Utilities and residential tenancies - part 2: future directions for rental housing standards

This report considers a range of data and regulatory and policy interventions from international and domestic jurisdictions with the objective of improving the provision of utilities for private rental housing in Victoria. Overview There are a range of issues affecting the provision of utilities to tenants, particularly: low income households are more likely to occupy rental dwellings with a combination of low thermal effi ciency and ineffi cient appliances tenants are unlikely to be able to upgrade appliances or relocate to dwelling of higher thermal quality due to other market pressures energy consumption and costs are higher for many tenants relative to equivalant households in other tenures market processes and programs often preclude participation from residential tenants or have onerous access barriers Future Directions for Rental Housing Standards provides: a discussion of options for energy effi ciency improvements in the conclusion of Part one a discussion of current regulatory processes concerning the energy and water effi ciency of private rental housing options for improving the provision of energy and water services including both regulatory and non-regulatory options a focus on the policy processes arising from Council of Australian Government (COAG) reform

Developing a WebCT Support Program to Take Teaching to a Higher Level

As educational institutions increase the use of technology in their teaching, it becomes key to examine how we are integrating its use into our curricula. A challenge to campus wide adoption of course management systems is the support needed by faculty and designers. Learning Objectives: By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to: Describe the elements of an effective faculty/staff collaborative model for teaching with technology. Discuss key factors in building campus WebCT user innovations group. Understand the value in building support models based on participant needs. As educational institutions increase the use of technology in their teaching, it becomes increasingly important to examine how we are integrating its use into our curricula. Experience and research has shown one of the challenges to campus wide adoption of a course management system is the support needed by faculty and designers to feel adept and effective in the use of this potent and complex teaching technology. In academic year 2004-2005 the University of Massachusetts selected WebCT Vista as the new course management system. In response to this initiative UMass Medical School designed and implemented Phase I of a required training program for faculty and staff. The faculty development effort was championed by a collaborative between three of the school’s offices and departments: the Office of Faculty Administration (OFA), Information Services (IS), and the Lamar Soutter Library (LSL). The OFA and IS partnered to develop and implement the faculty and staff development programs, and the LSL took on the responsibility of student orientation to WebCT. This strategic alliance brought together the expertise of three distinct departments with interconnected work. The results being enhanced student learning through pedagogically sound use of the new technology, as well as increased faculty adaptation with course offerings growing from approximately 120 to 330 online courses. Phase I of the program consisted of required workshops addressing both best practice content and tool training in WebCT. Phase II, the next level, moved to as-needed deskside training; each time an instructor activates a new course tool additional instructional design consultation and targeted technical assistance is necessary. Phase III emerged from these targeted sessions with the goal of taking teaching with WebCT to the next level; a higher level. As a result an ‘Innovations in Teaching with Technology User Group’ was implemented. The group represents the only forum with designers, teachers, technologists and librarians in one room actively sharing, collaborating and presenting. Sessions are built around participant needs and requests. This cross collaborative real-time feedback loop has provided fertile soil for on-going innovation from all involved in this community of learning. It has heightened awareness of the art & science of teaching with technology, in the service of student learning, and a process is in place to move participants\u27 work to scholarship. This workshop will demonstrate the importance of integrating a new course management system into the operational structure of an institution, in order for growth to occur in a synchronized and supportive infrastructure. We will share the keys to the successful implementation of this type of institutional enterprise

Engineering characterisation of a cubic single-use bioreactor geometry

Figure 1 – Scalability of Allegro STR range mixing characteristics demonstrated by comparison of 1 L mixing number with industry scale data. Single-use technologies have played a key role in rapid vaccine development in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with reduced costs, improved process flexibility, and higher production rates when compared to their traditional stainless steel counterparts. The growing development of single-use bioreactors has however led to other deviations from conventional STRs, with design opportunities allowing for the emergence of novel bioreactor configurations. One such single-use bioreactor (SUB) with a unique cubic geometry is Pall Corporation’s Allegro™ STR bioreactor range, which was utilised in scale-up studies associated with COVID-19 vaccine development 1. Improvements in mixing and higher specific power input are some of the advantages offered by this novel design 1. However, despite inherent advantages in emerging novel SUB configurations, extensive engineering characterisation of such designs is necessary in the development of robust processes, to maximise product yields and quality. This work focuses on the characterisation of the Allegro STR bioreactor by experimental and computational studies on a scale-down 1 L mimic. Force gauge measurements indicated that the turbulent impeller power number was 2.17 ± 0.05 in up-pumping mode, in agreement with that of the 200 L STR. Mixing time was assessed using the Dual Indicator System for Mixing Time (DISMT) technique where recorded images were processed by an in-house developed MATLAB code to objectively determine mixing homogeneity across the global flow field. The number of impeller revolutions to achieve 95% homogeneity (Ntm­) was 24.6 ± 1.1, in agreement with that of the industrial 50-2000L range (2). The aforementioned results indicate suitability of the scale-down geometry for further characterisation of the Allegro STR. Transparency of the scale-down mimic allowed for particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements for characterisation of hydrodynamic conditions across the agitation range. Such data was also used in the validation of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model developed on Ansys, which was subsequently used for simulation of cell shear stress exposure over time. Ultimately, simulated data of particle shear exposure throughout circulation time in the vessel is aimed for use in the design of an ultra scale-down (USD) device mimicking cell culture shear exposure in the industrial STR range. A 1 L Allegro STR prototype suitable for cell culture is currently being produced, where future work will involve comparison of cell and product characteristics cultivated in the SUB geometry to that of the USD device, for validation purposes. If successfully validated as an appropriate mimic of shear conditions in the Allegro STR bioreactor, such a device would provide a mL scale process environment suitable for rapidly and inexpensively informing optimal industrial scale agitation conditions for applications such as vaccine production. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

A FGF-Hh feedback loop controls stem cell proliferation in the developing larval brain of drosophila melanogaster

The adult Drosophila central nervous system is produced by two phases of neurogenesis: the first phase occurs during embryonic development where the larval brain is formed and the second occurs during larval development to form the adult brain. Neurogenesis in both phases is caused by the activation of neural stem cell division and subsequent progenitor cell division and terminal differentiation. Proper activation of neural stem cell division in the larval brain is essential for proper patterning and functionality of the adult central nervous system. Initiation of neural stem cell proliferation requires signaling from the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) homolog Branchless (Bnl) and by the Hedgehog (Hh) growth factor. I have focused on the interactions between both of these signaling pathways with respect to post-embryonic neural stem cell proliferation using the Drosophila larval brain. Using proliferation assays and quantitative real-time PCR, I have shown that Bnl and Hh signaling is inter-dependent in the 1st instar larval brain and activates neural stem cell proliferation. I have also shown that overexpression of bnl can rescue signaling and neuroblast proliferation in a hh mutant. However, overexpression of hh does not rescue signaling or neuroblast proliferation in a bnl mutant, suggesting that Bnl is the signaling output of the Bnl-Hh feedback loop and that all central brain and optic lobe neural stem cells require Bnl signaling to initiated proliferation

Ötzi, 30 years on: A reappraisal of the depositional and post-depositional history of the find

When Ötzi, the Iceman, was found in a gully in the Tisenjoch pass in the Tyrolean Alps in 1991, he was a huge surprise for the archaeological community. The lead initial investigator of the find argued that it was unique, preserved by serendipitous circumstances. It was hypothesised that the mummy with associated artefacts had been quickly covered by glacier ice and stayed buried until the melt-out in 1991. It is now more than 30 years since Ötzi appeared. In this paper, we take a closer look at how the find can be understood today, benefitting from increased knowledge gained from more than two decades of investigations of other glacial archaeological sites, and from previous palaeo-biological investigations of the find assemblage. In the light of radiocarbon dates from the gully and new glaciological evidence regarding mass balance, it is likely that Ötzi was not permanently buried in ice immediately after his death, but that the gully where he lay was repeatedly exposed over the next 1500 years. We discuss the nature of the ice covering the site, which is commonly described as a basally sliding glacier. Based on the available evidence, this ice is better understood as a non-moving, stationary field of snow and ice, frozen to the bedrock. The damaged artefacts found with Ötzi were probably broken by typical postdepositional processes on glacial archaeological sites, and not, as previously claimed, during conflict prior to Ötzi’s flight from the valley below.publishedVersio

Loss of consciousness is related to hyper-1 correlated gamma-band activity in anesthetized macaques and sleeping humans

Loss of consciousness can result from a wide range of causes, including natural sleep and pharmacologically induced anesthesia. Important insights might thus come from identifying neuronal mechanisms of loss and re-emergence of consciousness independent of a specific manipulation. Therefore, to seek neuronal signatures of loss of consciousness common to sleep and anesthesia we analyzed spontaneous electrophysiological activity recorded in two experiments. First, electrocorticography (ECoG) acquired from 4 macaque monkeys anesthetized with different anesthetic agents (ketamine, medetomidine, propofol) and, second, stereo-electroencephalography (sEEG) from 10 epilepsy patients in different wake-sleep stages (wakefulness, NREM, REM). Specifically, we investigated co-activation patterns among brain areas, defined as correlations between local amplitudes of gamma-band activity. We found that resting wakefulness was associated with intermediate levels of gamma-band coupling, indicating neither complete dependence, nor full independence among brain regions. In contrast, loss of consciousness during NREM sleep and propofol anesthesia was associated with excessively correlated brain activity, as indicated by a robust increase of number and strength of positive correlations. However, such excessively correlated brain signals were not observed during REM sleep, and were present only to a limited extent during ketamine anesthesia. This might be related to the fact that, despite suppression of behavioral responsiveness, REM sleep and ketamine anesthesia often involve presence of dream-like conscious experiences. We conclude that hyper-correlated gamma-band activity might be a signature of loss of consciousness common across various manipulations and independent of behavioral responsiveness

Qualitative evaluation of the Saleema campaign to eliminate female genital mutilation and cutting in Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C, herein FGM) is a widespread and harmful practice. The Government developed a national campaign in Sudan, called Saleema, to change social norms discouraging FGM. Saleema translates to being whole , healthy in body and mind, unharmed, intact, pristine, and untouched, in a God-given condition. An interim evaluation was conducted using focus groups among Sudanese adults. The primary aim was to explore perceptions of the Saleema poster exemplars and to assess if the desired themes were being communicated. Secondary aims were to understand more about participants\u27 information sources, values, and suggestions for the campaign broadly. METHODS: The Saleema campaign evaluation included four focus groups from each of the 18 states in Sudan (72 total). Participants were presented with three poster stimuli from the Saleema campaign and asked about the content and their reactions. Themes were coded inductively by concepts that arose through content in the transcripts. Codes were also reviewed in conjunction with themes from the broader Saleema evaluation framework. RESULTS: Participants reported the most common source of information or admiration was from local leaders who are responsive to a community, media-based outlets, and discussions among community members. Participants held high value for education, community solidarity, and/or religious devotion. Participants had positive opinions of Saleema and responded positively to the branding elements in the posters and the campaign as a whole. The most common suggestion was continued awareness. Advocacy, training, and posters were suggested to highlight the harms of FGM through leaders or in community settings. Individuals suggested that these activities target older women and individuals in rural villages. There was also a burgeoning theme of targeting youth for support of the campaign. DISCUSSION: The results of this focus group analysis demonstrate support for future Saleema campaign efforts promoting awareness and community engagement. The campaign could capitalize on partnerships with young people and those who are respected in the community (e.g., religious leaders) or continue promoting common values aligning with the support of education and community solidarity. Continuing campaign efforts have promise to decrease the harms of FGM in Sudan

Probing the degree of coherence through the full 1D to 3D crossover

We experimentally study a gas of quantum degenerate 87Rb atoms throughout the full dimensional crossover, from a one-dimensional (1D) system exhibiting phase fluctuations consistent with 1D theory to a three-dimensional (3D) phase-coherent system, thereby smoothly interpolating between these distinct, well-understood regimes. Using a hybrid trapping architecture combining an atom chip with a printed circuit board, we continuously adjust the system’s dimensionality over a wide range while measuring the phase fluctuations through the power spectrum of density ripples in time-of-flight expansion. Our measurements confirm that the chemical potential μ controls the departure of the system from 3D and that the fluctuations are dependent on both μ and the temperature T. Through a rigorous study we quantitatively observe how inside the crossover the dependence on T gradually disappears as the system becomes 3D. Throughout the entire crossover the fluctuations are shown to be determined by the relative occupation of 1D axial collective excitations

Perlecan, a candidate gene for the CAPB locus, regulates prostate cancer cell growth via the Sonic Hedgehog pathway

BACKGROUND: Genetic studies associated the CAPB locus with familial risk of brain and prostate cancers. We have identified HSPG2 (Perlecan) as a candidate gene for CAPB. Previously we have linked Perlecan to Hedgehog signaling in Drosophila. More recently, we have demonstrated the importance of Hedgehog signaling in humans for advanced prostate cancer. RESULTS: Here we demonstrate Perlecan expression in prostate cancer, and its function in prostate cancer cell growth through interaction and modulation of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling. Perlecan expression in prostate cancer tissues correlates with a high Gleason score and rapid cell proliferation. Perlecan is highly expressed in prostate cancer cell lines, including androgen insensitive cell lines and cell lines selected for metastatic properties. Inhibition of Perlecan expression in these cell lines decreases cell growth. Simultaneous blockade of Perlecan expression and androgen signaling in the androgen-sensitive cell line LNCaP was additive, indicating the independence of these two pathways. Perlecan expression correlates with SHH in tumor tissue microarrays and increased tumor cell proliferation based on Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. Inhibition of Perlecan expression by siRNA in prostate cancer cell lines decreases SHH signaling while expression of the downstream SHH effector GLI1 rescues the proliferation defect. Perlecan forms complexes with increasing amounts of SHH that correlate with increasing metastatic potential of the prostate cancer cell line. SHH signaling also increases in the more metastatic cell lines. Metastatic prostate cancer cell lines grown under serum-starved conditions (low androgen and growth factors) resulted in maintenance of Perlecan expression. Under low androgen, low growth factor conditions, Perlecan expression level correlates with the ability of the cells to maintain SHH signaling. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that Perlecan, a candidate gene for the CAPB locus, is a new component of the SHH pathway in prostate tumors and works independently of androgen signaling. In metastatic tumor cells increased SHH signaling correlates with the maintenance of Perlecan expression and more Perlecan-SHH complexes. Perlecan is a proteoglycan that regulates extracellular and stromal accessibility to growth factors such as SHH, thus allowing for the maintenance of SHH signaling under growth factor limiting conditions. This proteoglycan represents an important central regulator of SHH activity and presents an ideal drug target for blocking SHH effects