Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Resolving Sub-Molecular Binding And Electrical Switching Mechanisms Of Single Proteins At Electroactive Conducting Polymers, A Gelmi, M J. Higgins, Gordon G. Wallace

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

Polymer-based electrodes for interfacing biological tissues are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Their many functions place them at the cross-roads of electromaterials, biomaterials, and drug-delivery systems. For conducting polymers, the mechanism of conductivity requires doping with anionic molecules such as extracellular matrix molecules, a process that distinguishes them as biomaterials and provides a means to control interactions at the cellular-electrode interface. However, due to their complex structure, directly observing the selective binding of target molecules or proteins has so far eluded researchers. This situation is compounded by the polymer's ability to adopt different electronic states that alter the polymer-dopant interactions. Here, the …

Ionic-Covalent Entanglement Hydrogels From Gellan Gum, Carrageenan And An Epoxy-Amine, Leo Stevens, Paul Calvert, Gordon G. Wallace, Marc In Het Panhuis

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

A 'one pot' preparation of interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels with double network characteristics is presented. A small addition of biopolymer dramatically increases the stiffness and strength of the epoxy-amine gels without affecting the large strain at failure value.

N-Nitrosamine Rejection By Nanofiltration And Reverse Osmosis Membranes: The Importance Of Membrane Characteristics, Takahiro Fujioka, Stuart J. Khan, James A. Mcdonald, Annalie Roux, Yvan Poussade, Jorg E. Drewes, Long D. Nghiem

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

The influence of membrane characteristics on the rejection of eight N-nitrosamines was investigated using one nanofiltration (NF), one seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) and six low pressure reverse osmosis (LPRO) membranes. The rejection of the two lowest molecular weight N-nitrosamines, namely N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosomethylethylamine (NMEA), varied in the range from 8-82% to 23-94%, respectively. In general, the rejection of NDMA and NMEA increased with decreasing membrane permeability. The impact of membrane characteristics became less important for higher molecular weight N-nitrosamines. Among the four LPRO membranes (i.e. ESPA2, LFC3, TFC-HR and 70LW) that are commonly used for water reclamation applications, similar …

The Effect Of Band-Tail States On The Thermal Stability Of The Infrared Stimulated Luminescence From K-Feldspar, Bo Li, Sheng-Hua Li

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

The thermal stability of the infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) signal from a sedimentary K-feldspar was investigated using isothermal decay study. It is observed that the isothermal decay of IRSL signal cannot be described using a first-order exponential decay function. Instead, the decay can be well described by considering the presence of band-tail states. Based on the isothermal decay results, a trap depth of ∼1.92 eV was obtained for the IRSL stimulated at 50 °C and the width of the band-tail states was found to be ∼0.37 eV below the conduction band edge. Deeper trap depths (up to ∼2.06 eV) were …

Temperature Variability At The Larval Scale Affects Early Survival And Growth Of An Intertidal Barnacle, Justin A. Lathlean, David J. Ayre, Todd E. Minchinton

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

For rocky intertidal invertebrates, the transition from pelagic larva to benthic settler represents a critical life-history stage characterised by high mortality. This mortality has been attributed to biotic factors such as predation or individual larval quality, as well as to abiotic factors such as thermal or desiccation stresses. Surprisingly little is known about how temperature varies at very fine spatial scales relevant to newly settled larvae. We used infrared (IR) imagery to determine (1) whether in situ rocky substrates during aerial exposure exhibit repeatable fine-scale (1 mm) temperature variation at the larval scale, and (2) whether the presence of adult …

Ozone-Induced Dissociation Of Conjugated Lipids Reveals Significant Reaction Rate Enhancements And Characteristic Odd-Electron Product Ions, Huong T. Pham, Alan T. Maccarone, J Larry Campbell, Todd W. Mitchell, Stephen J. Blanksby

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

Ozone-induced dissociation (OzID) is an alternative ion activation method that relies on the gas phase ion-molecule reaction between a mass-selected target ion and ozone in an ion trap mass spectrometer. Herein, we evaluated the performance of OzID for both the structural elucidation and selective detection of conjugated carbon-carbon double bond motifs within lipids. The relative reactivity trends for [M + X]+ ions (where X = Li, Na, K) formed via electrospray ionization (ESI) of conjugated versus nonconjugated fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were examined using two different OzID-enabled linear ion-trap mass spectrometers. Compared with nonconjugated analogues, FAMEs derived from conjugated …

Factors That Impact On Teaching And Learning Using Simulation, Leeanne Heaton

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

Abstract of poster presented at the SimHealth 2013 Conference.

Reliability And Effectiveness In Water Quality Control Ponds, Andrew Thomas, R John Morrison, Philomena Gangaiya, Tony Miskiewicz, Murray Powell, Ray Chambers

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

Poster that was presented at the 2013 Stormwater NSW Conference, 17-19 September, Leura, NSW.

Mechanisms Of Hemagglutinin Targeted Influenza Virus Neutralization, Boerries Brandenburg, Wouter Koudstaal, Jaap Goudsmit, Vincent Klaren, Chan Tang, Miriam V. Bujny, Hans J.W.M Korse, Ted Kwaks, Jason J. Otterstrom, Jarek Juraszek, Antoine M. Van Oijen, Ronald Vogels, Robert H. E Friesen

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

Human monoclonal antibodies have been identified which neutralize broad spectra of influenza A or B viruses. Here, we dissect the mechanisms by which such antibodies interfere with infectivity. We distinguish four mechanisms that link the conserved hemagglutinin (HA) epitopes of broadly neutralizing antibodies to critical processes in the viral life cycle. HA-stem binding antibodies can act intracellularly by blocking fusion between the viral and endosomal membranes and extracellularly by preventing the proteolytic activation of HA. HA-head binding antibodies prevent viral attachment and release. These insights into newly identified ways by which the human immune system can interfere with influenza virus …

Estuary Entrance Changes In Response To An Environmental Flow Release, J Hinwood, Errol Mclean

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

An environmental water releases to the Snowy River was made in October 2011 (12,000 ML/day) as part of the Snowy River Increased Flows Program. The effects on the inlet entrance morphology and tidal response were measured on four field trips for each release to cover the flow peak and recovery. Water level recorders were deployed in the principal channels over the period of the releases and for the prior two months at Marlo. The EFR raised waterlevels in the estuary but the change was attenuated by the large storage capacity and the relatively open entrance. Entrance scour was minor as …

Probabilistic Coastal Hazard Lines For Risk Based Coastal Assessment, David J. Wainwright, David P. Callaghan, P Cowell, Amy Dougherty, Colin Woodroffe

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

As part of a recent NCCARF funded project "Approaches to Risk Assessment on Australian Coasts", a modelling framework was developed which integrated geological, engineering and economic approaches for assessing the risk of climate change along the Australian Coast. This paper aims to demonstrate the working of the framework in deriving probabilistic coastal hazard lines. Within the framework, means for combining results from models that focus on the decadal to century time scale (geomorphic), and those that focus on the short term and seasonal time scales (storm bite and recovery) have been developed. This combination is necessary for the derivation of …

Shoalhaven River Mouth: A Retrospective Analysis Of Breaching Using Aerial Photography, Landsatimagery And Lidar, Rafael C. Carvalho, Colin Woodroffe

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

The Shoalhavenriver, located on the wave-dominated south coast of eastern Australia, has the 6th biggest catchment area (7,151 km2)that debouches in NSW waters. Although the river mouth is breached during floods, most of the time the normal flow is diverted through an artificially dug canal and only reaches the ocean at Crookhaven Heads. A search throughout LandSat archives and aerial photographs from 1949 has shown not only that the river mouth was opened in 1961, 1974-1980,1988-1994 and at the end of 1999, but also revealed that dune vegetation has been developing as increasingsand closes the river mouth. Nowadays, the river …

Effect Of Doll Therapy In Managing Challenging Behaviours In People With Dementia: A Systematic Review Protocol, Ritin Fernandez, Bronwyn Arthur, Richard Fleming

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

Review question/objective What is the effect of doll therapy on challenging behaviors (including agitation and verbal or physical aggression) in patients with dementia? Inclusion criteria Types of participants Adults (age >18years) diagnosed with dementia and living in any care setting will be included. Adults with dementia receiving antipsychotics will also be included and analyzed separately. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest This review will include studies that evaluate the effects of giving dolls to persons with dementia for the management of BPSD. The review will include doll therapy delivered by either health professionals or carers. Studies will be included irrespective of …

Review Of Optical-Based Remote Sensing For Plant Trait Mapping, Lucie Homolova, Zbynek Malenovsky, Jan G. P. W Clevers, Glenda Garcia-Santos, Michael E. Schaepman

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

Plant trait data have been used in various studies related to ecosystem functioning, community ecology, and assessment of ecosystem services. Evidences are that plant scientists agree on a set of key plant traits, which are relatively easy to measure and have a stable and strong predictive response to ecosystem functions. However, the field measurements of plant trait data are still limited to small area, to a certain moment in time and to certain number of species only. Therefore, remote sensing (RS) offers potential to complement or even replace field measurements of some plant traits. It offers instantaneous spatially contiguous information, …

Measurement Methods And Variability Assessment Of The Norway Spruce Total Leaf Area: Implications For Remote Sensing, Lucie Homolova, Petr Lukes, Zbynek Malenovsky, Zuzana Lhotakova, Veroslav Kaplan, Jan Hanus

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

Estimation of total leaf area (LAT) is important to express biochemical properties in plant ecology and remote sensing studies. A measurement of LAT is easy in broadleaf species, but it remains challenging in coniferous canopies. We proposed a new geometrical model to estimate Norway spruce LAT and compared its accuracy with other five published methods. Further, we assessed variability of the total to projected leaf area conversion factor (CF) within a crown and examined its implications for remotely sensed estimates of leaf chlorophyll content (Cab). We measured morphological and biochemical properties of three most recent needle age classes in three …

Unmanned Aerial Optical Systems For Spatial Monitoring Of Antarctic Mosses, Arko Lucieer, Darren Turner, Tony Veness, Zbynek Malenovky, Steve Harwin, Luke Wallace, Josh Kelcey, Sharon A. Robinson

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

Abstract of presetation at EGU General Assembly 2013, held 7-12 April, 2013 in Vienna, Austria.

Using An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Uav) To Capture Micro-Topography Of Antarctic Moss Beds, Arko Lucieer, Zbynek Malenovky, Darren Turner, Sharon A. Robinson

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

Abstract of the presentation at the Strategic Science in Antarctica: a Joint Australian and New Zealand Conference, 24-26 June 2013, Hobart, Tasmania.

Investigation Of Antarctic Moss Beds Using High Spatial Resolution Imaging Spectroscopy, Zbynek Malenovky, Arko Lucieer, Sharon A. Robinson, Tony Veness, Darren Turner

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

Abstract of the presentation at the Strategic Science in Antarctica: a Joint Australian and New Zealand Conference, 24-26 June 2013, Hobart, Tasmania.

A Geometric Model For Scaling Between Needle And Shoot Spectral Albedos, Miina Rautiainen, Matti Mottus, Lucia Yanez-Rausell, Lucie Homolova, Zbynek Malenovky, Michael E. Schaepman

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

Abstract of presentation at the 7th International Conference on Functional-Structural Plant Models, 9 -14 June 2013, Sarriselka, Finland.

Physiological Employment Standards For Firefighters: Report 4: Recommended Physiological Employment Standards For The Firefighters Of Fire & Rescue Nsw, John Sampson, Hugh Fullagar, Nigel A.S Taylor, Herbert Groeller

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

This report summarises the last two of five research projects that led to the development of a pre-employment screening test for firefighters. The aim of this research was to facilitate the identification of capable and robust recruits for Fire & Rescue New South Wales (FRNSW), such that it could sustain the capability of its workforce, whilst simultaneously minimising the risk of injury to both firefighters and members of the community.

Interpreting The Possible Ecological Role(S) Of Cyanotoxins: Compounds For Competitive Advantage And/Or Physiological Aide?, Aleicia Holland, Susan H. W Kinnear

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

To date, most research on freshwater cyanotoxin(s) has focused on understanding the dynamics of toxin production and decomposition, as well as evaluating the environmental conditions that trigger toxin production, all with the objective of informing management strategies and options for risk reduction. Comparatively few research studies have considered how this information can be used to understand the broader ecological role of cyanotoxin(s), and the possible applications of this knowledge to the management of toxic blooms. This paper explores the ecological, toxicological, and genetic evidence for cyanotoxin production in natural environments. The possible evolutionary advantages of toxin production are grouped into …

Exploring Attitudes And Barriers Toward The Use Of Evidence-Based Nursing Among Nurse Managers In Taiwanese Residential Aged Care Facilities, Hui Chen Chang, Mairwen Jones, Cherry Russell

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

This article reports findings from a qualitative study on nurse managers' perspectives of evidence-based practice (EBP) in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in Taiwan. Six RACFs were randomly selected for inclusion in the study. The sample consisted of the nurse manager from each facility (N = 6) who participated in an in-depth interview. Thematic qualitative content analysis was used to identify patterns of experience. The majority of managers expressed positive attitudes toward research and EBP but reported little experience in its implementation. Barriers to EBP included individual barriers such as lack of motivation and confidence to embrace change. Research-related barriers …

Summary Of Vertebrate And Molluscan Assemblages Excavated From Late-Pleistocene And Holocene Deposits At Khao Toh Chong Rockshelter, Krabi, Thailand, Cyler Conrad, Hannah G. Van Vlack, Ben Marwick, Cholawit Thongcharoenchaikit, Rasmi Shoocongdej, Boonyarit Chaisuwan

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

The zooarchaeological record of a recently excavated rockshelter site in peninsular Thailand is summarized. Detailed identification of mammalian, reptilian, piscean and molluscan taxa indicate a unique foraging pattern of prehistoric humans throughout the late-Pleistocene to Holocene.

Research And Conservation Initiatives For The Vulnerable Purple-Wood Wattle: A Model For Plant Species Conservation In Australia?, Andrew J. Denham, Tony D. Auld, David J. Ayre, Cairo Forrest, Amy-Marie Gilpin, Eleanor K. O'Brien, David G. Roberts

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

Research on rare and threatened plants is a major focus of conservation biology. We want to know why species are rare or declining, how best to arrest that decline and what is lost when species become locally extinct. Occasionally, understanding decline is straightforward - e.g. if the species is restricted to fertile soils that are desirable for cultivation. However, managing declining populations is more complex and requires knowledge of genetic diversity and interspecific interactions.

Determining The Impact Of The Holocene Highstand At The Coastal-Fluvial Interface, Shoalhaven River, South-Eastern Australia, Stephanie J. Kermode, Martin R. Gibling, Brian G. Jones, Tim J. Cohen, David M. Price, James S. Daley

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

With enhanced rates of sea-level rise predicted for the next century, the upstream extent of sea-level influence across coastal plains is a topic of public importance. Australian coastal rivers provide a testing ground for exploring this issue because the area is tectonically stable, was not glaciated, and experienced a Holocene highstand between 7.4 and 2ka of up to 1.5m above Australian Height Datum (AHD). In the Shoalhaven River of New South Wales, investigation of a confined bedrock reach at Wogamia, 32km inland, has identified a unit of dark, cohesive silt and sand with marine diatoms, shell fragments, and enhanced pyrite …

Structure Based Design Towards The Identification Of Novel Binding Sites And Inhibitors For The Chikungunya Virus Envelope Proteins, Adel A. Rashad, Paul A. Keller

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

Chikungunya virus is an emerging arbovirus that is widespread in tropical regions and is spreading quickly to temperate climates with recent epidemics in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. It is having an increasingly major impact on humans with potentially life-threatening and debilitating arthritis. Thus far, neither vaccines nor medications are available to treat or control the virus and therefore, the development of medicinal chemistry is a vital and immediate issue that needs to be addressed. The viral envelope proteins play a major role during infection through mediation of binding and fusion with the infected cell surfaces. The possible binding …

Coastal Evolution On Volcanic Oceanic Islands: A Complex Interplay Between Volcanism, Erosion, Sedimentation, Sea-Level Change And Biogenic Production, Ricardo S. Ramalho, Rui Quartau, Alan S. Trenhaile, Neil C. Mitchell, Colin D. Woodroffe, Sergio P. Avila

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

The growth and decay of oceanic hotspot volcanoes are intrinsically related to a competition between volcanic construction and erosive destruction, and coastlines are at the forefront of such confrontation. In this paper, we review the several mechanisms that interact and contribute to the development of coastlines on oceanic island volcanoes, and how these processes evolve throughout the islands' lifetime. Volcanic constructional processes dominate during the emergent island and subaerial shield-building stages. During the emergent island stage, surtseyan activity prevails and hydroclastic and pyroclastic structures form; these structures are generally ephemeral because they can be rapidly obliterated by marine erosion. With …

A New Protoberberine Alkaloid From Meconopsis Simplicifolia (D. Don) Walpers With Potent Antimalarial Activity Against A Multidrug Resistant Plasmodium Falciparum Strain, Phurpa Wangchuk, Paul A. Keller, Stephen G. Pyne, Wilford Lie, Anthony C. Willis, Roonglawan Rattanajak, Sumalee Kamchonwongpaisan

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

Ethnopharmacological relevance The aerial components of Meconopsis simplicifolia (D. Don) Walpers are indicated in Bhutanese traditional medicine for treating malaria, coughs and colds, and the infections of the liver, lung and blood. This study is to validate the ethnopharmacological uses of this plant and also identify potent antimalarial drug leads through bioassays of its crude extracts and phytochemical constituents.

Materials and methods Meconopsis simplicifolia (D. Don) Walpers was collected from Bhutan and its crude MeOH extract was subjected to acid-base fractionation. Through repeated extractions, separations and spectroscopic analysis, the alkaloids obtained were identified and tested for their antimalarial and cytotoxicity …

Impact Of Aerosol And Thin Cirrus On Retrieving And Validating Xco2 From Gosat Shortwave Infrared Measurements, S Guerlet, A Butz, D Schepers, S Basu, O Hasekamp, A Kuze, T Yokota, J.-F Blavier, N M. Deutscher, D W.T Griffith, F Hase, E Kyro, I Morino, V Sherlock, R Sussmann, A Galli, I Aben

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

Inadequate treatment of aerosol scattering can be a significant source of error when retrieving column-averaged dry-air mole fractions of CO2 (XCO2) from space-based measurements of backscattered solar shortwave radiation. We have developed a retrieval algorithm, RemoTeC, that retrieves three aerosol parameters (amount, size, and height) simultaneously with XCO2. Here we evaluate the ability of RemoTeC to account for light path modifications by clouds, subvisual cirrus, and aerosols when retrieving XCO2 from Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) Thermal and Near-infrared Sensor for carbon Observation (TANSO)-Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) measurements. We first evaluate a cloud filter based on measurements from the Cloud …

Seasonal Stress Physiology And Body Condition Differ Among Co-Occurring Tropical Finch Species, Kimberly L. Maute, Kristine French, Sarah Legge, Lee Astheimer

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

Seasonal changes in avian hormonal stress responses and condition are well known for common species found at temperate and arctic latitudes, but declining and tropical species are poorly studied. This study compares stress and condition measures of co-occurring declining and non-declining tropical grass finch species in Australia. We monitored declining Gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae) and non-declining long-tailed and masked finches (Poepila acuticauda and P. personata) during two seasons that are potentially stressful: peak breeding (early dry season when food is plentiful) and moult (late dry to early wet season when food may be scarce). We measured body condition (muscle and …