The human adenovirus 5 L4 promoter is activated by cellular stress response protein p53

During adenovirus infection, the emphasis of gene expression switches from early genes to late genes in a highly regulated manner. Two gene products, L4-22K and L4-33K, contribute to this switch by activating the Major Late Transcription Unit (MLTU) and regulating the splicing of its transcript. L4-22K and L4-33K expression is driven initially by a recently described L4 promoter (L4P) embedded within the MLTU that is activated by early and intermediate viral factors: E1A, E4 Orf3 and IVa2. Here we show that this promoter is also significantly activated by the cellular stress response regulator, p53. Exogenous expression of p53 activated L4P in reporter assays whilst depletion of endogenous p53 inhibited the induction of L4P by viral activators. Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies showed that p53 associates with L4P and that during adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) infection this association peaks at 12 h.p.i., coinciding with the phase of the infectious cycle when L4P is active, and is then lost as MLP activation commences. P53 activation of L4P is significant during Ad5 infection since depletion of p53 prior to infection of either immortalised or normal cells led to severely reduced late gene expression. The association of p53 with L4P is transient due to the action of products of L4P activity (L4-22K/33K), which establish a negative feedback loop that ensures the transient activity of L4P at the start of the late phase and contributes to an efficient switch from early to late phase virus gene expression

Reshaping Academic Practice and Relationships within the Department Of Plant Sciences

At the University of Cambridge, a research and development project concerned with teaching and learning in small-group tutorials has been initiated in Department of Plant Sciences. Known as the Plant Sciences Pedagogy Project, it is part of the Teaching for Learning Network (TfLN), which includes members of the Centre for Applied Research into Educational Technologies (CARET), the Department of Engineering and the Faculty of Classics. Provision of small-group tutorials plays a key role in teaching support for students at the University of Cambridge. However, variation in student experience of tutorial quality was raised as a point of concern in a recent student survey (Cambridge University Students’ Union, 2004). Our research therefore focussed on analysis of the tutorial environment with the aim of finding out how best to support our teaching staff and to influence changes in teaching and learning practices within the Department. The Plant Sciences Pedagogy Project used a number of qualitative and quantitative educational research methods in order to identify key plant sciences specific teaching and learning issues. These methods included practice-value questionnaires, self-efficacy questionnaires, supervision video analysis, student focus groups and supervisor interviews, which were implemented over the course of two academic years. The research findings were used to inform the development of a number of new learning resources which were provided for students within a virtual learning environment (VLE), or in collaborative workshops. The impact of the implementation of these new resources was assessed in order to inform research and development for the next academic year. In this paper, we describe the development of the research conducted in the Department of Plant Sciences and also chart the involvement of embedded researchers in the formation of the TfLN. The research structure is initially described in association with action research methodology but it is argued that the format has developed throughout the formation of TfLN so that it is best aligned with theories of social network analysis (Granovetter, 1973). This paper uses the theoretical perspective of brokerage between communities of practice (Burt, 2005; Wenger, 1998) to describe the role that plant science researchers have played in conducting research concerned with initiating changes in teaching and learning practices and also the subsequent coconfiguration of the TfLN research community. Burt’s (2005) four levels of brokerage are used to structure the discussion of these research processes, and the boundary crossing objects that have been used to support brokerage activities are described

Using an evidence informed approach to create online learning resources

The Plant Sciences Pedagogy Project began in the autumn of 2005 sponsored by the Cambridge-MIT Institute (CMI). The project objectives within the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge were twofold: to conduct research into undergraduate teaching and learning within the Department; and to develop online resources to support student learning. The research focused on the second year ‘Part IB Plant & Microbial Sciences’ (IB PMS) Course. A combination of focus groups, dual-scale questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to gauge both student and staff opinions on, attitudes towards, and expectations of, teaching on the IB PMS course. This resulted in a solid evidence base, with several key themes emerging that were confirmed by multiple approaches. This evidence base was then used to inform and shape the construction of the students’ course site and the new resources to be housed within it. The site was developed in the Universities’ adaptation of the Sakai Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) platform, known as CamTools, for which technical support was provided by Centre for Applied Research in Educational Technologies (CARET). There can be a strong temptation to use all the options offered by available information technology for their own sake and CamTools is rich in pre-programmed software ‘tools’. Therefore the evidence informed approach was adopted to identify appropriate tools for implementation. The CamTools/Sakai online environment proved to be extremely versatile and allowed the development of bespoke online learning resources for students; this resulted in an online learning environment which best matched the needs of the course and its students

Quantum Algorithms for Fermionic Quantum Field Theories

Extending previous work on scalar field theories, we develop a quantum algorithm to compute relativistic scattering amplitudes in fermionic field theories, exemplified by the massive Gross-Neveu model, a theory in two spacetime dimensions with quartic interactions. The algorithm introduces new techniques to meet the additional challenges posed by the characteristics of fermionic fields, and its run time is polynomial in the desired precision and the energy. Thus, it constitutes further progress towards an efficient quantum algorithm for simulating the Standard Model of particle physics.Comment: 29 page

Quantum Algorithms for Quantum Field Theories

Quantum field theory reconciles quantum mechanics and special relativity, and plays a central role in many areas of physics. We develop a quantum algorithm to compute relativistic scattering probabilities in a massive quantum field theory with quartic self-interactions (phi-fourth theory) in spacetime of four and fewer dimensions. Its run time is polynomial in the number of particles, their energy, and the desired precision, and applies at both weak and strong coupling. In the strong-coupling and high-precision regimes, our quantum algorithm achieves exponential speedup over the fastest known classical algorithm.Comment: v2: appendix added (15 pages + 25-page appendix

Quantum Computation of Scattering in Scalar Quantum Field Theories

Quantum field theory provides the framework for the most fundamental physical theories to be confirmed experimentally, and has enabled predictions of unprecedented precision. However, calculations of physical observables often require great computational complexity and can generally be performed only when the interaction strength is weak. A full understanding of the foundations and rich consequences of quantum field theory remains an outstanding challenge. We develop a quantum algorithm to compute relativistic scattering amplitudes in massive phi-fourth theory in spacetime of four and fewer dimensions. The algorithm runs in a time that is polynomial in the number of particles, their energy, and the desired precision, and applies at both weak and strong coupling. Thus, it offers exponential speedup over existing classical methods at high precision or strong coupling

The Positive Impact of Automated External Defibrillator Application Prior to EMS Arrival

In a 2016 County Profile, completed by the North Carolina State Department of Commerce, Caswell County had a population in 2014 of 23,614 and has a projected population for 2019 of 23,484. The population isn’t projected to increase, but the current population is aging. The quality of life for the residents in terms of healthcare is poor. According to this 2016 study, in 2013, Caswell County only had six physicians, the physicians per 10,000 populations was 2.5. Today, the County has three primary care physician offices, two in Yanceyville (the town seat) and one in Prospect Hill as well as the Health Department. The County also has ten volunteer fire departments that respond to medical calls to assist the County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system, but the majority of them do not hold a North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (i.e. Medical Responder, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced EMT or Paramedic) certification. In North Carolina, fire and rescue department personnel are only required to have certifications if their respective departments require it. Caswell County currently has zero fire departments that are, at a minimum, providing EMT level care. Each department provides first responder assistance (these fire personnel have completed a 40 hour Emergency Medical Course) but do not possess a certification. The fire departments have not been approved by the current medical director to become EMT level departments, primarily because of the lack of providers, but also because of the internal training that must be done between the EMS system and the fire departments. There is an abundant need for additional training in the county to increase the level of care being delivered by the fire departments because as a rural county, with only three trucks operating twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, there are times when the average response time for an ambulance can be over sixteen minutes. This delay in EMS response due to location of the ambulances compared to the location of the 911 calls impacts patient’s chances of survival greatly. This research project involves an analysis of data from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016 from Caswell County EMS, Caswell County Enhanced 911 Center, 10 the North Carolina Office of EMS Performance Improvement Center and the patient care reporting system that Caswell County EMS utilizes, known as ESO Solutions, Inc., on patients that received an AED prior to EMS arrival compared to patients that did not receive an AED prior to EMS arrival. Research Question and Hypothesis: The data consists of all patients that received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016 in Caswell County. I will look at first responders and/or bystanders applying AEDs to patients in cardiac arrest and if an AED was not applied prior to EMS arrival with patients in cardiac arrest and their survival rate as well as patients that only had an AED applied by EMS and their survival rate. The research question that I’m posing is that survival rates would be higher if public access defibrillation programs were more accessible in non-Yanceyville areas. My hypothesis is those patients suffering from cardiac arrest that live in Yanceyville, NC have a better chance of survival than patients that live in other parts of Caswell County, referred to as non-Yanceyville due to the availability of AEDs

Advancements in geospatial monitoring of structures

The need for advancements in geospatial monitoring of structures has evolved naturally as structures have become larger, more complex, and technology has continued to rapidly develop. Greater building heights generally lead to greater challenges for surveyors, limiting the practical use of traditional measurement methods. For this reason, a new complimentary method was developed and implemented to support elevation monitoring activities during construction of the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, California. While some studies have explored the use of strain gauges to monitor strain development within individual members, the primary contribution of this work is that it presents a practical and proven to be implementable approach to estimating elevation changes throughout a multi-story reinforced concrete core wall tower during construction while utilizing strain measurements acquired at intermittent levels. Construction in urban landscapes has the potential to impact existing infrastructure. Identifying and mitigating any associated construction impacts is critical to public safety and construction progress. The development of Automated Motorized Total Stations (AMTS) has provided an effective means to monitor deformations in structures adjacent to construction activity. AMTS provides real time results so that movements may be immediately identified and addressed. However, the design, implementation, management, and analysis of these systems has frequently been problematic. Inadequate monitoring specifications have led to systems that fail to perform as intended even when project requirements were satisfied. A collection of monitoring specifications and AMTS projects have been reviewed to identify why certain problems have occurred and recommendations have been made to increase the probability of success on monitoring projects. A deformation monitoring approach that defines location specific threshold values based on a statistical analysis of baseline measurements is also presented in this dissertation. Identifying potential causes for monitoring specifications to fail to perform as intended and a deformation monitoring approach that defines location specific threshold values are secondary contributions of this dissertation

The effects of the slip amplitude and lubricant type on the rate of false brinelling in roller bearings

Bibliography: pages 79-83.False brinelling is a wear phenomenon that occurs in stationary rolling element bearings. Vibrations from adjacent running machinery are transmitted to the stationary bearing via the machinery foundations, and result in relative motion between the rollers and the races. This results in wear scars at the point of contact between the rollers and the race. The wear scars result in premature failure of the bearings. There are a large number of parameters that affect the rate of false brinelling. Most of these parameters are not free to be altered by the user of the bearing. There are two parameters that can be altered, the type of lubricant, and the slip amplitude of the vibration. The slip amplitude can be altered by changing the stiffness of the foundation of the equipment. By varying these two parameters it should be possible to limit the amount of damage to the bearing. In the work reported here, a shaker was used to axially vibrate a flat "outer race" in a lubricant bath, against a cylindrical roller. The relative motion was measured by means of a proximity probe. Two lubricants were tested: SAE 30 oil and LGEP 2/1 grease. Two different wear mechanisms, exhibiting vastly different wear rates, were discovered for the oil tests. At low slip amplitudes, smaller than 25um, the results suggested that elastic deformation of the contacting surfaces was the means of displacement accommodation. At larger slip amplitudes the results suggested relative motion between the two contacting surfaces, which was marked by a bifurcation in the wear rate versus slip amplitude curve. The one branch of the curve, which for ease of explanation is called wear mechanism one, exhibited a low wear rate, which increased in a linear fashion with respect to the slip amplitude. The second branch of the curve, wear mechanism two, approximated a step function, with a very rapid increase in the wear rate with respect to the slip amplitude. This rapid increase is followed by a slow linear increase in the wear rate with respect to the slip amplitude