208 research outputs found
Metal Casting: Implementing the lost wax and waste mold gravity process of metal casting in the public school art program
No full textA Paper Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements in Problems in Art Education 295 by Rodger C. Hansen, August 1969.Hansen, Rodger C. (1969). Metal Casting: Implementing the lost wax and waste mold gravity process of metal casting in the public school art program. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/222631
Long-term effects of treatment and response in patients with chronic hepatitis C on quality of life : an international, multicenter, randomized, controlled study
No full textBackground: Hepatitis C decreases health related quality of life (HRQL) which is further diminished by antiviral therapy. HRQL improves after successful treatment. This trial explores the course of and factors associated with HRQL in patients given individualized or standard treatment based on early treatment response (Ditto-study).
Methods: The Short Form (SF)-36 Health Survey was administered at baseline (n = 192) and 24 weeks after the end of therapy (n = 128).
Results: At baseline HRQL was influenced by age, participating center, severity of liver disease and income. Exploring the course of HRQL (scores at follow up minus baseline), only the dimension general health increased. In this dimension patients with a relapse or sustained response differed from non-responders. Men and women differed in the dimension bodily pain. Treatment schedule did not influence the course of HRQL.
Conclusions: Main determinants of HRQL were severity of liver disease, age, gender, participating center and response to treatment. Our results do not exclude a more profound negative impact of individualized treatment compared to standard, possibly caused by higher doses and extended treatment duration in the individualized group. Antiviral therapy might have a more intense and more prolonged negative impact on females
The nanostructure and degradation of C-S-H in Portland and blended cements
No full textThe microstructure and composition of water and KOH activated hardened pastes of commercial neat white Portland cement (WPC) and blends with 30% fly ash (PFA) have been characterised using a multi-technique approach, With particular emphasis on the nature of the C-S-H phase. The neat and fly ash blended pastes were activated with water or a 5M KOH solution and cured for one year at 25'C, one month at 55'C and one month at 85'C. The mean length of the aluminosilicate anion structure of C-S-H (29 Si MAS NMR) increased with age and it was higher in the fly ash blended systems. Formulae were presented for the average structural units in the C-S-H present in the systems analysed by TEM-EDX. SEM micrographs showed that as hydration occurred,
the microstructure became denser because outer product C-S-H was formed in the water filled spaces and additional C-S-H resulted from the pozzolanic reaction. The chemical
composition of C-S-H could not be determined by SEM-EDX because of intermixing with other phases; TEM-EDX was necessary. Inner product C-S-H morphology was fine and homogeneous and that of outer product C-S-H was fibrillar in the water activated systems and foil-like with alkali activation. Fly ash replacement did not change the morphology of lp and Op C-S-H. Small fully hydrated cement and PFA particles were filled with a less dense lp C-S-H with morphology very similar to the foil-like one. TEM-EDX showed that, in general, the mean Ca/(AI+Si) atomic ratio was lower in the water activated blends than that in the neat cement pastes due to the fly ash reaction. The composition- structure data were discussed in terms of models for the nanostructure of C-S-H.
Higher curing temperature accelerated the rate of the cement hydration. The mean length of the aluminosilicate of the C-S-H anions was much higher than that of C-S-H formed at lower temperatures, and it was also higher in the blended pastes than with neat cement. Backscattered electron images showed that the grey level of C-S-H in the
systems cured at 55T and 85T was in places quite similar to that of the calcium hydroxide: that is, it was brighter than in pastes cured at lower temperature. SEM also showed that the microstructure of the systems cured at higher temperature exhibited non uniform porosity. Inner product C-S-H with a fine scale, homogeneous morphology,
was abundant in all systems cured at 55'C and 85'C. Op C-S-H was generally fibrillar with Nvater, and foil-like with alkali. However, the higher temperature curing did result
in coarser fibrillar morphology (water activated systems) than that formed at lower temperatures.
The C-S-H gel formed in the commercial WPC-30% PFA blended paste hydrated for one year at 25'C and water leached for twelve weeks was also characterised in this work. A matrix effect was clearly observed by 29 Si MAS NMR. Cross-linking of the aluminosilicate anion structure of C-S-H occurred after leaching the sample for four weeks. Formulae were also presented for the average structural units in the C-S-H
present in the unleached and four weeks water leached systems analysed by TEM-EDX. lp C-S-H morphology was fine and homogeneous and Op C-S-H had fibrillar morphology. There were many areas in the microstructure of the leached sample where Op C-S-H with foil-like morphology coexisted with fibrillar Op C-S-H
A Retroreflective Sheeting Selection Technique for Nighttime Drivers' Needs
No full textIn this thesis, the author developed a retroreflective sheeting selection technique for
traffic signs. Previous research was used to determine the luminance needed by drivers
(demand luminance). The author used roadways scenarios to determine the amount of
luminance the retroreflective sheeting on a sign would produce (supply luminance). A
spreadsheet was developed to determine the performance of different retroreflective
sheeting types by comparing the demand and supply luminance for specific roadway
scenarios.
Using the results of previous studies, three demand luminance levels were created:
replacement, adequate, and desirable. The replacement level represents the level of
luminance when a sign needs to be replaced and is 2.5 cd/m2. The adequate level is the
recommended amount of luminance when installing new traffic signs and is 10 cd/m2.
The desirable level is the approximate level when additional luminance has diminishing
returns and is 30 cd/m2.
Supply luminance on a specific traffic sign was determined by evaluating roadway
geometries, sign placement, retroreflective sheeting type and vehicle data. The author
reviewed roadway geometries in Texas to estimate typical number of lanes, shoulder
widths and horizontal curvature in the US. Sign placement from the MUTCD
determined the typical lateral placements, sign heights, and sign twists. Vehicle data
included vehicle dimensions and headlamp type.
Both the supply and demand luminance were determined for a specific viewing distance
for a given scenario. The viewing distance is the distance a driver needs to read or
recognize a sign to respond properly. In addition, the type of sign, alphanumeric or
symbol, determined how this distance was calculated. The author developed four sign
groups to calculate the distance required to read and respond to a traffic sign, including
1) Stop required, 2) Reduction in speed required, 3) Read the message provided, and 4)
Change of lane required.
For symbol signs, the minimum required visibility distance (MRVD) was determined for
the sign group and for text signs, the viewing distance at a legibility index (LI) of 30
ft/in was found. At these distances, the author calculated the supply luminance and then
compared it to the demand luminance levels to determine the performance level.
The author developed the Retroreflective Sheeting Selection Spreadsheet (RSSS) to
allow others to use the methodology presented in this thesis. RSSS allows users to input
the roadway data, vehicle data, and sign data. RSSS takes this information and looks up
the supply luminance for the scenario. RSSS then compares the supply luminance to the
demand luminance levels and outputs the retroreflective sheeting performance level for
the scenario
An exploratory study of community expectations regarding public forests in Western Australia
No full textFor much of the 20th century the management of public forests in Western Australia focused on timber production and economic outputs. Shifts in environmental attitudes over the last four decades have contributed to a much broader set of community expectations. This paper analysed these expectations regarding public forests in south-western Australia at the start of the 21st century. A two-stage survey approach included a face-to-face interview followed by a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of a comprehensive list of 176 items that forests potentially provide, such as conservation, scenery, bushwalking and timber products, and respondents were asked to indicate the extent of their support for each. Those surveyed covered a range of ages and affiliations including academia, conservation, forestry, primary production, Indigenous interests and young people. Clearly evident was strong support for the aesthetic values of these forests and their natural environment, with weaker but still notable support for using forest resources. The comprehensive list of items in the questionnaire provides a novel, rapid means of assessing community expectations, with potential benefits for forestry planning and policy development
Impact of professional vs. peer-led pedometer-based program
No full textPT: J; SU: Suppl. SSource type: Electronic(1
Structural insights into the dynamics and function of the C-terminus of the E. coli RNA chaperone Hfq
No full textThe hexameric Escherichia coli RNA chaperone Hfq (Hfq(Ec)) is involved in riboregulation of target mRNAs by small trans-encoded RNAs. Hfq proteins of different bacteria comprise an evolutionarily conserved core, whereas the C-terminus is variable in length. Although the structure of the conserved core has been elucidated for several Hfq proteins, no structural information has yet been obtained for the C-terminus. Using bioinformatics, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD) spectroscopy and small angle X-ray scattering we provide for the first time insights into the conformation and dynamic properties of the C-terminal extension of Hfq(Ec). These studies indicate that the C-termini are flexible and extend laterally away from the hexameric core, displaying in this way features typical of intrinsically disordered proteins that facilitate intermolecular interactions. We identified a minimal, intrinsically disordered region of the C-terminus supporting the interactions with longer RNA fragments. This minimal region together with rest of the C-terminal extension provides a flexible moiety capable of tethering long and structurally diverse RNA molecules. Furthermore, SRCD spectroscopy supported the hypothesis that RNA fragments exceeding a certain length interact with the C-termini of Hfq(Ec)
A framework to guide the sustainability of wildlife tourism operations: examples of marine wildlife tourism in Western Australia
No full textGrowth in the wildlife tourism industry has been significant in recent years with an increasing focus on tourism centered on free-ranging wildlife. In Australia tourism based in the marine environment, including observing and interacting with coastal and marine wildlife, is increasing in popularity. The future potential for increased growth in marine tourism is dependent upon the abundance and diversity of Australia’s marine wildlife.
Negative impacts of tourism on marine wildlife are difficult to assess as in many cases little is known about the animals or their environment. With the rapid growth in marine tourism the potential for both biophysical and social impacts needs to be recognised. Given the potential impacts and the variable nature of wildlife tourism operations the need arises for a formal auditing and monitoring framework that can identify potential or actual problems and the need for management. This report will examine the opportunities and the barriers in producing a simple, yet reliable framework to assess knowledge available on visitor satisfaction and expectations, identify key areas of product/service improvement, gauge the quality of interpretation programmes, evaluate the effectiveness of impact mitigation strategies and also evaluate the application of key performance indicators for monitoring systems for marine wildlife tourism
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor drugs drive neutrophil granulocyte apoptosis by transcriptional inhibition of the key survival protein MCL-1
No full textThe normal physiological response to bacterial infection or wounding with threat
of infection, termed inflammation, has been shown to be dysregulated in certain
human diseases including (but not limited to): idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, acute
lung injury, arthritis and glomerulonephritis. The earliest arriving and most
abundant cell responding to an inflammatory stimulus is the neutrophil
granulocyte. It has been shown that under inflammatory conditions neutrophil
granulocytes have extended longevity, enhanced responsiveness and upregulated
activation parameters. In the setting of non-infective, or prolonged, ineffectuallycleared
infective disease where resolution of inflammation does not occur then
neutrophil granulocytes may cause tissue damage which is mediated by excessive,
misdirected exocytosis of toxic granule contents or by spillage of the same
products from necrotic or netotic cell carcasses that have lost membrane integrity.
A key process in the resolution of inflammation is the induction of apoptosis in
recruited neutrophils following a successful response to an inflammatory stimulus.
Cellular signalling from apoptotic cells and from professional phagocytes that have
ingested apoptotic cells has been shown to favour resolution of inflammation and
restoration of tissue homeostasis. Additionally, the removal of key inflammatory
cells in a highly regulated, non-phlogistic fashion robustly assists the resolution
process.
Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor drugs are being developed as anti-cancer
agents as it is hypothesized that they should interfere with the enhanced cellcycling
ability (increased proliferative capacity and extended longevity) which is
such a key feature of cancer cell biology. The CDKs that drive the cell cycle are
CDKs 1, 2, 4 and 6 and consequently agents were designed to have enhanced
specificity for these targets. CDK inhibitor drugs target the ATP-binding domain
of CDKs and as a result usually have activity against more than one CDK. The
CDK inhibitor drug, R-roscovitine which targets CDKs 2, 5, 7 and 9 was shown to promote neutrophil apoptosis and consequently resolution of inflammation. This
thesis aims to investigate the mechanism by which apoptosis is induced in
neutrophil granulocytes by CDK inhibitor drugs.
The first experimental chapter of this thesis explores in detail the time-course and
active concentration range of CDK inhibitor drugs in comparison to known
promoters and inhibitors of neutrophil apoptosis. It then dissects the apoptotic
machinery which is responsible for the effects of CDK inhibitor drugs before
investigating their capacity to promote apoptosis even in the presence of survival
mediators relevant to the context of inflammatory disease. Flow-cytometry, light
and confocal microscopy as well as western blotting for caspases, mitochondrial
dissipation assay, fluorometric caspase assay and the detection of DNA laddering
demonstrate that CDK inhibitor drugs promote classical neutrophil apoptosis by
the intrinsic pathway and show similar kinetics of apoptosis induction to drugs
that inhibit transcription.
The second experimental chapter investigates the key neutrophil survival protein
and bcl-2 homologue Mcl-1. By flow cytometry, western blotting and RT-PCR it is
demonstrated that Mcl-1 is down-regulated at the level of transcription and that
this occurs even in the presence of inflammatory mediators that would normally
promote neutrophil survival. Additionally, it is shown that pro-apoptotic bcl-2
homologues are affected to a lesser degree suggesting an imbalance of bcl-2
proteins is caused by effects at a transcriptional level mediated by CDK inhibitor
drugs.
The third experimental chapter identifies CDKs and their binding partner cyclins in
neutrophil granulocytes and investigates the impact of CDK inhibitor drugs on
CDK protein levels and cellular distribution by differential lysis and western
blotting as well as by confocal microscopy. The key transcriptional enzyme RNA
polymerase II is also identified and the effect of CDK inhibitor drugs on phosphorylation of this enzyme is documented. Western blotting and confocal
microscopy demonstrate the presence of key CDKs 2, 5, 7, 9 and cyclin binding
partners of CDKs 7 and 9. It is shown that the phosphorylation of RNA
polymerase II mediated by CDKs 7 and 9 is inhibited by CDK inhibitor drugs.
This suggests that a key mechanism by which neutrophil apoptosis is induced by
CDK inhibitor drugs is the inhibition of transcription of key proteins and suggests
that neutrophils require survival proteins for functional longevity.
The fourth experimental chapter addresses the production and use of HIV-tat
dominant negative CDK 7 and 9 proteins to knockdown CDKs 7 and 9 in
neutrophil granulocytes in vitro to provide a molecular biology surrogate for the
pharmacological data already presented. The cloning, production, purification and
use of HIV-tat dominant negative CDK proteins are described.
The final chapter describes the use of a more specific pharmacological inhibitor of
CDKs 7 and 9, DRB, in the mouse bleomycin lung injury model. Resolution of
inflammation by a compound specifically targeting CDKs 7 and 9 is described.
This thesis identifies CDKs 7 and 9 as key targets of CDK inhibitor drugs in
neutrophilic inflammation. It shows these drugs acting at the level of transcription
to drive neutrophil apoptosis by exploiting the unique dependency of neutrophils
on the short-lived survival protein Mcl-1. In so doing the presence of functional
and essential transcriptional machinery is identified in neutrophils and the
transcriptional profile of resting, stimulated and inhibited neutrophils is delineated.
These findings suggest novel approaches to the pharmacological promotion of
resolution of inflammation and indicate key new targets for rational drug design. In
future, it will be important to further characterize the effects of CDK inhibitor
drugs on other cell-types including epithelial cells, fibroblasts and mononuclear
cells. This information should prove important to the continued investigation of CDK inhibitor drugs in resolution of inflammation and also to the ongoing
experimental trial of these drugs in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Calculating metabolic energy expenditure across a wide range of exercise intensities: the equation matters
No full textWe compared ten published equations for calculating energy expenditure from oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production using data for 10 high-caliber male distance runners over a wide range of running velocities. We found up to a 5.2% difference in calculated metabolic rate between two widely used equations. We urge our fellow researchers abandon out-of-date equations with published acknowledgments of errors or inappropriate biochemical/physical assumptions.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author
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