<p> The effects of sampling on the strength and preconsolidation load of a normally consolidated natural silty clay have been studied by means of laboratory simulations of "perfect" samples, "ground" samples, "tube" samples and "bottom of failed borehole" samples. </p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

The methods available for the calculation of ratios of partition functions for isotopic molecules were examined critically and compared. A number of calculations were made for carbon as well as for selenium systems using the exact method rather than an approximate one. Improvements were made to the sample handling system of the mass spectrometer to prevent sample cross-contamination and to reduce the time needed for sample changeover. Four sets of experiments were performed. The kinetic isotope effects in the reductions to Se° of Se^V1 and Se^1V were studied as were the isotope exchange reactions between Se° and Se^1V and between Se^1V and Se^V1. Estimates were made of the ratios of rate constants and isotope exchange equilibrium constants for 82Se and 76Se in these systems and these were compared with the theoretical values. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

No description available.

No description available.

The purpose of this project is to produce a complete and thorough notebook that may be used to supplement laboratory coursework. Its intent is to be used primarily by the students to aid them in understanding background information and the proper laboratory procedures involved in various types of experiments. The laboratory notebook is a summation of all the experiments and procedures used in the six-credit hour Advanced Microbial and Molecular Biology (BIOL 5160) course offered during the summer semester at the University of North Texas. This class is a team taught effort by Professors O'Donovan and Kunz. The course is constructed as an intensive practice exercise to teach the student about gene mutations, biosynthetic pathways, preparation and analysis of plasmid DNA, and many other topics included in the notebook.

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-74).

Laboratory testing is necessary when it contributes to the overall clinical management of the patient. Redundant testing, however, is often unnecessary and expensive and contributes to overall reductions in healthcare system efficiency. The purpose of this study is two-fold. First, to evaluate the frequency of ordering duplicate laboratory tests in hospitalized patients and the costs associated with this practice. Second, it was designed to determine if the use of a computerized alert or prompt will reduce the total number of unnecessarily duplicated Acute Hepatitis Profile (AHP) laboratory tests. This two-phase study took place in an inpatient facility that was part of a large tertiary care hospital system in Florida. A retrospective descriptive design was used during Phase 1 was to evaluate six laboratory tests and the frequency of ordering duplicate laboratory tests in hospitalized patients and to determine the associated costs of this practice for a 12-month time period in 2010. A test was considered a duplicate or an unnecessarily repeated test if it followed a previous test of the same type during the patient’s length of stay in the hospital and one in which any change in their values likely would not be clinically significant. A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design was used during phase 2 was to determine the proportion of duplication of the AHP test before and after the implementation of a computerized alert intervention implemented as part of a system quality improvement process on January 5th, 2011. Data were compared for two 3-month time periods, pre- and post-alert implementation. The AHP test was considered redundant if it followed a previous test of the same type within 15 days of the initial test being final and present in the medical record. In phase 1, including each of the six tests examined, there were a total amount of 53, 351 test ordered, with 10, 375 (19.4%) of these cancelled. Out of the total amount of result final tests iv (n = 42,976), including each of the six tests examined, 4.6-8.7% were redundant. Results of the proportion of duplication of the six selected tests are as follows: AHP 196/2514 (7.8%), Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) 120/2594 (4.6%), B12/Folate level 396/5874 (6.7%), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) 1893/21595 (8.7%), Ferritin 384/5171 (7.4%), and Iron/Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) 316/5155 (6.1%). The overall associated yearly cost of redundant testing of these six selected tests was an estimated $419, 218. The largest proportion of redundant tests was the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone level, costing a yearly estimated $300, 987. In Phase 2, prior to introduction of the alert, 674 AHP tests were performed. Of these, 53 (7.9%) were redundant. During the intervention period, 692 AHP tests were performed, of these 18 (2.6%) were redundant. The implementation of the computerized alert was shown to significantly reduce the proportion of AHP tests (Chi-Square: χ2 = df 1, p ≤ 0.001). The differences in the associated costs of duplicated AHP were $5238 dollars in 2010 as compared to $1746 in 2011 post-alert and these differences were significant (Mann Whitney U, Z = -4.04, p ≤ 0.001). Although the proportions of unnecessarily repeated diagnostic tests that were observed during Phase 1 of this study were small, the associated costs could adversely affect hospital revenue and overall healthcare efficiency. The implementation of the AHP computerized alert demonstrated a drop in the proportion of redundant AHP tests and subsequent associated cost savings. It is necessary to perform further research to evaluate computerized alerts on other tests with evidence-based test-specific time intervals, and to determine if such reductions postimplementation of AHP alerts are sustained over time.

The use of Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) for co-operation during routine husbandry and laboratory procedures is widely advocated as a means of promoting the welfare of nonhuman primates. However, while research originating in US zoos provide qualitative descriptions of how PRT may be used in the training of a wide variety of species, quantitative data and evidence to support the view that PRT reduces stress predominately comes from laboratory studies of primates whose training may have used other methods. Despite official guidelines, training is rarely carried out in the UK and the educational and wider organisational structures concerning training, present in the US are largely absent. The techniques used in the UK were assessed through detailed observations recorded when four stump-tailed macaques were trained to co-operate during venipuncture. Data recorded during training sessions showed that although food rewards were given, their delivery was slow and inconsistent. A certain amount of coercion was used which violates a principle of PRT which states that co-operation should be voluntary. The macaques showed increasing resistance to the process and a mild but detrimental effect on the subsequent behaviour of the study animals. When training resumed 18 months later there were considerable improvements in the techniques used. The macaques showed a greater willingness to participate and there were no significant changes in their behaviour when training days were compared to those when training did not take place. The behaviour of the macaques during venipuncture was judged to be arising from engineered compliance rather than voluntary co-operation. However, it was concluded that the technique observed, if carried out correctly, was a reasonable compromise between forced restraint and voluntary co-operation given the paucity of evidence showing the effectiveness of PRT for invasive procedures. However, it was also concluded that the use of coercion should be recognised and provide a focus for future refinement. The effectiveness and welfare implications ofPRT was assessed through the training of common marmosets to target and allow in-homecage weighing and to provide urine samples. It was found that the trained animals perfonned reliably and that time invested in training could be recouped through faster data collection. Following a period of training or increased positive contact with humans, observations of marmoset behaviour showed a decrease in stress related behaviours and an increase in allogrooming supporting the view that improved relations with humans had a beneficial effect. Following exposure to a mild stressor, trained marmosets showed no elevation in levels of urinary cortisol or stress related behaviours. Untrained animals showed increased levels of locomoting and selfscratching following exposure to the same stressor. It was concluded that PRT successfully reduced the stress associated with the presence of, and manipulation by, humans. Final recommendations were that training can promote the welfare of nonhuman primates and should be used in UK laboratories to a greater extent than is currently the case. However, the lack of educational opportunities for animal trainers in the UK needs to be addressed. It was also recommended that in light of the growing evidence showing the benefits that can arise from training and good relations with humans, the zero-handling policy practiced in many UK zoos should be reassessed.

Cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) are the most commonly used non-human primate for research and testing in Europe. Their principal use is in preclinical safety testing of new pharmaceuticals to assess risk of adverse effects, as indicated by changes in a core battery of physiological measures before human exposure. Regulatory studies are strictly controlled through legislation and codes of practices underpinned by the principles of humane science, the 3Rs; Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. Despite the link between good welfare and good science now universally made in codes of practice, legislation and the literature, there are few studies aimed at systematically examining the link and almost no quantitative data from cynomolgus macaques used for toxicology. The main aim of this thesis was to examine the link between Refinement, animal welfare and scientific output for this important animal model, piggy-backing on regulatory studies conducted by a large contract research organisation. In the laboratory, animal welfare is formally considered in terms of Refinement which has evolved to include both the reduction of negative welfare states and the proactive enhancement of positive welfare over the animal’s lifetime. A multidisciplinary approach to welfare assessment including measures of behaviour, physiology and physical health, and which built upon current unit procedures was undertaken to produce an overall assessment of welfare in cynomolgus macaques. Macaque facial expressions, vocalisations, activity and position in the home cage, body weight change, body condition and alopecia scores were found to be reliable indicators of welfare state and would be most feasible for care staff to monitor. The concept of quality of scientific output was defined in relation to toxicological findings and includes sensitivity, reliability and repeatability of individual measures in the core battery (e.g. heart rate, blood pressure, haematology, clinical chemistry and organ weights). The link between welfare and quality of scientific output was then systematically explored with Refinements to macaque use in regulatory studies. The first, a data mining study, undertaken to quantify the effects on biological data recorded from cynomolgus macaques, used in regulatory studies over an eight-year period as the CASE sponsor transitioned from single to permanent group housing, found the effects to be highly variable on individual parameters in the core battery and in some instances welfare-positive effects of group housing were confounded by concurrent changes in standard operating procedures. A further study of planned Refinements to macaque-care staff interaction through enhanced socialisation was found to help animals cope better with husbandry and scientific procedures and enhance quality of cardiovascular measures recorded at baseline. In light of these findings a number of recommendations are made including a framework of terms useful for measuring quality of scientific output, a welfare assessment framework and Refinements to husbandry and scientific procedures for cynomolgus macaques used in regulatory toxicology. Because of their capacity to suffer it is both ethically and scientifically important that macaque welfare is maximised and their use results in valid and reliable experimental outcomes informing on the safety and efficacy of new pharmaceuticals prior to human exposure.

No description available.