AMP: A Science-driven Web-based Application for the TeraGrid

The Asteroseismic Modeling Portal (AMP) provides a web-based interface for astronomers to run and view simulations that derive the properties of Sun-like stars from observations of their pulsation frequencies. In this paper, we describe the architecture and implementation of AMP, highlighting the lightweight design principles and tools used to produce a functional fully-custom web-based science application in less than a year. Targeted as a TeraGrid science gateway, AMP's architecture and implementation are intended to simplify its orchestration of TeraGrid computational resources. AMP's web-based interface was developed as a traditional standalone database-backed web application using the Python-based Django web development framework, allowing us to leverage the Django framework's capabilities while cleanly separating the user interface development from the grid interface development. We have found this combination of tools flexible and effective for rapid gateway development and deployment.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, in Proceedings of the 5th Grid Computing Environments Worksho

An NADH dependent reductase for isolated enzyme and whole cell catalysis.

Isolated enzymes and whole cell biocatalysts can both be applied for the synthesis of chiral hydroxy compounds. It is hypothesized that whole cells can easily be employed for such reactions using simple technology which is robust. This is because whole cells contain all the necessary enzymes and metabolic pathways for cofactor regeneration. This also means that the enzymes and their cofactors are well-protected within their natural cell environment. In contrast, it is hypothesized that isolated enzymes require complicated and expensive purification procedures. They also require the stoichiometric addition of cofactors (or methods employed for their regeneration), and are susceptible to inactivation since they are isolated from their natural cell environment. The aim of this thesis was to systematically compare a whole cell biocatalyst (Trichosporon capitatum (MY 1890)) and an NADH dependent isolated reductase (tetralone reductase) in the synthesis of a chiral alcohol (6-bromo-P-tetralol). The comparison was carried out to ascertain which type biocatalyst is preferred, and also to establish whether the general hypotheses (as stated above) are true with respect to each biocatalyst. Comparison of the isolated enzyme and whole cell biocatalyst showed that there were significant differences with respect to each of the systems. These included differences in: the biocatalytic purity, the reaction methodology, the system efficiency, and the effects on the biocatalyst from the addition of substrate and solvent. The isolated enzyme methods were much more complicated than the whole cell methods, from the preparation of the isolated enzyme through to the bioreduction. This was because a novel protein purification process needed to be set up and a cofactor regeneration system was required. However, the isolated enzyme system showed higher substrate conversions than the whole cell system. At 1 g/L, a conversion of 86% after 420min was achieved, whereas the whole cell system exhibited a conversion of 79% after 450min. It was hypothesized that the whole cell system suffered from lower conversions due to the substrate and product accumulating inside the cell membrane and disrupting cell metabolism. In the same configuration, the whole cell system also suffered from lower reaction rates which were attributed to mass transfer limitations through the cell membrane. The addition of a solvent enhanced whole cell biocatalytic reaction rates, but only at low substrate concentrations. The isolated enzyme system was susceptible to inactivation, and increased solvent concentrations caused a detrimental affect on the reaction rates and conversions. This was most likely due to the solvent causing an irreversible change in the active site conformation. The similarities and differences of employing an NADH dependent reductase and a whole cell biocatalyst for the production of a chiral alcohol are discussed in this thesis

Genetic and phenotypic characterisation of mumps virus

Virological techniques have previously been used to investigate mumps virus (MuV) replication in vitro and have led to a rapid expansion of our understanding of this virus. The cell line of choice has been Vero cells, however, recent studies have concluded that variants of the original MuV are selected upon passage in Vero cells. The aim of this thesis is to describe the effect of cell substrate on MuVs through genotypic and phenotypic analysis after growth of MuVs in different host cells. Data is presented which demonstrates that MuVs passaged in B95a or HeLa cells are of greater fitness than the parental Vero cell-grown viruses, when assayed to determine the titre of infectious virus produced. No adaptation period was required for growth of MuVs in B95a cells with the exception of one variant of the JL vaccine. An adaptation period was required for growth in HeLa cells. Only one of the viruses studied, a variant derived from Urabe vaccine, grew to a high inactivity titre in MRC-5 cells. Growth occurred after an initial adaptation period, suggesting a narrow bottleneck for virus growth in these cells and amino acid 431 in the HN protein is implicated in the adaptation to these cells. Sequence analysis of the two envelope glycoproteins implicates amino acids 92, 205, 255, 347, 392 and 526 in the HN protein of B95a and HeLa derived viruses as being responsible for phenotypic changes in plaque morphology and antigenicity but do not solely account for host cell tropism

[Soccer collection - photo index]

The Soccer collection contains the Laurie Schwab collection and the Les Shorrock collection. Both collections were donated in 2003 and reflect soccer in Australia in the modern era. Laurie Schwab was a journalist and editor and his collection includes numerous clippings and photographs relating to soccer. Les Shorrock was a photographer who worked for the Melbourne "Age" and as a freelancer. His collection consists of the photographs he took of soccer players and teams whilst he was freelancing, whilst he was part of "Soccer Action" from 1976 to 1987 and whilst working for the "Age" from 1987 to 1995. The Photo Index provides a list of the various photographs in the collection