MicroRNA expression patterns in post-natal mouse skeletal muscle development

BACKGROUND: MiRNAs are essential regulators of skeletal muscle development and homeostasis. To date, the role and regulation of miRNAs in myogenesis have been mostly studied in tissue culture and during embryogenesis. However, little information relating to miRNA regulation during early post-natal skeletal muscle growth in mammals is available. Using a high-throughput miRNA qPCR-based array, followed by stringent statistical and bioinformatics analysis, we describe the expression pattern and putative role of 768 miRNAs in the quadriceps muscle of mice aged 2 days, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 12 weeks.

RESULTS: Forty-six percent of all measured miRNAs were expressed in mouse quadriceps muscle during the first 12 weeks of life. We report unprecedented changes in miRNA expression levels over time. The expression of a majority of miRNAs significantly decreased with post-natal muscle maturation in vivo. MiRNA clustering identified 2 subsets of miRNAs that are potentially involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, mainly via the regulation of non-muscle specific targets.

CONCLUSION: Collective miRNA expression in mouse quadriceps muscle is subjected to substantial levels of regulation during the first 12 weeks of age. This study identified a new suite of highly conserved miRNAs that are predicted to influence early muscle development. As such it provides novel knowledge pertaining to post-natal myogenesis and muscle regeneration in mammals.

Optimal sensor separation for AoA based localization via linear sensor array

This paper investigates the linear separation requirements for Angle-of-Arrival (AoA) sensors, in order to achieve the optimal performance in estimating the position of a target from multiple and typically noisy sensor measurements. We analyse the sensor-target geometry in terms of the Cramer-Rao inequality and the corresponding Fisher information matrix, in order to characterize localization performance with respect to the linear spacial distribution. Here we consider a situation where one sensor is fixed and the rest are free to be positioned in a linear array.

Characterising derivative-based loan arrangements

The income tax and GST laws contain an array of rules that apply to debt and gains in the nature of interest. The definitions of 'debt' or 'loan' and amounts in the nature of 'interest' vary across the provisions and tax officials, taxpayers and courts must decide whether the terms should be read as applying to debt, loans or interest in a narrow legal sense or should be read more broadly to catch multi-element arrangements that give effect to a debt or loan relationship in an economic or commercial sense but not in conventional single document form. This article reviews the UK, US and Australian approaches to interpreting multi-element transactions and considers whether four tax provisions dealing with debt should be interpreted to apply to multi-element, derivative-based loan arrangements.

3D haptic needle insertion simulator utilising an agent based spherical voxel model

This paper describes a technique for the real-time modeling of deformable tissue. Specifically geared towards needle insertion simulation, the low computational requirements of the model enable highly accurate haptic feedback to a user without introducing noticeable time delay or buzzing generally associated with haptic surgery simulation. Using a spherical voxel array combined with aspects of computational geometry and agent communication and interaction principals, the model is capable of providing haptic update rates of over 1000Hz with real-time visual feedback. Iterating through over 1000 voxels per millisecond to determine collision and haptic response while making use of Vieta’s Theorem for extraneous force culling.

An innovation framework based on best practice exemplars from the Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics (ASISTM) project

This report describes research into 16 ASISTM projects selected to be broadly representative of exemplars in innovation. Case studies of each project were constructed from interviews with a range of key participants, and used to develop and refine an innovation framework that is used to make sense of and describe the key features of each project. The major issue binding these projects was found to be that of student interest and engagement, and this was pursued through involving students in contemporary science, technology and mathematics (STM) practices in authentic settings. The findings point to an enriched set of purposes of STM education implicit in these projects, a set of pedagogical practices that are varied and consistent with contemporary educational thinking, and a varied array of 'actors' recruited to these projects.

Dielectrophoretic-activated cell sorter based on curved microelectrodes

This article presents the numerical and experimental analysis of a dielectrophoretic-activated cell sorter (DACS), which is equipped with curved microelectrodes. Curved microelectrodes offer unique advantages, since they create strong dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces over the tips and maintain it over a large portion of their structure, as predicted by simulations. The performance of the system is assessed using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells as model organisms. The separation of the live and dead cells is demonstrated at different medium conductivities of 0.001 and 0.14 S/m, and the sorting performance was assessed using a second array of microelectrodes patterned downstream the microchannel. Further, microscopic cell counting analysis reveals that a single pass through the system yields a separating efficiency of ~80% at low medium conductivities and ~85% at high medium conductivities.

Tuneable optical waveguide based on dielectrophoresis and microfluidics

In this work, an array of dielectrophoretic curved microelectrodes patterned in a microfluidic channel and integrated with a multimode rib polymeric waveguide is demonstrated. The microfluidic channel is infiltrated with suspended silica (SiO2) and tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanoparticles. The optofluidic system is found to be sensitive and responds not only to the infiltration of nanoparticle suspensions in the microfluidic channel, but also to the magnitude and frequencies of dielectrophoretic forces applied on the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles can be uniformly concentrated or repelled from the region between the curved microelectrode tips forming either a dense stream of flowing nanoparticles or a region void of nanoparticles in the evanescent sensitive region of the polymeric waveguide. The concentration and repulsion of nanoparticles from this region creates a refractive index gradient in the upper cladding of the polymeric waveguide. These conditions made it possible for light to either remain guided or be scattered as a function of dielectrophoretic settings applied on the nanoparticles. The results demonstrate that we successfully developed a novel tuneable polymeric waveguide based on dielectrophoretic assembly of nanoparticles suspended in fluids.

Mobile agent tracking with single frequency continuous wave radar : a linear robust filtering based approach

3-alkylpyrrole to the fabric surface. Direct applications of a conductive paint to the textile surface eliminate the exposure of the substrate to damaging oxidizing agents which allow the coating of more sensitive and delicate substrates. All textiles produced are tested for abrasion resistance and conductivity. For alkyl polypyrrole coated fabrics, the optimum carbon chain lengths are between n=10 and n=14, which result in optimum values of conductivity and solubility. The darkness of the tone is inversely related to the surface resistivity of the resulting conductive fabric. Therefore, deep black coatings have low resistivity whereas light gray coatings on a white fabric surface have higher surface resistivity. Longer alkyl chains result in higher surface resistivity in fabrics. The conductive coating of poly(3-decanylpyrrole) on the textile surface has a better abrasion resistance compared to that of an unsubstituted polypyrrole coating.

Optimal sensor placement in linear arrays : part I - AoA based localization

In this paper, we examine the optimal linear separation requirements for AoA sensors, in order to achieve the best performance in estimating the position of a target subjected to noisy measurements. Cramer-Rao inequality and the corresponding Fisher information matrix are used to analyze the sensor-target geometry, in order to characterize localization performance with respect to the linear spacial distribution of sensors.

OVIE : object-oriented and vector-based image editing

A powerful image editing system called OVIE is described, which provides fast and accurate creation, composition, rendering and other manipulation of image contents. Flexibility and convenience of the system are achieved by including two modules: image decomposition and image vectorization to understand and represent an image respectively. To understand an image comprehensively, we propose to integrate image segmentation, shape completion and image completion techniques to ensure a seamless image editing. An array of pixels is replaced by vector data with geometric edit ability for image representation since the geometrically-based editing has physical meanings and thus it is more natural or intuitive for users to edit. Compared to the existing works, our system is more convenient and can generate effects with higher quality. © 2012 IEEE.

Simulation and analysis of a sub-wavelength grating based multilayer surface plasmon resonance biosensor

This paper presents a subwavelength grating based multilayer surface plasmon resonance biosensor (SPRB) which includes a periodic array of subwavelength grating on top of a layer of graphene sheet in the biosensor. The proposed biosensor is named grating-graphene SPRB (GG-SPRB). The aim of the proposed multilayer structure is to improve the sensitivity of the SPRB through monitoring of the biomolecular interactions of DNA hybridization. Significant sensitivity improvement is obtained for the GG-SPRB compared with the conventional SPRB. The result of the numerical investigation of the GG-SPRB is presented and compared with a theoretically developed multilayer matrix formalism, and a good agreement has been observed. In addition, an optimization of the grating dimensions including volume factor, grating depth, grating angle, grating period, and grating geometry (e.g., rectangular, sinusoidal and triangular) is presented. The outcome of the investigation presented in this paper identifies desired functioning conditions corresponding to the best design parameters for the GG-SPRB.

Low cost MPPT controller for a photovoltaic-based microgrid

 Photovoltaic based microgrid have been increasingly investigated in recent years, ascribable to their fundamental advantages such as the infinite energy source, environmentally friendly aspect and low upkeep cost. However, in practice, they are still considered as an expensive and low output option of renewable energy resources. To extract the maximum possible power from the output of the PV system, a reliable maximum power point tracker (MPPT) is required. Numerous studies have been conducted to introduce the best MPPT techniques suitable for different types of PV systems. However, they are mostly able to track the MPP from the PV system when the output signals (Voltage and Current) of individual array are available. In this study, a meta-heuristic method, based on particle swarm optimization theory, is used to determine the actual MPP of PV system, including several PV arrays, by only single current sensor at the output terminal. The results of the proposed PSO based technique, for tracking the global MPP in a multidimensional search space, have been presented at the end of this paper.

Numerical investigation of a grating and graphene-based multilayer surface plasmon resonance biosensor

A multilayer surface plasmon resonance biosensor (SPRB) incorporating a grating-graphene configuration is investigated for enhanced sensitivity. The numerical analysis of the impact of integrating a periodic array of subwavelength grating on top of a layer of graphene sheet for improving sensitivity is presented. The result of monitoring the biomolecular interactions of DNA hybridization is compared against the outcome of the conventional SPRB, a graphene-based multilayer SPRB, and a multilayer layer grating SPRB, and is mathematically validated. It is demonstrated that the inclusion of a grating and graphene layer on top of the gold thin film is an excellent candidate for a highly sensitive SPRB. To achieve further enhancement of sensitivity, the subwavelength grating is numerically optimized against its geometry including grating configurations (rectangular, sinusoidal, and triangular), grating depth, volume factor, and grating period. © 2014 Taylor & Francis.

A transcultural dance: enriching work-based learning facilitation

In this chapter you will learn:
• To question what it might mean to be an ‘international student’, and position students as bringing a vibrant array of different perspectives which can be rich learning assets.
• A pedagogic model of facilitation that moves towards mutual adaptivity in learning contexts where both you and your learners learn new ways of thinking and acting as well as different professional practices across cultures.
• Strategies for learner adaptivity including integrating diverse examples and cases, connecting to and validating diverse experiences and prior knowledge, accommodating diverse needs, and reciprocating learning about different ways of thinking, acting and feeling across cultures.
• Strategies to enable and sustain a learning environment for work-based learning study success.