cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Group Schemes with $\mathbb F_q$-Action
Creators: name: Poguntke, Thomas
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Algebraic Geometry (math.AG)
subject: Number Theory (math.NT)
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: 14L15, 14L17

description: Via a construction due to V. Drinfel'd, we prove an equivalence of categories, generalizing the equivalence between commutative flat group schemes in characteristic $p$ with trivial Verschiebung and their Dieudonné modules to group schemes with $\mathbb F_q$-action.
description: 25 pages; v2: improvements throughout, incl. referee's suggestions; v3: minimal corrections, added journal ref
title: Critical Education, Vol. 11 No. 16 (2020): Abelism in the Academy (Part 3)
title: Abelism in the Academy (Part 3)
titleType: AlternativeTitle
Creators: name: Critical Education
Publisher: name: Critical Education
Year: 2020

description: Out of (Queer/Disabled) Time...1-20 Encountering Ableism in the Moment...21-37
Beyond 1 Million Genomes (B1MG) D2.2 Policy document for a genome data sharing initiative
Creators: name: Rebers, Suzanne
name: Mežinska, Signe
name: Thorogood, Adrian
name: Becker, Regina
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023
Subjects: B1MG
Beyond 1 Million Genomes
1+MG
1 Million Genomes Initiative
ELSI
Policy recommendations
Minimum standards

description: In task 2.2, three policy recommendations were developed, based on existing literature, policy documents and guidelines. Care was taken to develop recommendations specifically for use in a large-scale pan-European research infrastructure. Three policy recommendations were developed: 1: minimal standards for inclusion of special groups of data subjects such as minors, persons not able to consent, vulnerable population groups, minorities, and deceased persons; 2: minimal standards for feedback provision to data subjects; 3: minimal standards on how to deal with incidental findings. The fourth planned policy recommendation, minimal standards and best practice guidelines for consent forms to allow the use of genomic data in a pan-European genome initiative, was built on ethical best practice and subsequently transferred and combined for the deliverable 2.4, because the recommendations needed to be integrated in the GDPR requirements for a final recommendation on transparency and consent that meets both ethical and data protection best practice. Below the main recommendations of the policies are described. Full recommendations, including the precise scope, background, considerations, and other relevant aspects, can be found further in this document.
title: Wild-type N-Ras complements mutant K-Ras in pancreatic cancer cell lines but K-Ras has a specific role in cell cycle independent regulation of G2 cyclins
Creators: name: Ferguson, Robert
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2016

description: Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is nearly always associated with mutant K-Ras. Nevertheless, targeting oncogenic K-Ras has so far proved ineffective in treating this form of cancer and pancreatic cancer cell lines can become K-Ras independent. Other forms of Ras are rarely mutated but wild type N-Ras and H-Ras have been shown to be present alongside functional K-Ras mutations and have been demonstrated to increase responsiveness to growth factors. Beyond this little evidence had previously been gathered on the activity or function of N-Ras and H-Ras in PDAC. Therefore, this thesis aimed to determine if other Ras isoforms are active in PDAC cell lines and what effect they may have on controlling cell division, oxidative metabolism, cytokine expression and the phospholipid composition of the membrane. The presence of active N-Ras and K-Ras was identified in three of the four human PDAC cell lines tested. Only active K-Ras was detected in a cell line derived from a mouse model of pancreatic cancer driven by heterologous expression of mutant KRAS. N-Ras was shown to be functioning alongside K-Ras to control the relative level of oxidative metabolism in the Suit-2 and a faster growing variant of the Panc-1 cell lines, but K-Ras acts alone in the slow growing Panc-1 cell line that does not contain N-Ras. N-Ras and K-Ras were shown to have different effects on the levels of cytokines, although K-Ras is largely independent of N-Ras in its regulation of phospholipid composition. A novel N-Ras independent mechanism for K-Ras transcriptional control of cyclin B1 was demonstrated. When K-Ras is depleted cyclin B1 and cyclin A are decreased. Cyclin B1 transcription can be rescued by inhibition of the Proteasome. A model is proposed whereby an unknown protein or proteins activates cyclin B1 transcription in a cell-cycle independent fashion and is protected from proteasomal degradation by K-Ras. These results suggest that mutant K-Ras can act in conjunction with wild-type N-Ras, but also can function independently to regulate G2 cyclins.
A simple universal property of Thom ring spectra
Creators: name: Antolín-Camarena, Omar
name: Barthel, Tobias
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Algebraic Topology (math.AT)
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: 55N20, 55P42, 55P43, 55P48

description: We give a simple universal property of the multiplicative structure on the Thom spectrum of an $n$-fold loop map, obtained as a special case of a characterization of the algebra structure on the colimit of a lax $\mathcal{O}$-monoidal functor. This allows us to relate Thom spectra to $\mathbb{E}_n$-algebras of a given characteristic in the sense of Szymik. As applications, we recover the Hopkins--Mahowald theorem realizing $H\mathbb{F}_p$ and $H\mathbb{Z}$ as Thom spectra, and compute the topological Hochschild homology and the cotangent complex of various Thom spectra.
description: 25 pages; various corrections and clarifications; this version accepted for publication by the Journal of Topology
Combinatorics of loop equations for branched covers of sphere
Creators: name: Dunin-Barkowski, P.
name: Orantin, N.
name: Popolitov, A.
name: Shadrin, S.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Mathematical Physics (math-ph)
subject: Combinatorics (math.CO)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences
subject: FOS: Mathematics

description: We prove, in a purely combinatorial way, the spectral curve topological recursion for the problem of enumeration of bi-colored maps, which are dual objects to dessins d'enfant. Furthermore, we give a proof of the quantum spectral curve equation for this problem. Then we consider the generalized case of 4-colored maps and outline the idea of the proof of the corresponding spectral curve topological recursion.
description: 23 pages; clarifications added
Spin-chain with PSU(2|2)xU(1)^3 and Non-linear Sigma-model with D(2,1;gamma)
Creators: name: Aoyama, Shogo
name: Honda, Yuco
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We propose that the spin-chain with the PSU(2|2)xU(1)^3 symmetry is equivalent to the non-linear sigma-model on PSU(2|2)xU(1)^3/{HxU(1)} with a certain subgroup. To this end we show that the spin-variable of the former theory is identified as the Killing scalar of the latter and their correlation functions can have the same integrability. It is crucial to think that the respective theory gets the PSU(2|2)xU(1)^3 symmetry by a symmetry reduction the exceptional supergroup D(2,1;gamma), rather than by an extension of PSU(2|2).
description: 13 pages, v2: typos corrected, published version
title:  Theory of SiC Schottky Barrier Conduction and Model Analysis for Diode Breakdown With and Without Screw Dislocations
Creators: name: Zheng, Lifeng
Publisher: name: Old Dominion University
publisherIdentifier: https://ror.org/04zjtrb98
publisherIdentifierScheme: ROR
Year: 2000

description: Silicon Carbide is a very promising candidate for applications in high-power, high-temperature, and high-radiation conditions under which conventional semiconductors cannot perform adequately. However, the SiC processing technology has not yet reached maturity. There is also limited knowledge of its physical and chemical characteristics, and its device behavior is not well understood. The aim of this thesis is to analyze two specific problems in the SiC area. The first issue involves the large discrepancy between experimental I - V characteristics of SiC Schottky diodes and their theoretical values. The observed data, especially at low voltages, is found to be orders of magnitude larger than predicted by simple thermionic emission theory. A second problem is the premature breakdown in SiC p+n diodes seen to be associated with elementary screw dislocations.
title: Investigations into the significance of Nrf2 signalling and ubiquitination of proteins in Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection
Creators: name: Chudek, Dorota
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2016

description: Introduction and Objectives: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the commonest cause of bronchiolitis in infants. This negative strand RNA virus is known to infect and replicate in the airway epithelium. RSV infection induces elevated levels of reactive oxidative species and subsequent oxidative stress injury in the lungs. Nrf2, a transcription factor that regulates antioxidant protein expression, has an important role in preventing pulmonary oxidative damage. Sulforaphane is a potent, naturally occurring inducer of NRF2 found in vegetables such as broccoli. In this study we sought to determine whether Nrf2 induction by sulforaphane might reduce RSV replication in airway epithelial cells. We also selected six proteins including MAVS, DDX21, RPS10, prohibitin, annexin A1, HMGB1 from proteomics defining changes in their level of ubiquitination following RSV infection. Our aim was to determine which proteins change their level of polyubiquitination following the infection. This could help identify new biochemical pathways involved in the host defence or viral replication and new targets for potential therapeutic intervention. Method: BEAS2B cells were infected with RSV at MOI of 1 following pre-treatment with sulforaphane. Samples were harvested at time points 24 and 48 hours and analysed by Western Blotting for NrF2 and RSV. In addition, RT-qPCR was carried out for RSV quantification using an RSV N primer. A549 cells were infected with various concentrations of RSV (1:4-4:1). Samples were harvested at time point of 4 and 24 hours and analysed by Western Blotting using antibodies to ubiquitin and target proteins selected from ubiquitination proteomics data . Immunoprecipitation was used to confirm ubiquitination of these proteins and immunohistology to confirm their cellular localisation. Proteasome activity was inhibited using MG132 a specific, potent, reversible, and cell-permeable proteasome inhibitor. Results: Sulforaphane induced Nrf2 production in BEAS2Bs in a dose dependent manner. Results do not show that RSV replication is reduced in airway epithelial cells pretreated with Sulforaphane. However, preliminary data suggests that virus might have degrading effect on Nrf2. Western blots demonstrate changes in expression of target proteins and their ubiquitination following RSV infection and proteasome inhibition. Breakdown products of DDX21 and MAVS were detected in RSV infected samples. Conclusions: RSV infection changes expression of target proteins in A549 cells and might have influence on their ubiquitination, however, most probably it does not affect expression of Sulforaphane induced Nrf2. DDX21 and Nrf2 are likely to be degraded by the virus but results have to be confirmed in further experiments.
Fast non-Abelian geometric gates via transitionless quantum driving
Creators: name: Zhang, J.
name: Kyaw, Thi Ha
name: Tong, D. M.
name: Sjöqvist, Erik
name: Kwek, L. C.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: A practical quantum computer must be capable of performing high fidelity quantum gates on a set of quantum bits (qubits). In the presence of noise, the realization of such gates poses daunting challenges. Geometric phases, which possess intrinsic noise-tolerant features, hold the promise for performing robust quantum computation. In particular, quantum holonomies, i.e., non-Abelian geometric phases, naturally lead to universal quantum computation due to their non-commutativity. Although quantum gates based on adiabatic holonomies have already been proposed, the slow evolution eventually compromises qubit coherence and computational power. Here, we propose a general approach to speed up an implementation of adiabatic holonomic gates by using transitionless driving techniques and show how such a universal set of fast geometric quantum gates in a superconducting circuit architecture can be obtained in an all-geometric approach. Compared with standard non-adiabatic holonomic quantum computation, the holonomies obtained in our approach tends asymptotically to those of the adiabatic approach in the long run-time limit and thus might open up a new horizon for realizing a practical quantum computer.
description: 7 pages, 2 figures
Alignment of national and European RI aviation funding programmes
Creators: name:  JUAN FRANCISCO REYES
name:   GUSTAVO ALONSO
Publisher: name: Proceedings of the Aerospace Europe Conference - EUCASS - CEAS - 2023
Year: 2023
Subjects: RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
FUNDING PROGRAMMES
AVIATION

description: This work attempts to shed some light by showing the Clean Sky 2 case study to implement different methods and results of alignment between Horizon 2020 funds managed at EU level through Clean Sky ru, and the European Structural and Investment funds managed at national/regional level for aviation, in the period 2014-2020. Through the analysis of existing information, and later interviews to national/regional funding programme owners, it concludes which are the best practices, barriers, and recommendations to improve the procedure of synergies between funding programmes in the next phase 2021-2027, which is one of the main objectives of the EC for this period.
Preliminary study of tracking vs boundary avoidance task effects on rotorcraft pilot involuntary response
Creators: name:  QIUYANG XIA
name:   DAVIDE MARCHESOLI
name:   PIERANGELO MASARATI
name:   MENG LIU
Publisher: name: Proceedings of the Aerospace Europe Conference - EUCASS - CEAS - 2023
Year: 2023
Subjects: INPUT STRATEGY
POINT TRACKING
BOUNDARY AVOIDANCE TRACKING
TRACKING ERROR
INPUT AGGRESSION

description: Helicopters are used in harsh tasks that require operating in ground proximity, tracking targets while avoiding impact obstacles, namely a combination of point tracking and boundary avoidance objectives. A simplified helicopter simulation task is used to investigate point tracking and boundary avoidance tasks. The analysis of variance is used to study the effects of task conditions on participants\' tracking errors and input aggression. The overall tracking error shows a negative correlation with input aggression. The participants tend to have higher input aggression and lower tracking error near the boundaries, exposing the switching of input strategies under different task conditions.
title: Causes of spatial variation in parasite and pathogen pressure in insects
Creators: name: Pastok, Daria
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2016

description: The reproduction of the two-spot ladybird, Adalia bipunctata, is inhibited by a sexually transmitted ectoparasitic mite Coccipolipus hippodamiae that sterilizes female hosts, and a range of heritable microbes that kill male hosts during embryogenesis for instance Spiroplasma. Historical sampling indicated these two parasites were present commonly in A. bipunctata in the south of Sweden but were absent or rare in northern populations. In this thesis, I first established that the distribution of the mite was still stable over time, with a boundary to mite presence at 61˚N, as found 10 years previously. The incidence of male-killing Spiroplasma, in contrast, showed a small northward shift in its presence. I then examined the causes of mite presence/absence, and concluded ladybirds from northern populations were competent to carry and transmit mite infection, but that host phenology prevented its persistence in natural populations. I then explored the hypothesis that mite presence might select for increased reluctance of females to mate by comparing mating behaviour between mite present/mite absent populations. I observed that whilst rejection behaviour was protective against mite transmission, it was not more commonly observed in ladybirds derived from mite present populations. Finally, I examined whether the presence of male-killing Spiroplasma might affect mite epidemiology, and whether the mite itself might impact on the dynamics of the male-killing Spiroplasma. I observed that Spiroplasma did not affect individual competence to acquire and transmit mite infection, and did not protect its host against mite induced sterility. However, Spiroplasma was observed to mildly prolong host longevity, which may enhance the capacity of the mite to pass from overwintered to new generation cohorts of its host. Further, population sex ratio biases induced by Spiroplasma were predicted to influence mite epidemiology, through altering mating rate and per contact mite transmission probability. I therefore conclude first that mite incidence can be explained through host phenological variation, and that sex ratio distorting symbionts may impact on the dynamics of the mite infection. Future studies should explore the causes of high prevalence Spiroplasma infection in A. bipunctata in southern Sweden, and the features that prevent the establishment of infection in the north of the country.
A new proof of the sharpness of the phase transition for Bernoulli percolation and the Ising model
Creators: name: Duminil-Copin, Hugo
name: Tassion, Vincent
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Probability (math.PR)
subject: Mathematical Physics (math-ph)
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We provide a new proof of the sharpness of the phase transition for Bernoulli percolation and the Ising model. The proof applies to infinite range models on arbitrary locally finite transitive infinite graphs. For Bernoulli percolation, we prove finiteness of the susceptibility in the subcritical regime $ββ_c$. For finite-range models, we also prove that for any $ββ_c$. For finite-range models, we also prove that the two-point correlations functions decay exponentially fast in the distance for $β
description: 25 pages, 1 figure, correction in Lemma 2.6
CFD Analysis of the Lateral Sloshing Phenomenon inside an Aerospace LH2 Cryogenic Tank
Creators: name:  MATTEO CIMINI
name:   FRANCESCA ROSSETTI
name:   GIACOMO DELLA POSTA
name:   FULVIO STELLA
name:   MATTEO BERNARDINI
Publisher: name: Proceedings of the Aerospace Europe Conference - EUCASS - CEAS - 2023
Year: 2023
Subjects: CFD
VOF
SLOSHING
CRYOGENIC TANK
CH4

description: In this work, we propose to perform unsteady 3D numerical simulations by means of the VOF methodology to understand the behavior of the lateral sloshing inside an aerospace LH2 cryogenic tank The first geometry considered is a simple laboratory-scale cylindrical tank model, designed to investigate the sloshing phenomenon with the presence of a single baffle ring. The case is used to assess the capability of the adopted method to predict the correct sloshing damping. The second geometry under study is instead inspired to a typical common bulkhead cryogenic tank used in space launchers. Simulations investigate sloshing inside the tank under normal gravity conditions. The unsteady lateral force on the tank wall, as well as the center of gravity position, obtained from the simulations are used to obtain and validate a reduced-order model (ROM) that takes into account the non-linear nature of the damping. Lateral loads are then analyzed through Fourier spectral analysis and through wavelet analysis, decomposing the time series into the time-frequency domain, to determine the time evolution of the energy of the excited mode.
Spinodal nanodecomposition in magnetically doped semiconductors
Creators: name: Dietl, T.
name: Sato, K.
name: Fukushima, T.
name: Bonanni, A.
name: Jamet, M.
name: Barski, A.
name: Kuroda, S.
name: Tanaka, M.
name: Hai, Pham Nam
name: Katayama-Yoshida, H.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: This review presents the recent progress in computational materials design, experimental realization, and control methods of spinodal nanodecomposition under three- and two-dimensional crystal-growth conditions in spintronic materials, such as magnetically doped semiconductors. The computational description of nanodecomposition, performed by combining first-principles calculations with kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, is discussed together with extensive electron microscopy, synchrotron radiation, scanning probe, and ion beam methods that have been employed to visualize binodal and spinodal nanodecomposition (chemical phase separation) as well as nanoprecipitation (crystallographic phase separation) in a range of semiconductor compounds with a concentration of transition metal (TM) impurities beyond the solubility limit. The role of growth conditions, co-doping by shallow impurities, kinetic barriers, and surface reactions in controlling the aggregation of magnetic cations is highlighted. According to theoretical simulations and experimental results the TM-rich regions appear either in the form of nanodots (the {\em dairiseki} phase) or nanocolumns (the {\em konbu} phase) buried in the host semiconductor. Particular attention is paid to Mn-doped group III arsenides and antimonides, TM-doped group III nitrides, Mn- and Fe-doped Ge, and Cr-doped group II chalcogenides, in which ferromagnetic features persisting up to above room temperature correlate with the presence of nanodecomposition and account for the application-relevant magneto-optical and magnetotransport properties of these compounds. Finally, it is pointed out that spinodal nanodecomposition can be viewed as a new class of bottom-up approach to nanofabrication.
description: 72 pages, 79 figures
title: Childhood adversity in body dysmorphic concerns
Creators: name: Black, Nancy
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2016

description: The systematic review in Chapter 1 synthesizes evidence for the role of childhood adversity in BDD. This includes a background to the area, a detailed description of the review process, and appraisal and synthesis of current research evidence. In summary, experiences of sexual and emotional abuse, including victimisation and teasing aimed at physical appearance appear to be strongly associated with dysmorphic concern and BDD. Although the review concludes that there is evidence for a relationship between childhood adversity and body dysmorphic disorder, it also highlights a paucity of research in the area and identifies particular gaps in the literature. Specifically in light of the finding that appearance-focused teasing is implicated in the development of BDD, Chapter 2, the empirical paper, seeks to explore this further. Recognizing dysmorphic concern as the central concept in BDD, the study examines the role of specificity in the relationship between appearance-focused teasing and dysmorphic concern in a University sample. The chapter provides an introduction and rationale for the study. An online survey method was selected to attend to the aims and objectives of the study, and findings are analysed and reported using carefully selected quantitative methods. Participants who recalled a specific focus to appearance teasing during childhood (i.e. teasing aimed at a specific body part) were found to have significantly higher levels of body dysmorphic concern, than those who were teased more generally about their appearance, or not at all. However, specificity did not moderate the relationship between frequency of appearance teasing and dysmorphic concern in further analyses. A discussion of the findings in relation to existing research evidence and clinical practice is provided and limitations of the study are discussed along with recommendations for future research.
The European CSA Human Microbiome Action (IHMCSA)
Creators: name: Maguin, Emmanuelle
name: Arumugam, Manimozhiyan
name: Doré, Joël
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2022

description: This poster is representing the main methods and expected outcomes of the project. It has been presented during the ONE Conference 2022 (21-24 June 2022) in Brussels, Belgium.
Superrigidity from Chevalley groups into acylindrically hyperbolic groups via quasi-cocycles
Creators: name: Mimura, Masato
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Group Theory (math.GR)
subject: Geometric Topology (math.GT)
subject: K-Theory and Homology (math.KT)
subject: Rings and Algebras (math.RA)
subject: FOS: Mathematics

description: We prove that every homomorphism from the elementary Chevalley group over a finitely generated unital commutative ring associated with reduced irreducible classical root system of rank at least 2, and ME analogues of such groups, into acylindrically hyperbolic groups has an absolutely elliptic image. This result provides a non-arithmetic generalization of homomorphism superrigidity of Farb--Kaimanovich--Masur and Bridson--Wade.
description: Final version, 15 pages (v4); Accepted in J. Eur. Math. Soc., 14 pages, add comprehensive details of proofs (v3); 9 pages, Lemma 4.2 by D. Osin added (v2); 7 pages, this is the final extended version of an unpublished manuscript (arXiv:1106.3769) by the author
title: Trading strategies and their implementation into portfolios
Creators: name: Husseini, Rayan
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2015

description: This thesis examines how to implement financial statement analysis to form some investment ideas. Specifically, we are looking at strategies such as value (going long on stocks with a high F-score and short on stocks with a low F-score), and a momentum strategy going long on stocks that have an increase in return on equity (ROE). Findings suggest that we are able to generate excess returns even after controlling for risks and recommend that the understanding of financial statement can help investors to form investment decisions and give a competitive edge over other investors in the market. There are a few lessons that investors can learn from the findings of this thesis. Value investors should focus on value firms. Momentum investors should pursue an investment strategy among firms with an improvement in return on equity. They could also benefit from forming a portfolio based on both investment ideas, which should protect them from economic downturn and offer an interesting portfolio.
title: Predictors of resilience and quality of life in children with paediatric medical conditions
Creators: name: McNulty, Susannah
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2016

description: A childhood chronic medical condition is any disease or illness in a child, lasting three months or more (World Health Organisation, 2014). The estimated prevalence of chronic medical conditions in children in the United Kingdom is 15-20% (ONS, 2002). These conditions can have a considerable impact on both physical and psychological functioning and have been associated with higher levels of emotional difficulties across the lifespan (Glazebrook et al., 2003; Phipps, 2007). Research suggests that in order to promote psychological wellbeing in children and young people with a chronic medical condition there should be an emphasis on resilience and quality of life (Edwards & Titman, 2010). Resilience has been defined as “the relative resistance to environmental risk or the overcoming of stress or adversity” (Rutter, 2006 p.2). Fostering resilience in children may protect against the development of psychological difficulties in adulthood (Seligman, 2000). Whilst there is an extensive literature base regarding the factors associated with resilience in children; to the authors knowledge there are no reviews to date exclusively focusing on resilience in children with a medical condition. Chapter one aims to explore the current literature pertaining to factors associated with resilience in children with a medical condition. It highlights that family environment and relationship with peers appear to be important factors relating to resilience in children with a medical condition. However, the review demonstrates that there are discrepancies in both the quality and results of the current research base. Furthermore, the studies reviewed tended to focus exclusively on one medical condition, thereby excluding a large number of children with other medical conditions. This limits the conclusions that can be drawn from the review. There is a large body of evidence highlighting the association between family environment and resilience in children (Benzies & Mychasuik, 2009; Daniel & Wassell, 2002; Garmezy, 1991), and a growing body of literature supporting the relationship between community support and resilience in children (Action for Children, 2007; Alvord & Grados, 2005). A small number of studies have explored the impact of family environment and community support in children with chronic medical conditions including cancer, asthma and dermatitis (Im & Kim, 2012; Kim & Yoo, 2010; Lee et al., 2003; McCubbin et al., 2002). However, to the author’s knowledge, there are no studies to date examining these variables in a range of chronic childhood medical conditions. Chapter two presents an empirical study which aims to investigate the impact of both family environment and parental perceived community support on resilience in children with a chronic medical condition.
title: The role and regulation of VEGF-mediated ERK5 activity in endothelial cells
Creators: name: Nithianandarajah-Jones, Gopika
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2015

description: Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) is the newest member of the mitogen- activated protein kinase (MAPK) family following the discovery of ERK1/2, JNK and p38 MAPK. ERK5 consists of an N-terminal kinase domain, similar to the other MAPK members, and a large C-terminal domain, which is unique in structure and function from the other MAPK members. ERK5 is activated in response to a multitude of extracellular stimuli, including pro-angiogenic factors in endothelial cells. The physiological importance of ERK5 was highlighted following Erk5 gene ablation in mice, where a severe disruption to cardiovascular development and loss of vascular integrity was observed, resulting in embryonic lethality. This study investigated the differences in ERK5 activation between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation of primary human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) compared to epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation of HeLa (immortalised epithelial cervical cancer cell line) cells. It was discovered that in contrast to other growth factors, VEGF appeared unique in its ability to induce ERK5 phosphorylation in HDMECs, stimulating ERK5 activity via a VEGFR-2/PLCγ-dependent pathway. Utilisation of the innovative Phos-tagTM reagent in SDS-PAGE facilitated the novel discovery that VEGF was only able to induce phosphorylation of the threonine (Thr)218/tyrosine (Tyr)220 residues present within the activation loop of the kinase domain. In contrast, EGF stimulation of HeLa cells resulted in phosphorylation of ERK5 on Thr218/Tyr220 as well as additional C- terminal residues such as Thr732. It was further demonstrated that contrary to EGF, VEGF stimulation of HDMECs did not evoke a nuclear translocation of ERK5, instead, ERK5 appeared to localise to the cytoplasm and plasma membrane. The analysis of intracellular signalling pathways following treatment with small-molecule inhibitors against MAPK/ERK kinase 5 (MEK5) and ERK5 kinase activity, revealed that VEGF-mediated ERK5 activation regulated phosphorylation of AKT in HDMECs. Furthermore, with an apparent co- localisation of ERK5 and AKT in the cytoplasm and at the plasma membrane of HDMECs, it was hypothesised that the two proteins were interacting partners. Adenoviral-mediated expression of FLAG-tagged ERK5 revealed that VEGFR-2, ERK5 and AKT co- immunoprecipitated in HDMECs, suggesting the possibility of a complex between these proteins at the cell periphery following VEGF stimulation and VEGFR-2 internalisation. Taken together, this study shows that VEGF appears to induce a unique activation of ERK5 in endothelial cells, which facilitates its interaction with AKT and subsequent regulation of AKT phosphorylation, ultimately regulating endothelial cell survival.
Asypmtotic Behaviour of the Conjugacy Probability of the Alternating Group
Creators: name: Steinmetz, Misja F. A.
name: Whybrow, Madeleine L.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Group Theory (math.GR)
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: 20P05

description: For $G$ a finite group, let $κ(G)$ be the probability that $σ,τ\in G$ are conjugate, when $σ$ and $τ$ are chosen independently and uniformly at random. In this paper, we extend the methods of Blackburn et al [2012] to show that $n^2κ(A_n) \to A$ as $n\to\infty$ for a constant $A$, which we will give explicitly.
title: Novel oxide materials for solid oxide fuel cells applications
Creators: name: Simo, Frantisek
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2016

description: The work of this thesis focuses on three perovskite-based compounds: YSr2Cu3−xCoxO7+δ cuprates, Gd2BaCo2O5+δ related phases and Sr2SnO4 Ruddlesden-Popper structures. Both YSr2Cu3−xCoxO7+δ and Gd2BaCo2O5+δ are cathode material candidates for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Doping of Sr2SnO4 aims to enhance the ionic conductivity of the parent phase and explore the phases as a potential SOFCs electrolyte material. The cobalt content in the layered perovskite YSr2Cu3−xCoxO7+δ has been increased to a maximum of x = 1.3. A slight excess of strontium was required for phase purity in these phases, yielding the composition Y1−ySr2+yCu3−xCoxO7+δ (where y = 0.03 and 0.05). The potential of Y1−ySr2+yCu3−xCoxO7+δ (where x = 1 to 1.3) as a cathode material for a solid oxide fuel cell has been explored through optimisation of processing parameters, AC impedance spectroscopy and DC conductivity measurements. The stability of Y0.95Sr2.05Cu1.7Co1.3O7+δ with commercial electrolytes has been tested along with the stability under CO2. This material exhibits a significant improvement in properties compared to the parent member, Y0.97Sr2.03Cu2CoO7+δ, and is compatible with commercially available doped ceria electrolytes at 900 °C. Energetics of Ln2BaCo2O7 (Ln = Gd, Nd, Ce) materials consisting of a layer of LnBaCo2O5+δ (Ln = Gd, Nd) and a fluorite layer (CeO2 or Ln2O3, Ln = Gd, Nd) have been studied using DFT calculations. Various reactions including binary oxides and double perovskites were taken into an account for the formation energy calculations. Phases favourable in DFT calculations were observed also in PXRD patterns of the materials prepared by a solid state synthesis. DFT prediction has been also used in the work with Ruddlesden-Popper phases. The structures of experimentally prepared Nb- and Ta-doped Sr2SnO4 phases were investigated using high resolution diffraction methods. The conductivity of single phased materials was studied by AC impedance spectroscopy. A significant improvement in conductivity was observed in Sr2Sn1−xTaxO4 compounds with x = 0.03 and 0.04. The origin of the enhancement has been studied using different techniques such as solid state Sn-NMR, UV-vis and NIR spectroscopy methods and it tends to be explained by an ionic contribution.
Geometrically and diagrammatically maximal knots
Creators: name: Champanerkar, Abhijit
name: Kofman, Ilya
name: Purcell, Jessica S.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Geometric Topology (math.GT)
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: 57M25, 57M50

description: The ratio of volume to crossing number of a hyperbolic knot is known to be bounded above by the volume of a regular ideal octahedron, and a similar bound is conjectured for the knot determinant per crossing. We investigate a natural question motivated by these bounds: For which knots are these ratios nearly maximal? We show that many families of alternating knots and links simultaneously maximize both ratios.
description: 26 pages, 12 figures. V2: Updated references, removed hypothesis from Theorem 1.4, added Corollary 1.11, and made other minor wording changes. V3: Discussion on weaving knots has been moved into another paper. V4: Added Figures 10 and 12, minor wording changes
title: Islamic finance and the global economy: An exploration of risk management and governance within shariah finance
Creators: name: Kok, Seng Kiong
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2014

description: Islamic finance has grown in prominence and is now widely regarded as a viable alternative to conventional, mainstream finance. However, this rapid growth has been accompanied by a number of pertinent issues relating to the alleged unfavourable performance of Shariah-compliant indexes, the limited availability of risk management tools and the framework of governance and regulatory standards with the Islamic banking and financial system. This thesis seeks to assess the state of both performance and development of risk management within the Islamic financial system. It investigates these issues through a variety of methods such as quantitative portfolio creation and econometric modelling of diversification benefits, theoretical development of a financial risk management tool and qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews on the perceptions of how governance and regulatory standards affect both the performance and financial innovation within Islamic finance. The results presented in this study provide robust arguments for the inclusion of Islamic indices within conventional portfolios both from a performance and diversification standpoint thus vindicating the viability of Islamic finance not only as an investment option but also a risk management option. Moreover, the research puts forward a new structure for an Islamic call-option, based upon risk-sharing rather than risk-transfer, which highlights the benefits of constructing financial risk management products through Shariah-compliant rules. Finally, the research also underlines the consensus of market participants behind central regulatory standards to enhance stable and continual growth and development of the Islamic financial system.
Cosmic flows and the expansion of the Local Universe from nonlinear phase-space reconstructions
Creators: name: Hess, Steffen
name: Kitaura, Francisco-Shu
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: This work investigates the impact of cosmic flows and density perturbations on Hubble constant $H_0$ measurements using nonlinear phase-space reconstructions of the Local Universe (LU). In particular, we rely on 25 constrained N-body simulations of the LU using the 2MRS galaxy sample within distances of 90 Mpc/h. These have been randomly extended up to volumes enclosing 360 Mpc/h with augmented Lagrangian perturbation theory (750 simulations in total), accounting in this way for gravitational mode coupling from larger scales, correcting for periodic boundary effects, and estimating systematics of missing attractors ($σ_{\rm large}=134$ km/s). We report on Local Group speed reconstructions, which are compatible with CMB-dipole measurements: $|v_{\rm LG}|=685\pm137$ km/s. The direction $(l,b)=(260.5\pm 13.3,39.1\pm 10.4)^\circ$ is compatible with observations after considering the variance of large scales. Accounting for large scales, our local bulk flow estimations assuming a $Λ$CDM model are compatible with estimates based on velocity data derived from the Tully-Fisher relation. We focus on low redshift supernova measurements ($0.01
description: accepted by MNRAS 10 pages, 7 figures
title: The oblique impact response of composites and sandwich structures
Creators: name: Sheikh Md.Fadzullah, Siti
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2015

description: This research project focussed on the low-velocity oblique impact response of glass fibre-reinforced epoxy laminates and sandwich structures with a range of polymeric cores of linear PVC and PET with nominal densities in the range of 90-140 kg/m3, conducted at normal (0°), 10° and 20° inclination angles, at energies up to 40 J. For the laminated composites and the linear PVC sandwich structures, at maximum impact energies, the damage area reduced whilst the energy absorbed increased with increasing inclination angle. Damage took the form of matrix cracking, due to bending and shear, combining with fibre fracture due to tensile loading. In the case of the higher density foam-core sandwich structures (PVC and PET), the maximum damage area occurs at 10° and less severe damage occurs at 20°, suggesting an effect of the combination of tensile, compression and shear occurred at 10°. Interestingly, the absorbed energy reduced with increasing inclination angle for these structures. The threshold energy in which visible damage occurs was observed at 14 J and 10 J for the laminated composites and sandwich structures, respectively. At higher energy levels (40 J), full perforation occurred. Contrary to the observations at relatively low energies, the PET-based sandwich structures showed increased damage with increasing inclination angle. An energy-balance model was established and used to successfully predict the maximum impact force (Pmax) values, showing good agreement with the experimental results up to the threshold energy. In addition, these findings also showed that core density has a great influence on the impact response of the sandwich structures, whereby the contact stiffness, C, and the maximum impact force (Pmax), increased with an increase in core density.
title: The development of novel surface modifications for use in a skeletal regeneration system
Creators: name: Fawcett, Sandra
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2014

description: Non-union fractures are defined as fractures that do not heal after 6 months of conventional treatment. They usually require multiple surgical treatments, autologous bone grafts or treatments with growth factors or Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). There is a clinical need for a material which can be used to replace autologous bone transplantation in the treatment non-union fractures that negates the problems associated with autologous grafts. This thesis aims to consider and develop a coating that can be used on a readily available polymer biomaterial to induce a response from mesenchymal stem cells, which are found in abundance at fracture sites, and facilitate repair by their differentiation into osteogenic cells. The use of a synthetic chemical coating rather than a growth factor or peptide aims to cause similar effects at a greatly reduced cost Plasma application techniques were used initially to screen potential terminal groups on a 3D system. Amine groups were found to be osteogenic (which was confirmed by positive Von Kossa and Alizarin red staining), and hydroxyl groups were found to be chondrocytic (which was confirmed by positive Van Geison and Alcian blue staining). The osteogenic effect of the amine group was investigated further, but in the form of silane SAMs, which were more easily definable. The presentation of the terminal group was investigated using varying carbon chain length, to see if this had an effect on osteogenicity) This was explored using both MSC and primary osteoblast-like cell models on glass initially, then on PLGA films and finally a 3D PLGA system. The results of this showed positive expression of osteogenic markers for the MSC and osteoblast-like cells when on glass and PLGA films. There was an expression of the osteogenic marker osteocalcin and a positive mineralisation stain (Von Kossa) at 7 days. This effect however was not transferred to a 3D platform as further optimisation will be required to achieve this goal-an essential progression on the way to the development of an injectable 3D system suitable for clinical application.
The Simplicial EHP Sequence in A1-Algebraic Topology
Creators: name: Wickelgren, Kirsten
name: Williams, Ben
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Algebraic Topology (math.AT)
subject: Algebraic Geometry (math.AG)
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: Primary 55Q40, 55Q25, 14F42 Secondary 55S35, 19D45

description: We give a tool for understanding simplicial desuspension in A1-algebraic topology: we show that $X \to Ω(S^1 \wedge X)\to Ω(S^1 \wedge X \wedge X)$ is a fiber sequence up to homotopy in 2-localized A1-algebraic topology for $X = (S^1)^m \wedge G_m^{\wedge q}$ with $m>1$. It follows that there is an EHP sequence spectral sequence $$Z_{(2)} \otimes π_{n+1+i}^{A1} (S^{2n+2m+1} \wedge (G_m)^{\wedge 2q}) \Rightarrow Z_{(2)} \otimes π_{i}^{A1, s} (S^{m} \wedge (G_m)^{\wedge q}).$$
description: Revisions made at the suggestion of an anonymous referee
title: Characterisation of lens epithelium derived growth factor isoforms in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Studies and significance
Creators: name: Blocksidge, Jemma
Publisher: name: University of Liverpool Repository
Year: 2014

description: Over expression of lens epithelium derived growth factor (LEDGF) is described in a number of different tumours. In addition, self-antibodies against this protein are detectable in patients with lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Alternative splicing of LEDGF results in a number of different isoforms, and thus the initial aim of this thesis was to determine the variability in LEDGF isoform expression in a cohort of CLL cases. Utilising RT-PCR, it is shown that CLL cells variably express four different LEDGF isoforms. The study was then extended to quantitate the expression levels of these four isoforms in individual CLL cases, and to compare them to normal B cells. RT-qPCR analysis showed that the longest of these isoforms, p75, is significantly over expressed, whilst the shortest form, p52bΔE6 is significantly under expressed in CLL, compared to normal B cells. All four isoforms of LEDGF are generally over expressed in CD38 positive CLL cases compared to those that are deficient for surface expression of this molecule. Alternative splicing occurs as a result of the inclusion or exclusion of different exons within the mRNA. This process is governed by the splicing machinery, of which Splicing Factor 3B, subunit 1 (SF3B1) is a critical component. Recently, it has been shown that mutations within SF3B1 are recurrent in CLL. Such mutations impact on the splicing of a significant array of genes within the cell. One of the genes predicted to be affected is LEDGF. Therefore, the mutational status of SF3B1 was examined in the same cohort of CLL cases and correlated with the expression of the LEDGF isoforms. As well as the commonly reported mutations in SF3B1, a novel nonsense mutation was identified. Although not statistically significant, cases with unmutated SF3B1 have higher levels of all isoforms of LEDGF and a possible explanation for this is discussed. That two of the major isoforms of LEDGF (p75 and p52) have differing functions within the cell is well documented and can be explained by virtue of their participation in distinct protein complexes. In order to identify components of the complexes generated by the four LEDGF isoforms identified in this study, stable cell lines exogenously expressing these isoforms were generated. Each of the isoforms was ‘double-tagged’, and a purification protocol optimised that would allow successful characterisation of the complex associated with each isoform. The results provide useful insights and provoke thought for the role of alternative splicing in the altered phenotype of cancer cells and its contribution as an additional epigenetic mechanism in normal and malignant gene regulation.