Institutionalising Performance Management in R&D Organisations: Key Concepts and Aspects

In an era in which accountability, cost effectiveness and impact orientation are at premium, Research and Technological Organisations are under pressure not only to improve their performance but also to be able to demonstrate this improvement. This pressure is particularly hard-felt by agricultural research organisations, where funders’ perceptions of a lack of evidence for the uptake and impact of products and services are raising questions about their efficacy and existence. Such pressures can be traced back to several factors, including changes in management trends and the growing scarcity of donor funding in the face of proliferation of Non-Governmental Organisations. These pressures have focussed R&D Organisations attention on the need to develop monitoring and evaluation systems that are capable of ensuring and demonstrating improved performance. In recognising that the developmental impact of research is notoriously difficult to assess, the paper is predicated on the belief that indicators of organisational uptake can provide reliable proxies, or ‘leading’ indicators of development impact. The background to this paper is a DFID-funded pilot action research project that ran between September 2001 and December 2002. The project aimed to adapt and test a novel approach to performance management within three agricultural research and development agencies. The key concepts and aspects of this novel approach and similar work done are discussed.Performance Management; Impact; Evaluation; DFID

Exposure to fumes and gases during welding operations

The exposure to fumes and gases is one of the hazards associated with welding operations. Apart from research conducted on the mechanism of fume and gas formation and the relationship between fume formation rates and common welding parameters, little is known about the exposure process during welding. This research project aimed to identify the factors that influence exposure, develop an understanding of their role in the exposure process and through this understanding formulate strategies for the effective control of exposure during welding. To address these aims a literature review and an experimental program was conducted The literature review surveyed epidemiological, toxicological and exposure data. The experimental program involved three approaches, the first, an evaluation of the factors that influence exposure by assessing a metal inert gas/mild steel welding process in a workshop setting. The second approach involved the study of exposure in a controlled environment provided by a wind tunnel and simulated welding process. The final approach was to investigate workplace conditions through an assessment of exposure and control strategies in industry. The exposure to fumes and gases during welding is highly variable and frequently in excess of the health based exposure standards. Exposure is influenced by a number of a factors including the welding process, base material, arc time, electrode, arc current, arc voltage, arc length, electrode polarity, shield gas, wire-to-metal-work distance (metal inert gas), metal transfer mode, intensity of the UV radiation (ozone), the frequency of arc ignitions (ozone), thermal buoyancy generated by the arc process, ventilation (natural and mechanical), the welding environment, the position of the welder, the welders stance, helmet type, and helmet position. Exposure occurs as a result of three processes: the formation of contaminants at or around the arc region; their transport from the arc region, as influenced by the entry and thermal expansion of shield gases, the vigorous production of contaminants, thermal air currents produced by the heat of the arc process, and ventilation; and finally the entry of contaminants into the breathing zone of the welder, as influenced by the position of the welder, the welders stance, helmet type, and the helmet position. The control of exposure during welding can be achieved by several means: through the selection of welding parameters that generate low contaminant formation rates; through the limitation of arc time; and by isolating the breathing zone of the welder from the contaminant plume through the use of ventilation, welder position or the welding helmet as a physical barrier. Effective control is achieved by careful examination of the workplace, the selection of the most appropriate control option, and motivation of the workforce

Optimisation of growth conditions for ovine airway epithelial cell differentiation at an air-liquid interface

Respiratory tract infections are of significant concern in the agriculture industry. There is a requirement for the development of well-characterised in vitro epithelial cell culture models in order to dissect the diverse molecular interactions occurring at the host-pathogen interface in airway epithelia. We have analysed key factors that influence growth and differentiation of ovine tracheal epithelial cells in an air-liquid interface (ALI) culture system. Cellular differentiation was assessed at 21 days post-ALI, a time-point which we have previously shown to be sufficient for differentiation in standard growth conditions. We identified a dose-dependent response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) in terms of both epithelial thickening and ciliation levels. Maximal ciliation levels were observed with 25 ng ml-1 EGF. We identified a strict requirement for retinoic acid (RA) in epithelial differentiation as RA exclusion resulted in the formation of a stratified squamous epithelium, devoid of cilia. The pore-density of the growth substrate also had an influence on differentiation as high pore-density inserts yielded higher levels of ciliation and more uniform cell layers than low pore-density inserts. Differentiation was also improved by culturing the cells in an atmosphere of sub-ambient oxygen concentration. We compared two submerged growth media and observed differences in the rate of proliferation/expansion, barrier formation and also in terminal differentiation. Taken together, these results indicate important differences between the response of ovine tracheal epithelial cells and other previously described airway epithelial models, to a variety of environmental conditions. These data also indicate that the phenotype of ovine tracheal epithelial cells can be tailored in vitro by precise modulation of growth conditions, thereby yielding a customisable, potential infection model

Temporal dynamics of ovine airway epithelial cell differentiation at an air-liquid interface

The respiratory tract and lungs are subject to diverse pathologies with wide-ranging implications for both human and animal welfare. The development and detailed characterization of cell culture models for studying such forms of disease is of critical importance. In recent years the use of air-liquid interface (ALI)-cultured airway epithelial cells has increased markedly, as this method of culture results in the formation of a highly representative, organotypic in vitro model system. In this study we have expanded on previous knowledge of differentiated ovine tracheal epithelial cells by analysing the progression of differentiation over an extensive time course at an ALI. We observed a pseudo-stratified epithelium with ciliation and a concurrent increase in cell layer thickness from 9 days post-ALI with ciliation approaching a maximum level at day 24. A similar pattern was observed with respect to mucus production with intensely stained PAS-positive cells appearing at day 12. Ultrastructural analysis by SEM confirmed the presence of both ciliated cells and mucus globules on the epithelial surface within this time-frame. Trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) peaked at 1049 Ω × cm2 as the cell layer became confluent, followed by a subsequent reduction as differentiation proceeded and stabilization at ~200 Ω × cm2. Importantly, little deterioration or de-differentiation was observed over the 45 day time-course indicating that the model is suitable for long-term experiments

Studies in human genetics and cytogenetics

This thesis consists of 85 publications, of which 21 have been submitted for other degrees and are only included for completeness, leaving 64 assessable works. These fall into four broad categories, population cytogenetics, clinical genetics and cytogenetics, studies on amniotic fluid and prenatal diagnosis, and studies of heritable fragile sites on human chromosomes.The section on population cytogenetics includes most of the Australian studies on XYY males, epidemiological studies on Down syndrome in Australia and studies on the cytogenetics of paediatric necropsies. The clinical cytogenetics section mainly contains clinical case reports, which include a description of one of the first recognised insertional translocations in man, an important paper on trisomy 9 and one of the first discussions of genetic counselling of pericentric inversion carriers. This section also includes papers on gene mapping, alpha-1- antitrypsin phenotypes in chromosome abnormalities with descriptions of a new alpha-1-antitrypsin allele and studies on sister chromatid exchange in various groups of individuals with the documentation of an increase in this phenomenon in patients with multiple sclerosis.The section on prenatal diagnosis includes studies of the enzymology of amniotic fluid and cultured amniotic fluid cells, the discovery of rapidly adhering cells in amniotic fluid and documentation of their increased numbers in amniotic fluid surrounding fetuses with neural tube defects, and studies of chromosomal mosaicism in cultured amniotic fluid cells.The most important section of this thesis is the final one on studies of heritable fragile sites on human chromosomes. This section documents the discovery of the tissue culture requirements for the expression of fragile sites in lymphocyte culture, the finding of several new folate sensitive fragile sites and the co-discovery of the BrdU requiring fragile site at 10q25. Contributions to establishing fragile X-linked mental retardation as the second commonest genetic cause of mental retardation after Down syndrome, and population cytogenetic data for fragile sites are presented. Genetic linkage studies with fragile sites have established that a fragile site is coded for at the locus of the fragile site. Micronucleus studies have suggested that the folate sensitive fragile sites might be special examples of chromosome damage due to deprivation of DNA precursors

The db mouse as a model for steatohepatitis

Includes bibliographical references.Fatty liver disease is a collective phrase for a spectrum of diseases characterised by increased liver fat content. It ranges from fatty infiltration of the liver to an inflammatory condition, steatohepatitis, which may lead onto cirrhosis. Although not associated with alcohol consumption, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has strong associations with obesity, diabetes and dyslipidaemia. Overlapping pathological mechanisms may be involved. The course of the disease will remain unpredictable, and specific treatment will only be able to be instituted once the pathogenesis is fully understood. This thesis reviews current understanding of the pathogenesis and explores the suitability of a recently defined obese diabetic mouse model for its value as a model in the heterozygous and homozygous states. Observations revealed that the db/wt phenotype has a larger mass than the wt/wt and responds with hyperglycaemia. Lipid accumulation occurs in this model when alcohol is administered and lipid peroxidation occurs but histological changes of steatosis and steatohepatitis do not occur. The db/db model is phenotypically distinguished by a large amount of fat storage, diabetes and macrovesicular steatosis that has more lipid peroxidation but no steatohepatitis even when alcohol further increases lipid peroxidation. The model, as explored, did not reveal steatohepatitis either alone, or with alcohol as a single additional stressor, but both the db/wt and db/db mouse model could be further investigated to explore whether additional stressors could induce steaotohepatitis in this model

Life cycle and host-parasite relationships of Khawia iowensis Calentine and Ulmer, 1961 (Cestoidea: Caryophyllidea)

Gravid Khawia iowensis occur within the intestinal tract of the cyprinid fish (Cyprinus carpio). Proceroids occur within the coelom of the tubificid oligochaete (Aulodrilus pigueti). Naturally infected annelids were not found; in Iowa, fish infections are strictly seasonal with maximal prevalences and mean intensities occurring during August;Dero digitata, Stylaria lacustris, Ilyodrilus templetoni, Branchiura sowerbyi, Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and A. pigueti were exposed to embryonated eggs of K. iowensis. Infections, acquired by egg ingestion, occurred only in A. pigueti. After hatching in the tubificid, oncospheres penetrate the gut wall and migrate anteriad within the host\u27s coelom where procercoid development occurs;A cercomere, bearing six embryonic hooks, is characteristic of the procercoid larva. Procercoids possessing a scolex typical of the adult worm are probably infective to fish by day 60. Progenetic development does not occur in K. iowensis procercoids;Experimental feedings of infected oligochaetes to carp did not definitely estabish how fish acquire infections. Evidence indicates that periodicity of adults in fish may result from natural senescence of gravid worms and from variations in feeding activities of carp during the year. Two other intestinal helminths of carp, Pomphoryhnchus bulbocolli and Capillaria sp., did not exhibit seasonal periodicity;K. iowensis, Capillaria sp. and P. bulbocolli occupy discrete regions of the carp gut. Khawia occurs primarily in the anterior half of the gut, P. bulbocolli mostly in the third quarter and Capillaria, in light infections, primarily in the fourth quarter of the gut. Evidence exists for intraspecific competition by Capillaria and for radial segregation between Capillaria and P. bulbocolli. For K. iowensis, prevalence and mean intensity increased with increase in carp length. Male and female carp had similar prevalences and mean intensities for each helminth species;K. iowensis is redescribed and its close morphological similarity to K. japonensis is noted. Pathology elicited by K. iowensis in fish and oligochaete hosts is examined. Procercoids may cause rupture and death of A. pigueti. K. iowensis appear to be relatively benign in wild carp

The transition state of the cyclopropylidene to allene ring opening

As part of an effort to understand the chemistry of cyclopropylidenes in solution, the effects of substituents on the relative rates of cyclopropylidene ring opening versus intermolecular insertion in methanol have been examined via correlation analysis;The trans-2,3-diarylcyclopropylidenes were generated via the base induced decomposition of ethyl N-nitroso N-(trans-2,3-diarylcyclopropyl)carbamates, in various concentrations of methanol, using toluene as the cosolvent. The partitioning of the disubstituted cyclopropylidenes in methanol solution at room temperature was found to be a linear function of the alcohol concentration;The relative cyclopropylidene to allene ring opening rate was found to increase when electron donors were attached to C[subscript]2 and/or C[subscript]3, and decrease when electron acceptors were similarly attached. This is indicative of decreased electron density at C[subscript]2 and C[subscript]3 at the transition state;The correlation analysis revealed a fairly strong interaction between C[subscript]2, C[subscript]3 and the carbene center of the ring-opening transition structure (rho = -0.72 ± 0.07);Relative to insertion into methanol, the ring opening of cyclopropylidene is favored entropically, while being disfavored enthalpically

Thesis: Relation Between Eschatology and Jesus\u27 Ethics

Speculations on the final destiny of man and of the world have busied wise man\u27s minds of many ages. Although findings on the future life no longer captivate our thoughts as during the Middle Ages, yet they are still a by no means neglected part of almost every man\u27s theology. The change that we label by the common term death appears to be universally imposed upon mankind. To be aware of the approaching end of life-as-it-is stimulates many of us to probe the hereafter. That search and its fruits become an integral part of our theology. Has this fact of death always caused similar eschatological adventures? As long as man has been man, & conscious being, it has, the psychologists might answer. But our immediate phase of the problem is a historical one. It is the task of discovering whether or not eschatology had relationship with Jesus\u27 ethics. Was Jesus\u27 ethics influenced by eschatological views held either by his contemporaries or by himself? Before entering upon this problem a word of explanation is needed concerning the method employed. Too frequently amateur historians err by using their own life background as the environment into which they place characters of a past age. Jesus has been especially mistreated because students enter upon an examination of his life with prejudices and even formed conclusions. And then by studying a few of his words and a few of his actions decide that they have seen the historic Jesus