Low cost tracking Navaids error model verification

Features and characteristics of the tracking navaids (Microwave Scanning Beam Landing System, Radar Altimeter, Tacan, rendezvous radar and one way Doppler extracter) were investigated. From the investigation, a set of specifications were developed for building equipment to verify the error model of the tracking navaids. Breadboard verification equipment (BVE) was built for the Microwave Scanning Beam Landing System and the radar altimeter. The breadboard verification equipment generates signals to the tracking navaids which simulate the space shuttles trajectory in the terminal area. The BVE simulates sources of navaids error by generating pseudorandom perturbations on the navaids signals. Differences between the trajectory value and the navaid derived values are taped and form the basis for the navaids error model

Aborigines, sport and suicide

It is surprising that a nation so dedicated to sport has ignored its role in trying to alleviate youth suicide. Involvement in sport has shown to deflect, even deter, juvenile delinquency. Similarly, there is evidence (and reason) enough to show a strong connection between sport and suicide among the young. Sport is a major element in contemporary Aboriginal life: it provides meaning, a sense of purpose and belonging; it is inclusive and embracing in a world where most Aboriginal youth feel alienated, disempowered, rejected and excluded

Investigating 5’ untranslated regions and translational regulation across human genes

Untranslated regions (UTRs) are important mediators of post-transcriptional regulation. The length of UTRs and the composition of regulatory elements within them are known to vary substantially across genes, but the reasons remain poorly understood in humans. Here, I investigated whether this variation, specifically in 5’UTRs, correlates with gene dosage sensitivity and whether it differs between different categories of disease genes. I investigated 5’UTR length, the number of alternative transcription start sites (TSS), the potential for alternative splicing, the number and type of upstream open reading frames (uORFs) and the propensity of 5’UTRs to form secondary structures. I explored how these elements vary by gene tolerance to loss-of-function (LoF; using the LOEUF metric), and in genes where changes in dosage are known to cause disease. I found that LOEUF correlates with 5’UTR length and complexity. Genes that are most intolerant to LoF have longer 5’UTRs (P<1x10-15), greater TSS diversity (P<1x10-15), and more upstream regulatory elements compared to LoF tolerant genes. These differences are evident in disease gene sets but not in recessive developmental disorder genes where LoF of a single allele is tolerated. Finally, I focused on a single category of 5’UTR regulatory elements, start-stops, which have only recently been described. I analysed variants within them using ClinVar and the Genomics England 100,000 Genomes Project (GEL). I identified candidate variants for future functional studies and highlight the complexity of interpreting UTR variants. These results underscore the importance of 5’UTRs in post-transcriptional regulation through tightly regulating mRNA and protein levels, particularly in genes susceptible to changes in dosage. Including UTR analysis in diagnostic pipelines should enhance diagnoses, though challenges in interpreting UTR variants remain. This work enhances our understanding of 5’UTR features and their role in disease

Biodeterioration of rubbers

The standard agar plate technique was found to be a good method for screening the presence of leachable antimicrobial additives in rubber compounds. However, this technique restricts the growth of microorganisms to the perimeter of the samples and is less satisfactory as a long term test. In a liquid medium, there should not be any problem for the microorganisms to gain access to the inorganic and organic nutrients as well as oxygen. Many experimental trials were carried out in liquid media under dynamic and static conditions with Streptomyces lipmanii NCIMB 9841 as test organism. This led to the development of the modified batch processes. The modified tests allowed experiments to be performed over a long period of time without concern of accumulation of toxins from the leachable antimicrobial additives in the rubber samples and the metabolites from the utilisation of carbon sources by the microorganisms. The test procedure developed proved to be very reproducible and repeatable. The use of neutral chemically defined media with no added carbon source, the absence of strong oxidation catalysts coupled with the use of proper control samples defined the least vigorous conditions for biodeterioration of rubber compounds. On the other hand, the degradation of the rubber compounds under field and semi-field tests is likely to be a combined effect of biodeterioration, hydrolytic degradation, leaching and oxidation of samples. Five strains of fungi and four strains of actinomycetes were tested against five carbon black-filled seal compounds. The types of rubbers used were based on natural, styrene/butadiene, peroxide-cured EPDM, sulphur-cured EPDM and acrylonitrile /butadiene rubbers. Among all the species tested, Nocardia was found to be the most aggressive group of microorganisms in affecting the rubber samples. The strains NCIMB 12811 and 12814 had activity towards vulcanised gum NR samples, whilst Nocardia asteriodes NCIMB 12082 was very capable of utilizing rubber additives. It was found that besides the physical dimensions, types and formulations of rubber compounds; test conditions such as temperature, agitation speed, pH; amount of rubber sample used per unit volume of test medium, and renewal or non-renewal of test media also played an important role in affecting the activities of microorganisms towards rubber compounds

The ins and outs of brojobs across Metro Atlanta and the Southeast, USA

This portfolio-style thesis has three components: a case study, my own autoethnographic work, and the analysis of Doublelist casual encounter ads. It explores hookup culture across Metro Atlanta and the Southeast among down low and discreet men beginning with an examination of the masc 4 masc subculture where MSM assert their hypermasculinity in an attempt to stay on top of the heteropatriarchy. I then explore brojobs, how the definition can fluctuate, and participants’ past sexual conquests. Sexual fluidity and identity correlate for some, while it is distinct for others. Lastly, the secretive nature of the down low and discreet culture are analyzed through means of sexual behaviors