IN-VITRO RECONSTITUTION OF SULFITE REDUCTASE FROM PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Recent work has established a link between a ferredoxin:NAD(P)H oxidoreductase (FprA) and sulfite assimilation in members of the genus Pseudomonas.  This suggested that FprA is a component of a novel sulfite reductase enzyme.  That hypothesis is consistent with the fact that only one component of the well-characterized E. coli a8?4 sulfite reductase has been identified in Pseudomonas genomes; i.e the ? siroheme subunit CysI is present but not the a flavoprotein subunit CysJ.  This led to the hypothesis that FprA is a component of a novel sulfite reductase enzyme.  Our aim is to test that hypothesis by in-vitro reconstitution using the purified proteins CysI and FprA.  We have successfully overexpressed and purified FprA from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.  The strategy for production of purified CysI has been complicated by the requirement for concomitant expression of CysG (siroheme synthase).  We are also investigating the possibility that a downstream, overlapping reading frame (PA1837) may also be necessary for functional CysI production

Finite element model of an impact on a palmar pad from a snowboard wrist protector

Wrist injuries are the most common types of injury in snowboarding. Protectors can reduce injury risk by limiting wrist hyperextension and attenuating impact forces. There are a range of wrist protector concepts available, but it is unclear if any particular design is more effective. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a finite element model of an impact on the palmar pad from a protector. Pad material from a protector was characterised to obtain stress vs strain data, and determine whether it was rate dependent. Material data was implemented into a finite element model to predict impact behavior at 2.5 J. Four material models were investigated, with an Ogden model paired with a Prony series providing the best agreement to experimental data. Future work will build a model of a complete protector for predicting the protective levels of these products

Role of particle dynamics in processing of terrestrial nitrogen and phosphorus in the estuarine mixing zone

Multiple biogeochemical processes in estuaries modulate the flux of nutrients from land to sea, thus contributing to the coastal filter. The role of particle dynamics in regulating the fate of terrestrial nutrients in estuaries is poorly constrained. To address this issue, we resolved the particle size distribution of suspended material, and quantified size-fractionated particulate nitrogen (PN) and phosphorus (PP), in a stratified mesotrophic estuary (Pojoviken, Finland). We also carried out a mixing experiment where the effects of salt-induced flocculation on particle size distribution and concentrations of PN and PP were examined. The experimental results showed that salt-induced flocculation at already very low salinities increases the total particle concentration and mean particle size, indicating transfer of dissolved material into particulates. Correspondingly, a significant increase in PP and particulate iron (Fe) was observed in the experiment results, suggesting coupled flocculation of P-containing organic matter (OM) and ferrihydrite. Particle dynamics in the field data were dominated by processes occurring downstream of the flocculation zone. Primary production created a downward flux of autochthonous OM particles, promoting passive aggregation by random collisions with terrestrial material in the water column. Maximum particle concentrations were observed at and below the halocline. The highest PN and PP concentrations were observed in the subhalocline layer, 3.5 and 0.14 mu mol L-1, respectively. Molar ratios of N:P in this material were >40, consistent with typical marine snow in the early stages of microbial processing. Our study provides a mechanistic overview of the biogeochemical drivers of particulate nutrient dynamics in stratified estuarine environments.Peer reviewe

Strategically using public housing assets could transform our middle suburbs

‘Greyfields’ in the Australian context have been defined as those ageing but occupied tracts of inner and middle ring suburbia that are physically, technologically and environmentally failing. The research sought to test the potential of an innovative design based approach to create coordinated precincts in these suburbs involving the coordinated redevelopment of multiple, non-contiguous public housing lots (rather than relying on the ‘default’ option of incremental market based development of in-fill housing and piecemeal selling off of public housing properties). Recent public housing investments (under the Social Housing Initiative) were typically planned with job creation in mind rather than innovative housing outcomes, but innovations were still apparent. Innovations were generally simple such as improvements to parking arrangements and interfaces of private dwellings with common areas and public spaces and arrangements for tenancy mix and social diversity. Innovations were often more apparent when governments partnered with Community Housing Organisations who could access alternative land and funding sources, offer design and delivery expertise and facilitate mixed tenancy outcomes. Innovation also was more likely when there was a ‘champion’ for design quality, relaxation of selected planning controls, and project alignment with existing urban renewal strategies. The Department of Human Services (Victorian Government) was found to have existing housing assets in sufficient number (more than 6500 DHS properties) in well-located areas of Melbourne’s middle suburbs that were clustered in ways broadly suitable for coordinated precinct redevelopment. Preliminary investigations suggest the same in Sydney and Brisbane. The coordinated precinct approach could offer an effective model for redeveloping dispersed public housing assets. Integrated redevelopment can achieve substantial increases in dwelling yield—design scenarios developed in this study delivered two to four times the number of dwellings when compared to business-as-usual dual occupancy outcomes. A precinct design approach is potentially more efficient because it allows for non-uniform, flexible siting of higher density buildings, effective program mixes, efficient parking arrangements and a variety of households and tenure types to be accommodated across a neighbourhood. Preliminary discussions with key stakeholders—municipal authorities, community housing organisations and local community members—showed real interest in the benefits of a coordinated precinct-based development approach. - See more at: http://www.ahuri.edu.au/publications/projects/p52012#sthash.wTtz4itu.dpu

Exploring multiple factors affecting participation outcomes for children with communication aids

Many factors affect how much communication aids support and promote children’s participation in everyday settings. However, little research has explored which combinations of environmental, child and communication aid factors appear most influential. This paper will present preliminary findings from a pilot study of outcomes of communication aid provision to children. The main aims were to: (1) develop a self-report questionnaire for the parents and carers; (2) conduct a descriptive analysis of parents’ and carers’ perspectives. It is hoped that this presentation will stimulate discussion on issues such as identifying key influential factors in the take-up and use of communication aids and measuring children’s participation

Fabrication of auxetic foam sheets for sports applications

Auxetic materials have a negative Poisson's ratio, which can enhance other properties. Greater indentation resistance and energy absorption, as well as synclastic curvature, could lend auxetic materials well to protective sports equipment and clothing. Sheets of foam often form padding within protective equipment, but producing large homogenous auxetic foam samples is challenging. The aim of this work was to investigate techniques to fabricate large thin sheets of auxetic foam, to facilitate future production and testing of prototype sports equipment utilizing this material. A mold was developed to fabricate sheets of auxetic foam − with planar dimensions measuring 350 × 350 mm − using the thermo-mechanical process. The mold utilized through-thickness rods to control lateral compression of foam. Sheets of auxetic foam measuring 10 × 350 × 350 mmd were fabricated and characterized. Each sheet was cut into nine segments, with density measurements used to determine how evenly the foam had been compressed during fabrication. Specimens cut from corner and centre segments were subject to quasi-static extension up to 30% to obtain stress versus strain relationships, with Digital Image Correlation used to determine Poisson's ratio. Specimens cut from the corner tended to have a marginally higher density, lower stiffness and more consistent negative Poisson's ratio compared to those from the centre, indicating some inconsistency in the conversion process. Future work could look to improve fabrication techniques for large thin homogenous sheets of auxetic foam

A phenomenological investigation of pre-qualifying nursing, midwifery and social work students' perceptions of learning from patients and clients in practice settings

Government policies have emphasised the importance of patient and client involvement in all aspects of health and social care delivery, with a corresponding impetus for their involvement in the education of practitioners. Professional education programmes adopt andragogical, student-centred approaches and incorporate both academic and practice based learning and assessments. Practice experience is recognised as a crucial aspect of student learning and has become a major focus of quality reviews in health and social care education. Whilst it might seem self-evident that students on practice placements will learn from their interactions with patients and clients, this is a relatively neglected area for formal modeling, evaluation and research. This study, therefore, explores pre-qualifying nursing, midwifery and social work students’ experiences of learning from patients and clients during practice placements. The research project is underpinned by a descriptive phenomenological approach and the extensive data are analysed using phenomenological reduction (Giorgi, 1989a; 1989b). Two key themes and six categories emerged from the data. The first theme is presented as the ‘Ways of Learning’ and this comprises the categories of: facilitation of learning; critical incidents/patient stories; and role modeling. The second theme is presented as the ‘Nature of Learning’ and comprises three categories: professional ideals; professional relationships; and understanding patients’ and clients’ perspectives. It is evident that contemporary theories, including andragogy, social learning, experiential, reflective and transformative learning theories, remain relevant to professional education. The new knowledge obtained in this research is that the most powerful learning opportunities result from unplanned, informal learning opportunities involving interactions with patients and clients. However, this is not fully explained by these contemporary learning theories. This thesis will, therefore, argue that complexity theory is relevant to the requirements of professional education programmes. It will present an overarching framework to explain the data from this study and will propose strategies to harness the complexity inherent in this important aspect of student learning.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Cost of treating inpatient falciparum malaria on the Thai-Myanmar border.

BACKGROUND: Despite demonstrated benefits and World Health Organization (WHO) endorsement, parenteral artesunate is the recommended treatment for patients with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria in only one fifth of endemic countries. One possible reason for this slow uptake is that a treatment course of parenteral artesunate is costlier than quinine and might, therefore, pose a substantial economic burden to health care systems. This analysis presents a detailed account of the resources used in treating falciparum malaria by either parenteral artesunate or quinine in a hospital on the Thai-Myanmar border. METHODS: The analysis used data from four studies, with random allocation of inpatients with falciparum malaria to treatment with parenteral artesunate or quinine, conducted in Mae Sot Hospital, Thailand from 1995 to 2001. Detailed resource use data were collected during admission and unit costs from the 2008 hospital price list were applied to these. Total admission costs were broken down into five categories: 1) medication; 2) intravenous fluids; 3) disposables; 4) laboratory tests; and 5) services. RESULTS: While the medication costs were higher for patients treated with artesunate, total admission costs were similar in those treated with quinine, US$243 (95$ 190 (95% CI: 131.0-263.2) (P=0.375). For cases classified as severe malaria (59%), the total cost of admission was US$298 (95$ 284 (95% CI: 181.3-407) in the artesunate group (P=0.869). CONCLUSION: This analysis finds no evidence for a difference in total admission costs for malaria inpatients treated with artesunate as compared with quinine. Assuming this is generalizable to other settings, the higher cost of a course of artesunate should not be considered a barrier for its implementation in the treatment of malaria

Clinical features and survival among children with retinoblastoma in Uganda

AIMS: To characterise the clinical features, treatment and outcome of children diagnosed with retinoblastoma in Uganda. METHODS: The study comprised a 6-year nationwide enrolment with follow-up. RESULTS: In total, 282 cases were enrolled, 26% (72) were bilateral; 6% were lost to follow-up. Almost all diagnoses in the first affected eye were International Classification of Retinoblastoma group E or worse. Histology was available for 92%; of those, 45%, had extraocular tumour at diagnosis. Enucleation of the first eye was done for 271; 94 received radiotherapy to the socket and in the last 2 years, 70 children received chemotherapy. At close of study, 139 children had died. Survival, as determined in a proportional hazards model adjusted for age, sex, laterality and treatment era (pre or post introduction of chemotherapy), varied by extent of the tumour (p<0.001); children with only intraocular involvement were 80% less likely to die (HR=0.21, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.35) compared with children with extraocular involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic delay results in relatively high mortality among children with retinoblastoma in Uganda. There is an urgent need for more effective treatment modalities, particularly chemotherapy, and nationwide efforts to encourage earlier access to medical care