Biochemical studies on the neurotensin receptor

Imperial Users onl

The accidental mentor: Australian rural nurses developing supportive relationships in the workplace

improved rural nurse retention as an outcome of recognising and developing such supportive relationships in the workplace. Strategies include: performance review and development processes that account for all forms of supportive relationships conducted in the workplace; recognising the importance of developing supportive relationships and allocating time for these; and continuing professional development designed to meet local needs for developing a culture of support in the workplace

Panorama

The sights we saw ranged from vast stretches of beautifully colored deserts to lofty mountain peaks..

Design of experiment and analysis techniques for fuel consumption data using heavy-duty diesel vehicles and on-road testing

Chassis dynamometer and on-road testing are usually employed to test vehicle operation. Testing on a chassis dynamometer reduces data variability compared to on-road testing due to the controlled environment but it does not account for other important variables that affects real-world vehicle operation. This study used on-road testing to investigate the differences between two test fuels under real-world conditions. Three heavy-duty diesel vehicles were driven on different routes for a period of three months. Each vehicle was instrumented with flow meters to gather fuel consumption data, which was then compared to the fuel rate broadcasted by the engine control unit (ECU). Additionally, the driveshaft torque was measured using a strain gage and a torque transmitter, which was used to confirm that the output torque was correlated to the vehicle’s fuel consumption. Data from both the ECU and the sensors were stored on a portable activity measurement system (PAMS), which also collected global positioning system (GPS) data and ambient conditions. The experimental procedure was based on SAE J1321. Due to the proprietary nature of the data, specific results of the study were not shown. However, the thesis details the design of experiments, including the selection, installation, benefits, and limitations of using additional sensors to improve data analysis. It also discusses the data storage and methods used for data analysis with the considerably large data sets obtained in the study. For example, while ~4.5 million data points were collected for each vehicle and each month of testing, more than 55% of the data points were discarded due to idling, engine cutoff during downhill operation, and adverse weather conditions. With respect to data analysis, the principal component analysis (PCA) identified the variables that caused the most variability in the datasets. PCA and data binning were used to compare datasets and determine the differences between them. The results show that the route with the most interstate data supplied the highest number of usable data points. Moreover, the ECU fuel consumption was consistent with the flow meter data with an average percent error of 2.5%. Measuring the engine torque using a torque meter can be difficult for on-road testing due to the excessive vibration experienced by the sensor

The Application of Soft Systems Methodology for Improving the Agrotechnology Transfer Process Responding to Tree Crop Farming Concerns in Kona, Hawaii

This dissertation applied soft systems methodology for improving the agrotechnology transfer process responding to tree crop farming concerns in Kona, Hawaii. The ten-month study undertook on-site research activities involving randomly selected Kona farmers, leaders of commodity organizations and university staff. The analyst engaged participants in the methodology's seven-stage process. They 1) described non-commodity specific and coffee, macadamia nut and avocado concerns, 2) envisioned improvements, 3) developed models of improved situations, 4) compared these models with the actual situation, 5) debated feasible and desirable changes and 6) implemented agreed-upon changes. Major conclusions of the study were that: 1) soft systems methodology caused change in agrotechnology transfer because it accounted for multiple worldviews affecting the process, 2) the current agrotechnology transfer structure, the Industry Analysis Program, had shortcomings, 3) participants requested soft systems methodology for improving the agrotechnology transfer process and on-farm research activities in Kona for assisting small-scale farmers, and 4) the analyst was a catalyst that assisted community members in bringing changes to the agrotechnology transfer process

Experiences and Perceptions of Rural Junior High Teachers Participating in a Professional Learning Community

In this qualitative descriptive case study, the researcher investigated how junior high school teachers’ perceptions of the role of how professional learning communities (PLCs) shaped their instructional practices in a rural Title I school in Texas. Exploring and understanding the experiences and perceptions of the teachers and administrators that participated in an English, language arts, and reading PLC provided valuable data that helped the administration determine professional development opportunities that could improve the instructional strategies of the teachers. By collaborating, analyzing student data, and sharing teaching strategies, the teachers were empowered to take ownership and improve their instructional practices. Examining the teachers’ perceptions and experiences revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the local program and provided an opportunity to personalize professional development to increase teacher learning as well as student achievement. Furthermore, the researcher identified and analyzed barriers to develop a plan of action to increase stronger team bonding. Keywords: professional learning communities; collaboration; shared mission, vision, and values; collective inquiry; continuous improvement; results orientatio

An investigation into the role of pregnancy in the development of stress incontinence of urine

Methods: For the prospective observational study, 250 women were recruited from the antenatal clinics of University College London Hospital and The Whittington Hospital at their booking appointment. All women were less than 20 weeks pregnant at booking. The patients were interviewed with a standard questionnaire at booking, 28 weeks, 34 - 36 weeks of pregnancy and at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum. At the first interview patients were asked about incontinence prior to the pregnancy. The patients then completed a frequency volume voiding chart for each visit except the first. They were asked to attend the clinic with a full bladder and performed a standing stress test at the 28 and 34 - 36 week visit. The delivery details were collected at the first postpartum interview. For the retrospective study 300 primiparous patients who had delivered at The Whittington hospital were sent a questionnaire three months after delivery. Results: 181 women completed the prospective study. The reported frequency of micturition increased during pregnancy and declined after delivery. The frequency of micturition recorded on the charts showed a similar pattern. The total volume voided per day increased during pregnancy and declined after delivery whereas the mean volume voided at each micturition decreased in pregnancy compared to postpartum. There was no difference in the mean volume voided in the women who reported incontinence compared to those women who were dry. The numbers of women reporting incontinence increased in pregnancy to 44.8% at 28 weeks and then declined after delivery to 12.2% at 12 weeks postpartum. 58.1% of the retrospective questionnaires were returned. 32.9% had some form of incontinence at the time of completing the questionnaire whereas 31.8% had incontinence in pregnancy

PASD1: a promising target for the immunotherapy of haematological malignancies

In general, there is a lack of good immunotherapy targets within the spectrum of haematological malignancies. However haematopoietic stem cell transplants and continuing antigen discovery have allowed further insight into how further improvements in outcomes for patients might be achieved. Most patients with haematological malignancies can be treated with conventional therapies such as radio- and chemotherapy and will attain first remission. However the removal of residual diseased cells is essential to prevent relapse and its associated high mortality. PASD1 is one of the most tissue restricted cancer-testis (CT) antigens with expression limited to primary spermatagonia in healthy tissue. However, characterisation of PASD1 expression in cancers has been predominantly focussed on haematological malignancies where the inappropriate expression of PASD1 was first identified. PASD1 has one of the highest frequencies of expression of all CT antigens in acute myeloid leukaemia, with some suggestion of its role as a biomarker in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Here we describe the characterisation of the function and expression patterns of PASD1 in cell lines and primary tissues. Development of DNA vaccines targeting PASD1 epitopes demonstrate effective ex vivo T-cell responses in terms of IFNγ secretion and tumour cell killing. Of particular note these vaccines have led to the destruction of cells which process and present endogenous PASD1 indicating that effectively primed CTLs could kill PASD1-positive tumour cells

A survey thesis of the personal reading preferences of children in the intermediate grades

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit