Receptor usage by the Acanthocheilonema viteae-derived immunomodulator, ES-62

ES-62 is an immunomodulatory phosphorylcholine (PC)-containing glycoprotein secreted by the rodent filarial nematode Acanthocheilonema viteae. Previously, the use of knockout mice has revealed the effects of ES-62 on macrophages and dendritic cells to be dependent on TLR4. However, it is possible that ES-62 may interact with additional proteins on the surfaces of target cells and hence that cells may vary with respect to receptor usage. In this study, we identified by molecular weight, proteins that interact with ES-62 and found differences amongst the immune system cells studied. Thus, whereas lymphocytes appear to have two major interacting proteins of 135 and 82 kDa, U937 monocytes only contain an ES-62-binding protein of the latter molecular weight. Binding to the proteins on B cells and U937 cells wasblocked by PC, suggesting a critical role for this ES-62 moiety in facilitating interaction. Finally, ES-62 binding is followed by internalization in both macrophages and B cells but only in the former was absence of TLR4 found to block internalization. These findings are consistent with differences in receptor usage by ES-62 amongst different cell-types

The lived experience of a changing relationship with tobacco: a perspective of individuals with serious mental illness

Individuals experiencing serious mental illness (SMI) have significantly higher rates of tobacco use and although motivated to quit smoking are less successful with quit attempts thus increasing their risk of chronic disease. A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study that included photo elicitation was used to gain an understanding of what the lived experience of a changing relationship with tobacco means to those living with SMI. Interviews with nine individuals with varying diagnoses of SMI, and at various stages of changing their tobacco use behaviour were interpreted to reflect six themes of the phenomenon. The findings align with the core concepts of the Trans-theoretical Model and also parallel the consumer driven concept of recovery in mental illness. The mental health care provider’s integration of tobacco cessation into practice using a recovery model approach, may serve a dual purpose of improving quit smoking rates as well as supporting the individual’s recovery in mental illness.Master of Science (MSc) in Nursin

A decision-based perspective for the design of methods for systems design

Organization of material, a definition of decision based design, a hierarchy of decision based design, the decision support problem technique, a conceptual model design that can be manufactured and maintained, meta-design, computer-based design, action learning, and the characteristics of decisions are among the topics covered

Tips for Teaching Knife Skills

This publication gives tips about teaching knife skills safely and effectively

You mean I have to teach sustainability too? Initial teacher education students’ perspectives on the sustainability cross-curriculum priority

Abstract: In this paper, we report on an investigation into initial teacher education students (ITES) understandings of sustainability and the Australian National Curriculum Sustainability Cross Curricular Priority (CCP). We also explore their willingness and capacities to embed the CCP into their own teaching practices. The ITESs (N=392) completed a quantitative survey with a series of Likert Scale questions and were asked to list “5 words” when they think of sustainability. Analysis reveals that ITESs have generally limited to moderate understandings of sustainability and education for sustainability, but lesser understandings of the Sustainability CCP and the 9 organising ideas. Understandings of sustainability were dominated by an environmental focus. We conclude this paper with a discussion of the implications of narrow environmental understandings of sustainability. We explore factors that limit and enable teacher educators to embed sustainability education more explicitly. We note the importance role teacher educators play in supporting ITESs to better understand sustainability

ABC for people with HIV: responses to sexual behaviour recommendations among people receiving antiretroviral therapy in Jinja, Uganda.

People living with HIV who are taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) are increasingly involved in 'positive prevention' initiatives. These are generally oriented to promoting abstinence, 'being faithful' (partner reduction) and condom use (ABC). We conducted a longitudinal qualitative study with people living with HIV using ART, who were provided with adherence education and counselling support by a Ugandan non-governmental organisation, The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO). Forty people were selected sequentially as they started ART, stratified by sex, ART delivery mode (clinic- or home-based) and HIV progression stage (early or advanced) and interviewed at enrollment and at 3, 6, 18 and 30 months. At initiation of ART, participants agreed to follow TASO's positive-living recommendations. Initially poor health prevented sexual activity. As health improved, participants prioritised resuming economic production and support for their children. With further improvements, sexual desire resurfaced and people in relationships cemented these via sex. The findings highlight the limitations of HIV prevention based on medical care/personal counselling. As ART leads to health improvements, social norms, economic needs and sexual desires increasingly influence sexual behaviour. Positive prevention interventions need to seek to modify normative and economic influences on sexual behaviour, as well as to provide alternatives to condoms

Method for Producing Conductive or Insulating Feedthroughs in a Substrate

A method for producing feedthroughs in a substrate having a front and back surface, wherein the substrate either has a hole or absorbs radiation at a given wavelength. The method includes selecting and intimately bonding a sheet to the back surface of the substrate with an adhesive which is absorptive at the given wavelength. If the substrate has a hole, an exposed area of the sheet is illuminated with laser radiation at the given wavelength and at a power level sufficient to ablate a portion of the sheet behind the exposed area, thereby creating the feedthrough in the substrate. If the substrate has no hole, an area on the front surface of the substrate is illuminated with laser radiation at the given wavelength and at a power level sufficient to ablate a portion of the substrate and a portion of the sheet behind the area, thereby creating the feedthrough in the substrate. The sheet can then be removed from the substrate. Alternatively, if the sheet is conductive, the sheet can remain bonded to the substrate and can serve as a ground plane for the substrate. If the sheet is an insulator, the feedthrough is an insulated feedthrough and if the sheet is conductive, the feedthrough is a conductive feedthrough. This procedure can be extended to produce a two conductor feedthrough