Portrait of Benjamin Liebermann

This large ambitious painting is one of Liebermann's earliest. His uncle, the Geheime Kommerzienrat (Privy Councillor) Benjamin Liebermann (1847-1935), is elderly and slim, but erect and proudly wearing his honorary business medals, has his left hand on his hip, while his right hand rests on the back of a red velvet chair. He is wearing long sideburns and whiskers. The background is plain. The style is tight and painstaking, but already exhibits Liebermann's preference for visible, impasto brushstrokes. The emphasis is on the face, with no attempt at idealization of the akward, but strong features. The colors are mainly black and brown.

Preparation, properties and metabolism of retinoic acid anhydride.

A new analogue of vitamin A, viz., retinoic acid anhydride was prepared, for the first time, by the action of thionyl chloride on retinoic acid in benzene containing pyridine. The amhydride was charcterised by its chromatographic properties, elemental analysis, ultraviolet absorption, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral characteristics. The compound could be readily hydrolysed to retinoic acid both by acid and alkali treatments and reduced by lithium aluminium hydride to vitamin A alcohol (retinol). The spectral changes with antimony trichloride reagent were similar to those observed for retinoic acid. The metabolism of retinoic acid anhydride was found to be similar to that of retinoic acic. When administered either orally or intraperitoneally, the compound promotes growth in vitamin A-deficient rats. Time-course experiments revealed that retinoic acid anhydride is converted into retinoic acid by non-enzymatic hydrolysis and thereby exerts its biological activity. The biopotency of the anhydride was found to be nearly the same as that of the acid. A new method of preparing esters of retinoic acid employing retinoic acid anhydride as an intermediate, has been described.

Blended learning in medical imaging pre-clinical skills training – does it work?

Undergraduate Medical Imaging (MI)students at QUT attend their first clinical placement towards the end of semester two. Students undertake two (pre)clinical skills development units – one theory and one practical. Students gain good contextual and theoretical knowledge during these units via a blended learning model with multiple learning methods employed. Students attend theory lectures, practical sessions, tutorial sessions in both a simulated and virtual environment and also attend pre-clinical scenario based tutorial sessions. The aim of this project is to evaluate the use of blended learning in the context of 1st year Medical Imaging Radiographic Technique and its effectiveness in preparing students for their first clinical experience. It is hoped that the multiple teaching methods employed within the pre-clinical training unit at QUT builds students clinical skills prior to the real situation. A quantitative approach will be taken, evaluating via pre and post clinical placement surveys. This data will be correlated with data gained in the previous year on the effectiveness of this training approach prior to clinical placement. In 2014 59 students were surveyed prior to their clinical placement demonstrated positive benefits of using a variety of learning tools to enhance their learning. 98.31%(n=58)of students agreed or strongly agreed that the theory lectures were a useful tool to enhance their learning. This was followed closely by 97% (n=57) of the students realising the value of performing role-play simulation prior to clinical placement. Tutorial engagement was considered useful for 93.22% (n=55) whilst 88.14% (n=52) reasoned that the x-raying of phantoms in the simulated radiographic laboratory was beneficial. Self-directed learning yielded 86.44% (n=51). The virtual reality simulation software was valuable for 72.41% (n=42) of the students. Of the 4 students that disagreed or strongly disagreed with the usefulness of any tool they strongly agreed to the usefulness of a minimum of one other learning tool. The impact of the blended learning model to meet diverse student needs continues to be positive with students engaging in most offerings. Students largely prefer pre -clinical scenario based practical and tutorial sessions where 'real-world’ situations are discussed.

Data integration from two microarray platforms identifies bi-allelic genetic inactivation of RIC8A in a breast cancer cell line

Background: Using array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), a large number of deleted genomic regions have been identified in human cancers. However, subsequent efforts to identify target genes selected for inactivation in these regions have often been challenging. Methods: We integrated here genome-wide copy number data with gene expression data and non-sense mediated mRNA decay rates in breast cancer cell lines to prioritize gene candidates that are likely to be tumour suppressor genes inactivated by bi-allelic genetic events. The candidates were sequenced to identify potential mutations. Results: This integrated genomic approach led to the identification of RIC8A at 11p15 as a putative candidate target gene for the genomic deletion in the ZR-75-1 breast cancer cell line. We identified a truncating mutation in this cell line, leading to loss of expression and rapid decay of the transcript. We screened 127 breast cancers for RIC8A mutations, but did not find any pathogenic mutations. No promoter hypermethylation in these tumours was detected either. However, analysis of gene expression data from breast tumours identified a small group of aggressive tumours that displayed low levels of RIC8A transcripts. qRT-PCR analysis of 38 breast tumours showed a strong association between low RIC8A expression and the presence of TP53 mutations (P = 0.006). Conclusion: We demonstrate a data integration strategy leading to the identification of RIC8A as a gene undergoing a classical double-hit genetic inactivation in a breast cancer cell line, as well as in vivo evidence of loss of RIC8A expression in a subgroup of aggressive TP53 mutant breast cancers.

Activation and persistence of implicit causality information in spoken language comprehension

A visual world eye-tracking study investigated the activation and persistence of implicit causality information in spoken language comprehension. We showed that people infer the implicit causality of verbs as soon as they encounter such verbs in discourse, as is predicted by proponents of the immediate focusing account (Greene & McKoon, 1995; Koornneef & Van Berkum, 2006; Van Berkum, Koornneef, Otten, & Nieuwland, 2007). Interestingly, we observed activation of implicit causality information even before people encountered the causal conjunction. However, while implicit causality information was persistent as the discourse unfolded, it did not have a privileged role as a focusing cue immediately at the ambiguous pronoun when people were resolving its antecedent. Instead, our study indicated that implicit causality does not affect all referents to the same extent, rather it interacts with other cues in the discourse, especially when one of the referents is already prominently in focus.

Elasto-plastic Cracking Analysis of Reinforced Concrete

A new elasto-plastic cracking constitutive model for reinforced concrete is presented. The nonlinear effects considered cover almost all the nonlinearities exhibited by reinforced concrete under short term monotonic loading. They include concrete cracking in tension, plasticity in compression, aggregate interlock, tension softening, elasto-plastic behavior of steel, bond-slip between concrete, and steel reinforcement and tension stiffening. A new procedure for incorporating bondslip in smeared steel elements is described. A modified Huber-Hencky-Mises failure criterion for plastic deformation of concrete, which fits the experimental results under biaxial stresses better, is proposed. Multiple cracking at Gauss points and their opening and closing are considered. Matrix expressions are developed and are incorporated in a nonlinear finite element program. After the objectivity of the model is demonstrated, the model is used to analyze two different types of problems: one, a set of four shear panels, and the other, a reinforced concrete beam without shear reinforcement. The results of the analysis agree favorably with the experimental results.

Finlandismer i fokus : Finlandssvenska studerandes syn på ett urval finlandismer och allmänsvenska ord och uttryck

Syftet med studien är att undersöka sydfinlandssvenska högskolestuderandes kännedom om och inställning till ett urval finlandssvenska ord och uttryck samt till dessa ords allmänsvenska motsvarigheter. För att undersöka detta har jag gjort en enkätundersökning bland svenskspråkiga högskolestuderande i Helsingfors. Jag undersöker i vilken utsträckning informanterna använder finlandssvenska ord och uttryck och i vilken utsträckning allmänsvenska. Jag undersöker även vilka finlandssvenska ord och uttryck de använder mest och vilka minst, samt vilka allmänsvenska ord och uttryck de använder mest och vilka minst. Dessutom undersöker jag om informanternas språkliga bakgrund har ett samband med deras kännedom om och användning av finlandssvenska respektive allmänsvenska ord och uttryck. Avsikten med den här undersökningen är att öka kunskapen om hur unga finlandssvenskar förhåller sig till sin finlandssvenska varietet samt till den allmänsvenska varieteten som de i vuxen ålder förutsätts behärska åtminstone i någon mån. Idén till enkätundersökningen kommer från Margareta Södergårds och Sofie Tjärus studie Blivande barnträdgårdslärares syn på finlandismer (2008). Urvalet finlandismer kommer från en mindre undersökning Goda och onda finlandismer som Mikael Reuter (2004) har gjort bland en grupp finlandssvenska och sverigesvenska språkvårdare. Sammanlagt ingår 55 finlandismer av olika slag i enkäten. För varje finlandism finns det även en eller fler allmänsvenska motsvarigheter och sammanlagt ingår därför 122 ord och uttryck i enkäten. Mina informanter är 162 studerande vid två svenska högskolor i Helsingfors. För att få reda på relevanta bakgrundsfakta om informanterna har jag använt samma formulär som Therese Leinonen i Svenskan i Finland ett språk i kläm? (Leinonen & Tandefelt 2000). Jag har utgående från informanternas generella språkanvändning delat in dem i tre grupper. En grupp vars vardag är finskdominerad, en vars vardag är svenskdominerad och en vars vardag utspelar sig till ungefär lika stor del på svenska som på finska. Undersökningen är kvantitativ och för att behandla materialet har statistikprogrammet SPSS använts. Studien visar att informanterna förhåller sig rätt lika till finlandismerna och de allmänsvenska orden och uttrycken. De känner ungefär lika bra till de finlandssvenska och de allmänsvenska orden och uttrycken, men de prefererar ändå i viss mån finlandismerna framför de allmänsvenska orden och uttrycken. Mina informanter förefaller i viss mån vara mer accepterande mot finskpåverkade finlandismer än vad Reuters (2004) informanter är, och de förhåller sig mindre positiva till metaforiska uttryck än vad Reuters informanter gör. Informanter med en svenskspråkig vardag verkar använda allmänsvenska ord och uttryck i högre utsträckning än vad informanterna med en finskspråkig vardag gör. Resultaten tyder dessutom på att informanterna med en svenskspråkig vardag också känner till fler allmänsvenska ord och uttryck även om de inte alltid själva är beredda att använda dem. Studien visar även att informanter med en svenskspråkig vardag använder en del metaforiska uttryck mer än vad informanterna med en finskspråkig vardag gör. Det är överlag tydligt att undersökningens informanter, finlandssvenska högskolestuderande från södra Finland, varken har en speciellt stor kännedom om metaforiska uttryck eller en speciellt positiv inställning till dessa. Bristande behärskning av metaforiska uttryck, idiom och kollokationer kan ses som ett första steg mot språkförlust och sett ur den synvinkeln är resultatet oroväckande. Det stärker den rådande uppfattningen att allt inte står helt rätt till med den svenska språkbehärskningen bland unga finlandssvenskar.

Nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete corbel

Reinforced concrete corbels have been analysed using the nonlinear finite element method. An elasto-plastic-cracking constitutive formulation using Huber-Hencky-Mises yield surface augmented with a tension cut-off is employed. Smeared-fixed cracking with mesh-dependent strain softening is employed to obtain objective results. Multiple non-orthogonal cracking and opening and closing of cracks are permitted. The model and the formulation are verified with respect to available numerical solution for an RC corbel. Results of analyses of nine reinforced concrete corbels are presented and compared with experimental results. Nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete structures is shown to be a complement and also a feasible alternative to laboratory testing.

On the existence of hydrotalcite-like phases in the absence of trivalent cations

alpha-Hydroxides of nickel(II) and cobalt(II) are hydrotalcite-like phases, possessing a layered double hydroxide (LDH) structure even though there are no trivalent cations in the lattice. While the LDHs acquire a positive charge on the hydroxide layers by the incorporation of trivalent cations, we suggest that the alpha-hydroxides acquire a positive charge by partial protonation of the hydroxyl ions according to the equation M(OH)(2)+xH(+) --> [M(OH)(2-x)(H2O)(x)](x+). As in the LDHs, charge balance is restored by the incorporation of anions in the interlayer region. (C) 1997 Academic Press.

Recombination Drives Genetic Diversification of Streptococcus dysgalactiae Subspecies equisimilis in a Region of Streptococcal Endemicity

Infection of the skin or throat by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE) may result in a number of human diseases. To understand mechanisms that give rise to new genetic variants in this species, we used multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) to characterise relationships in the SDSE population from India, a country where streptococcal disease is endemic. The study revealed Indian SDSE isolates have sequence types (STs) predominantly different to those reported from other regions of the world. Emm-ST combinations in India are also largely unique. Split decomposition analysis, the presence of emm-types in unrelated clonal complexes, and analysis of phylogenetic trees based on concatenated sequences all reveal an extensive history of recombination within the population. The ratio of recombination to mutation (r/m) events (11:1) and per site r/m ratio (41:1) in this population is twice as high as reported for SDSE from non-endemic regions. Recombination involving the emm-gene is also more frequent than recombination involving housekeeping genes, consistent with diversification of M proteins offering selective advantages to the pathogen. Our data demonstrate that genetic recombination in endemic regions is more frequent than non-endemic regions, and gives rise to novel local SDSE variants, some of which may have increased fitness or pathogenic potential.

Precoder Designs for MIMO Broadcast Channels with Imperfect CSI

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Bimetallic core-shell nanocomposites using weak reducing agent and their transformation to alloy nanostructures

An in situ seeding growth methodology towards the preparation of core-shell nanoparticles composed of noble metals has been developed by employing trimethylamine borane (TMAB) as the reducing agent. Being a weak reducing agent, TMAB is able to distinguish the smallest reduction potential window of any two metals which renders selective reduction of metal ions thus affording a core-shell architecture of the nanoparticles. A dramatic effect of solvent was noted during the reduction of Ag+ ions: an immediate reduction took place at room temperature when dry THF was used as solvent however, usage of wet THF (THF used directly from the bottle) brings out the reduction only at reflux conditions. In the case of Au and Pd nanoparticles, preparation was found to be independent of the quality of solvent used. Au nanoparticles are realized at room temperature whereas reflux conditions are required in the case of Pd nanoparticles. This difference in behavior of the monometallic nanoparticles was successfully exploited to construct different noble metal nanoparticles with core-shell architectures such as Au@Ag, Ag@Au, and Ag@Pd. Transformation of these core-shell nanoparticles to their thermodynamically stable alloy counterparts is also demonstrated under very mild conditions reported to date.

Comparación de calidad en la producción de carbón vegetal entre la fosa de tierra y el horno de ladrillo, en la finca el plantel Masaya

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo comparar la producción de calidad de carbón vegetal entre la fosa de tierra y el horno de ladrillo utilizando Eucalyptus camaldulensis, empleando dos categorías diamétricas. La metodología utilizada consistió en la selección del material vegetal para la producción de carbón, se seleccionaron árboles con diámetros entre 20-30 cm. y mayores de 30 cm. por cada categoría diamétrica se emplearon cinco árboles para un total de diez individuos, se tumbaron los árboles con la técnica de tala dirigida, con hacha a partir de 0.30 cm. del suelo con el propósito de aprovechar la mayor cantidad de madera del árbol, se procedió a medir la longitud de la troza en metros empleando una cinta métrica para la medición del diámetro medio. Luego se procedió a calcular el volumen del fuste limpio utilizando la fórmula de Smalian, posteriormente se traslado trozas y ramas al sitio de carbonización, se depositaron por clase diamétrica donde se cálculo el volumen empleando la fórmula de Huber, para la cubicación de las ramas se empleo el método tradicional de metro estéreo. Para la producción de carbón vegetal se emplearon dos diseños de producción: fosa de tierra y el horno de ladrillos, el análisis de laboratorio consistió en determinar porcentaje de cenizas, carbono orgánico, densidad aparente y porcentaje de humedad. Para la clase diamétrica de 20 a 30 cm., se utilizo un volumen de 4.48 m3 y para la categoría diamétrica mayor de 30 cm, 6.55 m3. Finalizado el proceso de carbonización se obtuvieron 8 sacos en la fosa de tierra, equivalente a 0.217m3, en el horno de ladrillo se obtuvieron 18 sacos lo que representa 0.496 m3. Comparando los estándares de calidad de la FAO, con los obtenidos en este estudio, son aceptables, se concluye que el método de producción de horno de ladrillos usando arboles mayores de 30 cm es el mejor método para la producción de carbón vegetal.