A CLUSTER ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE IN THE ANGLOPHONE CRISIS IN CAMEROON: A CASE STUDY OF FACEBOOK POSTS.

This thesis applies a method of rhetorical criticism – cluster analysis – to explore the different narratives on and about the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon by two prominent rhetors involved in the crisis. The artifacts in the study were Facebook posts published by Cameroon’s president, Paul Biya, and a prominent Anglophone activist, Mark Bareta. The thesis set out to answer two research questions. The first question focused on the descriptive narratives that emerge from the rhetors in the crisis; the second question focused on the rhetors’ motives. The different narratives that emerged showed that Cameroon’s president pushed the narratives of “national unity” and “peace”, indicating his intentions to persuade Cameroonians, particularly those in the two English speaking regions of the country, to focus on a united country. On the other hand, the prominent Anglophone activist focused his rhetoric on the narrative of secession, aligning his narrative with his intention to have Anglophone Cameroon to secede. The narratives and motives emerged from examining key terms (god terms and devil terms) plus the terms that cluster around the god terms and devil terms respectively. Trends significant to this research, recommendations on resolving the anglophone crisis, limitations of the study, and direction for further research are discussed. This thesis has contributed to rhetorical theory by applying cluster analysis as method of rhetorical criticism to social media posts (a novel area in the method’s application)

EcoCAR3 COMPONENT TEST PROCEDURE AND DEFINITION: An Evaluation of the Impact of Mechanical Vibration Tests on the Performance on a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact the effect of mechanical vibration tests on the performance on the EcoCAR3 which is a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). PHEVs require new control and energy management algorithms that are crucial for vehicle performance. In this paper the creation of a test plan, procedures, and the actual vibration tests are considered. Similar models such as the EcoCAR2 have been developed to evaluate vehicle performance for conventional and hybrid architectures. However, the inclusion of a vibration test on the EcoCAR3 is expected to boost its performance. Various standards as well as test procedures and definitions are used in this analysis. The paper provides quantitative and qualitative analysis of the control algorithms to analyze their effects vibration on the performance of EcoCAR3; these results are compared with the results of the models developed before EcoCAR3. Some important advantages of performing mechanical vibration tests on vehicle or automotive components are shown and can be useful in the design of the optimal control algorithms for PHEVs. As shown in the results, the performance problem for PHEVs is not limited to vibrations, but it also involves external factors, such as price of electricity, energy market and regulations, charging - availability, battery life issues, etc

Regulation of Amino Acid Metabolism in Hematological Malignancies: Advances from Transcriptomics and Metabolomics

open access article STER Internationalisation of Doctoral Schools ProgrammeTumor cells use amino acids to rewire metabolic pathways to meet increased demands for energy, reducing equivalents, and cellular biosynthesis. Aside acting as building blocks for protein synthesis, amino acids also function as metabolic intermediates for ATP generation and redox homeostasis, as well as fueling biosynthetic pathways. Tumor-related metabolic changes infl uence every stage of the interaction between cells and their metabolites. Over the years, advancements in molecular methods such as transcriptomics and metabolomics have emerged to provide in-depth knowledge into the functions, interactions, and actions of molecules in cells of organisms. These technologies surfaced as methods that provide a more complete picture of disease pathophysiology, facilitating the elucidation of disease mechanisms and identify cation of potential biomarkers (metabolites) and targets (genes) respectively. Though Omics in cancer research have been explored in different concepts, however, employing these methods in amino acid metabolism in hematological cancers still requires attention. Therefore, this mini review discusses an up-to-date knowledge of principal regulators and their role in amino acid metabolism in hematological malignancies. In that perspective, we cover relevant fi ndings from transcriptomics and metabolomics, thereby constructing mechanistic insights associated with disease pathogenesis

Development of a rolling technology for twin-roll cast magnesium strips

With the best lightweight potential of all metallic construction materials, magnesium primarily helps to increase energy efficiency over the lifecycle of automotive and non-automotive industrial products. Yet to assess overall energy efficiency, the production process must also be taken into account. This paper provides an insight into the energy-efficient production of magnesium strips up to 0,8 mm in thickness based on twin-roll casting and strip rolling on an industrial scale, as developed at the Institute of Metal Forming at the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg (Germany) in cooperation with MgF Magnesium Flachprodukte GmbH (Germ any). The technology of twin-roll casting and strip rolling on a four-high reversing mill is described

Germination and characterization of Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cereus

Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis are micro organisms found in soil. Normally, only their spores are found in soil. We recently showed that, B. anthracis and B. cereus do not germinate in soil. Thus, how does B. cereus and B. anthracis continue their life cycle if they can not replicate in soil? We hypothesize that B. cereus and B. anthracis spores may germinate in the gut of nematodes. Caenorhabditis elegans was used as our model nematode to investigate this possibility. Subsequently, the goal of our research is to determine the effect of C. elegans on the life cycle of B. anthracis and B. cereus. Three sets of experiments were attempted. Synchronized cultures of C. elegans strain N2 and BA1 was used to determine if B. anthracis and B. cereus have a significant effect on the lifespan of nematodes. Co-plating B. anthracis/B. cereus, B. cereus/E.coli and B. anthracis/E.coli enabled us to find out which food source was preferred over the other and in what conditions. Finally, B. anthracis spore germination was monitored in real time by feeding C. elegans with a B. anthracis strain that fluorescence\u27s upon germination

Effect of the Citrus Flavone Nobiletin on Circadian Rhythms and Metabolic Syndrome

Invited review paper for a special issue of Molecules on "Biological Activities of Natural Products III" (Halina Ekiert & Agnieszka Szopa, eds.) open access articleThe importance of the circadian clock in maintaining human health is now widely acknowledged. Dysregulated and dampened clocks may be a common cause of age-related diseases and metabolic syndrome Thus, circadian clocks should be considered as therapeutic targets to mitigate disease symptoms. This review highlights a number of dietary compounds that positively affect the maintenance of the circadian clock. Notably the polymethoxyflavone nobiletin has shown some encouraging results in pre-clinical experiments. Although many more experiments are needed to fully elucidate its exact mechanism of action, it is a promising candidate with potential as a chronotherapeutic agent

Assessment of a diaphragm override strategy for robustly optimized proton therapy planning for esophageal cancer patients

PURPOSE: To ensure target coverage in the treatment of esophageal cancer, a density override to the region of diaphragm motion can be applied in the optimization process. Here, we evaluate the benefit of this approach during robust optimization for intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) planning.MATERIALS AND METHODS: For ten esophageal cancer patients, two robustly optimized IMPT plans were created either using (WDO) or not using (NDO) a diaphragm density override of 1.05 g/cm3 during plan optimization. The override was applied to the excursion of the diaphragm between exhale and inhale. Initial robustness evaluation was performed for plan acceptance (setup errors of 8 mm, range errors of ±3%), and subsequently, on all weekly repeated 4DCTs (setup errors of 2 mm, range errors of ±3%). Target coverage and hotspots were analyzed on the resulting voxel-wise minimum (Vwmin ) and voxel-wise maximum (Vwmax ) dose distributions.RESULTS: The nominal dose distributions were similar for both WDO and NDO plans. However, visual inspection of the Vwmax of the WDO plans showed hotspots behind the right diaphragm override region. For one patient, target coverage and hotspots improved by applying the diaphragm override. We found no differences in target coverage in the weekly evaluations between the two approaches.CONCLUSION: The diaphragm override approach did not result in a clinical benefit in terms of planning and interfractional robustness. Therefore, we don't see added value in employing this approach as a default option during robust optimization for IMPT planning in esophageal cancer.</p

Assessment of a diaphragm override strategy for robustly optimized proton therapy planning for esophageal cancer patients

PURPOSE: To ensure target coverage in the treatment of esophageal cancer, a density override to the region of diaphragm motion can be applied in the optimization process. Here, we evaluate the benefit of this approach during robust optimization for intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) planning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For ten esophageal cancer patients, two robustly optimized IMPT plans were created either using (WDO) or not using (NDO) a diaphragm density override of 1.05 g/cm3 during plan optimization. The override was applied to the excursion of the diaphragm between exhale and inhale. Initial robustness evaluation was performed for plan acceptance (setup errors of 8 mm, range errors of ±3%), and subsequently, on all weekly repeated 4DCTs (setup errors of 2 mm, range errors of ±3%). Target coverage and hotspots were analyzed on the resulting voxel-wise minimum (Vwmin ) and voxel-wise maximum (Vwmax ) dose distributions. RESULTS: The nominal dose distributions were similar for both WDO and NDO plans. However, visual inspection of the Vwmax of the WDO plans showed hotspots behind the right diaphragm override region. For one patient, target coverage and hotspots improved by applying the diaphragm override. We found no differences in target coverage in the weekly evaluations between the two approaches. CONCLUSION: The diaphragm override approach did not result in a clinical benefit in terms of planning and interfractional robustness. Therefore, we don't see added value in employing this approach as a default option during robust optimization for IMPT planning in esophageal cancer