Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Captivity On House Mice Behaviour In A Novel Environment: Implications For Conservation Practices, Stephanie Kirsten Courtney Jones, Adam J. Munn, Phillip G. Byrne

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Captive breeding programmes offer a method for preventing the extinction of threatened species, but often have difficulty establishing self-sustaining populations and generating individuals for release. This difficulty can arise because behaviour of captive-reared animals differs from wild animals. Whilst the effect of captivity on animal behaviour has been widely reported, few studies have explicitly compared differences between captive-reared and wild-caught animals. Even fewer have examined behavioural types (a composition of behavioural traits) displayed in novel environments, which is particularly relevant for determining reintroduction success. Further, the transgenerational effects on behavioural type, and potential differences between sexes in response to captivity, …

Mechanism Of Membrane Fusion Induced By Vesicular Stomatitis Virus G Protein, Irene S. Kim, Simon Jenni, Megan Stanifer, Eatai Roth, Sean P. Whelan, Antoine M. Van Oijen, Stephen C. Harrison

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

The glycoproteins (G proteins) of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and related rhabdoviruses (e.g., rabies virus) mediate both cell attachment and membrane fusion. The reversibility of their fusogenic conformational transitions differentiates them from many other low-pH-induced viral fusion proteins. We report single-virion fusion experiments, using methods developed in previous publications to probe fusion of influenza and West Nile viruses. We show that a three-stage model fits VSV single-particle fusion kinetics: (i) reversible, pH-dependent, G-protein conformational change from the known prefusion conformation to an extended, monomeric intermediate; (ii) reversible trimerization and clustering of the G-protein fusion loops, leading to an extended intermediate …

The Chronostratigraphy Of The Haua Fteah Cave (Cyrenaica, Northeast Libya) - Optical Dating Of Early Human Occupation During Marine Isotope Stages 4, 5 And 6, Zenobia Jacobs, Bo Li, Lucy Farr, Evan Hill, C Hunt, Sacha C. Jones, Ryan J. Rabett, Tim Reynolds, Richard G. Roberts, David Simpson, Graeme Barker

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

The paper presents the results of optical dating of potassium-rich feldspar grains obtained from the Haua Fteah cave in Cyrenaica, northeast Libya, focussing on the chronology of the Deep Sounding excavated by Charles McBurney in the 1950s and re-excavated recently. Samples were also collected from a 1.25 m-deep trench (Trench S) excavated during the present project below the basal level of the Deep Sounding. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) data sets for multi-grain, single aliquots of quartz for samples from the Middle Trench were previously published. Re-analyses of these OSL data confirm significant variation in the dose saturation levels of the …

Preparation And Catalytic Study On A Novel Amino-Functionalized Silica-Coated Cobalt Oxide Nanocomposite For The Synthesis Of Some Indazoles, Mohammad Ghasemzadeh, Bahar Molaei, Mohammad Abdollahi-Basir, Farzad Zamani

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

In this research an efficient synthesis of a novel nanocomposite including SiO₂@(3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane-coated cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄) nanocomposite has been reported by three step method. The structure and magnetic characterization of Co₃O₄@SiO₂@NH₂ have been done by using various spectroscopic analyses which include FT-IR, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry. Amino-functionalized SiO₂ coated Co₃O₄ nanocomposite exhibited superparamagnetic behavior and strong magnetization at room temperature. The average crystallite sizes of the Co₃O₄ are …

A Late Pleistocene Woman From Tham Lod, Thailand: The Influence Of Today On A Face From The Past, Susan Hayes, Rasmi Shoocongdej, Natthamon Pureepatpong, Sanjai Sangvichien, Kanoknart Chintakanon

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Creating a facial appearance for individuals from the distant past is often highly problematic, even when verified methods are used. This is especially so in the case of non-European individuals, as the reference populations used to estimate the face tend to be heavily biased towards the average facial variation of recent people of European descent. To evaluate the problem, a facial approximation of a young woman from the Late Pleistocene rockshelter of Tham Lod in north-western Thailand was compared against the average facial variation of datasets from recent populations. The analysis indicated that the Tham Lod facial approximation was neither …

First Stage Development Of An Australian Anthocyanin Food Composition Database For Dietary Studies - A Systematic Process And Its Challenges, Ezinne O. Igwe, Elizabeth Neale, Karen E. Charlton, Kurt Morton, Yasmine Probst

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

In the last decade, there has been an increased interest in anthocyanin-based research with a growing need to accurately measure anthocyanin intake in population studies. Anthocyanin content in foods is known to vary across regions due to climate, soil content and harvesting practices. To accurately measure nutrient intake in population studies, food composition databases tailored to specific regions need to be developed. The aim of this study was to describe the first stage development of an Australian anthocyanin food composition database focusing on fruit and vegetables. A systematic literature search found analytical data on the anthocyanin content of five fruits …

Potential For Identifying Plant-Based Toxins On San Hunter-Gatherer Arrowheads, Madelien Wooding, Justin Bradfield, Vinesh Maharaj, Dwayne Koot, Lyn Wadley, Linda C. Prinsloo, Marlize Lombard

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

The antiquity of the use of hunting poisons has received much attention in recent years. In this paper we present the results of a pilot study designed to detect the presence of organic compounds, typically of less than 1200 Da, from poisonous plants that may have been used as hunting poisons in the past. We used ultra-performance liquid chromatography connected to a Synapt G2 high-resolution MS-QTOF mass spectrometer (UPLC-QTOF-MS) to provisionally identify plant-based toxins present in (1) extracts of fresh plant material, (2) a blind control recipe consisting of three plant ingredients and (3) a Hei||om arrow poison of unknown …

Biomass Burning And Biogenic Aerosols In Northern Australia During The Safired Campaign, Andelija Milic, Marc Mallet, Luke Cravigan, Joel Alroe, Zoran Ristovski, Paul Selleck, Sarah J. Lawson, J Ward, Maximilien Desservettaz, Clare Paton-Walsh, Leah Williams, Melita Keywood, Branka Miljevic

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

There is a lack of knowledge of how biomass burning aerosols in the tropics age, including those in the fire-prone Northern Territory in Australia. This paper reports chemical characterization of fresh and aged aerosols monitored during the 1-month-long SAFIRED (Savannah Fires in the Early Dry Season) field study, with an emphasis on the chemical signature and aging of organic aerosols. The campaign took place in June 2014 during the early dry season when the surface measurement site, the Australian Tropical Atmospheric Research Station (ATARS), located in the Northern Territory, was heavily influenced by thousands of wild and prescribed bushfires. ATARS …

Health And Nutrition Content Claims On Australian Fast-Food Websites, Lyndal Wellard, Alexandra G. Koukoumas, Wendy L. Watson, Clare Hughes

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Objective: To determine the extent that Australian fast-food websites contain nutrition content and health claims, and whether these claims are compliant with the new provisions of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code ('the Code').

Design: Systematic content analysis of all web pages to identify nutrition content and health claims. Nutrition information panels were used to determine whether products with claims met Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criteria (NPSC) and qualifying criteria, and to compare them with the Code to determine compliance. Setting: Australian websites of forty-four fast-food chains including meals, bakery, ice cream, beverage and salad chains.

Subjects: Any products marketed …

Scalemic Caged Xanthones Isolated From The Stem Bark Extract Of Garcinia Propinqua, Teerayut Sriyatep, Raymond J. Andersen, Brian O. Patrick, Stephen G. Pyne, Chatchai Muanprasat, Sawinee Seemakhan, Suparerk Borwornpinyo, Surat Laphookhieo

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Seven new caged xanthones, doitunggarcinones E−K (1−7), all as scalemic mixtures and 10 known compounds (8−17), were isolated from the stem bark extract of Garcinia propinqua. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. The separation of the enantiomers of 1−6 was achieved by semipreparative chiral HPLC. The absolute configuration of compound (+)-1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis using Cu Kα radiation. The absolute configurations of the other related compounds were determined from comparisons of their ECD spectra with that of compound (+)-1. Compounds (−)-6 and 7 showed cytotoxicity against a colon cancer cell line …

The Mumba Campaign: Measurements Of Urban, Marine And Biogenic Air, Clare Paton-Walsh, Elise-Andree Guerette, Dagmar C. Kubistin, Ruhi S. Humphries, Stephen R. Wilson, Doreena Dominick, Ian E. Galbally, Rebecca R. Buchholz, Mahendra Bhujel, Scott Chambers, Min Cheng, Martin Cope, Perry Davy, Kathryn M. Emmerson, David W. T Griffith, Alan Griffiths, Melita Keywood, Sarah J. Lawson, Suzie B. Molloy, Geraldine Rea, Paul Selleck, Xue Shi, Jack Simmons, Voltaire A. Velazco

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

The Measurements of Urban, Marine and Biogenic Air (MUMBA) campaign took place in Wollongong, New South Wales (a small coastal city approximately 80 km south of Sydney, Australia) from 21 December 2012 to 15 February 2013. Like many Australian cities, Wollongong is surrounded by dense eucalyptus forest, so the urban airshed is heavily influenced by biogenic emissions. Instruments were deployed during MUMBA to measure the gaseous and aerosol composition of the atmosphere with the aim of providing a detailed characterisation of the complex environment of the ocean-forest-urban interface that could be used to test the skill of atmospheric models. The …

Determining The Key Drivers And Mitigating Factors That Influence The Role Of The Nurse And/Or Midwife Consultant: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Ritin S. Fernandez, Suzanne Sheppard-Law, Vicki Manning

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Background: Globally, many nurses and midwives are working at an advanced practice level. The role of a Nurse and/or Midwife Consultant encompasses a diverse and complex interaction between five specified domains namely Clinical Service and Consultancy, Clinical Leadership, Research, Education, and Clinical Services Planning and Management.

Objective: The objective of this replication study was to identify the key drivers and mitigating factors that impact the role of Australian Nurse and/or Midwife Consultants.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Methods: The study was conducted in a large metropolitan health district in Sydney, Australia. Participants for this study consisted of all …

Here's The Three-Pronged Approach We're Using In Our Own Research To Tackle The Reproducibility Issue, Ben Marwick, Zenobia Jacobs

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

If you keep up with health or science news, you've probably been whipsawed between conflicting reports. Just days apart you may hear that "science says" coffee's good for you, no actually it's bad for you, actually red wine holds the secret to long life. As comedian John Oliver put it: "After a certain point, all that ridiculous information can make you wonder: is science bullshit? To which the answer is clearly no. But there is a lot of bullshit currently masquerading as science."

A big part of this problem has to do with what's been called a "reproducibility crisis" in …

The Arctic Seasonal Cycle Of Total Column Co2 And Ch4 From Ground-Based Solar And Lunar Ftir Absorption Spectrometry, Matthias Buschmann, Nicholas M. Deutscher, Mathias Palm, Thorsten Warneke, Christine Weinzierl, Justus Notholt

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Solar absorption spectroscopy in the near infrared has been performed in Ny-Ålesund (78.9° N, 11.9° E) since 2002; however, due to the high latitude of the site, the sun is below the horizon from October to March (polar night) and no solar absorption measurements are possible. Here we present a novel method of retrieving the total column dry-air mole fractions (DMFs) of CO₂ and CH₄ using moonlight in winter. Measurements have been taken during the polar nights from 2012 to 2016 and are validated with TCCON (Total Carbon Column Observing Network) measurements by solar and lunar absorption measurements …

Comparisons Of The Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (Oco-2) XCo2 Measurements With Tccon, Debra Wunch, Paul O. Wennberg, Greg Osterman, B Fisher, Bret Naylor, Coleen M. Roehl, Christopher O'Dell, L Mandrake, C Viatte, Matthaus Kiel, David W. T Griffith, Nicholas M. Deutscher, Voltaire A. Velazco

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) has been measuring carbon dioxide column-averaged dry-air mole fraction, X_CO2, in the Earth's atmosphere for over 2 years. In this paper, we describe the comparisons between the first major release of the OCO-2 retrieval algorithm (B7r) and X_CO2 from OCO-2's primary ground-based validation network: the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). The OCO-2 X_CO2 retrievals, after filtering and bias correction, agree well when aggregated around and coincident with TCCON data in nadir, glint, and target observation modes, with absolute median differences less than 0.4 ppm and RMS differences less than 1.5 …

Nurses Are Underutilised In Antimicrobial Stewardship E Results Of A Multisite Survey In Paediatric And Adult Hospitals, Mona Mostaghim, Thomas Snelling, Brendan J. Mcmullan, Pamela Konecny, Stuart Bond, Suman Adhikari, Adriana J. Chubaty, Cathy Lovell, Beata Bajorek

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Objectives: Explore perceptions and attitudes of nurses in regard to antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), their roles as nurses, and identify differences in perceptions and attitudes across paediatric and adult settings. Methods: Electronic survey administered to nursing staff across three public Australian tertiary institutions with AMS facilitated by a shared electronic approval and decision support system. Results: Overall 65% (93/142) of nurses who completed the survey were familiar with the term AMS, and 75% recognised that they were expected to have a role alongside other disciplines, including ward pharmacists (paediatric 88%, adult 73%; p = 0.03). Hand hygiene and infection control (86%), …

Changes In Diet Quality During A 12 Month Weight Loss Randomised Controlled Trial, Cinthya Wibisono, Yasmine Probst, Elizabeth Neale, Linda C. Tapsell

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Background: Reductions in energy intake are seen in weight loss trials, but whether this occurs with improvements to diet quality (DQ) is less established. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in diet quality in a sample of volunteers in a weight loss trial. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of dietary data from a lifestyle intervention trial (the HealthTrack study) which advised on dietary guidelines. The trial ran for 12 months with three treatment groups: control (general advice C), intervention (individualised advice, I), and intervention plus a supplement of walnuts (IW). Both the published a priori diet …

Relative Sea-Level Change In Western New Guinea Recorded By Regional Biostratigraphic Data, David P. Gold, Lloyd T. White, Indra Gunawan, Marcelle Boudagher Fadel

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

We present new biostratigraphic analyses of approximately 200 outcrop samples and review biostratigraphic data from 136 public domain exploration wells across western New Guinea. Biostratigraphic ages and palaeodepositional environments were interpreted from occurrences of planktonic and larger benthic foraminifera, together with other fossils and environmental indicators where possible. These data were compared with existing geological maps and exploration well data to reconstruct the palaeogeography of western New Guinea from the Carboniferous to present day. In addition, we used the known bathyal preferences of fossils to generate a regional sea-level curve and compared this with global records of sea-level change over …

Development And Application Of A Comprehensive Analytical Workflow For The Quantification Of Non-Volatile Low Molecular Weight Lipids On Archaeological Stone Tools, Susan Luong, Elspeth H. Hayes, Emma Flannery, Thomas Sutikna, Matthew W. Tocheri, E Wahyu Saptomo, - Jatmiko, Richard G. Roberts

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Source determination of use-related residues on prehistoric stone tools is especially challenging, due to issues related to preservation, contamination and the contribution of residues from multiple sources. To increase confidence in this process, an analytical workflow was developed to include: (1) a sampling strategy that retains spatial information of the recovered residues and enables monitoring of environmental contamination; and (2) a sensitive and selective gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) procedure to quantify non-volatile low molecular weight lipids on stone artefacts. This workflow was applied to 14 stone artefacts excavated from deposits at Liang Bua, a limestone cave on the Indonesian …

Whole Grain Intake Of Australians Estimated From A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Dietary Intake Data From The 2011-13 Australian Health Survey, Leanne M. Galea, Eleanor J. Beck, Yasmine Probst, Chris Cashman

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Objective: The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend Australians choose mostly whole-grain and/or high-fibre varieties within the grains (cereal) foods category, with other groups specifying a whole grain Daily Target Intake of 48 g for Australians aged 9 years or above. The USA and UK report estimates of whole grain intake that are low and declining, and no comprehensive studies on whole grain intake in the Australian population are available. The present study aimed to determine national estimates of whole grain intake, compared with current recommendations. Design: A recently updated whole grain database was applied to the most current population dietary intake …

The 14Th Century Religious Women Margery Kempe And Catherine Of Siena Can Still Teach Us Lessons About Eating Disorders Today, Isabella Sukkar, Madeleine Gagan, Warren Kealy-Bateman

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Background: Women today more commonly suffer the morbidity and mortality of eating disorders. Looking through the dual prisms of historical accounts and modern theory the authors examined the meaning of eating disturbance in two cases from the late Middle Ages. The historic role of women and food is explored. Method: Widely reviewing historical sources and the current academic literature, we gathered data and considered two women, Margery Kempe and Catherine of Siena. They were empowered by their roles as religious mystics, and drew strength from suffering, distress and fasting. We briefly examined them in the context of modern diagnostic and …

Surfing The 3d Printing Wave: The Changing Face Of Surfboard Fin Production, Marc In Het Panhuis, Andrew T. Warren, Buyung Kosasih, Christopher R. Gibson, Stephen T. Beirne, Julie R. Steele

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

To catch a sweet ride, surfers rely heavily on two things: the waves, and their board. Surfers can order surfboards that are customised to their needs, or choose from a range of pre-made boards, with little difference in cost. When it comes to surfboard fins, however, it's a different story. Fins are aerodynamic foils that act like rudders while surfing, usually attached to the rear bottom of the surfboard. Fins were once permanently glassed into the board, but these days almost all boards have a removable fin system. Manufacturers of removable fin systems make exceptional products, but the current manufacturing …

Effectiveness Of Group Reminiscence Therapy For People Living With Dementia In A Day Care Centers In Taiwan, Hui Chen Chang, Hui-Wen Chien

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Objective To explore as a pilot study the effects of group reminiscence therapy upon depression of people living with dementia within dementia-specific day care centers.

Method A unique pre-test-post-test, quasi-experimental design counterbalanced with a qualitative grounded theory video analysis of facial expression and behavior was used to measure the effects of group reminiscence therapy. The study recruited 21 participants in total from two dementia-specific day care centers.

Results The findings highlighted improvements in depression, communication, and positive mood after group reminiscence intervention. The results also showed that participants scored higher on average during the Chinese New Year and marriage reminiscence …

The Effect Of Dietary Antioxidants And Exercise Training On The Escape Performance Of Southern Corroboree Frogs, Emma Mcinerney, Phillip G. Byrne, Aimee J. Silla

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Escape-response behaviour is essential to ensure an individual's survival during a predator attack, however, these behaviours are energetically costly and may cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can be reduced by supplementing an individual's diet with exogenous antioxidants or through regular moderate exercise training, which stimulates the upregulation of the endogenous antioxidant system. Two studies have tested the simultaneous effects of dietary antioxidant supplementation and exercise training on animal escape-response behaviour. The present study investigated the effects of dietary carotenoids and exercise training on the escape-response behaviour of Southern Corroboree frogs. Frogs were fed either a carotenoid-supplemented or unsupplemented diet and …

The Feasibility And Acceptability Of Nurse-Led Chronic Disease Management Interventions In Primary Care: An Integrative Review, Catherine Stephen, Susan Mcinnes, Elizabeth J. Halcomb

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Aims: To explore the feasibility and acceptability of nurse-led chronic disease management and lifestyle risk factor reduction interventions in primary care (general practice/family practice).

Background: Growing international evidence suggests that interventions delivered by primary care nurses can assist in modifying lifestyle risk factors and managing chronic disease. To date, there has been limited exploration of the feasibility and acceptability of such interventions.

Design: Integrative review guided by the work of Whittemore and Knafl (2005).

Data Sources: Database search of CINAHL, Medline and Web of Science was conducted to identify relevant literature published between 2000-2015.

Review Methods …

Outcomes Of 23- And 24-Weeks Gestation Infants In Wellington, New Zealand: A Single Centre Experience, Mary J. Berry, Maria Saito-Benz, Clint Gray, Rebecca M. Dyson, Paula Dellabarca, Stefan Ebmeier, David Foley, Dawn Elder, Vaughan Richardson

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Optimal perinatal care of infants born less than 24 weeks gestation remains contentious due to uncertainty about the long-term neurodevelopment of resuscitated infants. Our aim was to determine the short-term mortality and major morbidity outcomes from a cohort of inborn infants born at 23 and 24 weeks gestation and to assess if these parameters differed significantly between infants born at 23 vs. 24 weeks gestation. We report survival rates at 2-year follow-up of 22/38 (58%) at 23 weeks gestation and 36/60 (60%) at 24 weeks gestation. Neuroanatomical injury at the time of discharge (IVH ≥ Grade 3 and/or PVL) occurred …

Saving Our Marine Archives, E Dassie, Kristine Delong, Hali Kilbourne, Branwen Williams, Nerilie J. Abram, Logan Brenner, Chloe Brahmi, Kim M. Cobb, T Correge, Delphine Dissard, J Emile-Geay, Heitor Evangelista, Michael N. Evans, Jesse Farmer, Thomas Felis, Michael K. Gagan, David P. Gillikin, Nathalie Goodkin, Myriam Khodri, Ana C. Lavagnino, Michèle Lavigne Lavigne, Claire Lazareth, Braddock K. Linsley, Janice M. Lough, Helen V. Mcgregor, Intan S. Nurhati, Gilman Ouellette, Laura Perrin, Maureen Raymo, Brad Rosenheim, Michael Sandstrom, Bernd R. Schone, Abdelfettah Sifeddine, Samantha Stevenson, Diane M. Thompson, Amanda Waite, Alan Wanamaker, Henry Wu

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

A concerted effort has begun to gather and preserve archives of marine samples and descriptive data, giving scientists ready access to insights on ancient environments.

Impact Of Sustained Use Of A Multifaceted Computerized Quality Improvement Intervention For Cardiovascular Disease Management In Australian Primary Health Care, Bindu Patel, David Peiris, Tim Usherwood, Qiang Li, Mark Harris, Kathryn S. Panaretto, Nicholas Arnold Zwar, Anushka Patel

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Background -- We evaluated a multifaceted, computerized quality improvement intervention for management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in Australian primary health care. After completion of a cluster randomized controlled trial, the intervention was made available to both trial arms. Our objective was to assess intervention outcomes in the post-trial period and any heterogeneity based on original intervention allocation.

Methods and Results -- Data from 41 health services were analyzed. Outcomes were (1) proportion of eligible population with guideline-recommended CVD risk factor measurements; and (2) the proportion at high CVD risk with current prescriptions for guideline-recommended medications. Patient-level analyses were conducted …

Single-Molecule Visualization Of Conformational Changes And Substrate Transport In The Vitamin B12abc Importer Btucd-F, Joris Mh Goudsmits, Dirk J. Slotboom, Antoine M. Van Oijen

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters form the largest class of active membrane transport proteins. Binding and hydrolysis of ATP by their highly conserved nucleotide-binding domains drive conformational changes of the complex that mediate transport of substrate across the membrane. The vitamin B₁₂ importer BtuCD-F in Escherichia coli is an extensively studied model system. The periplasmic soluble binding protein BtuF binds the ligand; the transmembrane and ATPase domains BtuCD mediate translocation. Here we report the direct observation at the single-molecule level of ATP, vitamin B₁₂ and BtuF-induced events in the transporter complex embedded in liposomes. Single-molecule fluorescence imaging techniques reveal …

Pollen-Based Temperature And Precipitation Records Of The Past 14,600 Years In Northern New Zealand (37°S) And Their Linkages With The Southern Hemisphere Atmospheric Circulation, Ignacio Jara, Rewi Newnham, Brent V. Alloway, Janet M. Wilmshurst, Andrew Rees

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health - Papers: part A

Regional vegetation, climate history, and local water table fluctuations for the past 14,600 years are reconstructed from pollen and charcoal records of an ombrogenous peatbog in northern New Zealand (38°S). A long-term warming trend between 14,600 and 10,000 cal. yr BP is punctuated by two brief plateaux between 14,200-13,800 and 13,500-12,000 cal. yr BP. Periods of relatively drier conditions are inferred between 14,000-13,400 and 12,000-10,000 cal. yr BP, while a long-term wet period is observed between 10,000 and 6000 cal. yr BP. The last 7000 years feature relatively stable temperatures, a long-term drying trend that culminates with persistent drier conditions …