Synthesis and characterization of stimuli responsive block copolymers, self-assembly behavior and applications

Water-soluble stimuli responsive block copolymers are a rapidly emerging class of materials with great potential in biomedical and technological applications. In this work a novel class of pentablock copolymers are synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization techniques and their stimuli-responsive self-assembly properties are characterized. Aqueous solutions of these materials are observed to form micelles and hydrogels in response to changes in both temperature and pH. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and small angle neutron and X-ray scattering (SANS and SAXS) techniques are used to investigate the nanoscale structures formed by these pentablock copolymers in solution. The gel structure and mechanical properties are investigated with SANS and rheological techniques. The multi-responsive properties of these materials are utilized to formulate a stimuli responsive drug delivery formulation that exhibits thermoreversible gelation and pH dependent release rate of model drugs

On the Paths of the Soul: Stanisław Przybyszewski and the Russian Stage. The Cases of Vera Komissarzhevskaia and Vsevolod Meierkhol'd (1900-1910)

Author contact information: [email protected] dissertation inquires into the impact of the controversial Polish dramatist, essayist, and novelist Stanisław Przybyszewski on the theatrical innovations of two great Russian actor-directors of the early 20th century, Vera Komissarzhevskaia and Vsevolod Meierkhol'd. An erudite and prolific writer almost forgotten today, Przybyszewski has long been regarded as a major figure of Młoda Polska. His unique synthesis of metaphysics, occultism, eroticism, and aestheticism created great controversy in the fin-de-siècle Russian Empire, as the changing Russian theatrical landscape moved from realism and naturalism to less representational forms. My argument for a significant reception in the Russian theater rests on Przybyszewski's aesthetic theories, and particularly, his concept of the "path of the soul." I propose that this concept acted as a catalyst for change in the artistic and professional development of both Russian theatre figures. This dissertation is divided into three sections. The first section, Chapter I, provides a background on the state of Russian theatre at the end of the 19th century and reviews the early reception of Przybyszewski in the Russian press. The second section, Chapters II-IV, examines Komissarzhevskaia's reception of Przybyszewski within a historical-descriptive framework. After examining the possible origins of her affinity for Przybyszewski, Chapter II offers an analysis of textual parallels between Komissarzhevskaia's correspondence and a Russian translation of On the Paths of the Soul (1900). Chapter III draws on Austro-Romanian psychiatrist Jacob L. Moreno's theory of the "psychodrama" to speculate as to why Kommissarzhevskaia was drawn to Przybyszewski's dramas. It explores the hypothesis that Komissarzhevskaia experienced catharsis as she performed her psychologically demanding Przybyszewski roles. Chapter IV examines thematic parallels between Przybyszewski's 1902 theoretical essay On Drama and the Stage and comments that Komissarzhevskaia made in defense of her production of Przybyszewski's drama, Life's Banquet, in 1909. The third section, Chapters V and VI, examines Przybyszewski's reception in Meierkhol'd's writings and productions during his formative years as a member of the Association of New Drama (Tovarishchestvo Novoi Dramy). Chapter V sets forth the possible reasons for Meierkhol'd's affinity for Przybyszewski. Chapter VI argues that Przybyszewski's "path of the soul," with its focus on the soul as a reflection of the eternal, prescribed particular methods, such as synthesis and symbolization, which Meierkhol'd used to break from the confining traditions of naturalism. Chapter VI argues that Meierkhol'd's 1903 production of Snow represents one of his earliest experiments with non-representational (uslovnyi) forms. In support of this claim, this chapter provides an interpretive analysis of two articles by Aleksei Remizov and the production's combination of music, drama, and lighting

Estimating Life Loss for Dam Safety Risk Assessment

Estimating Life Loss for Dam Safety Risk Assessment explores the need for a new life-loss model in dam safety risk assessment, historical foundations on which that model can be built, and issues that are critical for a successful life-loss model to address. After critiquing existing life-loss models, the work presents a summary of historical insights that were derived by characterizing flood events on the level of subpopulations at risk, using nearly l 00 carefully defined variables. Building upon both conceptual and historical insights, the work culminates by presenting the conceptual basis for a new life-loss model that remains under development. Chapter I introduces the topic of dam safety risk assessment and the central role that life-loss estimation plays in that field. Chapter II discusses important preliminary considerations in model development. Chapter Ill provides a detailed review of previous life-loss models that pertained to floods, including a critique of each. Chapter IV explores the DeKay-McClelland model in detail and raises serious concerns regarding its future use. Chapter V defines nearly l 00 variables and their respective categories for use in characterizing flood events. Chapter VI provides a detailed outline of historical insights that relate to flood events in one of 18 logical categories. Chapter VII proposes the framework for a new conceptual life-loss model-a model that is still under development and has yet to be refined or offered for testing-with sufficient details to indicate how it was developed and how it might be used. Chapter VIII provides a summary, conclusions, and recommendations for future research. Appendices A through D provide material related to over 900 pages of unpublished working documents developed while characterizing 38 flood events and nearly 200 subpopulations at risk. Appendix E offers a summary of existing software that, given additional development, might prove useful to life-loss estimation in dam safety risk assessment

Sediment-Water Nutrient Flux in Tidal Creeks of North Inlet, South Carolina

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Michael Duane Quillen on December 7, 1992

Iliotibial Band Length and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Relationship Between Two Measurement Techniques

Purpose: To determine the relationship between iliotibial band (ITB) length and the presence of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), compare the difference in ITB length between the painful knee and the non-painful knee in subjects with unilateral PFPS, determine the test-retest reliability, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the Ober test and modified Thomas test, and explore the relationship between the Ober test and the modified Thomas test in measuring ITB length. Subjects: Forty-eight subjects were recruited (PFPS group n=24, control group n=24) from three different outpatient physical therapy clinics. Methods: The Ober test and modified Thomas test was conducted on both legs of each subject to determine ITB length with the use of a digital inclinometer. Examiners were blinded to group assignment and an independent observer recorded all the results. Results: The mean values for hip adduction during the Ober test was 7.2 degrees in the control group and 2.3 degrees in the PFPS group. One way ANOVA revealed a significant difference between groups (p= .011). There were no differences in ITB length comparing the painful knee to the non-painful knee for both the Ober test and modified Thomas test. The ICC values calculated for the test-retest reliability were .95 for the Ober test and .86 for the modified Thomas test. Pearson correlational analysis revealed a weak negative correlation (r=-.40, p=.005) between the Ober test and modified Thomas test on the left side and no correlation on the right side. Discussion and Conclusion: The Ober test is better at distinguishing between a PFPS group and a control group than the modified Thomas test supporting the clinical utility of the Ober test. The use of a digital inclinometer for both the Ober test and modified Thomas test appears to be a reliable method for the measurement of ITB length. However, given the lack of relationship found between the two tests, the two examination procedures should not be used interchangeably for the measurement of ITB length

Design And Evaluation Of The Umass WF-1 Kilowatt Hour Meter

A kilowatt-hour meter was designed, built and evaluated for use with the UMass Wind Furnace. A meter, capable of measuring the variable frequency variable voltage output of the wind turbine, was needed. This report describes this somewhat unique instrument, including its design and calibration

FAA Development of Reliable Modeling Methodologies for Fan Blade Out Containment Analysis

This report summarizes the ballistic impact testing that was conducted to provide validation data for the development of numerical models of blade out events in fabric containment systems. The ballistic impact response of two different fiber materials - Kevlar 49 (E.I. DuPont Nemours and Company) and Zylon AS (Toyobo Co., Ltd.) was studied by firing metal projectiles into dry woven fabric specimens using a gas gun. The shape, mass, orientation and velocity of the projectile were varied and recorded. In most cases the tests were designed such that the projectile would perforate the specimen, allowing measurement of the energy absorbed by the fabric. The results for both Zylon and Kevlar presented here represent a useful set of data for the purposes of establishing and validating numerical models for predicting the response of fabrics under conditions simulating those of a jet engine blade release situations. In addition some useful empirical observations were made regarding the effects of projectile orientation and the relative performance of the different materials