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  Bioinformatics analysis of epigenetic variants associated with melanoma

  Poterlowicz, Krzysztof; Murat, Katarzyna (University of BradfordDepartment of Chemistry and Biosciences, 2018)

  The field of cancer genomics is currently being enhanced by the power of Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS). Over the last couple of years comprehensive sequence data sets have been generated, allowing analysis of genome-wide activity in cohorts of different individuals to be increasingly available. Finding associations between epigenetic variation and phenotype is one of the biggest challenges in biomedical research. Laboratories lacking dedicated resources and programming experience require bioinformatics expertise which can be prohibitively costly and time-consuming. To address this, we have developed a collection of freely available Galaxy tools (Poterlowicz, 2018a), combining analytical methods into a range of convenient analysis pipelines with graphical user-friendly interface.The tool suite includes methods for data preprocessing, quality assessment and differentially methylated region and position discovery. The aim of this project was to make EWAS analysis flexible and accessible to everyone and compatible with routine clinical and biological use. This is exemplified by my work undertaken by integrating DNA methylation profiles of melanoma patients (at baseline and mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor MAPKi treatment) to identify novel epigenetic switches responsible for tumour resistance to therapy (Hugo et al., 2015). Configuration files are publicly published on our GitHub repository (Poterlowicz, 2018b) with scripts and dependency settings also available to download and install via Galaxy test toolshed (Poterlowicz, 2018a). Results and experiences using this framework demonstrate the potential for Galaxy to be a bioinformatics solution for multi-omics cancer biomarker discovery tool.
• Propagation channel models for 5G mobile networks. Simulation and measurements of 5G propagation channel models for indoor and outdoor environments covering both LOS and NLOS Scenarios

  Abd-Alhameed, Raed A.; Manan, Waqas (University of BradfordFaculty of Engineering and Informatics, 2018)

  At present, the current 4G systems provide a universal platform for broadband mobile services; however, mobile traffic is still growing at an unprecedented rate and the need for more sophisticated broadband services is pushing the limits on current standards to provide even tighter integration between wireless technologies and higher speeds. This has led to the need for a new generation of mobile communications: the so-called 5G. Although 5G systems are not expected to penetrate the market until 2020, the evolution towards 5G is widely accepted to be the logical convergence of internet services with existing mobile networking standards leading to the commonly used term “mobile internet” over heterogeneous networks, with several Gbits/s data rate and very high connectivity speeds. Therefore, to support highly increasing traffic capacity and high data rates, the next generation mobile network (5G) should extend the range of frequency spectrum for mobile communication that is yet to be identified by the ITU-R. The mm-wave spectrum is the key enabling feature of the next-generation cellular system, for which the propagation channel models need to be predicted to enhance the design guidance and the practicality of the whole design transceiver system. The present work addresses the main concepts of the propagation channel behaviour using ray tracing software package for simulation and then results were tested and compared against practical analysis in a real-time environment. The characteristics of Indoor-Indoor (LOS and NLOS), and indoor-outdoor (NLOS) propagations channels are intensively investigated at four different frequencies; 5.8 GHz, 26GHz, 28GHz and 60GHz for vertical polarized directional, omnidirectional and isotropic antennas patterns. The computed data achieved from the 3-D Shooting and Bouncing Ray (SBR) Wireless Insite based on the effect of frequency dependent electrical properties of building materials. Ray tracing technique has been utilized to predict multipath propagation characteristics in mm-wave bands at different propagation environments. Finally, the received signal power and delay spread were computed for outdoor-outdoor complex propagation channel model at 26 GHz, 28 GHz and 60GHz frequencies and results were compared to the theoretical models.
• Impact of state fragility on capital flows and economic growth in Nigeria

  Jalilian, Hossein; Potts, David J.; Laniran, Temitope J. (University of BradfordFaculty of Social Sciences, 2018)

  This thesis aims to investigate the impact of state fragility on capital inflows and economic growth in Nigeria over the period 1980-2015. In line with existing studies, it adopts an augmented neoclassical growth model where capital is divided into domestic and foreign capital inflows (FDI, ODA and Remittances). Using an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach to co-integration, significant long-run relationship was confirmed between state fragility, capital flows and economic growth. The results reveal domestic capital to be very significant and contribute positively to economic growth. Similarly it was observed that remittances remain a very crucial form of capital flow to Nigeria and that the presence of state fragility makes it more significant. For ODA a positive contribution to economic growth was observed, however, the presence of state fragility renders it insignificant. In the case of FDI, the study found a negative relationship between FDI and economic growth albeit insignificant. However, the presence of state fragility makes it significant but still negative. A negative relationship was also observed between state fragility and economic growth. These findings, implies that while the issue of state fragility needs to be addressed and concerted efforts put into building state resilience, not just for the direct impact of state fragility on the economy, but also its impact on the economy through other channels such as capital flows.
• Antenna design using optimization techniques over various computaional electromagnetics. Antenna design structures using genetic algorithm, Particle Swarm and Firefly algorithms optimization methods applied on several electromagnetics numerical solutions and applications including antenna measurements and comparisons

  Abd-Alhameed, Raed A.; Abdussalam, Fathi M.A. (University of BradfordFaculty of Engineering and Informatics, 2018)

  Dealing with the electromagnetic issue might bring a sort of discontinuous and nondifferentiable regions. Thus, it is of great interest to implement an appropriate optimisation approach, which can preserve the computational resources and come up with a global optimum. While not being trapped in local optima, as well as the feasibility to overcome some other matters such as nonlinear and phenomena of discontinuous with a large number of variables. Problems such as lengthy computation time, constraints put forward for antenna requirements and demand for large computer memory, are very common in the analysis due to the increased interests in tackling high-scale, more complex and higher-dimensional problems. On the other side, demands for even more accurate results always expand constantly. In the context of this statement, it is very important to find out how the recently developed optimization roles can contribute to the solution of the aforementioned problems. Thereafter, the key goals of this work are to model, study and design low profile antennas for wireless and mobile communications applications using optimization process over a computational electromagnetics numerical solution. The numerical solution method could be performed over one or hybrid methods subjective to the design antenna requirements and its environment. Firstly, the thesis presents the design and modelling concept of small uni-planer Ultra- Wideband antenna. The fitness functions and the geometrical antenna elements required for such design are considered. Two antennas are designed, implemented and measured. The computed and measured outcomes are found in reasonable agreement. Secondly, the work is also addressed on how the resonance modes of microstrip patches could be performed using the method of Moments. Results have been shown on how the modes could be adjusted using MoM. Finally, the design implications of balanced structure for mobile handsets covering LTE standards 698-748 MHz and 2500-2690 MHz are explored through using firefly algorithm method. The optimised balanced antenna exhibits reasonable matching performance including near-omnidirectional radiations over the dual desirable operating bands with reduced EMF, which leads to a great immunity improvement towards the hand-held.
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  The Impact of Visual Representations of Leadership in Tribal Dominated Societies: A critical qualitative study of aesthetic leadership in the United Arab Emirates

  Kelly, Simon; Harding, Nancy H.; Bitar, Amer (University of BradfordSchool of Management, 2017)

  This thesis explores the role and impact of leadership as a socially constructed and aesthetic phenomenon in tribal-dominated Bedouin Arabia. The concept of leadership is investigated in terms of its discursive and aesthetic dimensions across different geographical, historical, and intellectual settings by adopting and applying a Foucauldian perspective of interconnected concepts of power/knowledge, discourse, subjectivity, body symbolism and the power of gaze. The thesis draws on three related types of data: First, images to understand the leaders’ perspective. Second, interviews with artists to gain insights into the visual message and the creative process. Third, through semi-structured interviews with the audience to garner an understanding of how it perceives the message leaders send. This thesis contributes theoretically to ongoing research into the visual representation of leadership and to critical debates concerning Foucauldian perspectives on discourse, power, discipline and the body. This thesis concludes by recommending practical implications for rethinking leadership as something both aesthetic and mythical to consider the role of followership in the consumption of leadership-themed visual artworks and communication, and the growing global role and influence of social media in shaping leader-follower relations.

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