cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Targeting mechanotransduction in myofibroblast like cells
Creators: name: Lachowski, Dariusz
Publisher: name: Imperial College London
Year: 2019

description: Mechanical stimuli applied by the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the cells play an important role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Mechanosensing and mechanotransduction are two processes by which cells transform mechanical forces into biochemical signals and adapt to changes in the microenvironment. Imbalanced cell response can create a positive feedback loop and lead to the pathological conditions, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, which is characterised by the presence of extensive fibrotic stroma produced and maintained by pancreatic stellate cells (PSC). Here, it is shown that PSC are reversibly activated through mechanosensing of fibrosis-mimicking stiff substrates. Under the application of this mechanical cue, PSC exhibit rigidity-guided movement (durotaxis). This pattern of migration, which is regulated by a stiffness-dependent asymmetric distribution of active and inactive focal adhesion protein, is also observed in hepatic stellate cells (HSC). HSC, durotactically migrating to the fibrotic sites, can perpetuate the disease through their stiffness-initiated activation and resulting aberrant matrix remodelling capabilities. Experiments revealed a mechanical network allowing HSC to maintain fibrotic ECM by decreasing the matrix-digesting enzyme MMP-9 expression and activity, and increasing the activity of its secreted inhibitor, TIMP-1. Furthermore, these results shed light on a new mechanism, through which stiff matrix can initiate exocytosis. This is identified as an effect of membrane homeostasis maintenance, where an increase in plasma membrane tension via β1 integrin mechanosensing and RhoA activation is followed by tension-relieving secretion. With RhoA and cell activation as a common factor in the cell mechanical response, final experiments focused on G protein-coupled receptor (GPER), here identified as a novel mechanoregulator in fibroblasts. GPER activation decreases RhoA activity and impacts overall mechanical response in cells, opening new possibilities for potential therapies in cancer and fibrosis.
Geomorphometric segmentation applied to the city modeling problem
Creators: name: Miliaresis, George
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2014
Subjects: Solid Earth Sciences

description: Miliaresis G. and Kokkas N., 2006. Geomorphometric segmentation applied to the city modeling problem. Int. Symposium on Terrain Analysis & Digital Terrain Modelling, China (Nanjing), 23-25 Nov. 2006, 12 p.
Ground truth by the use of orthophotos in IKONOS image processing
Creators: name: Miliaresis, George
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2014
Subjects: Solid Earth Sciences

description: Blasco F., Bellan M.F.,Barbaroussi B., Miliaresis G., 2004. Ground truth by the use of orthophotos in IKONOS image processing. Int. Archieves of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing & GIS , XXXV,417-421.
Evaluating the thematic information content of ASTER (VNIR) imagery in urban areas by classification techniques.
Creators: name: Miliaresis, George
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2014
Subjects: Solid Earth Sciences

description: Panagou Th., Miliaresis G., 2003. Evaluating the thematic information content of ASTER (VNIR) imagery in urban areas by classification techniques. The Int. Archieves of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing & Spatial Information Science, XXXIV-7/W9,263-267
Geomorphometric description of cluter maps.
Creators: name: Miliaresis, George
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2014
Subjects: Solid Earth Sciences

description: Rodopoulos J., & Miliaresis G., 2004. Geomorphometric description of cluter maps. ASPRS Annual Conf., Anchorage, Alaska, May, 5-9, 399-403
Competence versus confidence in IT project leadership and its impact on project outcomes
Creators: name: Carlton, Darryl
Publisher: name: Swinburne
Year: 2024

description: Cobb's Paradox (Bourne, 2011) asks: 'We know why projects fail; we know how to prevent their failure-so why do they still fail?' This study immerses itself into a major Australian IT project in order to unearth the drivers of project failure. Several new and novel findings have emerged. Using Multi-Grounded Theory this research has developed models and rich descriptions of new phenomena. The phenomena identified in this research, are drawn from social psychology and economic theory and highlight the issues of project execution as a social undertaking. This paper addresses one of those findings, namely the lack of domain expertise by senior management and vendor representatives. This paper examines the consequences of 'actors-working-in-organisations' (Manning, 2008, p. 678) and in particular looking at individual interactions, decisions and consequences (Goffman, 1959) through the lens of the Kruger-Dunning Effect (1999).
The geomophometric signature of Valles Marineris from M.O.L.A. DEM.
Creators: name: Miliaresis, George
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2014
Subjects: Solid Earth Sciences

description: Miliaresis G., Kokkas N., 2003. The geomophometric signature of Valles Marineris from M.O.L.A. DEM. ASPRS Annual Conf., Anchorage, Alaska, May 5-9, 122-130
Detection of powerful Mid-IR H2 emission in the bridge between the Taffy Galaxies
Creators: name: Peterson, B. W.
name: Appleton, P. N.
name: Helou, G.
name: Guillard, P.
name: Jarrett, T. H.
name: Cluver, Michelle
name: Ogle, P.
name: Struck, C.
name: Boulanger, F.
Publisher: name: Swinburne
Year: 2024

description: We report the detection of strong, resolved emission from warm H2 in the Taffy galaxies and bridge. Relative to the continuum and faint polyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission, the H2 emission is the strongest in the connecting bridge, approaching L(H2)/L(PAH 8 μm) = 0.1 between the two galaxies, where the purely rotational lines of H2 dominate the mid-infrared spectrum in a way very reminiscent of the group-wide shock in the interacting group Stephan's Quintet (SQ). The surface brightness in the 0-0 S(0) and S(1) H2 lines in the bridge is more than twice that observed at the center of the SQ shock. We observe a warm H2 mass of 4.2 × 108 M ⊙ in the bridge, but taking into account the unobserved bridge area, the total warm mass is likely to be twice this value. We use excitation diagrams to characterize the warm molecular gas, finding an average surface mass of ~5 × 106 M ⊙ kpc-2 and typical excitation temperatures of 150-175 K. H2 emission is also seen in the galaxy disks, although there the emission is more consistent with normal star-forming galaxies. We investigate several possible heating mechanisms for the bridge gas but favor the conversion of kinetic energy from the head-on collision via turbulence and shocks as the main heating source. Since the cooling time for the warm H2 is short (~5000 yr), shocks must be permeating the molecular gas in the bridge region in order to continue heating the H2.
Characterizing landscape dynamics by general & specific geomorphometric techniques.
Creators: name: Miliaresis, George
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2014
Subjects: Solid Earth Sciences

description: Miliaresis G.Ch., 2002. Characterizing landscape dynamics by general & specific geomorphometric techniques. WEGENER 2002, Int. Ass. of Geodesy, Athens 12-14/6, 12 p.
Reversion from Organic to Conventional Agriculture in Germany : An Event History Analysis
Creators: name: Heinze, Sanna
name: Vogel, Alexander
name: Heinze, Sanna
name: Vogel, Alexander
Publisher: name: Unknown
Year: 2017
Subjects: subject: Agricultural and Food Policy
subject: Environmental Economics and Policy
subject: Farm Management
subject: event history analysis
subject: organic agriculture
subject: reversion

description: Organic farming has become increasingly important during recent decades, and the increasing number of organic farms shows a positive trend. Recent studies, however, find that there is a counterbalancing trend: farmers are leaving the organic sector and reverting to conventional methods. We contribute to this new branch of literature by performing event history analysis in order to examine reversion patterns in Germany for the first time. Moreover, we present new evidence for a comparable cohort of farms on which organic production was started in the same time period between 1999 and 2003. Our results show that 30% of these newly converted farms were reverted to conventional agriculture by 2010. Most of the reversions took place between 2003 to 2005. Thus, we can conclude that these farms were reverted within six years after they had become organic. Furthermore, we find that part-time farms and farms with fattened pigs or poultry face a higher probability of reverting, while farms with a higher income potential per labor unit, a higher degree of conversion, a higher share of vegetables, and a higher number of dairy or suckler cows are less likely to revert to conventional methods. Information on reversion behavior is needed when policy aims at reaching a higher share of organic area in a country. In order to prevent organic farmers from leaving the organic sector, we recommend offering an extended advisory service both before and during conversion as well as continuous support after conversion. Particular support for part-time farms or farms with pigs and poultry may contribute to the growth of the organic sector.
Investigation into the molecular triggers of epigenetic reprogramming and meiotic entry in mouse primordial germ cells
Creators: name: Hill, Peter William Sloan
Publisher: name: Imperial College London
Year: 2015

description: Germ cells represent the link between generations. At the time of fertilisation, sperm and egg come together to form a single cell, called the zygote, from which an entire organism is ultimately constructed. In mouse, two unique properties underlie the exceptional potential of gametes: 1) the ability to execute meiosis; and 2) the correct establishment of complementary epigenetic signatures (genomic imprints) in sperm and oocyte that enable post-implantation embryonic development in the next generation. At the molecular level, both the progression through meiosis and the establishment of sex-specific methylation imprints are critically dependent on a wave of global DNA demethylation that is initiated in primordial germ cells (PGCs), the embryonic precursors of the gametes, following their colonisation of the embryonic gonads. The work I present in this thesis focuses on the molecular mechanisms regulating this wave of DNA demethylation. Specifically, I conclusively show that DNA demethylation proceeds independent of the 5-methylcytosine oxygenase Tet1, previously proposed to act as the putative DNA demethylase. Rather, I show that, with respect to DNA demethylation, Tet1 appears to protect the hypo-methylated state in PGCs following the major loss of 5-methylcytosine. Most strikingly, however, with respect to germ cell development, Tet1 appears to play an important role in regulating the timing of the major developmental and transcriptional transitions that occurs in the mouse foetal germ line between embryonic day (E) 10.5 and E14.5, with PGCs derived from Tet1-knockout embryos showing increased stability of the demethylated pre-meiotic germ cell state. Beyond understanding the role of Tet1 in gonadal PGCs, I also present results focusing on the potential relationship between cell signalling, DNA demethylation and licensing for gametogenesis, with preliminary data suggesting a potential role for Akt-mTORC1 signalling in activating the expression of the key meiotic regulator Dazl.
Responses of ant communities to land-use impacts in Australia
Creators: name: Hoffmann, Benjamin Daniel
Publisher: name: Charles Darwin University
Year: 2000

description: This thesis examines the responses of ant communities to land-use in arid Australia, in the context of ants as biological indicators. Four independent case studies are presented documenting disturbance induced dynamics of ant communities throughout Australia’s arid zones to: 1. SO2 emissions at Mount Isa (Qld); 2. Sheep grazing in the Kingoonya region (SA); 3. Cattle grazing in the Victoria River District (NT); and 4. Fire in the Victoria River District. Ants were sampled in all studies by pitfall traps and identified to the species level. Species richness, total ant abundance, the abundance of species and the relative abundance of functional groups were compared with and without disturbance. Only the study of the responses of ants to fire was sampled more than once. Ants were responsive to disturbance in all studies. Generally disturbance reduced total abundance and species richness, and induced significant changes in the abundance of many species, but did not greatly change functional group composition. The greatest number of responses were found following the most severe disturbance of SO2 emissions, whereas ants were least responsive to sheep grazing. Where multiple habitats were sampled within a study, results were often conflicting between the habitats. The results of these independent studies are compared with ant community dynamics in relation to disturbance in more mesic regions. The thesis culminates in the first synthesis and review of the dynamics of ants following disturbance throughout Australia, with particular focus on the functional group classification system. The results of 43 studies are summarised, and (where data could be obtained) the results are re-analysed according to latest species classifications into functional groups. These classifications are provided for the first time for the entire known Australian ant fauna. Functional group dynamics are interpreted within the context of biogeography and disturbance type. While the functional group scheme is a useful tool for disturbance analysis, it appears to have limited appliation within the arid zones.
The Globe DEM Parameterization of the mountain features of Minor Asia.
Creators: name: Miliaresis, George
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2014
Subjects: Solid Earth Sciences

description: Miliaresis, G. & Paraschou Ch., 2002. The Globe DEM Parameterization of the mountain features of Minor Asia. ASPRS Annual Conference, April 19 - 26, Washington DC, 8 p.
An integrated experimental and theoretical investigation of the structural and spectroscopic properties of two nickel(II) isothiosemicarbazone complexes
Creators: name: Takjoo, Reza
name: Ponnadurai Ramasami
name: Alireza Hashemzadeh
name: Rhyman, Lydia
name: Rudbari, Hadi Amiri
name: Bruno, Giuseppe
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2014
Subjects: Uncategorized

description: Two nickel(II) isothiosemicarbazone complexes of dianionic 5-bromosalicylaldehyde S-allyl isothiosemicarbazonehydrobromide (H2L.HBr), [Ni(Im)L] and [Ni(2-MeIm)L] (Im: imidazole, 2-MeIm: 2-methylimidazole), were synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography, 1H NMR spectrometry, IR, and electronic spectroscopy. The complexes have square-planar geometry and the ligand is coordinated as a dinegative tridentate chelating agent via phenolic oxygen, isothioamide nitrogen, and azomethine nitrogen atoms. To complement the experimental data, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT methods were used to validate the structural parameters and infrared and electronic spectra.
Deglacial Southern Ocean change: a cold-water coral investigation
Creators: name: Pratt, Naomi Ruth Anne
Publisher: name: Imperial College London
Year: 2019

description: Over the past decades, great progress has been made in understanding the transition of Earth’s climate from the last ice age to the present day, in particular the importance of Southern Ocean processes and their impact on transfer of heat and carbon. This work explores deglacial ocean change through the lens of a new collection of cold-water corals from an understudied region, the southwest Indian Ocean alongside existing palaeo records including two other unpublished cold-water coral collections to form a broader picture of ventilation and structure of the deglacial Southern Ocean. A compelling peak in abundance of solitary scleractinians in the southwest Indian Ocean, as well as at other sites in the Southern Ocean during the late deglacial hints at widespread oceanic controls on habitat suitability. Neodymium isotope analysis reveals maintained Atlantic influence at intermediate depths throughout the record, and particularly strong connectivity at the most southerly sampling site, which records rapid fluctuations in seawater chemistry during the Younger Dryas. Radiocarbon data provides new evidence in support of a Southern Ocean source of atmospheric CO2 early in Heinrich Stadial 1, and potential transfer of old carbon to the upper cell at the end of the Younger Dryas. Overall, regional hydrographic changes appear to have played a significant role in the ventilation and water mass history of the southwest Indian Ocean.
Coordination chemistry of trivalent and pentavalent organoarsenic heterocyclic dithiocarbamate derivatives: synthesis and characterization
Creators: name: Sharma, Deepak Kumar
name: Gupta, Rita
name: Singh, Yashpal
name: Sharma, Jyoti
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2014
Subjects: Uncategorized

description: A series of diphenylarsenic(III) and triphenylarsenic(V) derivatives of heterocyclic dithiocarbamates of the type: and [where X = > CH2 (Pipdtc), >CH–CH3 (4-MePipdtc), >O (Morphdtc), >N-CH3 (N-MePzdtc), and > NH (Pzdtc)] [n = 1 or 2] have been synthesized by reactions of diphenylarsenic(III) chloride and triphenylarsenic(V) dibromide with the sodium salt of heterocyclic dithiocarbamates in 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 M ratios, respectively, in refluxing benzene. All these newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by their elemental analyses, molecular weight measurements, and ESI mass studies. Structures of the compounds have been proposed on the basis of IR, 1H, and 13C NMR spectral data which suggest anisobidentate mode of bonding.
An integrated experimental and theoretical investigation of the structural and spectroscopic properties of two nickel(II) isothiosemicarbazone complexes
Creators: name: Takjoo, Reza
name: Ponnadurai Ramasami
name: Alireza Hashemzadeh
name: Rhyman, Lydia
name: Rudbari, Hadi Amiri
name: Bruno, Giuseppe
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2014
Subjects: Uncategorised

description: Two nickel(II) isothiosemicarbazone complexes of dianionic 5-bromosalicylaldehyde S-allyl isothiosemicarbazonehydrobromide (H2L.HBr), [Ni(Im)L] and [Ni(2-MeIm)L] (Im: imidazole, 2-MeIm: 2-methylimidazole), were synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography, 1H NMR spectrometry, IR, and electronic spectroscopy. The complexes have square-planar geometry and the ligand is coordinated as a dinegative tridentate chelating agent via phenolic oxygen, isothioamide nitrogen, and azomethine nitrogen atoms. To complement the experimental data, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT methods were used to validate the structural parameters and infrared and electronic spectra.
Coordination chemistry of trivalent and pentavalent organoarsenic heterocyclic dithiocarbamate derivatives: synthesis and characterization
Creators: name: Sharma, Deepak Kumar
name: Gupta, Rita
name: Singh, Yashpal
name: Sharma, Jyoti
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2014
Subjects: Uncategorised

description: A series of diphenylarsenic(III) and triphenylarsenic(V) derivatives of heterocyclic dithiocarbamates of the type: and [where X = > CH2 (Pipdtc), >CH–CH3 (4-MePipdtc), >O (Morphdtc), >N-CH3 (N-MePzdtc), and > NH (Pzdtc)] [n = 1 or 2] have been synthesized by reactions of diphenylarsenic(III) chloride and triphenylarsenic(V) dibromide with the sodium salt of heterocyclic dithiocarbamates in 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 M ratios, respectively, in refluxing benzene. All these newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by their elemental analyses, molecular weight measurements, and ESI mass studies. Structures of the compounds have been proposed on the basis of IR, 1H, and 13C NMR spectral data which suggest anisobidentate mode of bonding.
Investigating the physiological and pharmacological effects of the gut hormone peptide YY (PYY)
Creators: name: Martin Alonso, Aldara
Publisher: name: Imperial College London
Year: 2021

description: The obesity epidemic is a critical and global public health burden. Drugs that safely promote weight loss are urgently needed to halt the rising prevalence of obesity and its associated complications, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Gut hormones are important regulators in metabolism and have therapeutic potential as treatments for obesity and T2D. The gut hormone peptide YY (PYY) is released from the intestine after a meal. Exogenous PYY3–36 suppresses food intake in both rodents and humans, including in the obese state. PYY3–36 suppresses appetite by acting on its receptor, the Y2R. Y2R is expressed in brain appetite centres but also in the afferent vagus nerve, the main neuroanatomical link carrying information from the gut to the brain. However, the relevant contribution of the afferent vagus to the overall effects of PYY3–36 is unknown. Chemogenetic activation of vagal afferent neurones results in reduced food intake (surpassing the effects of PYY) and might have altered the immune landscape of the gastrointestinal tract. To dissect the role of the Y2R expressed in the afferent vagus, we have developed a novel microsurgical technique in the mouse. Our work suggests that vagal Y2R mediates the anorectic effect of low dose and endogenous PYY3–36 and that this vagal signalling pathway regulates short-term feeding. This anorectic effect was not caused by an aversive response. In vitro calcium imaging confirmed that PYY3–36 directly activates vagal afferents. Chronic treatment of diet-induced obese (DIO) mice with a long-acting PYY3–36 analogue, Y242, did not cause a significant body weight loss. Longitudinal tracking of individual islet function using a novel imaging platform allowed to study the effect of diet and Y242 treatment. Chronic Y242 did not improve or worsen islet function in obese mice. Therefore, PYY-based treatments might not be suitable as a single agent but have potential in combination with other gut-hormones. Vagus nerve neuromodulation has shown potential as an anti-obesity therapy and the work in this thesis adds to a better understanding of vagal afferent function which will help optimise therapeutic interventions.
An integrated experimental and theoretical investigation of the structural and spectroscopic properties of two nickel(II) isothiosemicarbazone complexes
Creators: name: Takjoo, Reza
name: Ponnadurai Ramasami
name: Alireza Hashemzadeh
name: Rhyman, Lydia
name: Rudbari, Hadi Amiri
name: Bruno, Giuseppe
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2014
Subjects: Uncategorised

description: Two nickel(II) isothiosemicarbazone complexes of dianionic 5-bromosalicylaldhyde S-allyl isothiosemicarbazonehydrobromide (H2L.HBr), [Ni(Im)L] and [Ni(2-MeIm)L] (Im: imidazole, 2-MeIm: 2-methylimidazole), were synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography, 1H NMR spectrometry, IR and electronic spectroscopy. The complexes have square planar geometry and the ligand is coordinated as a dinegative tridentate chelating agent via phenolic oxygen, isothioamide nitrogen and azomethine nitrogen. To complement the experimental data, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT were used to validate the structural, molecular, infrared and electronic spectra.
Coordination chemistry of trivalent and pentavalent organoarsenic heterocyclic dithiocarbamate derivatives; synthesis and characterization
Creators: name: Sharma, Deepak Kumar
name: Gupta, Rita
name: Singh, Yashpal
name: Sharma, Jyoti
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2014
Subjects: Uncategorised

description: A series of diphenylarsenic(III) and triphenylarsenic(V) derivatives of heterocyclic dithiocarbamates of the type: [where X = >CH2 (Pipdtc), >CH–CH3 (4-MePipdtc), >O (Morphdtc), >N-CH3 (N-MePzdtc) and >NH (Pzdtc)] [n = 1 or 2] have been synthesized by reactions of diphenylarsenic(III) chloride and triphenylarsenic(V) dibromide with the sodium salt of heterocyclic dithiocarbamates in 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios, respectively, in refluxing benzene. All these newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by their elemental analyses, molecular weight measurements and ESI mass studies. Structures of the compounds have been proposed on the basis of IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectral data which suggest anisobidentate mode of bonding.
Validity and reliability testing of two instruments to measure breast cancer patients' concerns and information needs relating to radiation therapy
Creators: name: Halkett, Georgia K. B.
name: Kristjanson, Linda
Publisher: name: Swinburne
Year: 2024

description: It is difficult to determine the most effective approach to patient education or tailor education interventions for patients in radiotherapy without tools that assess patients' specific radiation therapy information needs and concerns. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop psychometrically sound tools to adequately determine the concerns and information needs of cancer patients during radiation therapy. Two tools were developed to (1) determine patients concerns about radiation therapy (RT Concerns Scale) and (2) ascertain patient's information needs at different time point during their radiation therapy (RT Information Needs Scale). Tools were based on previous research by the authors, published literature on breast cancer and radiation therapy and information behaviour research. Thirty-one breast cancer patients completed the questionnaire on one occasion and thirty participants completed the questionnaire on a second occasion to facilitate test-retest reliability. One participant's responses were removed from the analysis. Results were analysed for content validity, internal consistency and stability over time. Both tools demonstrated high internal consistency and adequate stability over time. The nine items in the RT Concerns Scale were retained because they met all pre-set psychometric criteria. Two items were deleted from the RT Information Needs Scale because they did not meet content validity criteria and did not achieve pre-specified criteria for internal consistency. This tool now contains 22 items. This paper provides preliminary data suggesting that the two tools presented are reliable and valid and would be suitable for use in trials or in the clinical setting.
Modelling factors of motivation in a not-for-profit organisation
Creators: name: Tippet, John
name: Kluvers, Ron
Publisher: name: Swinburne
Year: 2024

description: This paper reports on a study undertaken in an organisation providing services for people with disabilities. The organisation in which this research was undertaken is facing a changing funding model. The essential research issue of the paper is an understanding of the influence of both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards on the motivation of not-for-profit staff. The organisation concerned is made up of two units, in one of which employees can earn a performance bonus. This situation highlights the issue of how extrinsic rewards are perceived by staff as a source of motivation. The technique of discriminant analysis was used to investigate the importance of a number of variables on staff motivation. The important findings of the study are, first, that intrinsic rewards play a significant role in motivation. Second, extrinsic rewards, but in combination with intrinsic rewards, also motivate staff.
Genetic alterations leading to thymic epithelial malignancies
Creators: name: Gennatas, Spyridon
Publisher: name: Imperial College London
Year: 2019

description: Thymic epithelial tumours (TETs) are rare intrathoracic tumours. The key genetic drivers are yet to be discovered. The aim of this research project was to differentiate different TET subsets at the molecular level and identify potential drivers and immunohistochemical targets for each. Sanger sequencing was used to assess the frequency of the known mutation in GTF2I. The prevalence in our cohort of 141 TETs was 34%, being as high as 90% and 69% in type A and AB thymomas respectively. There were no squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), neuroendocrine thymic tumours (NETTs) or hyperplasias with the mutation. This is a novel finding that could be of diagnostic value in difficult to diagnose mediastinal masses. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on seventeen TETs and was analysed with the unpublished 'Cancer Genome Atlas' (TCGA) data. 25% of GTF2I mutant type A and AB thymomas also had an oncogenic mutation affecting the MAP kinase pathway. The most commonly mutated gene in carcinomas was TP53 (30%). A recurrent germline insertion in HLA-A was seen across the TET subtypes at a frequency of 27%. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping on 143 TETs identified multiple genes with copy number gains in chromosome 1q. Very few recurrent copy number losses were seen. A notable exception was MUTYH that was shown to have recurrent, homozygous copy number losses in 18% of all TETs and 25% of SCCs. Eight immunotherapy and two other emerging targets were targeted with immunohistochemistry in 143 TET tissue microarrays. PD-L1, PD-L2 and B7-H3 were the most positive markers. Overall aggressive TETs demonstrated higher staining scores. Clustering of all TETs according to their co-expression of these markers revealed cases in all subtypes that clustered more with other TET subtypes. These results require validation and expansion. Whole genome sequencing, expression and methylation studies are also needed.
Synthetic modifications of metal organic framework adsorbents for environmental remediation
Creators: name: Mohd Azmi, Luqman Hakim
Publisher: name: Imperial College London
Year: 2021

description: The widespread usage of organic chemicals has led to an unprecedented level of pollution and associated health risk concerns. Although activated carbon (AC) based adsorption is commonly used in wastewater treatment and air purification processes, now, new metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) adsorbents with superior surface areas, chemically tuneable structures, and excellent reusability are available. This thesis evaluates the application of selected MOFs and their modified variants for removing organic pollutants from aqueous and humid air streams, reporting adsorption capacity and kinetics. For the removal of aqueous phase pollutant 2-chlorophenol, the higher surface area of MIL-101 (Cr) even with improved surface amination, gave inferior adsorption capacity compared to the hydrophobic AC, indicating the importance of MOF’s hydrophobicity. A hydrophobic MIL-101 (Cr) was synthesized using a PDMS vapour coating protocol, creating a new material with the same surface area and pore volume as pristine MIL-101 (Cr). For 0.5% toluene P/P0 vapour co-adsorption at 40% RH, this composite showed a 60% higher uptake capacity and a 34% higher aggregate adsorption rate compared to pristine MIL-101 (Cr), and 360% faster kinetics relative to AC. A solution-based treatment for MIL-100 (Fe) was developed using calixarene, producing super hydrophobic surfaces, which at 40% RH and 0.5% toluene P/P0, exhibited a 68% higher aggregate uptake rate, despite having lower pore volumes and surface areas. Finally, MIL-96 (Al) was modified using hydrolysed polyacrylamide polymer, which enlarged the 3.2-µm particles by 225% and transformed their crystal morphology. The polymer also contains amide with NH2 moieties which improved the modified MIL-96 (Al)’s uptake capacity of perfluorooctanoic acid. Overall, this thesis highlights the complexity of co-adsorption when hydrophobic and hydrophilic adsorbates are both present. It also recalls the importance of adsorption kinetics, in contrast with current MOF research emphases, which are on surface area and adsorption capacity. Faster adsorption kinetics may be preferred over a slow-diffusing adsorbate, even if the final uptake capacity is superior, for some industrial applications.
Structural studies of proteins involved in carbon fixation
Creators: name: Kabasakal, Burak Veli
Publisher: name: Imperial College London
Year: 2017

description: In this thesis, the structures of proteins involved in carbon fixation by enzymes of the 3 hydroxypropionate (3 HP) cycle of Chloroflexus aurantiacus, and the acetone carboxylase from Xanthobacter autrophicus were investigated. The crystal structures of C-terminal and N-terminal domains of malonyl CoA reductase, and mesaconyl C1-CoA hydratase were solved. Preliminary structural information was obtained for mesaconyl-CoA transferase and mesaconyl-C4-CoA hydratase, the right-hand side 3 HP cycle enzymes. The mechanism of 3 HP formation from malonyl CoA, catalysed by malonyl CoA reductase was studied using ligand bound structures, site-directed mutagenesis, and kinetics. The ATP dependent acetone carboxylation mechanism was examined structurally. Acetone carboxylase was natively purified from Xanthobacter autotrophicus and the AMP and acetate bound structure was determined at 1.9 Å. This thesis has applications in the biotechnology of carbon fixation.
INFLUENCE OF SELF-AWARENESS ON JOB PERFORMANCE OF BUSINESS EDUCATORS IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES, SOUTH-SOUTH, NIGERIA.
Creators: name: Nicholas Otobong, Ekerete Udonwa
name: Mercy G D, Okon, Ph.D
Publisher: name: Hollex Journals
Year: 2025
Subjects: Self-awareness
Job Performance
Business Educators
Self-confidence
Realistic Self-assessment
Self-depreciating Sense of Humour

description: The study evaluated the influence of self-awareness on job performance of business educators in federal universities, south-south, Nigeria. The specific objectives include to: assess the influence of self-confidence, realistic self-assessment and self-depreciating sense of humour on business educators’ job performance in federal universities, south-south, Nigeria.  The descriptive survey design was used. The study adopted simple random sampling technique. The population of the study was 92 staff of business educators in the Federal universities under study. The whole population was used due to small number. 79 of the respondents returned the questionnaire accurately filled, which gave 89 percent response rate. Data were presented and analyzed using mean score and standard deviation using Sprint Likert Scale. The hypotheses were analyzed using regression.  The findings indicated that all the variables have a positive significant influence on business educators job performance in federal universities in south-south, Nigeria. With this result we can concluded that the more self-aware business educators are, the more their productivity and performance will improve. Specifically, the more business educators possess self-awareness competencies the more likely their output will be for their institutions. Based on the above facts, we recommend that; management of higher institutions should create more awareness about the importance of self-confidence to their business educators.
The comparison of DPPH-scavenging capacity and anti-inflammatory effects of phenolic compounds isolated from the stems of Stewartia koreana Nakai
Creators: name: Kim, Manh Heun
name: Jang, Jun Hye
name: Oh, Myeong Hwan
name: Heo, Jun Hyeok
name: Lee, Min Won
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2014
Subjects: Uncategorized

description: The Stewartia koreana Nakai (SK) had been used in oriental traditional medicine as a remedy for acute gastroenteritis, liver diseases, quadriplegia and pain. The antioxidant activity guided isolation 80% methyl extract from stems of SK yielded eight phenolic compounds. We evaluated the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of these compounds via assays of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydazyl (DPPH) radicals and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The results demonstrated that syringaresinol (6) exhibited significant DPPH radical-scavenging activity and inhibitory effects on NO production compared with its positive controls, ascorbic acid and l-NMMA, respectively.
Using bacteria as “ink” for inscribing names on agar: A memento for students
Creators: name: Ng, Wenfa
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2017
Subjects: subject: Education
subject: Microbiology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences

description: The above preprint is permanently removed from publication as the author wants to avoid duplication in publication. Similar ideas have been updated elsewhere and could be found at the following links: “Patterning bacteria on agar for understanding distance mediated cell to cell signaling and metabolic exchanges”, (https://peerj.com/preprints/349/) and “Bacteria as ink for surface patterning on agar”, (https://figshare.com/articles/Using_bacteria_as_ink_to_inscribe_names_on_agar_A_memento_for_students/936961) An error was also made in posting the preprint “Trade-offs between energy efficiency and indoor air quality”, as an update to the above preprint. The abstract preprint, “Trade-offs between energy efficiency and indoor air quality” would be reposted as a new preprint. The author, Wenfa Ng, apologizes to the academic community for any inconvenience caused.
Turbulent/turbulent Entrainment: a detailed examination of entrainment, and the behaviour of the outer interface as affected by background turbulence
Creators: name: Kankanwadi, Krishna S
Publisher: name: Imperial College London
Year: 2021

description: This thesis presents an experimental investigation into the effects of free-stream turbulence on entrainment and examines the outer boundaries of fluidic regions with turbulence present on both sides of the interface. Simultaneous particle image velocimetry (PIV) and planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) experiments are conducted in the wake of a circular cylinder subjected to grid generated turbulence. The turbulent/turbulent interface (TTI) is identified for the first time. Analogous to the classical case of a turbulent/non-turbulent interface (TNTI), it facilitates the change in the enstrophy level between one region to the other. The TTI is seen to persist even at the most extreme background turbulence conditions. In the far wake of a circular cylinder, free-stream turbulence is seen to reduce the net entrainment into the wake relative to a non-turbulent background. This behaviour is driven by infrequent yet powerful, intermittent detrainment events. It is found that the intensity of the background turbulence is most important in determining this behaviour, whereas the length scale is seen to have, only a second order effect. The mechanism of this entrainment process is investigated and it is observed that role of viscosity in this process is insignificant when turbulence is present on both sides of the fluidic boundary. This is possible, since the availability of turbulent strain (and vorticity) on both sides of the interface in a TTI, allows the inertial term to take over the responsibilities of enstrophy production. Finally, in the near-field of a cylinder wake, the influence of length scale is more important. Unlike in the far-field, coherent structures play a vital role in near wake development. The traditional increase in a bluff body wake width in the near field is reproduced and the effects of both wake meandering as well as wake growth through entrainment are investigated.
Using bacteria as “ink” for inscribing names on agar: A memento for students
Creators: name: Ng, Wenfa
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Education
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Microbiology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences

description: What are your most vivid memories of university? I think the life-long friendships fostered during undergraduate studies would come to mind for most graduates. Observing my students progressing from strangers at the start of their final year projects to friends at the end of the research experience, an idea came to my mind of creating a memento to help them recollect – in future - this particular moment in their lives, as well as the camaraderie and friendships forged. Specifically, using a purple pigment secreting bacterium, the initials of the students’ names were inscribed onto agar, whereupon bacteria growth and pigment secretion (similar to photo development in traditional film-based photography) made visible the pattern in a process closely resembling writing – but with bacterial cells as “ink.” One name on an agar; photographs of individual agar plates and a “family photo” comprising all agar plates constituted the memento. The accompanying PDF file contains a structured abstract describing the work, while the original article, “Bacterial Calligraphy: A Memento for Undergraduate Research Students,” has been published in the Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 172-174, and is available at http://jmbe.asm.org/index.php/jmbe/article/view/414 as an open-access article. Additionally, a self-authored synopsis article describing the work has been posted at PeerJ Preprints, and is available at https://peerj.com/preprints/349/.
The comparison of DPPH-scavenging capacity and anti-inflammatory effects of phenolic compounds isolated from the stems of Stewartia koreana Nakai
Creators: name: Kim, Manh Heun
name: Jang, Jun Hye
name: Oh, Myeong Hwan
name: Heo, Jun Hyeok
name: Lee, Min Won
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2014
Subjects: Uncategorised

description: The Stewartia koreana Nakai (SK) had been used in oriental traditional medicine as a remedy for acute gastroenteritis, liver diseases, quadriplegia and pain. The antioxidant activity guided isolation 80% methyl extract from stems of SK yielded eight phenolic compounds. We evaluated the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of these compounds via assays of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydazyl (DPPH) radicals and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The results demonstrated that syringaresinol (6) exhibited significant DPPH radical-scavenging activity and inhibitory effects on NO production compared with its positive controls, ascorbic acid and l-NMMA, respectively.
DFS (Design Futures from Students) Toolbox
Creators: name: de Spirito, Denise
name: Pontillo, Gabriele
name: Lotti, Giuseppe
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023

description: DFS (Design Futures from Students) Toolbox 
Designed by Denise de Spirito, Giuseppe Lotti e Gabriele Pontillo V1.0 from the "Design Futeres" of degree course "Product, Interior, Communication and Eco-Social Design" 
10/2023  
 
Based on:  LFC Lean Futures Creation Toolkit by Futurice Ltd (Annina Antinranta, Annika Hamann, Paul Kaeppler, Simon Messmer, Mia Muurimäki, Ida Rainio, Rosie Trudgen), Marzo 2021.  https://futurice.com/lean-futures-creation-toolkit#service-contact-form
Perception of low frequency vibrations by heavy vehicle drivers
Creators: name: Hassan, Rayya
name: McManus, Kerry
Publisher: name: Swinburne
Year: 2024

description: A study was initiated to identify the levels and frequencies of heavy articulated vehicle body vibrations at which the drivers perceive the ride as uncomfortable. The study involved conducting a subjective assessment survey in which a panel of truck drivers were asked to rate the ride quality provided by a number of road sections with different surface roughness characteristics. The study's objective was achieved by correlating the mean panel ratings (MPRs) to road surface roughness contents in different one-third-octave bands of the roughness spectrum. The results showed that at 100 km/h, truck drivers object mainly to motions resulting from roughness excitations of the low frequency vibration modes of the truck body in the range 1.42 – 5.7 Hz. These results were validated by correlating MPRs with the levels of whole body vibrations measured on the driver's seat in a representative vehicle while traversing some test sections. MPRs were found to correlate well with the measured overall vibration total values and the likely comfort reactions to various magnitudes of overall vibration total values given by ISO 2631-1. The influence on MPRs of vehicle and driver related factors were also investigated and commented upon.
Bayesian optimisation of wall blowing for drag reduction of a spatially evolving turbulent boundary layer
Creators: name: Mahfoze, Omar Ahmed Reda Ali
Publisher: name: Imperial College London
Year: 2021

description: It is estimated that 50% of the fuel burnt by a commercial airliner is associated with the skin-friction drag of the turbulent boundary layers on the airliner surfaces. Wall-blowing applied in a zero pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer (TBL) through a permeable surface is a simple active flow control strategy that can result in a considerable skin-friction drag reduction (DR). However, little is known about its full potential of achieving energy savings, which is reduction of the sum of the energies needed to move the main flow and to operate the control strategy. Thus, the aim of this thesis is to improve the efficiency of a wall-blowing strategy and hence achieve energy savings by reducing the skin-friction drag in a TBL. In this work, high-order numerical methods are used to conduct direct numerical simulations (DNS) and large eddy simulations (LES) of TBL reaching up to Re = 4300 (the Reynolds number is based on the momentum thickness and free stream velocity), and controlled by wall-blowing. Different LES approaches are examined with different mesh resolutions for turbulent channel flows and TBL. It is found that an implicit LES approach based on the numerical dissipation associated with the discretisation of the diffusion terms achieves a good compromise between cost and accuracy. The simulations are coupled with a Bayesian optimisation framework to maximise the energy savings by optimising the amplitude and the streamwise coverage of the wall-blowing strategy. The control performance is assessed by using experimental measurements of two different types of blowing devices for the estimation of the energy savings. For a moving vehicle, it is assumed that the blowing air can be provided from other systems, avoiding the additional drag associated with drawing the ambient air. It is shown that wall-blowing with blowing amplitude less than 1% of the free stream velocity can achieve a significant DR of 95% and energy savings of 7% due to the long-lasting DR downstream of the control region.
Vaccination: Potential Adverse Effects and Future Challenges
Creators: name: Rahman, Mohammad Tariqur
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Immunology
subject: FOS: Clinical medicine

description: Concerns over potential adverse effects of vaccination have been raised with the aim to develop and design efficient yet harmless vaccines. Using data derived from the reported vaccine efficiency trials and related research, we have analyzed the possible changes in homeostasis of the haematopoietic system in terms of level
of antibody (Ab) after vaccination. Several vaccines were reported to increase a wide range of total Ab
concentration such as <0.01%-2.40% in children and 0.02%-1.65% in adults. Reported increased level of IgG against Haemophilus influenza type-B was recorded as 605-1210 folds higher in children and 1226-2453 folds higher in adults than the required protective levels. Similar changes were also observed for other vaccines.
Such increased level of total Abs at least theoretically can contribute to higher concentration of protein i.e., hyperproteinemia in blood. Since Ab is a polymer of amino acids; therefore hyperproteinemia due to increased level of Ab may in turn affect pH and osmosis of the blood. Therefore, an optimum dose of vaccine(s) forsufficient boost of immune mechanisms, rather than a dose required for highest efficiency, is recommended before an individual is vaccinated.
DFS (Design Futures from Students) Toolbox
Creators: name: de Spirito, Denise
name: Pontillo, Gabriele
name: Lotti, Giuseppe
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024

description: DFS (Design Futures from Students) Toolbox 

Toolbox per facilitare la progettazione di scenari futuri.

V.1.5_10/2024

 

Based on:  LFC Lean Futures Creation Toolkit by Futurice Ltd (Annina Antinranta, Annika Hamann, Paul Kaeppler, Simon Messmer, Mia Muurimäki, Ida Rainio, Rosie Trudgen), Marzo 2021.  https://futurice.com/lean-futures-creation-toolkit#service-contact-form