Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Targeting Urokinase And The Transferrin Receptor With Novel, Anti-Mitotic N-Alkylisatin Cytotoxin Conjugates Causes Selective Cancer Cell Death And Reduces Tumor Growth, K Vine, V. Indira Chandran, J Locke, L Matesic, J Lee, D Skropeta, J Bremner, M Ranson

Danielle Skropeta

Tumor-specific delivery of ligand-directed prodrugs can increase the therapeutic window of chemotherapeutics by maintaining efficacy whilst decreasing toxic side effects. We have previously described a series of synthetic N-alkylated isatin cytotoxins that destabilize microtubules and induce apoptosis with 10-fold greater potency than conventional anti-mitotics in vitro. Here, we report the characterization, in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo efficacy of a lead compound, 5,7-dibromo-N-(p-hydroxymethylbenzyl)isatin (N-AI) conjugated via an esterase-labile linker (N-AIE) to two proven targeting ligands, transferrin (Tf) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2/serpinB2). N-AI was released from N-AIE and the targeting ligands Tf/PAI-2 in an esterase-dependent manner at 37 …

Synthesis Of Novel Sugar Diamino Acids, M Thillakan, A Katsifis, D Skropeta

Danielle Skropeta

Sugar amino acids (SAAs) are found in nature as good construction elements for the preparation of peptide mimetics and oiigosaccharides in drug design and development. The synthesis of SAAs is readily accomplished in few steps and more than 40 SAAs have been synthesised to date.2 Sugar amino acids with an additional amino group, the sugar diamino acid (SDAs) would represent a useful expansion to the library of SAAs available because one of the amino group and carboxylic acid is available for peptide coupling and the another amino/azide group allow to do further derivatisation via peptide or click chemistry such as …

A Novel Destination-Based Routing Protocol (Dbrp) In Dtns, Saeid Iranmanesh, Raad Raad, Kwan-Wu Chin

Dr Raad Raad

In Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs), the aim of any forwarding/routing protocols is to achieve a high delivery ratio of packets/bundles at the lowest possible bandwidth cost, buffer space and energy. Therefore, finding a protocol which uses less resource to achieve high delivery ratio and low latency is an open research question. This paper proposes a quota-based protocol which confines the number of replicas and forwards them based on the meeting history of nodes. The unique aspect of our protocol is to weight any encounter with the final destination to be much higher than any other node encounter. This aspect of …

A Novel Zinc-Binding Fold In The Helicase Interaction Domain Of The Bacillus Subtilis Dnal Helicase Loader, Karin V. Loscha, Kristaps Jaudzems, Charikleia Ioannou, Xun-Cheng Su, Flynn R. Hill, Gottfried Otting, Nicholas E. Dixon, Edvards Liepinsh

Professor Nick E Dixon

The helicase loader protein DnaI (the Bacillus subtilis homologue of Escherichia coli DnaC) is required to load the hexameric helicase DnaC (the B. subtilis homologue of E. coli DnaB) onto DNA at the start of replication. While the C-terminal domain of DnaI belongs to the structurally well-characterized AAA+ family of ATPases, the structure of the N-terminal domain, DnaI-N, has no homology to a known structure. Three-dimensional structure determination by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy shows that DnaI presents a novel fold containing a structurally important zinc ion. Surface plasmon resonance experiments indicate that DnaI-N is largely responsible for binding of …

"I Hope This Can Be Shared With Everyone In Lots Of Schools": A Novel Intervention To Improve Social Skills Of Peers Of Children With Autism, Sandra Jones, Joanne Telenta, Fiona Mckay

Sandra Jones

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are lifelong developmental disabilities characterised by marked difficulties in social interaction, impaired communication, restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours, and sensory sensitivities (Aspect 2009). While there is considerable debate as to prevalence, Centrelink data shows an estimated prevalence of 62.5 per 10,000 for 6-12 year old children (McDermott et al. 2007). While young children find social situations aversive and prefer to play alone, as these children reach their teens many desire social contact with their peers but lack the ability to form and maintain friendships. Observations in schools demonstrate peer interaction in children with ASDs is …

X-Tream: A Novel Dosimetry System For Synchrotron Microbeam Radiation Therapy, M Petasecca, A Cullen, I Fuduli, A Espinoza, C Porumb, C Stanton, A H. Aldosari, E Brauer-Krisch, H Requardt, A Bravin, V Perevertaylo, Anatoly B. Rosenfeld, M L. F Lerch

Anatoly Rozenfeld

Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) is a radiation treatment technique under development for inoperable brain tumors. MRT is based on the use of a synchrotron generated X-ray beam with an extremely high dose rate ( ~ 20 kGy/sec), striated into an array of X-ray micro-blades. In order to advance to clinical trials, a real-time dosimeter with excellent spatial resolution must be developed for absolute dosimetry. The design of a real-time dosimeter for such a radiation scenario represents a significant challenge due to the high photon flux and vertically striated radiation field, leading to very steep lateral dose gradients. This article analyses …

Novel Olanzapine Analogues Presenting A Reduced H1 Receptor Affinity And Retained 5ht2a/D2 Binding Affinity Ratio, Somayeh Jafari, Marc E. Bouillon, Xu-Feng Huang, Stephen G. Pyne, Francesca Fernandez-Enright

Xu-Feng Huang

Background Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug with high clinical efficacy, but which can cause severe weight gain and metabolic disorders in treated patients. Blockade of the histamine 1 (H1) receptors is believed to play a crucial role in olanzapine induced weight gain, whereas the therapeutic effects of this drug are mainly attributed to its favourable serotoninergic 2A and dopamine 2 (5HT2A/D2) receptor binding affinity ratios. Results We have synthesized novel olanzapine analogues 8a and 8b together with the already known derivative 8c and we have examined their respective in vitro affinities for the 5HT2A, D2, and H1 receptors. Conclusions …

Electrochemical Actuation Properties Of A Novel Solution-Processable Polythiophene, Yanzhe Wu, Amy M. Ballantyne, Pawel Wagner, Dezhi Zhou, Geoffrey M. Spinks, David Officer, Gordon G. Wallace

Gordon Wallace

No abstract provided.

Emulsion-Coaxial Electrospinning: Designing Novel Architectures For Sustained Release Of Highly Soluble Low Molecular Weight Drugs, Lucie Viry, Simon E. Moulton, Tony Romeo, Courtney Suhr, Damia Mawad, Mark Cook, Gordon G. Wallace

Gordon Wallace

In drug therapy, most therapeutic drugs are of low molecular weight and could freely diffuse in the biological milieu depending on the administration route applied. The main reason for the development of polymeric drug carriers is to obtain desired effects such as sustained therapy, local and controlled release, prolonged activity and reduction of side effects. Alternatively, polymeric carriers can be made bioerodible in order to be eliminated by natural ways after a certain time of therapy. Core-shell fibres from coaxial spinneret or emulsion electrospinning are good candidates for the development of such devices; however difficulties remain especially in controlling the …

A Novel Mr Device With Variable Stiffness And Damping Capability, Shiyu Zhao, Huaxia Deng, Jin Zhang, Liandong Yu, Shuaishuai Sun, Weihua Li, Laijun Zhou

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

This paper proposes a novel device based on the Magnetorheological (MR) fluid which has the capability to change stiffness and damping under control. MR fluid is a type of smart material whose properties could be controlled by the external magnetic field. Most of MR devices are MR dampers, which normally are used as variable damping devices. The presented device consists of two hydro-cylinder-spring structures and one MR valve linking these two structures. The rheological characteristics of MR fluid in the fluid flow channels of MR valve are controlled by the strength of magnetic fields, which directly affect the link conditions. …

Generation Of Hydrogen Peroxide-Resistant Murine Neuroblastoma Cells: A Target Discovery Platform For Novel Neuroprotective Genes, Annette E. Maczurek, Rebekka Wild, Daunia Laurenti, Megan L. Steele, Lezanne Ooi, Gerald Munch

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

Oxidative stress has been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), one of the main reactive oxygen species, is converted into the highly toxic ·OH radical in the presence of redox-active transition metals, which then oxidises nucleic acids, lipids and proteins, leading to neurodegeneration and cell death. There is an urgent need to gain more knowledge about relevant therapeutic targets to combat oxidative stress and it neurotoxic effects, and how this knowledge can be utilized to develop novel neuroprotective therapies for AD. One way to identify new …

A Novel Cost Effective Method For Vehicle Tire-Road Friction Coefficient Estimation, Boyuan Li, Haiping Du, Weihua Li

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

The tire-road friction coefficient is critical to vehicle longitudinal, lateral and roll dynamics and control because tire is the only contact part between the vehicle body and the road. However, direct measurement of tire-road friction coefficient is impossible in practice. This paper presents a novel cost effective method for vehicle tire-road friction coefficient estimation. This method only needs the measurements of the wheel angular velocity, the traction/brake torque and the longitudinal acceleration, which are all available from the commonly installed sensors in ordinary passenger vehicles, and can be used to estimate the individual tire-road friction coefficient. There are three steps …

Reliability Modeling And Analysis For A Novel Design Of Modular Converter System Of Wind Turbines, Cai Wen Zhang, Tieling Zhang, Nan Chen, Tongdan Jin

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Converters play a vital role in wind turbines. The concept of modularity is gaining in popularity in converter design for modern wind turbines in order to achieve high reliability as well as cost-effectiveness. In this study, we are concerned with a novel topology of modular converter invented by Hjort, Modular converter system with interchangeable converter modules. World Intellectual Property Organization, Pub. No. WO29027520 A2; 5 March 2009, in this architecture, the converter comprises a number of identical and interchangeable basic modules. Each module can operate in either AC/DC or DC/AC mode, depending on whether it functions on the generator or …

Novel Modulation And Control Strategy For Five-Level Anpc Converter With Unbalanced Dc Voltage Applied To A Single-Phase Grid Connected Pv System, Hamid R. Teymour, Danny Sutanto, Kashem M. Muttaqi, Phil Ciufo

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

This paper proposes a new control strategy and a novel modulation technique for a grid-connected photo-voltaic (PV) system using a single-phase five-level flying capacitor (FC) based active-neutral-point-clamped (ANPC) converter. The proposed modulator can control the FC voltage to follow the requested reference value and simultaneously generate the required ac output voltage regardless of the values of the dc capacitor voltages of the converter. By implementing this method, smaller values of dc-link and flying capacitors can be used even in applications that could experience ripple or transient in the capacitors voltage. In the grid-connected single-phase five-level ANPC, where the capacitors can …

Novel Receiver For Correlated Fading Multi-Antenna Physical Network Coding Twrns, Le Chung Tran, A. Mertins, Peter James Vial, Vinh Van Nguyen

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Physical Network Coding (PNC) has recently been proposed for multi-antenna Two-Way Relay Networks (TWRNs) with independent fading channels because the total network throughput could be significantly improved. However, PNC for multi-antenna TWRNs with correlated fading channels has not been considered yet. This paper thus considers an important class of multi-antenna TWRNs with the following properties: single-antenna source nodes and two-antenna relay; distance between source nodes and the relay is significantly larger than that between antennas of the relay; and channels between source nodes and the relay are correlated. For such a system, we first propose a novel correlation model that …

Time-Domain Spectroscopy Of Novel Nematic Liquid Crystals In The Terahertz Range, Christian Weickhmann, R Jakoby, Evan Constable, R A. Lewis

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

The dielectric properties of nematic liquid crystal (LC) mixtures are measured from 300 GHz to 1500 GHz. Measurements are performed in a standard THz TDS setup. Refractive index and extinction coefficient for parallel and perpendicular orientation are calculated and compared to results obtained at 19 GHz. The investigated mixtures are of interest for Terahertz devices as their properties stay almost constant from 19 GHz to 1500 GHz.

A Novel Formulation For Optimum Conceptual Design Of Buildings Of Rectangular Shapes, Pezhman Sharafi, Muhammad Hadi, Lip H. Teh

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

In many optimum design cases, we look for a set of design variables selected from a given list which assure the optimum of objective function together with satisfaction of the constraints. That is, optimum conceptual design mostly consists of selecting the best combination of a finite number of structural elements and the available parameters. In this paper a novel technique is presented for the conceptual design optimization of framed buildings with a rectangular plan. The method supports all the buildings with grid pattern column layout. To that end, we take advantage of the knapsack problem as a basic applied combinatorial …

Does Access To Neighbourhood Green Space Promote A Healthy Duration Of Sleep? Novel Findings From A Cross-Sectional Study Of 259 319 Australians, Thomas Astell-Burt, Xiaoqi Feng, Gregory Kolt

Faculty of Social Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objectives Experiments demonstrate that exposure to parks and other ‘green spaces’ promote favourable psychological and physiological outcomes. As a consequence, people who reside in greener neighbourhoods may also have a lower risk of short sleep duration (<6 h). This is potentially important as short sleep duration is a correlate of obesity, chronic disease and mortality, but so far this hypothesis has not been previously investigated.

Design Cross-sectional data analysis.

Setting New South Wales, Australia.

Participants This study investigated whether neighbourhood green space was associated with a healthier duration of sleep (to the nearest hour) among 259 319 Australians who completed the 45 and Up Study baseline questionnaire between 2006 and 2009 inclusive.

Primary and secondary outcome measures Multinomial logit regression was used to investigate the influence of an …

Todas Las Muertes De Lázaro, Diego Murcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

TODAS LAS MUERTES DE LÁZARO es una novela negra que habla de corrupción, ansias de poder, ambición y decepción. En este libro, el tema de la muerte es una excusa para hablar de todo un paí­s, El Salvador, y sus contradicciones a través del cinismo, el humor y el escepticismo. Su personaje principal, El Pí­tbul, es una representación del desamparo generalizado que el ciudadano común tiene de las instituciones del Estado. Este detective se embarca -por orden presidencial- en una búsqueda misteriosa que le requiere dar con un amo del disfraz. A medida que el investigador se interna en los …

Brachyview, A Novel Inbody Imaging System For Hdr Prostate Brachytherapy: Design And Monte Carlo Feasibility Study, M Safavi-Naeini, Z Han, D Cutajar, S Guatelli, M Petasecca, M L. F Lerch, D. Franklin, J Jakubek, S Pospisil, J Bucci, M Zaider, Anatoly B. Rosenfeld

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Purpose: High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy for treating prostate cancer whereby a high activity radiation source is moved between predefined positions inside applicators inserted within the treatment volume. Accurate positioning of the source is essential in delivering the desired dose to the target area while avoiding radiation injury to the surrounding tissue. In this paper, HDR BrachyView, a novel inbody dosimetric imaging system for real time monitoring and verification of the radioactive seed position in HDR prostate brachytherapy treatment is introduced. The current prototype consists of a 15 × 60 mm2 silicon pixel detector …

Brachyview: Proof-Of-Principle Of A Novel In-Body Gamma Camera For Low Dose-Rate Prostate Brachytherapy, M Petasecca, K J. Loo, M Safavi-Naeini, Z Han, P E. Metcalfe, S Meikle, S Pospisil, J Jakubek, Joseph Bucci, Marco Zaider, M L. F Lerch, Y Qi, Anatoly B. Rosenfeld

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Purpose: The conformity of the achieved dose distribution to the treatment plan strongly correlates with the accuracy of seed implantation in a prostate brachytherapy treatment procedure. Incorrect seed placement leads to both short and long term complications, including urethral and rectal toxicity. The authors present BrachyView, a novel concept of a fast intraoperative treatment planning system, to provide real-time seed placement information based on in-body gamma camera data. BrachyView combines the high spatial resolution of a pixellated silicon detector (Medipix2) with the volumetric information acquired by a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). The two systems will be embedded in the same probe …

A Novel Approach To Investigate Surface Roughness Evolution In Asymmetric Rolling Based On Three Dimensional Real Surface, H Xie, K Manabe, Z Y. Jiang

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Surface roughness affects the friction behaviour, stress distribution and surface quality; moreover this influence is more significant when scaling down the strip size. A novel approach has been proposed to investigate the surface roughness in asymmetric rolling based on Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Evolution of asperity flattening, contact area ratio and surface roughness is investigated under various simulation rolling conditions. The model reviewed numerical solutions for real surfaces with asperities of arbitrary shape and varying size and height distributions. The rolling characterization has also been identified for asymmetric rolling. The difference of change in surface roughness for upper and lower …

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 …

6-Hydroxy-5,6-Seco-Stemocurtisine: A Novel Seco-Stemocurtisine-Type Alkaloid, Pitchaya Mungkornasawakul, Stephen G. Pyne, Anthony C. Willis, Araya Jatisatienr, Duang Phuthsuk, Wilford Lie

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

A novel seco-stemocurtisine-type alkaloid, 6-hydroxy-5,6-seco-stemocurtisine was isolated from the aerial parts of Stemona curtisii (Stemonaceae) collected from Trang Province in Thailand. The unprecedented 5,6-seco-pyrido[1,2-a] azepine structure was elucidated by 2D NMR analysis and a single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis. (C) 2013 Phytochemical Society of Europe.

Removal Of Bisphenol A And Diclofenac By A Novel Fungal Membrane Bioreactor Operated Under Non-Sterile Conditions, Shufan Yang, Faisal I. Hai, Long D. Nghiem, Luong N. Nguyen, Felicity Roddick, William E. Price

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Previous studies have confirmed significant removal of various trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) by white-rot fungal cultures under sterile batch test conditions. However, little is known about TrOC removal in continuous flow fungal reactors in a non-sterile environment. This study reports the removal of two TrOCs, namely, bisphenol A and diclofenac, by a fungal membrane bioreactor (MBR).

Review Of Four Novel Dosimeters Developed For Use In Radiotherapy, P Metcalfe, A Quinn, K Loo, M Lerch, M Petasecca, J Wong, N Hardcastle, M Carolan, J Mcnamara, D Cutajar, I Fuduli, A Espinoza, C Porumb, Anatoly B. Rosenfeld

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Centre for Medical Radiation Physics (CMRP) is a research strength at the University of Wollongong, the main research theme of this centre is to develop prototype novel radiation dosimeters. Multiple detector systems have been developed by Prof Rosenfelds’ group for various radiation detector applications. This paper focuses on four current detector systems being developed and studied at CMRP. Two silicon array detectors include the magic plate and dose magnifying glass (DMG), the primary focus of these two detectors is high spatial and temporal resolution dosimetry in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) beams. The third detector discussed is the MOSkin which …

Experimental Study And Modeling Of A Novel Magnetorheological Elastomer Isolator, Jian Yang, Haiping Du, Weihua Li, Yancheng Li, Jianchun Li, Shuaishuai Sun, H X. Deng

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

This paper reports an experimental setup aiming at evaluating the performance of a newly designed magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) seismic isolator. As a further effort to explore the field-dependent stiffness/damping properties of the MRE isolator, a series of experimental testing were conducted. Based upon the analysis of the experimental responses and the characteristics of the MRE isolator, a new model that is capable of reproducing the unique MRE isolator dynamics behaviors is proposed. The validation results verify the model's effectiveness to portray the MRE isolator. A study on the field-dependent parameters is then provided to make the model valid with fluctuating …

A Novel Method Of Embedding Additional Information Into Tensor Diffusion Filtering As An Application For Multi-Modal Reconstruction In Et, D Kazantsev, Sebastien Ourselin, Brian F. Hutton, W. R B. Lionheart, Simon Arridge

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

The fast development of hybrid imaging modalities in tomography, such as SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography)/CT (computed tomography), PET (positron emission tomography)/MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and PET/CT, have increased an interest for reconstruction algorithms which are able to utilize a functional and anatomical information at the same time. In this paper a new method proposed for iterative reconstruction with anatomical prior in emission tomography (ET). The introduced regularization term is a modified anisotropic tensor diffusion filter which has shape-adapted smoothing properties. The filter accommodates available anatomical information which results in enhanced position and image dependent spatial resolution of emission …