94 research outputs found
Assessing the impact of climate change on the net ecosystem exchange of Irish grasslands : a case study of CO? efflux using multiple microcosm enclosure facilities
No full textTHESIS 10162It is now widely accepted that human activity is having a discernible
effect on the global climate, and these changes will impact upon the
functioning of many of the planet\u27s natural systems (Cox et al, 2000;
Trumbore, 2006). Grassland ecosystems exhibit a large interannual
variability in their annual NEE (Flanagan et al., 2002, Ma et al., 2007)
and as a consequence their role in the global C cycle remains uncertain
Tissue engineering of a tracheal substitute
No full textLectin histochemistry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to assess the growth and characterise the differentiation of human respiratory epithelial cells (REC) cultured on two biomaterial scaffolds. The first scaffold, based on a hyaluronic acid derivative, was observed to be non-adhesive for REC. This lack of adhesion was found to be unrelated to the presence of the hyaluronic acid binding domain on the surface of isolated REC. The other scaffold, consisting of equine collagen, was observed to encourage REC spreading and adhesion. Positive Ulex Europaeus agglutinin (UEA) lectin staining of this preparation indicated the presence of ciliated REC on the scaffold surface. However, the marked decrease in peanut agglutinin (PNA) positive staining, relative to that of control cultures and native tissue, indicates a dedifferentiation of the secretory cells in monolayer. SEM analysis of REC cultured on the collagen scaffold confirmed the presence of ciliated cells thereby validating the UEA positive staining. The presence of both established and developing cilia was also verified. This indicates that collagen biomaterials are appropriate for the tissue engineering of REC. Furthermore, that UEA and PNA staining is a useful tool in the characterisation of cells cultured on biomaterials, therefore helpful in identifying biomaterials that are suitable for specific tissue engineering purposes.
The culture of REC at an air liquid interface (ALI) was investigated. Both conventional ALI inserts and the Biofleece scaffold were used. The cells grown the on conventional inserts became multilayered and showed some degree of ciliation after the period of ten days. The cells grown on the Biofleece scaffold became necrotic and died due to nutrient deprivation. The use of ALI culture techniques on scaffold materials needs to be adjusted to allow for sufficient nutrient supply to the cells.
The Biofleece scaffold was found to be suitable for the tissue engineering of cartilage in vitro. Constructs with a cartilage-like morphology were generated with the scaffold after two weeks in culture. The tissue-engineered cartilage was found to contain a higher number of cells and less extracellular matrix (ECM) than the native tissue controls. Suction seeding techniques were used to improve the distribution of cells within the scaffold and thereby increase the overall efficiency of cartilage tissue engineering within the scaffold. Alcian blue (AB) and Papanicolau (PN) stains of the tissue engineered cartilage described two distinct regions within the constructs, namely the developed cartilage-like region and the developing region. The latter is thought to be areas in which the cartilage cells are yet to fully remodel the scaffold material and deposit their own “native” ECM. However, the Biofleece scaffold material was observed to loose 40-50% of its initial volume during the tissue engineering process over a period of two weeks. Thus the degradation of the Biofleece scaffold exceeds the rate of maturation of the cartilage tissue within the scaffold. This rapid biodegradation is most likely a result of matrixmetalloproteinase (MMP), in particular collagenase, production by the maturing chondrocytes. This reduction in size means that the Biofleece scaffold is not an appropriate material for the tissue engineering of a trachea. The optimal biomaterial for the tissue engineering of a trachea would degrade at a rate equal too, or slower than, the time taken for the cells within the scaffold to mature into functional tissue.
The co-culture of REC and chondrocytes was achieved through the use of matrigel as a basement membrane replacement (note that direct growth of REC on cartilage tissue has been observed to be difficult). The co-cultured constructs were not stable because the Biofleece scaffold degrades at a high rate in the presence of both cell types. The constructs were observed to shrink to approximately 35-30% of the original dimensions in a period of 3-7 days. The reason for this accelerated degradation is not known but is most likely the result of severe MMP production by the two cell types when in combination.
It was concluded that the characterisation procedures used in this study (histochemical staining, fluorescent staining and scanning electron microscopy) for both REC and chondrocyte tissue engineered constructs are appropriate for this and further studies. The chondrocyte seeding methodologies in particular are a useful tool for tissue engineering. This study succeeds in many ways to investigate the tissue engineering of a tracheal substitute by detailing how REC and chondrocytes can be cultured on biomaterials and assessed for tissue development. However, the study does not deliver such a viable substitute as an end product. The primary reason for this outcome is the rapid degradation of the Biofleece scaffold materialLectin Histochemie und Elektronenmikroskopie wurden benutzt, um das Wachstum von humanen respiratorischen Epithelzellen (RECs), welche auf zwei Biomaterialien kultiviert wurden, festzusetzen und ihren Differenzierungsgrad zu bestimmen. Das erste Trägermaterial, welches auf einem Hyaluronsäurederivat basiert, ließ keine Anheftung der RECs zu. Diese fehlende Anheftung ließ sich jedoch nicht zurückführen auf das Vorhandensein der Hyaluronsäure bindenden Domaine auf der Oberfläche isolierter RECs. Das andere Trägermaterial, aus Pferdekollagen hergestellt, zeigte dagegen eine verstärkte Teilungsaktivität und Anheftung der REC. Die positive Ulex Europaeus Agglutinin (UEA) Lectin Färbung dieser Proben ließ die Anwesenheit von mit Zilien versehenen RECs auf der Trägerstoffoberfläche vermuten. Darüber hinaus weist das im Vergleich zu Kontrollkulturen und nativem Gewebe deutliche Nachlassen der positiven Peanut Agglutinin–Färbereaktion auf eine Dedifferenzierung der sekretorischen Zellen in der Monolayer-Kultur hin. Die rasterelektronenmikroskopische Untersuchung der auf dem Kollagenbiomaterial kultivierten RECs bestätigte das Auftreten von Zellen mit Zilien und damit auch die Aussagekräftigkeit der positiven UEA–Färbung. Dies zeigt somit, dass Biomaterialien aus Kollagen für das Tissue Engineering von RECs geeignet sind und dass sowohl die UEA–als auch die PNA–Färbung geeignete Methoden zur Charakterisierung von Zellen darstellen, die auf Biomaterialien kultiviert wurden. Somit helfen sie bei der Identifizierung von Biomaterialien für bestimmte Einsatzgebiete im Tissue Engineering.
Des weiteren wurde die Kultivierung von RECs auf einem Air liquid interface (ALI) untersucht, wobei sowohl der konventionelle ALI–Einsatz als auch das Biovliesmaterial zum Einsatz kamen. Dabei wuchsen die Zellen auf dem konventionellen Einsatz in Multilayern und zeigten nach einem Zeitraum von 10 Tagen einen bestimmten Anteil an Ziliierung. Die Zellen auf dem Biovlies dagegen wurden nekrotisch und gingen schließlich an Nahrungsmangel ein. Deshalb muss der Einsatz von ALI–Kulturtechniken bei Trägermaterialien dementsprechend modifiziert werden, dass eine ausreichende Versorgung der Zellen mit Nährstoffen gewährleistet ist.
Für das in vitro–Tissue Engineering von Knorpel erwies sich das Biovlies jedoch als geeignet. Mit ihm konnten nach zwei Wochen Kulturzeit Konstrukte mit einer knorpelähnlichen Morphologie erzeugt werden. Dabei zeigte sich, dass der Tissue Engineering–Knorpel eine höhere Zellzahl bei reduzierter extrazellulärer Matrix (ECM) aufwies als vergleichbares natives Kontrollgewebe. Dabei wurden Saugtechniken benutzt, um die Verteilung der Zellen im Trägerstoff zu verbessern. Die Alzian – Blau – Färbung (AB) und Papanicolau – Färbung (PN) zeigten bei dem Tissue Engineering–Knorpel zwei unterschiedliche Regionen innerhalb des Konstrukts, nämlich eine knorpelähnliche bereits entwickelte Region und eine sich entwickelnde Region. Bei letzterer dürfte es sich wohl um Gebiete handeln, in denen Zellen noch im Begriff sind, den Trägerstoff vollends umzubauen und ihre eigene „native“ ECM abzulagern. Nichtsdestoweniger büßte das Biovlies während des Tissue Engineering Prozesses über einen Zeitraum von zwei Wochen annähernd 40-50 % seines anfänglichen Volumens ein. Somit übersteigt das Ausmaß der Degradation des Biovlieses das des Heranreifens von Knorpelgewebe in dem Trägermaterial. Diese schnelle Biodegradation ist am ehesten das Ergebnis der Aktivität von Matrixmetalloproteinasen (MMP), insbesondere der Kollagenase, welche von reifenden Chondrozyten produziert wird. Diese Schrumpfung bedeutet also, dass das Biovlies kein geeignetes Material für das Tissue Engineering der Trachea darstellt. Denn ein optimales Biomaterial für das Tissue Engineering der Trachea sollte sich innerhalb derselben Zeit bzw. über einen längeren Zeitraum hinweg abbauen, als innerhalb desjenigen, den die sich in dem Trägermaterial befindlichen Zellen benötigen, um zu funktionalem Gewebe heranzureifen.
Durch den Einsatz von Matrigel als Ersatz für die Basalmembran konnte eine Kokultur aus RECs und Chondrozyten etabliert werden (wobei anzumerken ist, dass sich direktes Wachstum von RECs auf Knorpelgewebe als problematisch erweist). Die Konstrukte aus Kokulturen waren nicht stabil, da das Biovlies in Anwesenheit beider Zelltypen hochgradig abgebaut wird. Innerhalb von 3–7 Tagen schrumpften die Konstrukte auf ca. 35–50 % ihrer Ausgangsgröße zusammen. Der Grund für diesen beschleunigten Abbau ist unbekannt, jedoch ist am ehesten eine ausgeprägte Produktion von MMP durch die beiden Zellarten anzunehmen, sobald diese in Kombination vorliegen.
Insgesamt lässt sich sagen, dass die Methoden zur Zell- und Gewebecharakterisierung, welche in dieser Studie benutzt wurden (histochemische Färbungen, Fluoreszenzfärbung und Elektronenmikroskopie) sowohl für mit RECs als auch mit Chondrozyten hergestellte Konstrukte für die vorliegende Arbeit als auch zukünftige Studien als geeignet anzusehen sind. Diese Studie hat in vielerlei Hinsicht erfolgreich das Tissue Engineering einer Luftröhre untersuchen können, indem sie im Detail aufzeigt, wie RECs und Chondrozyten auf Biomaterialien kultiviert und für das Tissue Engineering eingesetzt werden können. Trotzdem kann diese Arbeit kein einsetzbares Ersatzmaterial als Endprodukt liefern. Der Hauptgrund für dieses Ergebnis ist in erster Linie in dem schnellen Abbau des Biovlieses als Trägermaterial zu sehen
Planting trees in livestock landscapes to protect soil and water also delivers carbon sequestration
No full textAcknowledgements We are thankful with FAO, MAE and MAG field teams for their support on field activities.Peer reviewe
Finding a Sense of Landscape with Web-Based Interactive Cave Mapping: A Case Study for Part of Fitton Cave, Arkansas
No full textThe geovisualization methods for Web-based interactive and 3-D cave mapping were explored in this study using parts of Fitton Cave in Buffalo National River, Arkansas. This study examines the applicability of traditional cartographic designs and principles to the new Web-based display platform. The Web-based interactive map and animated map created in this study allow scientists in the fields of speleology and cave management to effectively support cave research and management. They can also serve the general public for the educational purpose of finding a sense of landscape, which cannot be found with traditional 2-D cave maps. The interactive GIS map contains layers of topographic, cave, and imagery data, and provides tools for customization, user-friendly browsing, and 3-D fly-through, as well as information tools that allow users to obtain details of cave properties. In order to accomplish the proposed mapping goals, the author first used a Backpack-Portable Inertial Navigation (B-PIN) to collect data points of cave passage elevations in the field. Elevation points were then interpolated to generate 3-D cave representations using the empirically-determined optimal interpolation technique and parameter. The cave mapping methodology developed in this study has implications for other Web-based interactive and 3-D mapping applications
'Staying safe' – A narrative review of falls prevention in people with Parkinson’s -'PDSAFE'
No full textThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Taylor & Francis via the DOI in this record.Background:
Parkinson's disease demonstrates a spectrum of motor and non-motor symptoms. Falling is
common and disabling. Current medical management shows minimal impact to reduce falls, or
fall related risk factors such as deficits in gait, strength and postural instability. Despite evidence
supporting rehabilitation in reducing fall risk factors, the most appropriate intervention to reduce
overall fall rate remains inconclusive.
This paper aims to 1) synthesise current evidence and conceptual models of falls rehabilitation in
Parkinson's in a narrative review; and based on this evidence 2) introduce the treatment protocol
used in the falls prevention, multi-centre clinical trial 'PDSAFE'.
Method: Search of four bibliographic databases using the terms ‘Parkinson*’ and ‘Fall*’ combined
with each of the following; ‘Rehab*, Balanc*, Strength*, Strateg*and Exercis*' and a framework for
narrative review was followed.
3557 papers were identified, 416 were selected for review. The majority report the impact of
rehabilitation on isolated fall risk factors. Twelve directly measure the impact on overall fall rate.
Discussion: Results were used to construct a narrative review with conceptual discussion based
on the 'International Classification of Functioning’, leading to presentation of the 'PDSAFE'
intervention protocol.
Conclusion: Evidence suggests training single, fall risk factors may not affect overall fall rate.
Combining with behavioural and strategy training in a functional, personalised multi-dimensional
model, addressing all components of the ‘International Classification of Functioning’ is likely to
provide a greater influence on falls reduction.
'PDSAFE' is a multi-dimensional, physiotherapist delivered, individually tailored, progressive,
home-based programme. It is designed with a strong evidence based approach and illustrates a
model for the clinical delivery of the conceptual theory discussed.This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technologies Assessment
programme (project number 10/57/21). VG is supported by the National Institute of Health Research
Collaboration for Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula.
Finding and exploiting structure in gridded geoscience datasets
No full textThis thesis was scanned from the print manuscript for digital preservation and is copyright the author.
Researchers can access this thesis by asking their local university, institution or public library to
make a request on their behalf. Monash staff and postgraduate students can use the link in the References field
Land use and agriculture
No full textFor this chapter: lead author: Peter Harper; contributing authors: Josie Wexler,
Martin Kemp, Elena Perez-Minana. Reviewers, seminar participants and additional contributors: Paul Allen, Godfrey Boyle, Grace Crabb, Chris Dixon, Robert Evans, Mariska Evelein, Simon Fairlie,
Clive Faulkner, Martin Fitton, Michael Fullen, Andy Goldring, David Hood, Julie Ingram, James Macduff, Michael Macleod, Alan McDonald, George Monbiot, Ken Neal, Elena Perez-Minana, Clare Rhydwen,Deepak Rughani, Saran Sohi, Chloe Ward, Martin Wolfe, Dominic Woolf, Marcus Zipperlen. A full copy of the new report is available as a free pdf download
Sacred space of the diaspora as exhibition space embodying spiritual heritage, culture, values and tradition. (Draft)
No full textThe paper was presented at conference but has not been published as a paper from conference proceedings but has been selected to be included in the book of chapters on conference proceedingsSacred space of the diaspora as exhibition space embodying spiritual heritage, culture, values and tradition.
This chapter aims to critically analyse the sacred space of the diaspora as exhibition space; in the context of the UK, and suggests that there are potential opportunities for design professionals and museum curators, with expertise in lateral disciplines such as museum and exhibition design, to actively engage with religious organisations to improve on the narratives that currently exist within these environments; thereby instilling greater cultural awareness and enhanced opportunities for inter-cultural dialogue.
Most diaspora religious groups in the UK combine, in their sacred buildings, space for spiritual observance, community activity and exhibition. The latter often reflects on the development of the particular religious community within their chosen location in their new home country. Often it is much more - charting the lives of the Gurus and their significant achievements, and sacred artefacts.
Five years ago the author was approached to design the new Swaminarayan Hindu temple in Leicester, UK. The result of this was the re-thinking of the form of religious space, with the potential to foster a new openness and a more contemporary interpretation of the religion; creating a space that would not only resonate spiritually with the resident faith community but could also be used as a tool for teaching, learning and fostering community cohesion.
This experience, alongside the observation of museum and exhibition spaces within the sacred spaces of the diaspora, presented a number of questions: can sacred spaces be considered as museum or exhibition spaces? Do they fulfil the same roles as a museum; these roles bearing remarkable similarities to those performed by sacred spaces of the diaspora.
This is particularly so in the context of a resource used by schools, as part of their religious education programme which promotes the understanding of other religions, partially through study trips to places of worship.
Using the design of the Swaminarayan community complex as a case study, this chapter will introduce the idea of the temple interior as a meta-narrative, which can be interpreted on many levels dependent upon the individual life experience of the observer/translator. The space embodies, in its design, important aspects of the faith and culture of its users: Heritage, Culture and Values; significant in their home country, India, but especially so for the diaspora.
So not only is there an exhibition that charts the development of a growing community of Swaminarayan Hindus in Leicester; from early beginnings of gatherings in a domestic dwelling to the culmination of worship and pride in a purpose built temple complex; but also the inclusion of content in other spaces, that not only resonates spiritually with the resident community but also proves useful as tools for teaching and learning and inter-faith dialogue.
The temple complex works on a variety of levels: centre for spiritual enlightenment, community centre and embedded exhibition space; underpinned by a meta-narrative. This environment provides opportunities for wider discussions within the diaspora communities of Leicester on how to enhance their spaces to achieve greater levels of communication and understanding
Effects of a Novel AI Mobile App on Symptom Severity in Subjects with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
No full textabstract: Introduction: A diet high in fermented, oligio-, di-, monosaccharide, and polyols
(FODMAP) has been shown to exacerbate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS). Previous literature has shown significant improvement in IBS symptoms after
adherence to a low FODMAP diet (LFD). However, dietary adherence to the LFD is
difficult with patients stating that information provided by healthcare providers
(HCPs) is generalized and nonspecific requiring them to search for supplementary
information to fit their needs. Notably, studies that have used a combination of
online and in-person methods for treatment have shown improved adherence to the
LFD. Objective: To determine whether a novel artificial intelligence (AI) dietary
mobile application will improve adherence to the LFD compared to a standard online
dietary intervention (CON) in populations with IBS or IBS-like symptoms over a 4-
week period. Methods: Participants were randomized into two groups: APP or CON.
The intervention group was provided access to an AI mobile application, a dietary
resource verified by registered dietitians which uses artificial intelligence to
individualize dietary guidance in real-time with the ability to scan menus and
barcodes and provide individuals with food scores based on their dietary preferences.
Primary measures included mobile app engagement, dietary adherence, and
manifestation of IBS-like symptoms. Baseline Results: A total of 58 participants
were randomized to groups. This is an ongoing study and this thesis details the
methodology and baseline characteristics of the participants at baseline and
intervention start. Validation of the application could improve the range of offerings
for lifestyle diseases treatable through dietary modification.Dissertation/ThesisMasters Thesis Nutrition 202
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