Functional studies on the influenza A virus M2 protein

The M2 protein of influenza A viruses is a homotetramer composed of four 97 amino acid subunits which form an ion permeable channel. It plays an important role both in the process of virus uncoating and in modulating the pH of the transport pathway which is necessary for haemagglutinin (HA) maturation. M2 was stably expressed in mouse erythroleukaemia (MEL) cells under the control of the inducible β-globin locus control region (LCR). The production of M2 peaked at 4-6 days post induction and was at a level comparable to that in virus-infected MDCK cells. The expressed M2 was structurally similar to that produced in virus-infected MDCK cells, in particular with regard to the formation and stability of the tetramer and was also phosphorylated and palmitoylated. The function of the M2 protein expressed in MEL cells was studied using three assays, 1) co-expression of HA and M2, 2) determination of intracellular pH and 3) measurements of ion conductance. Analysis of MEL cells showed that they provided a suitable environment for the co-expression of M2 and HA. Expression of M2 resulted in a decrease in intracellular pH, indicating that the M2 protein is responsible for the decrease in cytoplasmic pH during virus infection. Voltage clamp measurements showed that the expressed M2 formed a proton-selective channel which was specifically inhibited by rimantadine. Two features of the results indicated that the current was due to a proton conductance. At zero membrane potential, both the direction and magnitude of the current were dependent on the proton gradient and secondly the reversal potential was equal to the proton equilibrium potential. Neither the reversal potential nor the amplitude of the current were influenced by the presence of other small ions, including Na+, or K+ or CI-. These results are consistent with the biochemical role that M2 is perceived to play during virus infection. Structure/activity studies were also undertaken to identify residues in the transmembrane domain of the M2 protein which affected both the activation and thermal stability of the tetramer. In particular amino acid differences between the Weybridge and Rostock M2 proteins were studied

Melancholy, Spiritual Experience, and Dissent in England, c. 1650–1700

The involvement of melancholy had the potential to undermine the authority of early modern individuals’ religious experiences, reframing their spiritual afflictions as the mere product of a distempered body. This article refines our understanding of the shifting relationship between melancholy and spiritual experience in the second half of the seventeenth century in England. Focusing on the views of Presbyterians and Independents, it explores how various interests and voices shaped attitudes to the disease throughout the challenges of growing anti-enthusiasm and post-Restoration nonconformity. By emphasizing the voices of sufferers themselves and including examination of a range of overlooked texts, it demonstrates that women and laypeople often diverged from learned views when describing their spiritual struggles. Complicating existing narratives, it suggests that sufferers from both groups avoided using melancholy as an explanatory factor in accounts of religious experience in the 1650s to ’70s, before increasingly incorporating the condition in the 1680s and ’90s. The involvement of melancholy remained fraught, however, and under continual negotiation. Bringing manuscript sources into conversation with published texts, the article argues that differences of opinion existed both between and within Presbyterian and Independent communities, as well as between those who suffered from melancholy and those who did not

Evaluating the impact of an integrated supply chain on the process of marketing European feature films

The film industry in Europe is characterised by a fragmented supply chain. The film market is historically dominated by films from the United States, leaving little room for other national cinemas. In this context, film marketing suffers from the same illness as the rest of the industry in that US companies enjoy dominance over the market. This thesis provides an historical analysis of the film industry and inherent marketing practices in order to explore the interplay between supply chain management and the film marketing mix. In particular, the thesis draws upon relational concepts of trust and exchange relationships,b ringing marketing approaches in the field from macro and micro levels to a multi level analysis involving micro, macro and meso level considerations. Drawing on an empirical case study, documentary analysis, policy analysis and participant observation,t he thesis reveals that supply chain management is necessary in order to create an environment conducive to the formulation of an appropriate film marketing mix. It shows that there is interdependency between the market structure and the individual choices which marketers can make in formulating the mix. In response to the constraints of the current market structure, supply chain management offers independent film marketers a method of improving the chances of success for their films in the market. Integrated supply chains can facilitate a development of relationships leading to enhanced trust. The existence of such trust has been shown to increase understanding and the flow of information between the members of the supply chain which in turn ensures consistency in the marketing offering. This thesis contributes to the current film marketing literature by bridging the gap between the overtly contextual explanations of the domination of the film industry by Hollywood with individualistic explanations of marketing strategies which fail to recognise contextual elements. This research has policy implications at regional, national and supra national levels. Namely, it would seem beneficial for policy makers to concentrate on building relationships between film industry professionals in order to develop levels of trust and mutual understanding. In this way, virtual rather than vertical supply chains can be created within the film industry

Fear of terrorism: Legislation and perceived loss of civil liberties

Terrorism is a fear-inducing element of the current Australian political agenda. There are concerns about counter-terrorism legislation employed in Australian since the September 11th attacks on the United States, (9/11) and the effects these laws have on the civil liberties of Australian citizens. The literature presents two views one identifies the low risk of terrorism in Australia as no justification for strict new legislation. An alternative claim is increased security following 9/11 is essential in ensuring Australia is not viewed as a \u27soft target\u27. The psychological experience of fear following terrorist attacks can influence the public\u27s response to Government initiatives regarding security. The aim of the current study was to explore the experiences of terrorism-related-fear, perceptions about security and the counter-terrorism legislative effects on the civil liberties of Western Australians. Using a phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight men and six women of various ages. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IP A) was used in the analysis phase. Five major themes emerged relating to participant\u27s levels of fear, ideas about security and civil liberties; psychological effect of 9/11, risk, security, social identity and civil liberties and perceived effect. The findings suggest terrorism-related-fear was moderate in participants, and they did not feel concerned about legislation impacting their civil liberties, as they recognised some civil liberties needed to be sacrificed in order to achieve desired safety levels

Painting equality : female artists as cultural entrepreneurial marketers

Purpose &ndash; There is growing interest by marketers in historical accounts that paint early female artists as entrepreneurial marketers. The purpose of this paper is to challenge the traditional view of entrepreneurship to incorporate a feminist theory of cultural entrepreneurship by considering the role of two female artists.Design/methodology/approach &ndash; Using calls for historical research and new methods of enquiry in marketing, this paper traces early female artists and applies modern entrepreneurial theory to their marketing methods to identify their innovation, adaptability to change and planned marketing approach.Findings &ndash; The paper suggests that entrepreneurial marketing is fused with the artists&rsquo; persona resulting in their celebrated status being widely recognised. It contributes an important fresh body of knowledge to the wider entrepreneurship debate by offering a new model of cultural entrepreneurial marketing. The three concepts of innovation, adaptability and marketing approach have not previously been applied to link women artists as entrepreneurs, however, this article argues that there is plenty of evidence to do so.Research limitations/implications &ndash; While these artists are Australian (which could be seen to be a limitation), the art market is indeed international. In this respect, these artists join a longer international history as producers and consumers involved in entrepreneurial organisations from early days.Originality/value &ndash; The artists&rsquo; significance falls within the context of emerging modernism, feminism and cultural identity during the 1920s and 1930s in Sydney, Australia. It is combined with and explains the actions and the success of two female artists&rsquo; unusual marketing approach. It is of value to readers interested in historical context regarding equality in the visual arts. <br /

THE EFFECT OF USING JUMBLED SUMMARY STRATEGY ON STUDENTS’ ABILITY IN WRITING RECOUNT TEXT AT STATE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 11 PEKANBARU

Penelitian ini dilakukan karena dilatarbelakangi oleh masalah-masalah menulis siswa dalam teks recount di Sekolah Menengah Atas Negeri 11 Pekanbaru. Masalah-masalah tersebut ialah beberapa siswa tidak dapat mengembangkan ide-ide mereka dalam menulis teks recount dengan benar, beberapa siswa masih merasa sulit untuk meletakkan dimana orientasi, peristiwa, dan re-orientasi dalam menulis teks recount, beberapa siswa banyak melakukan kesalahan dalam penggunaan simple past tense dan pemilihan kosakata yang tepat dalam menulis teks recount, dan beberapa siswa tidak mampu menulis dengan tata bahasa yang benar berdasarkan dari jenis teks dan juga kronologi kejadian. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui apakah ada pengaruh yang signifikan pada kemampuan menulis siswa di teks recount yang diajarkan dengan menggunakan Strategi Ringkasan Acak dan yang tidak diajarkan dengan menggunakan Strategi Ringkasan Acak pada tingkat kedua di SMAN 11 Pekanbaru. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian eksperimen. Jenis penelitiannya ialah kuasi-eksperimen. Populasi dari penelitian ini adalah siswa tingkat kedua di SMAN 11 Pekanbaru. Total jumlah populasi adalah 125 siswa. Sampel diambil dengan menggunakan teknik cluster random sampling. Sampel dari penelitian ini ialah kelas XI IPS 1 yang terdiri dari 25 siswa sebagai kelas kontrol, dan kelas XI IPA 3 yang terdiri dari 25 siswa sebagai kelas eksperimen. Jadi, keseluruhan jumlah sampel adalah 50 siswa. Dalam menganalisis data, penulis menggunakan rumus independent sample T-test melalui SPSS 16.0 dan effect size. Hasil dari independent sample T-Test ialah to = 11.909, sedangkan level perbedaan dari 5% = 2.00 dan level perbedaan dari 1% = 2.65. Hal ini berarti 2.002.65. Dengan kata lain, dapat disimpulkan bahwa kemampuan menulis siswa di teks recount yang diajarkan dengan menggunakan Strategi Ringkasan Acak lebih baik dari siswa yang tidak diajarkan menggunakan Strategi Ringkasan Acak. Selanjutnya, hasil dari penghitungan effect size adalah 0.74. Ini termasuk kedalam kategori pengaruh besar. Dengan kata lain, dapat disimpulkan bahwa ada pengaruh yang signifikan pada kemampuan menulis siswa di teks recount yang diajarkan dengan menggunakan Strategy Ringkasan Acak di SMAN 11 Pekanbaru

The occupational wellbeing of nurses

Background: Burnout can have a significant impact on staff working in highly physically and emotionally demanding roles, such as those working across Intensive, High Dependency and Special Care within neonatal services. Aims: To gain a deeper understanding of neonatal nurses’ experiences of occupational wellbeing and factors that support or impair it. Methods: Eight neonatal nurses took part in a semi-structured interview exploring their experiences of occupational wellbeing, analysed through Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results: Analysis generated four interrelated themes within the superordinate themes of The Inherent Emotional Toll of the Nursing Role and The Interconnectedness of Resilience: competing demands, professional identity, feeling valued and meaningful connections. Conclusions: This research highlights factors positively and negatively impacting wellbeing in this staff group. It underlines the importance of staff feeling valued, having emotional connections and learning and development opportunities to strengthen professional identity, ensuring their skills and wellbeing are prioritised within the workplace culture

'Discourse AND Figure': Learning through visual regimes of signification

Arts marketing has been dominated by considerations of how the arts can &lsquo;do marketing'. With the additional interest in creativity in business (Bilton, 2006, Fillis, 2002), this conceptual paper questions why, when the profession it shadows is so sophisticated in its visual literacy, visual thinking remains overlooked as a site of professional practice within the discipline of marketing. In order to illustrate this, the authors consider the potential of visual practics within the context of assembling poster presentation. This conceptual paper has implications for arts marketing practice and marketing education