The role of eosinophilia in allergic disorders indicates hIL-5 as a target of therapy. The conservation of hIL-5 proximal elements suggests they are important in controlling expression. Corticosteroids are important in the treatment of allergy, and are powerful inhibitors of IL-5 expression. Antisense oligonucleotides are new compounds that can specifically inhibit IL-5 production. This study aimed at understanding the role of conserved lymphokine element 0 (CLEO) in induction and inhibition of IL-5.The conserved proximal CLEO/TATA elements driving a luciferase reporter gene gave higher expression than a 500bp promoter in PER1 17 T-cell line. Two and three copies of IL-5 CLEO upstream of the silent IL-4 minimal promoter gave 150-200 fold increases in expression in forward orientation, but little activity in reverse orientation. Consequently, while CLEO is a powerful activator, it is not a classical enhancer. Antisense technology has also shown the dependence of IL-5 gene transcription on the de novo synthesis of the transcription factor Fra2.Inhibition of IL-5 reporter constructs by dexamethasone when induced by PMNcAMP, but not PMNCaI, provided a tool for understanding the mechanism. Deletion analysis identified CLEO as the key element of dexamethasone inhibition. Non-inhibition of IL-5 reporter constructs by dexamethasone in a Jurkat cell line, however, showed a possible intermediary factor involved in the inhibition mechanism.

This thesis is an interpretive inquiry which focuses on the curricular elements of a middle school program. The research project is based on the data collected from two specific classes and from five particular teachers, during the implementation phase of a middle school program. The research makes use of multiple methodologies including an empirical study, narrative accounts by teachers and students, interviews, autobiographical and biographical material, and notes from a personal journal. It was intended that the thesis create a detailed, multi-dimensional, image of the school curriculum. Common threads evident in the data obtained from the teachers indicated that there was an element of uncertainty regarding expectations for the middle school program, a perception that there was conflict over resources, a belief that disputes about curriculum `ownership' had impacted negatively on the program, and a degree of disappointment that the program's potential had not been fulfilled. Despite these constraints, all the teachers noted high levels of professional satisfaction and a sense of collegiality within the middle school team. The students did not express any particular preferences regarding curriculum content, but were principally concerned about the social environment within their own homegroup class and within the wider school community. A significant proportion of the students sampled commented positively on the relationships that they had developed with their peers and teachers. The findings appear to indicate that, provided that the class work is of some relevance and interest, young adolescent students are more concerned about who their teacher might be, rather than what they might actually teach. / The tensions that are inherent in the debate about the curriculum and who owns it are identified as difficulties that teachers and administrators need to address if new middle school programs are to be successfully implemented. It is a genuine issue that concerns teachers and schools, therefore, efforts should be made to find ways to ensure that debate about the curriculum takes place within an educational framework which, initially, is separate from any discussion regarding the management and allocation of resources. It might also be helpful if the debate were, in some way, held in `neutral territory', and not viewed as a matter of choice between a traditionally conservative curriculum and a radically progressive one, but perhaps something else. The thesis concludes with a suggestion that Surrealism might be used as a device by which the integrity of the subjects, found in a traditional curriculum, may be preserved in a structure that still allows for the rich and, perhaps, the strange possibilities of an integrated program. It could be seen as a recombination or different combination of disciplines which may create a more interesting whole, however, it would still be recognizable or, at least, its components would be. Reference is made to one particular painting by Rene Magritte, "Time Transfixed" as a means of illustrating this proposition.

This thesis describes two studies of the chemistry of freshwater streams in the Sydney basin. The first was a survey of 86 waterways, sampled under low conditions. Samples were generally low in salinity, soft, of poor buffering capacity and dominated by sodium and chloride. C0-dominance by calcium, magnesium and (bi)carbonate occured in a number of particular cases. Multivariate analyses indicated three groups, separated primarily by levels of dissolved nutrients, trace metals, turbidity and colour. Groupings were associated strongly with the type of catchment. Streams in areas relatively unaffected by human influence had notable uniformity in chemistry, while those from developed catchments were varied. Heavy metal contamination was relatavely low, although a few of the samples displayed inordinately large levels of one or more metals. In such cases the more extreme measurements of phosphorus and nitrogen were also seen. The findings were consistant with occasional or localised elevation of contaminant levels. The second study invloved monitoring of three Hawkesbury Sandstone streams. Sampling of surface waters, interstial waters and sediments was performing at irregular intervals over a two year period at three stations within each site. The streams predominantly existed under low conditions and showed similar major ion chemistries to the majority of the survey samples. Levels of calcium and total carbonate, plus heavy metals and nutrients were generally higher in the urbanised creeks, comapred to the reference strema. During a heavy storm, high levels of nutrients, suspended solids and colour were detected in all surface waters at peak-flow, as well as alkaline pH, oxidising redox, and reduced conductivity, alkalinity and hardness. The sandy sediments were characterised by very low levels of organic matter and cation exchange capacity. Sequential extractions identified that the sums of secondary phase lead, zinc and copper were over nine, four and two times that of the corresponding residual, respectively. Greatest proportions of zinc and lead were associated with coatings of iron and maganese oxides, or coarse waste particles. Copper was preferentially associated with organic matter. Concentration gradients between interstitial and surface waters were rare and release of sedimentary constituents should occur from the upper-most particulates. Poor water and sediment qualities were often observed in the urban sites. Poor water quality was also seen on occassion in the reference stream. However, since poor sediment quality was not detected at those times and interstitial waters for all sites displayed high within-site variability, surface waters were considered the most reliable short-term indicator of condition for Hawkesbury Sandstone streams. Multidimensional scaling showed that all streams had distinct water and sediment chemistries. High levels of temporal and spatial variability were apparant within the urbanised sites - particularly in interstitial waters - mostly due to concentrations of heavy metals, phosphorus and suspended solids. Seasonal differences were detected, but only in terms of the level of variability between summer and winter samples.

"November 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 258-275) / xxi, 275 leaves, [8 p.] : ill. (some col.), plates (col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2003

"Final report for research project sponsored by Northeast Utilities Service Company, Yankee Atomic Electric Co. under the MIT Energy Laboratory Electric Utility Program."

A thermodynamic framework was presented for the development of powderconstitutive models. The process of powder compaction through Equal ChannelAngular Extrusion (ECAE) at room temperature was modeled using the finiteelement analysis package ABAQUS. The simulation setup was used to conduct aparametric study involving varying the process parameters of ECAE, aimed ataiding the process design.Two powder compaction models, the Gurson model and the Duva and Crowmodel, were used to test their efficacy in modeling this process. Thethermodynamic framework was applied to derive the constitutive equations of theDuva and Crow model. Modeling parameters like friction coefficients, interactionconditions were determined by comparing the simulations for solid billet and anempty can with actual experimental runs for loads, shear angle and workpiece geometry. The simulations using the two powder constitutive models showed nosignificant difference in the stress in the powder during the extrusion.The results obtained from the 3-D simulations were also compared toexperiments conducted to compact copper powder with a size distribution of 10mto 45m. It was found through experiments that the powder does not fullyconsolidate near the outer corner of the workpiece after the first ECAE pass and theresults from the simulations were used to rationalize this phenomenon.Modifications made to the process by applying a back pressure during thesimulations resulted in a uniformly compacted powder region.Further, simulations were carried out by varying the process parameters likethe crosshead velocity, the friction coefficient between the walls of the die and thecan, can dimensions and material, shape of the can cross section etc and the effectof each of these parameters was quantified by doing a sensitivity analysis.

<p>Couplers are one of the most frequently used passive devices in microwave circuitry. The main function of a coupler is to divide (or combine) a radio frequency signal into (from) two separate signals by a specific ratio and phase difference. With the need for smaller electronic devices, a reduction in the area of a distributed coupler would prove to be valuable. The purpose of this research is to develop, simulate, fabricate and test high aspect ratio microstructure couplers that are smaller in area than existing distributed couplers, and have comparable or better performance. One method used to reduce the area of a distributed coupler is to replace single or multiple transmission lines with lumped element equivalent circuits. One category of lumped elements that has not been extensively implemented is high aspect ratio lumped elements. High aspect ratio lumped elements fabricated with deep X-ray lithography are able to take advantage of using the vertical dimension, and reduce their planar area. In this thesis high aspect ratio lumped elements are used in the design of 3-dB microstructure couplers that show significant area reduction compared to equivalent distributed couplers.</p> <p>The designs of the microstructure couplers were based on the lumped element equivalent circuits of a 3-dB branch-line and a 3-dB rat-race distributed coupler. Simulations were performed to determine the lumped element values that would provide the largest 3-dB bandwidth while still maintaining close to ideal coupling and through values, return loss bandwidth, isolation bandwidth, and phase. These lumped element values were then implemented in the microstructure coupler designs as high aspect ratio microstructure lumped elements. 3-D electromagnetic simulations were performed which verified that the structures behaved electrically as couplers. The microstructure couplers were designed to be 220 &#x00B5;m tall nickel structures with capacitance gap widths of 6 µm.</p> <p>Fabrication of the microstructure couplers using deep X-ray lithography was performed by the microfabrication group at IMT/KIT in Karlsruhe, Germany. Before testing, detailed visual inspection and the etching of the structures was performed at the Canadian Light Source.</p> <p>A total of five microstructure couplers were tested. Four of the tested couplers were based on the 3-dB branch-line coupler, and the fifth coupler was based on the 3-dB rat-race coupler. The microstructure branch-line design that had the best overall results was fabricated on quartz glass substrate and had an operation frequency of 5.3 GHz. The 3-dB bandwidth of the coupler was measured to be better than 75.5% and extrapolated to be 95.0%. At the centre frequency the through and coupled values were -4.32 dB and -4.44 dB. The phase difference between the couplers output ports was designed to be 90.0° and was measured to be 95.8°. The ±5° phase bandwidth was measured to be 12.7% and the isolation bandwidth was 28.8%. The measured results from the other couplers were comparable to simulation results.</p> <p>The main advantage of the microstructure coupler designs over existing distributed couplers is that the microstructure couplers show a significant area reduction. The branch-line microstructure designs were at least 85% smaller in area than their distributed equivalent on quartz glass. The rat-race microstructure design showed an area reduction of 90% when compared to its distributed equivalent on quartz glass.</p>

No description available.

<p>Couplers are one of the most frequently used passive devices in microwave circuitry. The main function of a coupler is to divide (or combine) a radio frequency signal into (from) two separate signals by a specific ratio and phase difference. With the need for smaller electronic devices, a reduction in the area of a distributed coupler would prove to be valuable. The purpose of this research is to develop, simulate, fabricate and test high aspect ratio microstructure couplers that are smaller in area than existing distributed couplers, and have comparable or better performance. One method used to reduce the area of a distributed coupler is to replace single or multiple transmission lines with lumped element equivalent circuits. One category of lumped elements that has not been extensively implemented is high aspect ratio lumped elements. High aspect ratio lumped elements fabricated with deep X-ray lithography are able to take advantage of using the vertical dimension, and reduce their planar area. In this thesis high aspect ratio lumped elements are used in the design of 3-dB microstructure couplers that show significant area reduction compared to equivalent distributed couplers.</p> <p>The designs of the microstructure couplers were based on the lumped element equivalent circuits of a 3-dB branch-line and a 3-dB rat-race distributed coupler. Simulations were performed to determine the lumped element values that would provide the largest 3-dB bandwidth while still maintaining close to ideal coupling and through values, return loss bandwidth, isolation bandwidth, and phase. These lumped element values were then implemented in the microstructure coupler designs as high aspect ratio microstructure lumped elements. 3-D electromagnetic simulations were performed which verified that the structures behaved electrically as couplers. The microstructure couplers were designed to be 220 &#x00B5;m tall nickel structures with capacitance gap widths of 6 µm.</p> <p>Fabrication of the microstructure couplers using deep X-ray lithography was performed by the microfabrication group at IMT/KIT in Karlsruhe, Germany. Before testing, detailed visual inspection and the etching of the structures was performed at the Canadian Light Source.</p> <p>A total of five microstructure couplers were tested. Four of the tested couplers were based on the 3-dB branch-line coupler, and the fifth coupler was based on the 3-dB rat-race coupler. The microstructure branch-line design that had the best overall results was fabricated on quartz glass substrate and had an operation frequency of 5.3 GHz. The 3-dB bandwidth of the coupler was measured to be better than 75.5% and extrapolated to be 95.0%. At the centre frequency the through and coupled values were -4.32 dB and -4.44 dB. The phase difference between the couplers output ports was designed to be 90.0° and was measured to be 95.8°. The ±5° phase bandwidth was measured to be 12.7% and the isolation bandwidth was 28.8%. The measured results from the other couplers were comparable to simulation results.</p> <p>The main advantage of the microstructure coupler designs over existing distributed couplers is that the microstructure couplers show a significant area reduction. The branch-line microstructure designs were at least 85% smaller in area than their distributed equivalent on quartz glass. The rat-race microstructure design showed an area reduction of 90% when compared to its distributed equivalent on quartz glass.</p>

A thermodynamic framework was presented for the development of powderconstitutive models. The process of powder compaction through Equal ChannelAngular Extrusion (ECAE) at room temperature was modeled using the finiteelement analysis package ABAQUS. The simulation setup was used to conduct aparametric study involving varying the process parameters of ECAE, aimed ataiding the process design.Two powder compaction models, the Gurson model and the Duva and Crowmodel, were used to test their efficacy in modeling this process. Thethermodynamic framework was applied to derive the constitutive equations of theDuva and Crow model. Modeling parameters like friction coefficients, interactionconditions were determined by comparing the simulations for solid billet and anempty can with actual experimental runs for loads, shear angle and workpiece geometry. The simulations using the two powder constitutive models showed nosignificant difference in the stress in the powder during the extrusion.The results obtained from the 3-D simulations were also compared toexperiments conducted to compact copper powder with a size distribution of 10mto 45m. It was found through experiments that the powder does not fullyconsolidate near the outer corner of the workpiece after the first ECAE pass and theresults from the simulations were used to rationalize this phenomenon.Modifications made to the process by applying a back pressure during thesimulations resulted in a uniformly compacted powder region.Further, simulations were carried out by varying the process parameters likethe crosshead velocity, the friction coefficient between the walls of the die and thecan, can dimensions and material, shape of the can cross section etc and the effectof each of these parameters was quantified by doing a sensitivity analysis.