Quantification of the unsharp masking technique of image enhancement

The technique of unsharp masking is described and its use as an image enhancement technique discussed. A mathematical model for the masking process is developed; experimental testing and MTF measurements of the masked and sharpened images are made to test the validity of the mathematical model as a predictor of the mask and final image characteristics. The effect of contrast, mask unsharpness, and source spread function size on the resulting MTF are presented. Subjective evaluations are used to determine the visually optimum image. It is shown that the visually best image is not necessarily the one with the largest MTF value or area; suggestions are made for adjusting existing image quality specifications to incorporate the results of unsharp masking techniques

Investigating protein structure by means of mass spectrometry

The three-dimensional conformation of a protein is central to its biological function. Mass spectrometry (MS) has become an important tool for the study of various aspects of protein structure. This project investigates the use of MS for diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies, through primary structure identification, and for threedimensional protein structure analysis, through comparison to established methods and application to protein systems. Travelling-wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS) was used to investigate the biological significance of gas-phase protein structure. Protein standards were analysed by TWIM-MS. Cross-sections were estimated for proteins studied, for charge states most indicative of native structure, and were found to be in good agreement with those calculated from published X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance structures. These results illustrated that the TWIM-MS approach can provide biologically-relevant data on three-dimensional protein structure. TWIM-MS was then used to study the structural properties of the hemoglobin tetramer and its components. Results showed that globin monomers exist in similar conformations whether in apo- or holo- forms and that a heme-deficient dimer is unlikely to be a prerequisite for hemoglobin tetramer assembly. TWIM-MS was used to successfully differentiate between normal and sickle hemoglobin tetramers. The conformational changes occurring in VanS, a histidine kinase, upon autophosphorylation were investigated by TWIM-MS. Results provided insights into the mechanism of autophosphorylation. MS was used to follow the rate of the autophosphorylation and results obtained compared well with those from an established method. This demonstrated that MS offers a simple, reproducible alternative to conventional methods for the study of phosphorylation rates. MS was used to provide positive identification of a range of hemoglobinopathies caused by single point mutations. A high-throughput method was used to screen for hemoglobinopathies in South Asians with and without cardiovascular disease. Results showed a positive correlation between patients with hemoglobinopathies and those with cardiovascular disease

Teaching Sustainability in Higher Education: Pedagogical Styles that Make a Difference

The challenge of teaching sustainable development in higher education can mean that students—as future citizens—are left without insight, commitment, or a sense of their position regarding meaningful beliefs and actions related to sustainability. A paradox arises when educators approach a sustainability curriculum that has the potential to transform students’ thinking and actions, with a reductive and non-substantive pedagogy. This paper uses an epistemological and pedagogical analysis of relevant literature to redefine, clarify, and provide a more systematic and holistic understanding of a transformative pedagogy required for learning. The central thesis juxtaposes three sustainability curricular positions with three pedagogical models that vary decidedly in their emphasis on the prerogative of the learner’s prior knowledge and beliefs, the engagement of the learner, and the potential for critical thinking and transformative learning. It is found that a transformative pedagogy overcomes and eliminates the paradox, helping societies become more sustainable.  Parce que l’enseignement du développement durable représente un vrai défi pour les éducateurs, les étudiants sont privés de connaissance, d’engagement, et de compréhension de leur position à mieux connaître et à maîtriser tous les aspects du développement durable. Un paradoxe se pose lorsque les éducateurs abordent un programme d’études sur le développement durable avec le potentiel de transformer la pensée et les actions des étudiants avec une pédagogie réductrice. Une analyse épistémologique et pédagogique de la littérature a été utilisée pour redéfinir, clarifier et prévoir une compréhension plus systématique d’une pédagogie transformative nécessaire pour l’apprentissage du développement durable. La thèse centrale juxtapose trois positions curriculaires pour enseigner le développement durable avec trois modèles qui varient résolument dans leur accentuation sur l’apprenant et sa connaissance préalable, son engagement et son potentiel de la pensée critique et de l’apprentissage transformateur. L’article révèle que la pédagogie transformative surmonte et élimine le paradoxe, et ainsi aide la société à devenir plus durable

Making it fit: a report of a survey into the structure of technology departments in secondary schools in the north-east of England

This paper looks at the changes implicit in the inclusion of Technology as a new subject in the National Curriculum. It uses data from a survey of secondary schools in north-east England to discuss how pre-existing methods of curriculum organisation and interpersonal relationships have affected the implementation of the new curriculum and the extent to which these variables impinge on the shape of the Technology curriculum at key stage 3 and 4 in individual schools

Їдемо з Новóї Каховки до Асканії-Новóї

A number of universities worldwide have created new courses and degrees or modified existing ones, as a response to the increasing interest by companies to hire sustainability literate graduates. However, many of such courses have been developed with a focus on 'hard' technocentric or managerial issues. The examples that have been published in academic journal have tended to be descriptive, and in only a limited number of cases have they been based on theories of teaching and learning. This paper presents the process of designing and delivering a new course on organisational change management for sustainability for the BA Environment and Business degree at the University of Leeds. The course was developed based on holism and a constructivist position to help deal with the complexities of sustainability and organisational change management. The course objective was to educate students as sustainability change agents by dealing with the complexities of sustainability and 'soft' issues in organisational change management. The process had three key elements: (1) the learning outcomes; (2) the course delivery; and (3) the course assessment (including feedback). During the process a number of challenges had to be overcome. The paper provides a more complete, systematic, robust, and focused approach to education for sustainable development, specifically on course design and delivery, by using theories of teaching and learning and linking the course aims, delivery, and assessment. The paper integrates education for sustainability development and corporate sustainability into a relatively new discipline, organisational change management for sustainability

Variations on Negative Stain Electron Microscopy Methods: Tools for Tackling Challenging Systems.

Negative stain electron microscopy (EM) allows relatively simple and quick observation of macromolecules and macromolecular complexes through the use of contrast enhancing stain reagent. Although limited in resolution to a maximum of ~18 - 20 Å, negative stain EM is useful for a variety of biological problems and also provides a rapid means of assessing samples for cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The negative stain workflow is straightforward method; the sample is adsorbed onto a substrate, then a stain is applied, blotted, and dried to produce a thin layer of electron dense stain in which the particles are embedded. Individual samples can, however, behave in markedly different ways under varying staining conditions. This has led to the development of a large variety of substrate preparation techniques, negative staining reagents, and grid washing and blotting techniques. Determining the most appropriate technique for each individual sample must be done on a case-by-case basis and a microscopist must have access to a variety of different techniques to achieve the highest-quality negative stain results. Detailed protocols for two different substrate preparation methods and three different blotting techniques are provided, and an example of a sample that shows markedly different results depending on the method used is shown. In addition, the preparation of some common negative staining reagents, and two novel Lanthanide-based stains, is described with discussion regarding the use of each

Developments Towards a Scaled-Up One-Dimensional Directional Dark Matter Detector

There are many forms of evidence that point towards an unknown form of matter, known as dark matter, making up ∼85% of the mass in the universe. Many dark matter candidates have been proposed with the Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) being among the most favoured. There are many groups around the world actively looking for WIMPs with direct, indirect and collider searches with specific interest here in annual modulation and directional searches. The DRIFT-IId detector is the world’s largest directional dark matter detector and is operational in Boulby Mine in the UK. Members of the directional community have come together to form the CYGNUS collaboration, looking towards larger detectors with better directional sensitivity. This thesis looks towards the future scale up to larger directional detectors, specifically low-pressure gas detectors. Improvements have been made to a system used to measure the radon emanation of materials, with emanation tests taken of potential components for CYGNUS detectors. Measurements have also been taken with a small scale THGEM TPC in both CF4 and SF6 gas. The results from CF4 showed the high gas gains achievable from the THGEM detector and allowed a direct measurement of the Townsend coefficients of the gas. Gains of up to 8600 ± 150 have been achieved in low pressure SF6 with a resolution of 19%, both of these figures are the highest achieved to date. The directional sensitivity of 1D readouts has been tested with initial signals of head-tail shown in a THGEM TPC in SF6. A head-tail signature is also seen in a simplified 1D DRIFT-IId readout mode. Exclusion limits from both the full and simplified DRIFT readouts have been produced from over 100 days of background data. The result of 0.16 pb from the full analysis is the lowest limit produced by any directional detector. These results show that a one-dimensional readout may be feasible for directional WIMP detection removing the need for many hundreds or thousands of read out channels required for 3D reconstruction

Investigating protein structure by means of mass spectrometry

The three-dimensional conformation of a protein is central to its biological function. Mass spectrometry (MS) has become an important tool for the study of various aspects of protein structure. This project investigates the use of MS for diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies, through primary structure identification, and for threedimensional protein structure analysis, through comparison to established methods and application to protein systems. Travelling-wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS) was used to investigate the biological significance of gas-phase protein structure. Protein standards were analysed by TWIM-MS. Cross-sections were estimated for proteins studied, for charge states most indicative of native structure, and were found to be in good agreement with those calculated from published X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance structures. These results illustrated that the TWIM-MS approach can provide biologically-relevant data on three-dimensional protein structure. TWIM-MS was then used to study the structural properties of the hemoglobin tetramer and its components. Results showed that globin monomers exist in similar conformations whether in apo- or holo- forms and that a heme-deficient dimer is unlikely to be a prerequisite for hemoglobin tetramer assembly. TWIM-MS was used to successfully differentiate between normal and sickle hemoglobin tetramers. The conformational changes occurring in VanS, a histidine kinase, upon autophosphorylation were investigated by TWIM-MS. Results provided insights into the mechanism of autophosphorylation. MS was used to follow the rate of the autophosphorylation and results obtained compared well with those from an established method. This demonstrated that MS offers a simple, reproducible alternative to conventional methods for the study of phosphorylation rates. MS was used to provide positive identification of a range of hemoglobinopathies caused by single point mutations. A high-throughput method was used to screen for hemoglobinopathies in South Asians with and without cardiovascular disease. Results showed a positive correlation between patients with hemoglobinopathies and those with cardiovascular disease.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Great Britain) (BBSRC)Waters CorporationGBUnited Kingdo