Feasibility study: the methods and approaches to implementing a SEREAD teacher training programme in BOBLME countries

Objectives included a desk-top feasibility study to explore opportunities to adapt the Scientific Educational Resources and Experience Associated with the Deployment of Argo profiling floats in the South Pacific Ocean (SEREAD) to BOBLME country schools.The programme included teacher resources on climate change and facilitating interactions between scientists, students and teachers

Meeting on BOBLME engagement in the International Indian Ocean Expedition 50th anniversary initiative (IIOE-2), Bangkok, Thailand, 17-18 March, 2015

Objectives included; a contribution to understanding large-scale processes affecting the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project (BOBLME) and it's living resources; and to align with International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE-2) (2015-2020) which will extensively explore and study the Indian Ocean to improve understanding of the ocean and coupled climate processes

Particulate Inorganic Carbon Flux in Karst and its Signifi cance to Karst Development and the Carbon Cycle

Chemical removal of carbonate is generally assumed to dominate the inorganic carbon cycle in karst, but mechanical removal of carbonate during storm events may be significant. To determine the significance, particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) flux in bed load and suspended load is being quantified and compared to dissolved inorganic carbon flux in three karst systems: Mammoth Cave, KY; Blowing Cave, KY; and Tumbling Creek Cave, M

A Novel Method for Prediction of Mobile Robot Maneuvering Spaces

As the operational uses of mobile robots continue to expand, it becomes useful to be able to predict the admissible maneuvering space to prevent the robot from executing unsafe maneuvers. A novel method is proposed to address this need by using force-moment diagrams to characterize the robot’s maneuvering space in terms of path curvature and curvature rate. Using the proposed superposition techniques, these diagrams can then be transformed in real-time to provide a representation of the permissible maneuvering space while allowing for changes in the robot’s loading and terrain conditions. Simulation results indicate that the technique can be applied to determine the appropriate maneuvering space for a given set of loading conditions, longitudinal acceleration, and tire-ground coefficient of friction. This may lead to potential expansion in the ability to integrate predictive vehicle dynamics into autonomous controllers for mobile robots and a corresponding potential to safely increase operating speeds

Parallel-propagating Fluctuations at Proton-kinetic Scales in the Solar Wind are Dominated by Kinetic Instabilities

We use magnetic helicity to characterise solar wind fluctuations at proton-kinetic scales from Wind observations. For the first time, we separate the contributions to helicity from fluctuations propagating at angles quasi-parallel and oblique to the local mean magnetic field, $\mathbf{B}_0$. We find that the helicity of quasi-parallel fluctuations is consistent with Alfv\'en-ion cyclotron and fast magnetosonic-whistler modes driven by proton temperature anisotropy instabilities and the presence of a relative drift between $\alpha$-particles and protons. We also find that the helicity of oblique fluctuations has little dependence on proton temperature anisotropy and is consistent with fluctuations from the anisotropic turbulent cascade. Our results show that parallel-propagating fluctuations at proton-kinetic scales in the solar wind are dominated by proton temperature anisotropy instabilities and not the turbulent cascade. We also provide evidence that the behaviour of fluctuations at these scales is independent of the origin and macroscopic properties of the solar wind.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJL. 6 Pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

Synthesis and evaluation of symmetrical biphenyltetrols as aggregation inhibitors for Alzheimer’s amyloid-β peptide

Inhibiting the aggregation of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) is one therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. We have previously demonstrated that biphenyl-3,3′,4,4′-tetrol (3,4-BPT) effectively abrogates Aβ aggregation at stoichiometric concentrations. To investigate molecular architecture and determine how the positioning of the hydroxyl hydrogen-bond donors impacts inhibitor efficacy, we have synthesized four additional symmetrical biphenyltetrols (2,3-, 2,4- 2,5- and 3,5-BPT). We have evaluated these inhibitors by means of Congo red and Thioflavin T dye-binding assays to monitor Aβ aggregation as a function of time and to determine inhibitor IC50 values for reducing equilibrium levels of aggregation. 2,3- and 2,5-BPT were observed to be promising inhibitors of Aβ aggregation: we have qualitatively assessed their IC50 values to be approximately 7X and 3-4X, respectively. In contrast, 2,4- and 3,5-BPT showed little to no inhibition. Thus, 2,5-BPT was the most successful of the four inhibitors evaluated, however; it was not as effective as 3,4-BPT, studied previously (IC50 = 1.0 ± 0.3X). The four isomers we have characterized exhibit a range of IC50 values spanning more than one order of magnitude, likely due to varying abilities to bind to A assemblies. Future work will involve further evaluation of the symmetrical biphenyltetrols, by methods including circular dichroism and transmission electron microscopy, which will afford greater insight into the Aβ assemblies formed in the presence and absence of inhibitors. These results will aid in the rational design of additional small-molecule aggregation inhibitors, including unsymmetrical biphenyltetrols and other architectures bearing hydroxyl substituents in those positions associated with the greatest inhibitory efficacy

An exploration into identity formation in young people living with a chronic illness

Section A critically reviews relevant theoretical literature and empirical studies exploring the particular impact of chronic illness on identity formation in adolescents. Theoretical conceptualisations of the adolescent period and of the process of identity formation are explored. Following this, empirical literature regarding the impact of chronic illness on the developmental tasks of adolescence and in particular identify formation will be critically examined. A number of clinical implications are discussed to enable clinicians to effectively support young people and future research directions are outlined. Section B reports a narrative analysis of young people's experiences of forming an identity with a diagnosis of an adolescent-onset chronic illness (CI). Identity formation is argued to be one of the key developmental tasks of adolescence. Despite implications for adolescent development, research into CI onset during this period has been notably sparse. This study aimed to explore how diagnosis impacts on the developmental tasks of adolescence, what role adolescent-onset CI plays in identity formation, and how adolescents incorporate the diagnosis into their identity. Individual semi-structured interviews were carried out with 8 young people aged 14-19 who lived with a diagnosis of a CI diagnosed between the ages of 12-16 years. Two illness types were studied; crohn’s disease and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using narrative analysis. Participant narratives contained five core narrative themes: Walking a different path, tolerating contradiction, a changed interface with others, locating power and a fluid relationship. Narratives were considered to have been influenced by factors such as the interview context and dominant social narratives concerning health and illness. Adolescent-onset CI was found to have a significant, though not exclusively negative, impact on developmental tasks. The findings are discussed in relation to existing literature and potential clinical implications. Section C critically appraises the narrative study. A discussion begins with reflections on the research skills developed and insights into the research process. Areas of further learning are identified. Implications of clinical practice are explored and the section concludes with considerations for further research in this area.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

An Experimental Overview of Results Presented at SQM 2006

I have been asked to give an critical overview on the experimental results shown in the conference with a emphasis of what has been learned and the challenges that are ahead in trying to understand the physics of the strongly interacting quark-gluon plasma. I will not try to summarize all of the results presented, rather I will concentrate primarily on RHIC data from this conference. Throughout this summary, I will periodically review some of the previous results for those not familiar with the present state of the field.Comment: 15 pages, 12 Figure