The response of Physical Science post-graduates to training courses and the connection to their PhD studies

Training in both employability and discipline-specific skills has been provided and expanded over a number of years for post-graduate research students, (PGRs) in the Faculty of Physical Sciences administered by the Physical Sciences Graduate School (PSGS) at the University of Glasgow. This project explored the training provided in 2005/06 with a view to further developing a programme that students and faculty alike consider appropriate, timely and developmental for the needs of research students. The training provided by the PSGS had grown over a number of years in response to suggestions from academic staff in the Faculty of Physical Sciences. Data were collected from Postgraduate Research students (PGRs) from all the stages of the 3 year PhD process to enable a complete map of views to emerge. In particular, the way PGR students perceive the training they undergo in relation to their core PhD research and career progression was examined. The students in our study also identified clearly where they perceived they were developing such transferable skills, and training sessions are not seen as the sole or even major source; the research group itself would appear to play a major role. The authors believe the finding could inform the provision of PGR training in other UK institution

AMP Deaminase From Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Attempts were made to clone the yeast adenosine-5'-monophosphate deaminase (AMP deaminase) gene from S. cerevisiae using a number of strategies. Initially, it was hoped that overproduction of AMP deaminase could be detected in yeast, by selecting for resistance to the AMP deaminase inhibitor, deoxycoformycin (dCF). This involved the construction of ade, hpt1 yeast strains in which the AMP deaminase reaction is the major source of inosine-5'-monophosphate (IMP). Although yeast AMP deaminase is sensitive to dCF in vitro no effect was observed in vivo (possibly due to lack of uptake of the drug)

Engaging in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

No abstract available

Fostering SoTL through Community

No abstract available

Engaging in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

No abstract available

Exploring the feasibility of international collaboration and relationship building through a virtual partnership scheme

International collaboration is an under-studied component of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). This study sheds light on the process of international collaboration by illustrating an exploratory approach to the process of forming and maintaining collaborative partnerships. Participants in this study were put into pairs (each one comprised of one individual from the University of Glasgow and another from the University of Wisconsin System) and asked to participate in email correspondence over the course of one year. The text of participants’ emails was pooled and analyzed through a general inductive approach using NVivo software. The study, though small in nature, helps to illustrate and further understand international collaborative relationships. We offer suggestions for future international collaborations and discuss the implications of emphasizing such partnerships within SoTL

The ‘EDHF’ Antagonist 14, 15 Epoxyeicosa-5(Z)-Enoic Acid has Vasodilator Properties in Mesenteric Vessels

There is now overwhelming evidence for Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) as endothelial derived hyperpolarising factor (EDHF). Most recently, a number of pharmacological tools have been developed for the study of EETs in relation to EDHF responses. EETs have been shown to cause relaxation by activating smooth muscle large conductance Ca2+ sensitive K+ (BKCa) (Archer et al, 2003). This dilatory response has been shown to be specifically inhibited by its analogue 14, 15-epoxyeicosa-5 (Z) enoic acid (14, 15 EEZE) in both human internal mammary artery and bovine coronary artery (Archer et al, 2003). Here we have investigated the antagonist effects of 14, 15 EEZE in murine arteries. Male Black 6 mice (12-18 weeks) were killed by lethal exposure to CO2. First order arteries were isolated and mounted in wire myographs immersed in physiological salt solution (PSS). Arteries were equilibrated (30 mins) and tensions normalised as described previously (Mulvany and Halpern, 1977). Arteries incubated for 30 minutes with or without 3µg/ml 14, 15 EEZE. A concentration response curve to 11, 12 EET was performed cumulatively on arteries pre-contracted with EC80 U46619. In some experiments, arteries were pre-contracted with EC80 U46619, and concentration response to 14, 15 EEZE performed cumulatively.Non peer reviewe

Fostering SoTL through Community

No abstract available

The human landscape in Proust: a study in flower symbolism

This thesis seeks to prove the existence of a well-planned, pattern of images and symbols in Proust's work, a pattern denied him by many critics. The images which concern us the most are the flower images through which we can analyse Proust's "human landscape". That is, Proust expressed his main theme, built up a symbolic code of colours, described his important characters, and contrasted Society and Nature - Paris salons and Combray countryside - through his flower imagery. The main theme which this thesis follows most closely is that of the apprenticeship of the young artist, who must be tested by suffering, symbolized by the storm motif which is associated with many flowers. Proust's important colours, in brief, are the white of innocence, ignorance, or denial of suffering; the red of experience or passion, in all senses of the word; and the mauve or black of dangerous love, especially homosexuality or lesbianism. The main characters we will trace through various flower symbols are Marcel himself, Gilberte, the Duchess of Guermantes, Odette, Swann, Aunt Leonie, Charlus, and, perhaps most important of all, Albertine. The hawthorns, the apple blossom, the pear blossom, the red and violet flowers of the Guermantes' estate, the lilacs, the dried limetree blossoms, the water-lilies, the cattleya, the orchid and the pine tree, the rose and the forget-me-not all deserve and obtain a chapter each. Another chapter discusses the grand panorama of the seasons, which Proust expressed in vast human landscapes found in Odette's winter garden salon, the Bois de Boulogne, and the winter forest of aged friends which confronts Marcel at the final reception at the Guermanteso In this study of the seasons, social and natural, we find Proust, through Marcel emphasizing the sterility of denying the processes of change in this world and the creativity of accepting Time and incorporating it into a work of art. Since Proust did, in fact, plan his novel extremely carefully, an analysis of his conclusions forms the conclusion of this thesis

Nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation is compromised in isolated pulmonary arteries from COX knockout mice

Cyclooxygenase (COX) has two isoforms and is essential for prostanoid synthesis. COX-1 is constitutive whilst COX-2 is induced in inflammation. Two COX products, prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane (TxA2), regulate vessel tone; PGI2 mediates vasodilation and platelet inhibition, and TxA2 opposes this. PGI2 therapies are used in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Endogenous TxA2/PGI2 has been linked to PAH in animal models, but the mechanism and isoform involved is debated. We hypothesized that pulmonary artery (PA) from COX-1–/– and COX-2–/– mice would have altered vasodilatory function compared with wild-type (WT; C57Bl6) mice. Vasomotor responses to contractile and relaxant agents were measured by myography. PA from all mice responded similarly to contraction by high potassium or the TxA2 mimetic, U46619. Relaxation to PGI2 receptor or PPARβ/ agonists was also similar in all PAs. However, COX-1–/– and, to a lesser extent, COX-2–/– PA had impaired vasodilation to acetylcholine (ACh), which stimulates endothelial nitric oxide (NO) release, and COX-1–/– PA also dilated less to sodium nitroprusside (SNP); an NO donor that works on smooth muscle (Fig 1). These data indicate an interaction between COX and NO sensing pathways in pulmonary vessels, and have implications for our understanding of PAH.Non peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio