Transfer function of the human visual system under red safelight conditions with average luminance as a parameter

None provided

The meaning of tree planting : a symbolic interactionist understanding of the behaviour of tree planting in the Byron Shire

As we enter a changed climate the understanding of what motivates and sustains participation in pro-environmental behaviours has never been more important. Planting trees to reforest vast areas of the world has the potential for numerous ecological and human benefits. Tree planting has not been taken account for in research into pro-environmental behaviours, why they arise where they do, and what motivates the individual participation in them. Data was collected from interviews with dedicated participants engaging tree planting as an ongoing behaviour. Using symbolic interactionism theory as a lens for this research, the individual and social meaning making and perspectives on the local influence for the manifestation of the behaviour were analysed. This approach was used to answer the main question of why people in the Bryon Shire participate in tree planting. The Symbolic interactionist perspective and methodological consequences reveal the links between meaning, the application of it, and motivation to engage in the behaviour of tree planting. A shared understanding of the meaning of tree planting and supportive social interactions exists among the participants simultaneous to an individual meaning that is personally formed through the participants own desires, needs, objectives and views of themselves. The meanings are created socially and individually and contribute to the prevalence and maintenance of this behaviour in the Byron Shire. The social context and local environmental ethos have also been influential in the formation of the behaviour

Novel α-MSH Peptide Analogs for Melanoma Targeting

Skin cancer is the one of the most diagnosed cancers in the United States with increasing incidence over the past two decades. There are three major forms of skin cancer but melanoma is the deadliest. It is estimated that 76,690 new diagnoses of melanoma and 9,480 deaths will occur in 2013. Melanoma accounts for approximately 1.6% of all cancer related deaths and is the 5th leading diagnosed cancer in the United States. The mean survival rate of patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma is six months, with five year survival rates of less than 5%. In this project, we describe the design and characterization of novel melanoma-targeting peptide analogs for use in diagnostic imaging of both primary and metastatic melanoma lesions. Novel α-MSH peptide conjugates were designed to target the melanocortin-1 receptor present and over-expressed on melanoma cells. These peptides were synthesized and their in-vitro melanocortin-1 receptor binding affinities were established in murine melanoma cells. Once binding affinities were determined, the peptides were radiolabeled with 99mTc utilizing a novel direct radiolabeling technique developed in our laboratory. The peptides were purified via reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography and in-vivo melanoma targeting and pharmacokinetic properties were determined in B16/F1 melanoma-bearing female C57BL/6 mice. Biodistribution and SPECT/CT imaging studies were performed with the promising 99mTc-labeled peptide conjugates. All α-MSH peptide conjugates tested showed low nanomolar binding affinity for the melanocortin-1 receptor. All peptides were readily radiolabeld with 99mTc with greater than 95% radiochemical purity. All 99mTc-labeled peptides displayed high specific in-vivo melanoma tumor uptake while maintaining low normal organ accumulation, and were excreted through the urinary system in a timely fashion. In addition, all tested 99mTc-labeld α-MSH peptides demonstrated clear visualization of in-vivo tumor lesions with SPECT/CT. While all peptides exhibited high melanoma uptake, extremely high non-specific renal uptake was of concern. After synthesis of α-MSH peptide conjugates containing a different amino acid linker, renal uptake was drastically reduced and a lead compound had emerged, showing favorable in-vivo melanoma targeting and uptake properties with limited amounts of non-specific renal accumulation

An Integrative Review: Best Practices for Educating and Engaging Care Partners of Patients with New Ostomies

PURPOSE: The purpose of this integrative review was to identify and synthesize the best practices of engagement and education for care partners of patients with new ostomies to support adaptation. METHODS: Five-stage integrative review process: (1) problem identification, (2) systematic literature search, (3) data evaluation, (4) data analysis, and (5) presentation. RESULTS: Four themes with sub-themes emerged to understand effective engagement and education of care partners: (1) care partner influences on patient outcomes; (2) care partner needs; (3) barriers to care partner adaptation; and (4) diverse engagement strategies. Each theme and sub-themes related to care partners could not be separated from the ostomy patients’ needs and experiences. CONCLUSION: The interconnected relationship between ostomy patients and their care partners greatly influences physical, psychosocial, and medical outcomes. Best practices of education and engagement of care partners should be considered for the development of new ostomy care delivery models to improve patient outcomes and support adaptation. KEY WORDS: Care partners, caregiver, ostomy, education, engagemen

The suitability of polymerised microemulsions as stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography

Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) is an analytical separation technique, coupling the electroosmotic flow principles of capillary electrophoresis (CE) with the stationary phase separation principles of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The development of this technique has been slowed due to technical problems with packing capillary columns. Alteration of the stationary phase to a solid monolithic support enables ease of filling and reduces bubble formation. Polymerisation of bicontinuous microemulsions can yield porous structures that are potentially suitable for use as a stationary phase for this technique. Polymerising bicontinuous microemulsions with different compositions produce monoliths of varying pore sizes. The microemulsions consist of a hydrophobic phase and an aqueous phase. The hydrophobic phase is typically methyl or butyl methacrylate, and a cross-linker, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The aqueous phase consists of water and a surfactant, typically sodium dodecyl sulfate. A short chain alcohol (C3-C5) is added as a porogen which also acts as a co-surfactant to aid with the stabilisation of the microemulsion. AMPS (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-l-propane sulfonic acid), added to the aqueous phase provides a charge along the polymer backbone essential for electroosmotic flow mechanism in electrochromatography. SEM analysis shows that polymerisation in-situ yields a structure with a porous topography. Materials prepared were assessed for suitability with a variety of microemulsion compositions

Exploring High-School Students\u27 Positive Lived Experiences with School and Their Perceptions of Qualities that Make Good Teachers: A Phenomenological Study

There is no shortage of evidence that portrays high-school students\u27 overwhelmingly negative perceptions about schools and teachers today. Negative student perceptions profoundly impact students, educational systems, communities, and society. To address and reverse the detrimental cycle, research must explore the positive elements of student experience so that practices can capitalize on the positive and change the trajectory of education in America. My study explored high-school students’ perceptions of qualities that make good teachers. This hermeneutic phenomenological study utilized positive psychology as its conceptual framework, allowing the five elements of the PERMA model to guide student perception data analysis. Participants included 12 high-school seniors from Lincoln Jr/Sr High School. Data were collected through individual interviews, focus group interviews, and student questionnaires. Then, the qualitative data were analyzed and synthesized using structural coding, pattern coding, and thematic analysis. The findings of this study emphasized relationships as foundational to learning environments, demonstrated the power of student feedback opportunities, and gave meaning to the universal phenomenon of a “good teacher.” Furthermore, the implications of this study include an educational use for the PERMA model and a new approach to focus groups called the ASE Focus Group Method. Utilizing these findings will be instrumental in redesigning school improvement efforts and research techniques in a way that directly aligns with students’ positive lived experiences