University of the Sunshine Coast
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Identification and characterization of a crustacean female sex hormone in the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
No full textThe giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is an important aquaculture species in many Asian-Pacific countries due to its high economic value. A better understanding of hormones that regulate reproductive processes, including development and maturation of gametes, will facilitate more efficient breeding and larval production in prawn aquaculture. In this study, we identified four gene transcripts from the M. rosenbergii that encode crustacean female sex hormones (CFSHs), which were designated as MroCFSH1a, MroCFSH1b, MroCFSH2a and MroCFSH2b, based on primary sequence and phylogeny. We also show that CFSH may have evolved from an ancestral protein similar to the interleukin 17. All MroCFSH genes are present in the central nervous system (CNS) as well as in other tissues, including the ovaries and testes. The expression level of all MroCFSH during ovarian development is significantly higher in the CNS compared to the ovary. In the brain, MroCFSH expression is localized to small-sized neurons of neuronal clusters 9, 10, and 11, and in the medium- and large-sized neurons of neuronal clusters 14 and 15; regions known to regulate feeding and reproductive behaviors. In the ovary, MroCFSHs expression are found in the oogonia, previtellogenic and early vitellogenic oocytes. A role for CFSHs in M. rosenbergii reproduction was supported following experimental administration of serotonin to ovarian explant cultures, showing an upregulation of MroCFSHs
Additive Effectiveness of Mindfulness Meditation to a School-Based Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Alcohol Intervention for Adolescents
No full textThis randomized controlled trial is the 1st study to evaluate the additive efficacy of mindfulness meditation to brief school-based universal cognitive behavior therapy (CBT MM) for adolescent alcohol consumption. Previous studies have lacked strong controls for nonspecific effects, and treatment mechanisms remain unclear. The present study compared a CBT MM condition to an active control CBT intervention with progressive muscle relaxation (CBT PMR) for nonspecific effects and an assessment-only control (AoC). Method: Cluster sampling was used to recruit Australian adolescents (N 404; 62% female) ages 13-17 years (M 14.99, SD .66) of mostly AustralianNew Zealand or European descent. School classes were randomized to 3 intervention conditions (CBT PMR 8 classes, CBT MM 7 classes, AoC 7 classes), and adolescents completed preintervention, postintervention, and 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments, including measures of alcohol consumption, mindfulness, impulsivity, and the alcohol-related cognitions of alcohol expectancies and drinking refusal self-efficacy. Results: Multilevel modeling analyses revealed that both intervention conditions reduced the growth of alcohol consumption compared to the AoC (b .18, p .014), although CBT MM was no more effective than was CBT PMR (b .06, p .484). Negative alcohol expectancies increased for adolescents in the intervention conditions compared to the AoC (b 1.09, p .012), as did positive alcohol expectancies (b 1.30, p .008). There was no effect of interventions on mindfulness, drinking refusal self-efficacy, or impulsivity. Conclusions: There was no evidence of mindfulness-specific effects beyond existing effects of CBT within a brief universal school-based CBT intervention. Hypothesized mechanisms of change were largely unsupported
Residual stress distribution in self-piercing rivet joint of high strength steel
No full textManufacturing industries throughout the world are constantly facing the pressure to reduce carbon emissions. The automobile industries strategy for reducing carbon emissions are targeted at reducing the overall weight of the car body. Efforts to accomplish this haven been based on clever materials selection that suggests using materials like aluminium and magnesium with high strength to weight ratio in place of the traditional steel. However, these lightweight alloys are difficult or sometimes impossible to join by the traditional joining methods such as welding. As a result, self-piercing riveting (SPR) is increasingly used for joining required for assembly of components in automobile industries. In SPR, a mechanical interlock is created by the rivet. However, the rivet material should have enough hardness to pierce the top sheet and have enough ductility to deform plastically in the bottom sheet. Due to the rapid introduction of lightweight high strength alloys, joining ability of a rivet becomes more limited. It is necessary to understand the residual stress in SPR joints. Residual stress was measured in rivets of two different SPR joints using neutron diffraction technique. It was observed that the stresses that developed inside the SPR joints was compressive and the magnitude of the residual stress was low in the softer material in comparison with the harder material. It was also evident that the neutron diffraction can detect a crack in the rivet tip which was not evident from a cross-section. The results are discussed based on the physical movements of materials in SPR joining process
Healthy aging affects cerebrovascular reactivity and pressure-flow responses, but not neurovascular coupling: A cross-sectional study
No full textBackground and purpose: Aging leads to alterations in cerebrovascular function, and these are thought to contribute to cognitive decline/dementia. Disturbances to cerebral blood flow regulation have been reported, but the findings are inconsistent and to date no study has comprehensively tested the collective and independent contribution of these parameters in the same age range. Such lines of enquiry are vital since aging is a heterogeneous and complex process, with cerebrovascular parameters being differentially affected depending on the individual. A multicomponent comprehensive measure of cerebrovascular function, which accounts for such diversity, is needed to differentiate between healthy young and old adults. Methods: We tested the effect of aging on cerebrovascular function by comparing healthy young adults aged 18–30 and older adults aged 60–75, without cognitive impairments. Cerebrovascular blood flow velocity was assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Parameters included resting middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv), neurovascular coupling, cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 (hypercapnia and hypocapnia), and the pressure-flow response during a sit-to-stand procedure. Results: MANOVA revealed that collectively, the parameters discriminated the groups (p < .001). MCAv and pressure-flow responses were lower in the older group (p < .001). While there were no differences in hypercapnic responses (p = .908) and neurovascular coupling (p = .517), hypocapnic responses were elevated in the old (p = .002). Conclusions: Collectively, cerebrovascular parameters can distinguish between healthy young and older adults, with aging leading to reductions in MCAv, and altering cerebrovascular reactivity and pressure-flow responses under hypotensive conditions
A Prototype of an Electromagnetic Induction Sensor for Non-Destructive Estimation of the Presence of Corrosive Chemicals Ensuing Concrete Corrosion
No full textThe corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete often leads to huge unbudgeted expenses for maintaining, monitoring and renovating an infrastructure. This is mainly due to the presence of salts or chemical chlorides that pose a danger to the concrete structures. The determination of the existence of these corrosive salts is vital for defining the service life of concrete. This research looked at developing an electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensor for the detection of corrosive salts. The first design adopted a single-loop coil (SLC) concept, and the second was based on a multiple-loop coil (MLC) one using copper wire. Tests were conducted on these two techniques, and with the results obtained, the latter seemed more promising; thus, a prototype sensor was developed using the MLC concept. As this new prototype sensor was able to detect the manifestation of chemical contents in a concrete structure, it could be used as a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique for the detection of corrosive chemicals in concrete and has the further possibility of detecting corrosion in concrete
Personality traits of a good liar: A systematic review of the literature
No full textAlthough deception is used by many high-risk occupations, including military leaders, lawyers and politicians, there are currently no selection tests to determine which people have superior lie production abilities for these roles. The lack of selection tests is particularly crucial in the high-risk covert roles of undercover operations and human source management within policing. This paper uses the PRISMA systematic review technique to summarise and synthesis the extant literature examining deception theories and lie production. This paper also examines the relationship between lie production and Emotional Intelligence, and the personality traits of the Dark Triad and the HEXACO, to elucidate the characteristics of good liars. The scant research published within this field has been conducted with a variety of experimental designs and dependent variables. Generally, results indicate that the traits, skills and abilities behind sender demeanour, such as believability and honesty, may be fundamental to lie production ability. These characteristics could be considered in selection testing for to identify people with the ability to deceive effectively
Gold nanorods embedded in polymeric film for killing bacteria by generating reactive oxygen species with light
No full textFor the first time, anisotropic gold nanorods (AuNRs) were embedded with a photosensitizer dye (crystal violet) in polyurethane (PU) matrix to create the effective antimicrobial film, capable of killing gram negative bacteria on its surface when exposed to white light. The dye, when activated with white light, interact with the AuNRs, to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) which kill bacteria. With a proper control of the aspect ratio (2.1-2.4) and coating of the AuNRs, the film can be tuned to reduce the bacteria population of one to four orders of magnitude (1-log to 4-log) under 11 klux of light, for an exposure to light between 1 to 3 h. Particularly it could reduce 104 cfu/cm2 to the level of 1 – 5 cfu/cm2 in 3 h of light exposure. This was a desired performance for use in hospital surfaces. In addition, the system showed antimicrobial effect only when exposed to light which eliminated the concern for a cumulative toxic effect on subjects exposed to the material for a long period of time and limits the time given to the bacteria to develop resistance against the system. Furthermore, this process of sterilization could be carried out by a commercially available white light lamp, which when in use did not interrupt the normal routine operation of the environment
An Introduction to Software Verification with Whiley
No full textThis tutorial introduces the basic ideas of software specification and verification, which are important techniques for assuring the quality of software and eliminating common kinds of errors such as buffer overflow. The tutorial takes a practical hands-on approach using the Whiley language and its verifying compiler. This verifying compiler uses an automated proof engine to try to prove that the code will execute without errors and will satisfy its specifications. Each section of the tutorial includes exercises that can be checked using the online Whiley Labs website
Maar stories: how oral traditions aid understanding of maar volcanism and associated phenomena during pre-literate times
No full textAncient stories recalling catastrophic events were developed, sometimes encoded in myth, and passed down across several millennia in largely oral contexts. Volcanism is well suited to such stories and there are examples of extant stories recalling eruptions that occurred several millennia ago. This study focuses on a subset of these stories—those that recall the formation and subsequent (hazard-related) manifestations of maar volcanoes. Because these form as a result of the mixing of magma and groundwater, which produces explosive phreatomagmatic eruptions, they are among the most memorable catastrophic volcanic phenomena. Ancient stories recalling maar formation are known from Australia where cultural isolation for most of the past 65,000 years explains the extraordinary longevity and replication fidelity of such stories. Stories referring to the postformation developments of maars from Lake Albano in Italy are also described, together with less readily interpreted stories from elsewhere. Motif analysis suggests that preliterate peoples incorporated their observations of maar formation into stories as the shrieks of birds (escaping gas) and the approach of demons (eruptions), as well as narrative details such as the sky turning red and the ground surface twisting and cracking. Motifs referring to posteruption activity at maars include those that recall craters filling with water and ones that recall associated breaches of crater rims, lahars, and flooding downslope. The existence of maar stories of the kinds described and their demonstrable potential for adding detail and explanation to particular events several millennia ago should encourage geographers to treat such information sources with more respect than has been customary
Cardiac myocyte KLF5 regulates body weight via alteration of cardiac FGF21
No full textCardiac metabolism affects systemic energetic balance. Previously, we showed that Krüppel-like factor (KLF)-5 regulates cardiomyocyte PPARα and fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression in diabetes. We surprisingly found that cardiomyocyte-specific KLF5 knockout mice (αMHC-KLF5−/−) have accelerated diet-induced obesity, associated with increased white adipose tissue (WAT). Alterations in cardiac expression of the mediator complex subunit 13 (Med13) modulates obesity. αMHC-KLF5−/− mice had reduced cardiac Med13 expression likely because KLF5 upregulates Med13 expression in cardiomyocytes. We then investigated potential mechanisms that mediate cross-talk between cardiomyocytes and WAT. High fat diet-fed αMHC-KLF5−/− mice had increased levels of cardiac and plasma FGF21, while food intake, activity, plasma leptin, and natriuretic peptides expression were unchanged. Consistent with studies reporting that FGF21 signaling in WAT decreases sumoylation-driven PPARγ inactivation, αMHC-KLF5−/− mice had less SUMO-PPARγ in WAT. Increased diet-induced obesity found in αMHC-KLF5−/− mice was absent in αMHC-[KLF5−/−;FGF21−/−] double knockout mice, as well as in αMHC-FGF21−/− mice that we generated. Thus, cardiomyocyte-derived FGF21 is a component of pro-adipogenic crosstalk between heart and WAT