Mobilizing against neoliberalism? Global affirmative action in context

This article uses the example of Northern Ireland to illustrate how political mobilization may
be deployed to challenge structural forms of inequality. The experience suggests that regulatory
models can be designed for particular contexts to shape approaches that present challenges to
dominant economic and political orthodoxies. The intention is not to overstate the significance
of this specific transitional context but simply to highlight elements that might feature in any
attempt to mobilize successfully around human rights and equality, and against aspects of neoliberal
thinking.

Photo-dynamic biocidal action of methylene blue and hydrogen peroxide on the cyanobacterium Synechococcus leopoliensis under visible light irradiation

Biofilm growth on stone surfaces is a significant contributing factor to stone biodeterioration. Current market based biocides are hazardous to the environment and to public health. We have investigated the photo-dynamic effect of methylene blue (MB) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on the destruction of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus leopoliensis (S. leopoliensis) under irradiation with visible light. Data presented in this paper illustrate that illumination of S. leopoliensis in the presence of a photosensitiser (MB) and H₂O₂ results in the decomposition of both the cyanobacterium and the photosensitiser. The presence of MB and H₂O₂ affects the viability of the photosensitiser and the cyanobacterium with the fluorescence of both decreasing by 80% over the irradiation time investigated. The photo-dynamic effect was observed under aerobic and anaerobic conditions indicating that oxygen was not necessary for the process. This novel combination could be effective for the remediation of biofilm colonised stone surfaces

N-terminal glycation of cholecystokinin-8 abolishes its insulinotropic action on clonal pancreatic B-cells

Monoglycated cholecystokinin octapeptide (Asp(1)-glucitol CCK-X) was prepared under hyperglycaemic reducing conditions and purified by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography. Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and automated Edman degradation demonstrated that CCK-8 was glycated specifically at the amino-terminal Asp(1) residue. Effects of Asp(1)-glucitol CCK-8 and CCK-8 on insulin secretion were examined using glucose-responsive clonal BRIN-BD11 cells. In acute (20 min) incubations, 10(-10) mol/l CCK-8 enhanced insulin release by 1.2-1.5-fold at 5.6-11.1 mmol/l glucose. The stimulatory effect induced by 10(-10) mom CCK-8 was abolished following glycation. At 5.6 mmol/l glucose, CCK-8 at concentrations ranging from 10(-11) to 10(-7) mol/l induced a significant 1.6-1.9-fold increase in insulin secretion. Insulin output in the presence of Asp(1)-glucitol CCK-8 over the concentration range 10(-11)-10(-7) mol/l was decreased by 21-35% compared with CCK-8, and its insulinotropic action was effectively abolished. Asp(1)-glucitol CCK-8 at 10(-8) mol/l also completely blocked the stimulatory effects of 10(-11)-10(-8) mol/l CCK-8. These data indicate that structural modification by glycation at the amino-terminal Asp(1) residue effectively abolishes and/or antagonises the insulinotropic activity of CCK-8. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Gender Equality under the Charter of Fundamental Rights - a new lease for positive action?

This paper, which was published as a chapter of a Festskrift for Professor Ruth Nielsen, analyses Article 23 CFREU, the new provision on gender equality. It argues that Article 23 adds to the notion of gender equality in EU law, and not only allows, but also demands positive action measures if necessary to ensure equality between women and men. The provision also demands that positive action measures are suitable to achieve their aim. This implies that the EU legislator has to adapt positive action measure to the specific needs of the sector. The paper offers a critique of the proposal to introduce women quotas in board rooms, as proposed by the EU Commission in late 2012. It argues that the Commission unimaginatively copied rules developed for the German public service into a different sector, although these rules have not proven particularly efficient even in the public service. Consequently, a proposal that is demanding, but adapted to the sector should be developed.

Regional integration of biogas – developing an intersectoral research action plan for Northern Ireland

Bioenergy is a key component of the European Union long term energy strategy across all sectors, with a target contribution of up to 14% of the energy mix by 2020. It is estimated that there is the potential for 1TWh of primary energy from biogas per million persons in Europe, derived from agricultural by-products and waste. With an agricultural sector that accounts for 75% of land area and a large number of advanced engineering firms, Northern Ireland is a region with considerable potential for an integrated biogas industry. Northern Ireland is also heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels. Despite this, the industry is underdeveloped and there is a need for a collaborative approach from research, business and policy-makers across all sectors to optimise Northern Ireland’s abundant natural resources. ‘Developing Opportunities in Bio-Energy’ (i.e. Do Bioenergy) is a recently completed project that involved both academic and specialist industrial partners. The aim was to develop a biogas research action plan for 2020 to define priorities for intersectoral regional development, co-operation and knowledge transfer in the field of production and use of biogas. Consultations were held with regional stakeholders and working groups were established to compile supporting data, decide key objectives and implementation activities. Within the context of this study it was found that biogas from feedstocks including grass, agricultural slurry, household and industrial waste have the potential to contribute from 2.5% to 11% of Northern Ireland’s total energy consumption. The economics of on-farm production were assessed, along with potential markets and alternative uses for biogas in sectors such as transport, heat and electricity. Arising from this baseline data, a Do Bioenergy was developed. The plan sets out a strategic research agenda, and details priorities and targets for 2020. The challenge for Northern Ireland is how best to utilise the biogas – as electricity, heat or vehicle fuel and in what proportions. The research areas identified were: development of small scale solutions for biogas production and use; solutions for improved nutrient management; knowledge supporting and developing the integration of biogas into the rural economy; and future crops and bio-based products. The human resources and costs for the implementation were estimated as 80 person-years and £25 million respectively. It is also clear that the development of a robust bio-gas sector requires some reform of the regulatory regime, including a planning policy framework and a need to address social acceptance issues. The Action Plan was developed from a regional perspective but the results may be applicable to other regions in Europe and elsewhere. This paper presents the methodology, results and analysis, and discussion and key findings of the Do Bioenergy report for Northern Ireland.

Optimal design of cold-formed steel portal frames for stressed-skin action using genetic algorithm

This paper describes a stressed-skin diaphragm approach to the optimal design of the internal frame of a cold-formed steel portal framing system, in conjunction with the effect of semi-rigid joints. Both ultimate and serviceability limit states are considered. Wind load combinations are included. The designs are optimized using a real-coded niching genetic algorithm, in which both discrete and continuous decision variables are processed. For a building with two internal frames, it is shown that the material cost of the internal frame can be reduced by as much as 53%, compared with a design that ignores stressed-skin action.

Identification of synergists that potentiate the action of polymyxin B against Burkholderia cenocepacia

Burkholderia cenocepacia and other members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) are highly multidrug-resistant bacteria that cause severe pulmonary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. A screen of 2686 compounds derived from marine organisms identified molecules that could synergize with polymyxin B to inhibit growth of B. cenocepacia. At 1 μg/ml, five compounds synergized with polymyxin B and inhibited the growth of B. cenocepacia by more than 70% compared to growth in polymyxin B alone. Follow-up testing revealed that one compound from the screen, the aminocoumarin antibiotic novobiocin, synergized with polymyxin B and colistin against tobramycin-resistant clinical isolates of B. cenocepacia and Burkholderia multivorans. In parallel, we show that novobiocin sensitivity is common among Bcc species and these bacteria are even more susceptible to an alternative aminocoumarin, clorobiocin, which also had an additive effect with polymyxin B against B. cenocepacia. These studies support using aminocoumarin antibiotics to treat Bcc infections and show that synergizers can be found to increase the efficacy of antimicrobial peptides and polymyxins against Bcc bacteria.