the developing world. The next three chapters review the record of John Diefenbaker's premiership. When he came to office in 1957, he proposed upgrading Canadian foreign policy towards the Commonwealth. Diefenbaker launched initiatives on trade and aid, and had to react to changing patterns of membership, a Commonwealth crisis over South Africa and the British application for EEC membership. Where the Diefenbaker government diverged from the established pattern of Canadian behaviour, its policies failed. For the most part, however, it maintained this pattern as the only practical way to effectively use the modern Commonwealth in ways conducive to the maintenance and advancement of Canadian interests. The last chapter examines the Canadian government's support for the Commonwealth secretariat. The thesis argues that this was not a substantial shift in Canadian policy, but rather a reflection of changes which had taken place within the Commonwealth and was largely consistent with previous policy
Atoms, Components and Structures
It is argued that whenever component parts are assembled into an integrated whole, some of the properties defining the qualitative identities of the components are lost, and therefore the components as such have ceased to exist, at least temporarily. They have been replaced by a structure, which has different properties and behaviour from its components. In the process of creating a structure some properties are lost and others are gained, so rather than saying "a whole is more than the sum of its parts" it would be more accurate to say "a whole is instead of its parts". It is suggested that the visual perception of components continuing to exist intact within solid structures is illusory, a result of the way our perceptual and cognitive processes habitually operate. The relation between physical structures and consciousness is briefly discussed, in the context of the physical universe conceived as one continuous structure uniting all individual physical entities
“Proper Objects of This Institution”: Working Families, Children, and the British & Canadian School
Established in 1822 “for the education of the children of the labouring
class,” Montreal’s British and Canadian School Society enabled working families of various ethnic backgrounds to have their children receive free schooling in a non-denominational setting. Located at the edge of the old town in a purpose-built structure, the British and Canadian School figured prominently within the array of early educational establishments studied by Bruce Curtis, Andrée Dufour, and others. In the wake of the rebellions in Lower Canada and the resulting separation of institutions along religious lines, the school became increasingly identified with the Protestant community and in 1866 was formally incorporated into the city’s emerging Protestant school system. Despite this apparent loss of its non-denominational character, the school continued to attract substantial numbers of children from Catholic and Jewish families, the latter resulting from an agreement between the synagogues and the school board. The school also retained its particular attraction for working-class families, who appear to have applied regularly with some determination to see their children exposed to learning even if only for short periods. A Registry of Admissions to the British and Canadian School from the mid-1870s reveals a pattern whereby schooling formed part of long-term strategy within the working class family economy; as such, it sheds light on the work of historians such as Bettina Bradbury and Terry Copp. The Registry also permits analysis of the school population by gender, ethnicity, age, place of residence, and academic competence
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