Polymer-stabilized sialylated nanoparticles : synthesis, optimization, and differential binding to influenza hemagglutinins

During influenza infection, hemagglutinins (HAs) on the viral surface bind to sialic acids on the host cell's surface. While all HAs bind sialic acids, human influenza targets terminal α2,6 sialic acids and avian influenza targets α2,3 sialic acids. For interspecies transmission (zoonosis), HA must mutate to adapt to these differences. Here, multivalent gold nanoparticles bearing either α2,6- or α2,3-sialyllactosamine have been developed to interrogate a panel of HAs from pathogenic human, low pathogenic avian, and other species' influenza. This method exploits the benefits of multivalent glycan presentation compared to monovalent presentation to increase affinity and investigate how multivalency affects selectivity. Using a library-orientated approach, parameters including polymer coating and core diameter were optimized for maximal binding and specificity were probed using galactosylated particles and a panel of biophysical techniques [ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and biolayer interferometry]. The optimized particles were then functionalized with sialyllactosamine and their binding analyzed against a panel of HAs derived from pathogenic influenza strains including low pathogenic avian strains. This showed significant specificity crossover, which is not observed in monovalent formats, with binding of avian HAs to human sialic acids and in agreement with alternate assay formats. These results demonstrate that precise multivalent presentation is essential to dissect the interactions of HAs and may aid the discovery of tools for disease and zoonosis transmission

Multi-wavelength Radio Continuum Emission Studies of Dust-free Red Giants

Multi-wavelength centimeter continuum observations of non-dusty, non-pulsating K spectral-type red giants directly sample their chromospheres and wind acceleration zones. Such stars are feeble emitters at these wavelengths however, and previous observations have provided only a small number of modest S/N measurements slowly accumulated over three decades. We present multi-wavelength Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array thermal continuum observations of the wind acceleration zones of two dust-free red giants, Arcturus (Alpha Boo: K2 III) and Aldebaran (Alpha Tau: K5 III). Importantly, most of our observations of each star were carried out over just a few days, so that we obtained a snapshot of the different stellar atmospheric layers sampled at different wavelengths, independent of any long-term variability. We report the first detections at several wavelengths for each star including a detection at 10 cm (3.0 GHz: S band) for both stars and a 20 cm (1.5 GHz: L band) detection for Alpha Boo. This is the first time single luminosity class III red giants have been detected at these continuum wavelengths. Our long-wavelength data sample the outer layers of Alpha Boo's atmosphere where its wind velocity is approaching its terminal value and the ionization balance is becoming frozen-in. For Alpha Tau, however, our long-wavelength data are still sampling its inner atmosphere, where the wind is still accelerating probably due to its lower mass-loss rate. We compare our data with published semi-empirical models based on ultraviolet data, and the marked deviations highlight the need for new atmospheric models to be developed. Spectral indices are used to discuss the possible properties of the stellar atmospheres, and we find evidence for a rapidly cooling wind in the case of Alpha Boo. Finally, we develop a simple analytical wind model for Alpha Boo based on our new long-wavelength flux measurements

Psychosocial reflections on fifty years of cultural and political revolution:

Guest Editors' introduction to the special edition of the journal Free Associations: Psychoanalysis and Culture, Media, Groups, Politics, on the special edition theme: 'Psychosocial Reflections on Fifty Years of Cultural and Political Revolution'

Temporal Evolution of the Size and Temperature of Betelgeuse's Extended Atmosphere

We use the Very Large Array (VLA) in the A configuration with the Pie Town (PT) Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) antenna to spatially resolve the extended atmosphere of Betelgeuse over multiple epochs at 0.7, 1.3, 2.0, 3.5, and 6.1 cm. The extended atmosphere deviates from circular symmetry at all wavelengths while at some epochs we find possible evidence for small pockets of gas significantly cooler than the mean global temperature. We find no evidence for the recently reported e-MERLIN radio hotspots in any of our multi-epoch VLA/PT data, despite having sufficient spatial resolution and sensitivity at short wavelengths, and conclude that these radio hotspots are most likely interferometric artefacts. The mean gas temperature of the extended atmosphere has a typical value of 3000 K at 2 $R_{\star}$ and decreases to 1800 K at 6 $R_{\star}$, in broad agreement with the findings of the single epoch study from Lim et al. (1998). The overall temperature profile of the extended atmosphere between $2 R_{\star} \lesssim r \lesssim 6 R_{\star}$ can be described by a power law of the form $T_{\mathrm{gas}}(r) \propto r^{-0.6}$, with temporal variability of a few 100 K evident at some epochs. Finally, we present over 12 years of V band photometry, part of which overlaps our multi-epoch radio data. We find a correlation between the fractional flux density variability at V band with most radio wavelengths. This correlation is likely due to shock waves induced by stellar pulsations, which heat the inner atmosphere and ionize the more extended atmosphere through radiative means. Stellar pulsations may play an important role in exciting Betelgeuse's extended atmosphere

Physical activity : strategies for school communities : based on strategies developed during the Be Active School & Community Project 1995-1998

The Be Active School and Community Project (BASC) operated in approximately 30 WA primary and secondary schools each year from August 1995 until December 1998 (three years). BASC was a Healthway funded project, promoting the National Heart Foundation\u27s Be Active Everyday message. Under the direction of a Management Committee, two project officers worked with the broad aim of increasing the physical activity rates of children at school and in the local community

Designing Parametric Matter

This paper presents a series of design experiments that seek to move beyond today’s computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) technologies and investigates alternative material practices based on programmable self-assembly. When using CAD software, 3D designs can be rendered extremely flexible and adaptable such that changes to an objects size, colour, transparency, topology, or geometry can be made quickly and easily. However, once digital designs are converted into physical objects via typical CAM technologies, this capability for adaptation usually dissolves as objects are typically fabricated using inert materials and no consideration of a material’s computational abilities. The series of design experiments discussed in this paper help to rethink and re-imagine the possibilities of design and making with adaptive fabrication processes. The design experiments explore mineral accretion and generative paint recipes. Mineral accretion is predominantly controlled via a process of electrolysis to produce adaptable crystal structures that are grown on cathode scaffolds within a volume of seawater. The generative paint experiments expand on the mineral accretion work to explore how material self-assembly can be guided using less restrictive scaffolds. The experiments reveal how ‘contrast’ can be exploited within the design process as a means of guiding and monitoring material scale self-assembly. Through reflection of these material experiments, this paper seeks to provoke discussion about the role of design within future manufacturing systems, and the possible physical properties of future designed objects

Gene expression data and neuropsychiatric disease

The overall aim of this study is to evaluate a diverse selection of methods for the analysis of large-scale gene expression data derived from human brain, and to apply them to furthering the understanding of heritable psychiatric disorders. One strand of research presented here focuses on using clustering algorithms to group genes according to their expression. Several methods for expression clustering were implemented and based upon brain expression datasets. Gene Ontology enrichment was then used to assess the concordance of the resulting clusters with current biological knowledge. Combining different clustering methods is the most effective strategy, as it allows the discovery of the widest range of clusters. Clusters produced by these methods were then investigated for enrichment with genes associated with, or differentially expressed in, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Particularly enriched clusters were further studied using the functional annotation database MetaCore. The second strand of this research focused on using control adult brain expression data and expression quantitative trait analysis to divide SNPs into those with a greater and lesser effect on global gene expression. This classification was used to enhance the prediction of schizophrenia affected status from genome-wide association study SNP data using polygenic score analysis, a method which aggregates information from a large number of loci. SNPs which have a larger effect on global gene expression are significantly superior at predicting schizophrenia affected status through polygenic score analysis, a novel finding which suggests that expression data from control adult brain can have relevance to the study of schizophrenia.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

"The Last Leaf" for Sopranino Saxophone: A Performance Guide and Interview with Chaya Czernowin

Despite being one of the instruments outlined in Aldophe Sax's original patent for the saxophone, and commercially available since 1849, the sopranino saxophone was generally unaccepted as a fully-fledged instrument until the late 20th century, existing solely as a novelty or a rare member of the saxophone ensemble. As such, there are few saxophonist who utilize the instrument, and the literature for the sopranino saxophone exists primarily in the contemporary idiom. Of the contemporary works for sopranino saxophone, one of the most well-known pieces is Chaya Czernowin's The Last Leaf (2011/12). While Czernowin initially conceived this work for solo oboe, she subsequently arranged a version for sopranino saxophone. Since then, it has been performed many times and recorded by several saxophonists including Ryan Muncy and Patrick Stadler. Through an examination of the score utilizing a variety of sopranino saxophone-centric contemporary resources alongside an interview with Czernowin herself, this dissertation provides the first extant performance guide to the sopranino saxophone edition of The Last Leaf, with the purpose of providing any saxophonists wishing to attempt this work with the information of Czernowin's intention for the piece and how to implement the techniques necessary for a performance