Open access repositories in the Asia-Oceania region: Experiences and guidelines from three academic institutions

In recent years open access models have transcended traditional modes of publishing, thus enabling freer access to research. This paper takes a trans-regional approach to open access publishing in the Asia and Oceania region focussing on individual institutions in three countries – Charles Darwin University (Australia), University of Hong Kong and the University of Malaya, reflecting on how each one is rising, in its own individual way, to meet the range of challenges that its research communities are facing. Specifically, it focuses on open access and institutional repository development, and traces their development at each of the aforementioned institutions. This paper is based on interviews conducted with staff involved with the development of the repository, and the open access collection in particular, at each of the three institutions. It synthesises open access developments and reviews the role the library has played in each institution in the development of open access across the academic and research community; and the success that has been achieved to date. It highlights any common factors between the approaches taken by each institution, as well as any significant differences of note. The findings reveal that each of the three institutions is at a different stage of development with the University of Hong Kong repository ranked at the top within Asia. Each has used a slightly different approach toward open access, and used different software to develop their repository. The authors have collated the overall experiences of each institution in open access publishing and repository development. They have highlighted the successes and failures that each has experienced and formulated a set of guidelines that may help those embarking on establishing an open access repository.postprin

Experimental and CFD scale-up studies for intensified actinide/ lanthanide separations

In this paper, systematic studies are performed to identify the parameters that influence the selective separation of actinides from a mixture with lanthanides in small channels. In particular, the separation of dioxouranium metal ions (UO2+2) from a binary U(VI)/Er(III) mixture in a nitric acid solution by an organic TBP/kerosene (Exxsol D80) phase, relevant to spent nuclear fuel reprocessing is investigated. The effects of parameters such as TBP concentration, organic-to-aqueous phase flow rate ratio, channel size, and residence time on mass transfer are evaluated, whilst the mass transfer performance in the extraction channels is further analysed using two important hydrodynamic features, i.e. plug formation time and interfacial area to volume ratio. Circular channels with diameters from 1 to 3 mm are used to investigate the effect of scale on the mass transfer characteristics. The importance of the mixing zone on mass transfer is also evaluated. A CFD model is proposed to simulate the mass transfer during plug flow. Using only one experimental point, once the plug has been formed, the model is able to predict extraction percentage with less than 4% difference compared to the experiments

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV)

ABSTRACT Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are the logical successors to modern aircraft and advancements in automated technology. The current generation of UAV's is focused on wartime capabilities and reconnaissance, leaving an existing market untapped by UAV technology: the commercial field. There are hundreds of applications for UAV technology in the civilian market, from emergency response applications and media outlets to communication technicians and horticulturalists. The vehicle can even act as a path guider in normal case and as a fire extinguisher in emergency. This project will help generate interests as well as innovations in the fields of unmanned vehicles, thereby working towards a practical and obtainable solution to save lives and mitigate the risk of property damage

Preoperative predictors for residual tumor after surgery in patients with ovarian carcinoma

Objectives: Suboptimal debulking (>1 cm residual tumor) results in poor survival rates for patients with an advanced stage of ovarian cancer. The purpose of this study was to develop a prediction model, based on simple preoperative parameters, for patients with an advanced stage of ovarian cancer who are at risk of suboptimal cytoreduction despite maximal surgical effort. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 187 consecutive patients with a suspected clinical diagnosis of advanced-stage ovarian cancer undergoing upfront debulking between January 1998 and December 2003. Preoperative parameters were Karnofsky performance status, ascites and serum concentrations of CA 125, hemoglobin, albumin, LDH and blood platelets. The main outcome parameter was residual tumor >1 cm. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was employed for testing possible prediction models. A clinically applicable graphic model (nomogram) for this prediction was to be developed. Results: Serum concentrations of CA 125 and blood platelets in the group with residual tumor >1 cm were higher in comparison to the optimally cytoreduced group (p 1 cm based on serum levels of CA 125 and albumin was established. Conclusion: Postoperative residual tumor despite maximal surgical effort can be predicted by preoperative CA 125 and serum albumin levels. With a nomogram based on these two parameters, probability of postoperative residual tumor in each individual patient can be predicted. This proposed nomogram may be valuable in daily routine practice for counseling and to select treatment modality. Copyrigh

Structural basis of ABCF-mediated resistance to pleuromutilin, lincosamide, and streptogramin A antibiotics in Gram-positive pathogens

he antibiotic target. One class of such proteins are the antibiotic resistance (ARE) ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins of the F-subtype (ARE-ABCFs), which are widely distributed throughout Gram-positive bacteria and bind the ribosome to alleviate translational inhibition from antibiotics that target the large ribosomal subunit. Here, we present single-particle cryo-EM structures of ARE-ABCF-ribosome complexes from three Gram-positive pathogens: Enterococcus faecalis LsaA, Staphylococcus haemolyticus VgaALC and Listeria monocytogenes VgaL. Supported by extensive mutagenesis analysis, these structures enable a general model for antibiotic resistance mediated by these ARE-ABCFs to be proposed. In this model, ABCF binding to the antibiotic-stalled ribosome mediates antibiotic release via mechanistically diverse long-range conformational relays that converge on a few conserved ribosomal RNA nucleotides located at the peptidyltransferase center. These insights are important for the future development of antibiotics that overcome such target protection resistance mechanisms

Measurement of radiographic changes occurring in rheumatoid arthritis by image analysis techniques.

We have applied image analysis techniques to serial measurements of bone contour in standard radiographs of single small joints of the hands in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and controls. Adequate reproducibility was shown in 20 controls radiographed twice over a six month period. The technique showed significant changes in a proximal interphalangeal joint of 13 of 15 patients with RA studied over periods of three to 10 months. In further serial studies in selected small joints of RA hands significant changes could be shown as early as four months. These results justify further development of these techniques to allow their full scale evaluation in multiple joints in patients with RA receiving long term drug therapy

Acute syphilitic necrotizing retinitis associated with placoid chorioretinitis in an immunocompetent patient

PURPOSE: We report an atypical case of combined acute syphilitic necrotizing retinitis and a contiguous acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis (ASPPC) in an HIV-negative, immunocompetent patient. METHOD: Observational case report. RESULTS: A 56-year-old male presented with a one-week history of pain and blurred vision in the left eye. He also complained of left-sided hearing loss for several months. Ocular examination demonstrated a unilateral panuveitis with a yellowish placoid macular lesion involving the outer retina contiguous with an ovoid area of full-thickness retinitis extending temporally. Vitreal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for HSV, CMV, VZV and T. gondii were negative but syphilis serology was reported as positive. An MRI of the head revealed bilateral enhancement along the facial nerves, more marked on the left side, consistent with syphilitic involvement. He was treated as neurosyphilis with a 14-day course of systemic procaine penicillin and oral probenecid. Oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) was commenced 24 hours prior to initiating antibiotics to prevent Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction and treat his panuveitis. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of combined syphilitic necrotizing retinitis and ASPPC occurring in continuity in the same eye. This case highlights the diversity of possible presentations of ocular syphilis, even in HIV-negative immunocompetent patients