Characterisation of ERK distribution and activity in rat pheochromocytoma cells : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Molecular Biology at Massey University

Nerve growth factor (NGF) binds to the NGF receptor, TrkA, at the tips of nerve cell axons, sending a signal that prevents programmed cell death and causes survival, growth, and differentiation of the nerve cell. Both NGF and TrkA have been demonstrated to be retrogradely transported from axon tips to nerve cell bodies, however the mechanism of this transport, and its function, is strongly debated. Using a recently developed cell fractionation protocol in conjunction with in vitro reactions using an ATP regenerating system, our lab has isolated small vesicles containing NGF bound to activated TrkA. These vesicles may provide a vehicle for retrograde transport of the NGF signal and initiation of signal transduction in the cell body. ERK1 is a serine/threonine kinase that is activated by NGF-activated TrkA. Prolonged ERK1 activity is characteristic of cells stimulated by NGF. The purpose of the experiments in this thesis was to characterise the intracellular distribution and activity of ERK1 before and after NGF stimulation, in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, which are a good model for nerve cells. We have found that ERK1 activity is redistributed between cell compartments after NGF stimulation of PC12 cells. ERK1 activity increased in sedimentable fractions that emerged from mechanically permeabilised cells after NGF treatment and in vitro reactions with ATP. Importantly, the results from glycerol velocity gradient experiments showed that ERK1 was not associated with membranes. Instead ERK1 was found in a rapidly sedimenting particle whose sedimentation was not affected by detergent solubilisation. These results suggest that ERK1 is recruited into a protein complex, after activation, which may be an important step in signal transduction. Formation of this complex is likely to be downstream of signalling vesicles containing NGF bound TrkA

Triumph & Turmoil: The Duality of Sylvia Plath

During this study, we will attempt to showcase how a 20th century misogynistic society created one of their own greatest adversaries in the form of Sylvia Plath

Experimental investigations into diffractive optics and optomechanical systems for future gravitational wave detectors

In 1916 Einstein published his General Theory of Relativity, from which the existence of gravitational waves was predicted. Gravitational waves are considered to be ripples or fluctuations in the curvature of space-time, propagating isotropically from their source at the speed of light. However, due to the weak nature of gravity, observing this phenomenon presents a great challenge to the scientific community. Small deviations in the apparent positions of stellar objects were measured by Eddington during a solar eclipse in 1919, which confirmed the curvature of space-time and its effect on light, and there have since been many astronomical observations of gravitational lenses. In 1993 Hulse and Taylor were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their observations of a pulsar in a binary system, providing strong evidence for energy loss by emission of gravitational waves. However, the quest for a direct detection of gravitational waves is ongoing through the development of ever more sensitive technology. The development of laser interferometry, based on Michelson topologies, pro- vides the most encouraging route to observing gravitational radiation. There is currently a global network of first generation interferometric gravitational wave detectors in operation, including GEO600 (UK/Germany), Virgo (Italy/France) and TAMA (Japan) as well as several second generation detectors under construction such as Advanced LIGO (USA) and LIGO-Australia (Australia). In the coming years GEO600 will also undergo a series of small sequential upgrades to GEO-HF, while Virgo aims to become an order of magnitude more sensitive across the entire frequency band, as Advanced Virgo. The Institute for Gravitational Research (IGR) at the University of Glasgow has for many years been in strong collaboration with the Albert Einstein Institute in Hanover and Golm, the University of Hanover, the University of Cardiff and the University of Birmingham. The Glasgow group have been involved with developments on GEO600 since its initial construction in 1995, from which a lot of technology has been subsequently adopted for use in other large baseline detectors. There is a 10m prototype interferometer housed in the JIF laboratory at Glasgow, which is utilised for testing new technology and optical configurations of interest to this and the wider collaboration. The research contained in this thesis has been carried out on the Glasgow prototype to investigate novel technology of potential importance to future generations of gravitational wave detectors. In Chapter 1 the history of gravitational radiation is discussed, along with a summary of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity to reveal the nature of gravitational radiation production. From this analysis several potential sources of astronomical origin are detailed for which the design of ground based detectors are optimised. Various interferometric solutions for detecting gravitational waves are described in Chapter 2, beginning with the most fundamental Michelson topology and thereupon key enhancements, such as Fabry-Perot cavities, power recycling and signal recycling are outlined. The Pound-Drever-Hall scheme used to sense and control the relative distances between each optical component is detailed, including modifications to this technique for controlling significantly more complex systems with many optical elements. The most important attribute in the overall design of an interferometric gravitational wave detector is the total noise limit to the sensitivity, which is comprised of both technical noise and fundamental noise. A summary is provided of the seismic, thermal, and laser noise contributing to technical noise as well as the fundamental quantum noise, consisting of photon shot noise and radiation pressure noise. From this discussion, the author introduces the current global network, and proposed future generations of ground-based detectors intended to open a new field of gravitational wave astronomy. In all proposed upgrades and future detectors the input power must be increased to improve detector sensitivity. Two experiments were designed, con- structed and completed at the Glasgow prototype interferometer related to separate issues of concern for high power regimes. In the first experiment, one of the arms of the Glasgow prototype was commissioned as an all-reflective optical cavity, whereby the partially transmissive input mirror was replaced with a three-port diffraction grating mounted on the bottom stage of a triple pendulum. This investigation was designed to characterise the performance of the grating compared to the conventional input mirror of a Fabry-Perot cavity, whilst revealing issues related to the dynamics of suspended grating input couplers on the control signals. The realisation of grating devices for use in interferometric systems would open a pathway to mitigating the otherwise limiting thermal noise associated to the mirror coatings. The other arm of the Glasgow prototype was chosen to investigate the modified dynamic behaviour of suspended cavity mirrors when signifiant radiation pressure forces are incident. The experiment involved replacing one of the suspended cavity mirrors with a light-weight counterpart designed specifically to increase the overall sensitivity to radiation pressure. By probing the system response for different cavity detunings, it was possible to observe and char- acterise the opto-mechanical resonance, commonly termed an optical spring, which induces optical rigidity at lower frequencies and enhanced sensitivity around the resonant feature. Although optical rigidity suppresses the system response, which is otherwise undesired within gravitational wave detectors, it does however enable systems, which under the right conditions can be self-locking, i.e. the mirror control turned off. Furthermore, the enhanced detector sensitivity at the optical spring frequency can be optimised for different frequencies of interest, and could potentially be used to beat the limit imposed by the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle for independent cavity mirrors. Together, these experiments may provide information useful to the design of future interferometric gravitational wave detectors

Fast Compressive 3D Single-pixel Imaging

In this work, we demonstrate a modified photometric stereo system with perfect pixel registration, capable of reconstructing continuous real-time 3D video at ~8 Hz for 64 x 64 image resolution by employing evolutionary compressed sensing

Ken Garland - Structure and Substance

Curated by Pamela Bowman & Matthew Edgar In association with Unit Editions and Ken Garland The initial research inquiry asked how a key text within graphic design could be represented in new and emerging contexts. We were mindful of preserving the text for future and more diverse audiences. Garland’s ‘A Word in Your Eye’, originally published by the University of Reading in 1996 is currently out of print. Since 1996 Garland has continued to write and promote discourse about the subject and its place and value in society. Now in his eighties, Garland is still as relevant to the design community today as he was when he published his famous 'First Things First' manifesto in 1964. He has a strong following amongst young designers and frequently lectures to large audiences, captivating them with his highly personal approach. A recent example of this is his talk at TYPO London on 20 October 2012. The method adopted brings the entirety of Ken Garland’s design and writing into one place and enriches these bodies of work with recorded interviews with Ken undertaken during the last two years. The recorded interviews have been undertaken and have produced a rich narrative to support and enhance the critical and contextual writing produced by Ken during his long career. This work was curated into an exhibition attempting to show the design work (working with Unit Editions and their monogram on the design work) alongside the writing. The exhibition provided a platform to examine and reflect on all the work in a single space being a key method rather than outcome. The show became an experiment in combining text and image as well as including some of the interviews and developing a curatorial process to manage such a project. Ken is now 84 and we have almost completed interviews documenting his career in Design and Design Writing.</p

Structure & substance : Ken Garland

The initial research inquiry asked how a key text within graphic design could be represented in new and emerging contexts. We were mindful of preserving the text for future and more diverse audiences. Garland’s ‘A Word in Your Eye’, originally published by the University of Reading in 1996 is currently out of print. Since 1996 Garland has continued to write and promote discourse about the subject and its place and value in society. Now in his eighties, Garland is still as relevant to the design community today as he was when he published his famous 'First Things First' manifesto in 1964. He has a strong following amongst young designers and frequently lectures to large audiences, captivating them with his highly personal approach. A recent example of this is his talk at TYPO London on 20 October 2012. The method adopted brings the entirety of Ken Garland’s design and writing into one place and enriches these bodies of work with recorded interviews with Ken undertaken during the last two years. The recorded interviews have been undertaken and have produced a rich narrative to support and enhance the critical and contextual writing produced by Ken during his long career. This work was curated into an exhibition attempting to show the design work (working with Unit Editions and their monogram on the design work) alongside the writing. The exhibition provided a platform to examine and reflect on all the work in a single space being a key method rather than outcome. The show became an experiment in combining text and image as well as including some of the interviews and developing a curatorial process to manage such a project. Ken is now 84 and we have almost completed interviews documenting his career in Design and Design Writing

Lance Wyman design logbooks 1972–present

Lance Wyman This research enquiry is around the use of sketchbooks / logbooks as a testing ground for ideas and inventions as part of a designers or artists process. Lance Wyman has a design process established over many years that includes a dedication to the use of his ‘design logbooks’ to sketch, develop and deliver his projects. Lance is a prominent and respected practitioner of global renown, operating from his studio/house in New York. This exhibition was curated by Pam Bowman and Matt Edgar to bring Lance Whyman’s practice to designers in the UK. The exhibition included all 86 of the logbooks, stretching back to 1972, which were placed alongside content from Unit Editions Monograph on Wyman and film content produced by ourselves. Lance opened the show at Sheffield Institute of Arts Gallery in the Cantor building with a talk. Steven Heller, prolific design writer and critic, was commissioned to write the introduction, quoted below. The Confidant By Steven Heller Sketchbooks, journals, and diaries are the artist and designer’s most loyal confidant, the keeper of secrets, serendipitous discoveries, subliminal musings and spontaneous ideas. The riches they can hold is inestimable, not as an end but a means to an end. They are part of a magical creative process that no one but their owners have the right to see — yet they can nonetheless be invaluable to others. Throughout history, these sketchbooks, journals and diaries have been so jam packed with insights and revelations that it would be stingy of the artists and designers not to share with others. Privacy is a treasured, inviolable right, but since artists and designers are also teachers, there is no better way to demonstrate the creative experience than to show others what was never meant to be shown — such as the inner workings, failures, false starts, inspiring references, etcetera — all the stuff that makes art and design happen. All the logbooks have now been filmed page by page by Bowman and Edgar for further study and preservation in the UK as a valuable archive

Curated by...

Curated by… was created by Pam Bowman and Matt Edgar, initially, to help students navigate through the enormous amount of material now available to them online and to encourage the use of other analogue sources of information, influence and inspiration. There was a time, which now feels quite distant, when reading lists were relatively succinct and limited to well known and respected sources of information which could be, as far as possible, guaranteed accurate. Publishers and editors were our gatekeepers. Currently within education we are finding that students have a new problem, which is not to do with having little information to work with but too much. As practitioners and educators we have the skills with which to filter the plethora of material and build understanding based on our experience and wider knowledge. In order to bring some of this experience to our students and the wider design community we have approached internationally leading practitioners to present, not their own work, but a few references for the things they have, in the past or present, found inspiring or valuable in shaping their knowledge and understanding of their practice, or simply really good advice. The references chosen are broad and varied and allow us to begin to spot patterns and relationships between influences within different disciplines. The ongoing enquiry is to analyse the links and relationships between disciplines and publish the findings alongside the materials collected. The format, so far, has been lecture based and has included 3 conferences and a total of over 30 speakers. The events are open to the public and attract our own students, students from other colleges and design industry colleagues from the surrounding regions. More than 600 individuals have signed up for tickets.</p

Optimizing the use of detector arrays for measuring intensity correlations of photon pairs

Intensity correlation measurements form the basis of many experiments based on spontaneous parametric down-conversion. In the most common situation, two single-photon avalanche diodes and coincidence electronics are used in the detection of the photon pairs, and the coincidence count distributions are measured by making use of some scanning procedure. Here we analyze the measurement of intensity correlations using multielement detector arrays. By considering the detector parameters such as the detection and noise probabilities, we found that the mean number of detected photons that maximizes the visibility of the two-photon correlations is approximately equal to the mean number of noise events in the detector array. We provide expressions predicting the strength of the measured intensity correlations as a function of the detector parameters and on the mean number of detected photons. We experimentally test our predictions by measuring far-field intensity correlations of spontaneous parametric down-conversion with an electron multiplying charge-coupled device camera, finding excellent agreement with the theoretical analysis

A Russian Dolls ordering of the Hadamard basis for compressive single-pixel imaging

Single-pixel imaging is an alternate imaging technique particularly well-suited to imaging modalities such as hyper-spectral imaging, depth mapping, 3D profiling. However, the single-pixel technique requires sequential measurements resulting in a trade-off between spatial resolution and acquisition time, limiting real-time video applications to relatively low resolutions. Compressed sensing techniques can be used to improve this trade-off. However, in this low resolution regime, conventional compressed sensing techniques have limited impact due to lack of sparsity in the datasets. Here we present an alternative compressed sensing method in which we optimize the measurement order of the Hadamard basis, such that at discretized increments we obtain complete sampling for different spatial resolutions. In addition, this method uses deterministic acquisition, rather than the randomized sampling used in conventional compressed sensing. This so-called ‘Russian Dolls’ ordering also benefits from minimal computational overhead for image reconstruction. We find that this compressive approach performs as well as other compressive sensing techniques with greatly simplified post processing, resulting in significantly faster image reconstruction. Therefore, the proposed method may be useful for single-pixel imaging in the low resolution, high-frame rate regime, or video-rate acquisition