A methodology for discipline-specific curriculum development

A methodology and framework for discipline-specific curriculum development in a local context is described. These activities, as part of the Thailand-Australia Science and Engineering Assistance Project, were in response to a needs analysis for curriculum assistance to a number of publicly-funded Thai universities in the engineering priority area of Materials Processing and Manufacturing. The paper outlines a strategy for the delivery of a centralised curriculum development workshop for academic staff follow-up visits and local curriculum activities with participating universities, and the presentation of technical short courses as guidance for such activity in other settings and/or discipline areas. This paper is part of a process of documentation so that others can apply the developed methodology and framework for curriculum development. While the paper is a report on curriculum activities in a particular setting, it is written in a manner that allows application of the methodology to other settings. The reader is advised that each curriculum activity needs to adopt a methodology and strategy to fit the particular circumstances being considered To assist in applying this approach elsewhere, a description of the various steps in the curriculum process, and typical responses to some of the more global issues, have been presented. Full details are available in the various TASEAP reports prepared by the authors. Specific detail has been omitted where this detail does not provide any information for generalized consumption.

Differential activities of decapeptide agonists of human C5a: the conformational effects of backbone N-methylation

Analogues of the potent, conformationally biased, decapeptide agonist of human C5a anaphylatoxin, C5a(65-74)Y65,F67,P69,P71,D-Ala73 (YSFKPMPLaR, peptide 54), were synthesized with methyl groups occupying specific C5a,, amide nitrogen atoms along the peptide backbone. This N-methylation induced crucial extended backbone conformations in a manner similar to the two Pro residues, but without eliminating the contributions made by the side-chain of the residue for which Pro was substituted. The presence of backbone N-methyl groups on peptide 54 analogues had pronounced detrimental effects on the ability to bind and activate C5aRs expressed on human PMNs, but not on the ability to contract smooth muscle of human umbilical artery. Several N-methylated analogues of peptide 54 (peptides 56, 67, 124, 125, and 137) were significantly more selective for smooth muscle contraction, which is mediated by tissue resident macrophages, than for enzyme release from PMNs. Indeed, peptide 67, YSFKDMP(MeL)aR was almost 3000-fold more selective for smooth muscle contraction than for PMN enzyme release. Consistent with these differential activities was the observation that peptide 67 expressed a significantly greater binding affinity to C5aRs expressed on rat macrophages than on rat PMNs. This differential activity was also observed in vivo in the rat where peptide 67 induced a hypotensive response similar to peptide 54 and rhuC5a, but without accompanying neutropenia. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Limitations of HLA-transgenic mice in presentation of HLA-restricted cytotoxic T-cell epitopes from endogenously processed human papillomavirus type 16 E7 protein

We investigated the use of mice transgenic for human leucocyte antigen (HLA) A*0201 antigen-binding domains to test vaccines composed of defined HLA A*0201-restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 E7 oncoprotein. HPV is detected in >90% of cervical carcinomas. HPV16 E7 oncoprotein transforms cells of the uterine cervix and functions as a tumour-associated antigen to which immunotherapeutic strategies may be directed. We report that although the HLA A*0201 E7 epitope peptides function both to prime for E7 CTL responses, and to sensitize target cells for E7-directed CTL killing in situations where antigen processing is not required, the epitopes are not processed out of either endogenously expressed or immunization-introduced E7, by the mouse antigen-processing and presentation machinery. Thus (1) CTL induced by HLA A*0201 peptide immunization killed E7 peptide-pulsed target cells, but did not kill target cells expressing whole E7; (2) immunization with whole E7 protein did not elicit CTL directed to HLA A*0201-restricted E7 CTL epitopes; (3) HLA A*0201-restricted CTL epitopes expressed in the context of a DNA polytope vaccine did not activate E7-specific T cells either in 'conventional' HLA A*0201 transgenic (A2.1K(b) ) mice, or in HHD transgenic mice in which expression of endogenous H-2 class 1 is precluded; and (4) HLA A*0201 E7 peptide epitope immunization was incapable of preventing the growth of an HLA A*0201- and E7-expressing tumour. There are generic implications for the universal applicability of HLA-class 1 transgenic mice for studies of human CTL epitope presentation in murine models of human infectious disease where recognition of endogenously processed antigen is necessary. There are also specific implications for the use of HLA A2 transgenic mice for the development of E7-based therapeutic vaccines for cervical cancer.

The impact of participation in activities while on vacation on senior's psychological well-being: A path model application

This article extends earlier research regarding the relationships between senior travelers’ participation in activities while on vacation, their overall satisfaction with their travel experiences, and their psychological well-being. A path model was developed to depict the direct and indirect relationships between these variables by using a sample of senior tourists traveling on North American escorted tour itineraries. Whereas the direct effect accounted for 98% of the relationships between the senior tourists’ levels of participation in activities and their psychological well-being, the indirect effect was negligible. The study concluded that senior tourists’activity levels were significantly related to their psychological well-being, but their satisfaction with the tours was not.

Strange bedfellows: Green Hill Fort, archaeology and tourism

Green Hill Fort, Thursday Islalld was constructed between 1891-1893 to defend the Australian colonies against a feared Russian invasion. It retained an operational role until the 1920.'1 and played a minor role in World /t'ar 2. From 1954 to 1993 the site, but not the facilities, was used as a weather station. More recently it has been home ofthe Ton-es Strait Historical Society and Museum Association museum. It is a major attraction during the tourist season and an important local icon. For archaeologists it has sign~ficance as a relatively intact nineteenth-century military installation. Two 'Centenary of Federation' grants have proVided the impetus to undertake conservation and presentation works involving various task -spec~fic, archaeological activities. At the management level archaeologists play the lead role in the project. The project has demonstrated the value oJarchaeology and tourism joining forces. The danger ofa 'theme park 'presentation has been avoided. Technical accuracy and careful site planning has ensured a high degree ofaccuracy is retained. Provided these qualities can be assured then, it is argued, there is an opportunity for archaeology to be a majOl; long-term beneficiary. But to achieve that, the discipline must move from being entrenched in its academic mould and become Jar more receptive to the broader needs ofthe twentyfirst century.

Identification of the enamelin (g.8344delG) mutation in a new kindred and presentation of a standardized ENAM nomenclature

The amelogenesis imperfectas (Al) area geneticatly heterogeneous group of diseases that result in defective development of tooth enamel. Although X-linked, autosomal. dominant and autosomal. recessive forms of Al have been clinically characterized, only two genes (AMELX and ENAM) have been associated with Al. To date, three enamelin (ENAM) mutations have been identified. These mutations cause phenotypically diverse forms of autosomal. dominant Al. Detailed phenotype-genotype correlations have not been performed for autosomal. dominant Al due to ENAM mutations. We identified a previously unreported kindred segregating for the ENAM mutation, g.8344delG. Light and electron microscopy analyses of unerupted permanent teeth show the enamel is markedly reduced in thickness, Lacks a prismatic structure and has a laminated appearance. Taken together these histological features support the enamelin protein as being critical for the development of a normal. enamel. thickness and that it Likely has a role in regulating c-axis crystallite growth. Because there is growing molecular and phenotypic diversity in the enamelin defects, it is critical to have a nomenclature and numbering system for characterizing these conditions. We present a standardized nomenclature for ENAM mutations that will allow consistent reporting and communication. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Induction of suppressor cells following mucosal presentation of Actinomyces viscosus in mice

Mucosal presentation of Actinomyces viscosus results in antigen-specific systemic immune suppression, known as oral tolerance. The aim of the present study was to determine the mechanism by which this oral tolerance is induced. DBA/2 mice were gastrically immunized with A. viscosus. Serum, Peyer's patch (PP) and spleen cells were transferred to syngeneic recipients which were then systemically challenged with the sameiA. viscosus strain. To determine antigen-specificity of cells from gastrically immunized mice, recipients which received immune spleen cells were also challenged with Porphyromonas gingivalis. One week after the last systemic challenge, the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was determined by footpad swelling and the level of serum IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies to A. viscosus or P. gingivalis measured by an ELISA. No suppression of DTH response or of specific serum antibodies was found in recipients which received serum from gastrically immunized mice. Systemic immune suppression to A. viscosus was observed in recipients which had been transferred with PP cells obtained 2 days but not 4 and 6 days after gastric immunization with A. viscosus. Conversely, suppressed immune response could be seen in recipients transferred with spleen cells obtained 6 days after gastric immunization. The immune response to P. gingivalis remained unaltered in mice transferred with A. viscosus-gastrically immunized cells. The results of the present study suggest that oral tolerance induced by A. viscosus may be mediated by antigen-specific suppressor cells which originate in the PP and then migrate to the spleen.

Further evidence for the agreement between patients with stroke and their proxies on the Frenchay Activities Index

Objective: To determine item, subscale and total score agreement on the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) between stroke patients and proxies six months after discharge from rehabilitation. Design: Prospective study design. Setting/subjects: Fifty patient-proxy pairs, interviewed separately, in the patient's residence. Main outcome measures: Modified FAI using 13 items. Individual FAI items, subscales and total score agreement as measured by weighted kappa and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: Excellent agreement was found for the total FAI (ICC 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78-0.93), and domestic (ICC 0.85, 95% CI 0.73-0.91) and outdoor (ICC 0.87, 95% CI 0.78-0.95) subscales, with moderate agreement found for the work/leisure subscale (ICC 0.63, 95% CI 0.34-0.78). For the individual FAI items, good, moderate, fair and poor agreement was found for five, three, four and one item, respectively. The best agreement was for objective items of preparing meals, washing-up, washing clothes, shopping and driving. The poorest agreement was for participation in hobbies, social outings and heavy housework. Scoring biases associated with patient or proxy demographic characteristics were found. Female proxies, and those who were spouses, scored patients lower on domestic activities; male patients, and those who were younger, scored themselves higher on outdoor activities and higher patient FIM scores were positively correlated with higher FAI scores. Conclusions: While total and subscale agreement on the FAI was high, individual item agreement varied. Proxy scores should be used with caution due to bias.

Identifying the communication activities of older people with aphasia: Evidence from naturalistic observation

Background: Increasingly there is a call from clinicians and researchers for measures that document the impact of aphasia on a person's everyday communication. Do existing assessments of communication disability adequately sample communication activities relevant to our clients? Communication skills and networks change with age. A need exists to determine the everyday communication activities of older people and in particular those with aphasia. Aims: The primary aim of this study was to describe and compare the everyday communication activities of older people with aphasia and healthy older people who are living in the community. A secondary aim was to investigate the content validity of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Functional Assessment of Communication Skills for Adults (ASHA FACS, 1997) for older Australians. Methods & Procedures: Naturalistic observation was the method of choice for detailing the everyday communication of 15 older people with chronic aphasia following stroke and a matched group of 15 healthy older people who were living in the community. Researchers, in the role of participant observer, took field notes for 8 hours, over three occasions within a week. A total of 240 hours of observation have been coded in terms of communication activity, topic, communication partners, and place of communication. A brief 5-day diary served to check the representativeness of the observational data. After each hour of observation, the researcher checked which ASHA FACS items had been observed. Outcomes & Results: Naturalistic observation provided a rich, rigorous, and systematic methodology for detailing the dynamics and complexities of authentic communication. The most common communication activities for both groups were conversations at home and in social groups. Real-life communication was revealed to serve the dual purposes of transaction and interaction. Results indicate that older people with aphasia engage in similar communication activities to healthy older people although differences were evident in the frequency of communication and in specific activities such as story telling, writing, commenting, and acknowledging. ASHA FACS items were generally relevant to older Australians living in the community. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that communication activity is multifaceted in terms of the type of communication and contextual factors. The observational data describe the effects of aphasia on a person's everyday communication activity and reveal the impact of aphasia on the social functions of communication including sharing information, maintaining and establishing relationships, and telling one's story. Functional communication assessment requires a greater focus on the interactional and uniquely interpersonal aspects of social communication.

The developmental activities of elite ice hockey players

The purpose of this study was to analyze the development of four 20 year-old elite hockey players through an in-depth examination of their sporting activities. The theoretical framework of deliberate practice (Ericsson, Krampe, & Tesch-Römer, 1993) and the notion of deliberate play (Côté, 1999) served as the theoretical foundations. Interviews were conducted to provide a longitudinal and detailed account of each participant's involvement in various sporting activities. The interviewer asked questions about the conditions and sporting activities for each year of development. The data obtained were validated through independent interviews conducted with three parents of three different athletes. The results were consistent with Côté's (1999) three stages of development in sport: the sampling (age 6-12), specializing (age 13-15), and investment (age 16+) years.

Ocular scanning and perceptual size distortion in hemispatial neglect: effects of prism adaptation and sequential stimulus presentation

When asked to compare two lateralized shapes for horizontal size, neglect patients often indicate the left stimulus to be smaller. Gainotti and Tiacci (1971) hypothesized that this phenomenon might be related to a rightward bias in the patients' gaze. This study aimed to assess the relation between this size underestimation and oculomotor asymmetries. Eye movements were recorded while three neglect patients judged the horizontal extent of two rectangles. Two experimental manipulations were performed to increase the likelihood of symmetrical scanning of the stimulus display. The first manipulation entailed a sequential, rather than simultaneous presentation of the two rectangles. The second required adaptation to rightward displacing prisms, which is known to reduce many manifestations of neglect. All patients consistently underestimated the left rectangle, but the pattern of verbal responses and eye movements suggested different underlying causes. These include a distortion of space perception without ocular asymmetry, a failure to view the full leftward extent of the left stimulus, and a high-level response bias. Sequential presentation of the rectangles and prism adaptation reduced ocular asymmetries without affecting size underestimation. Overall, the results suggest that leftward size underestimation in neglect can arise for a number of different reasons. Incomplete leftward scanning may perhaps be sufficient to induce perceptual size distortion, but it is not a necessary prerequisite.