Acoustic and volumetric properties of aqueous solutions of imidazolium based ionic liquids at 298.15 K

The experimental measurements of the speed of sound and density of aqueous solutions of imidazolium based ionic liquids (IL) in the concentration range of 0.05 mol · kg-1 to 0.5 mol · kg-1 at T = 298.15 K are reported. The data are used to obtain the isentropic compressibility (ßS) of solutions. The apparent molar volume (phiV) and compressibility (phiKS) of ILs are evaluated at different concentrations. The data of limiting partial molar volume and compressibility of IL and their concentration variation are examined to evaluate the effect due to IL–water and IL–IL interactions. The results have been discussed in terms of hydrophobic hydration, hydrophobic interactions, and water structural changes in aqueous medium.

Lividins: Novel antimicrobial peptide homologs from the skin secretion of the Chinese Large Odorous frog, Rana (Odorrana) livida: Identification by “shotgun” cDNA cloning and sequence analysis.

Odorous frogs of the sub-genus Odorrana are of oriental distribution, and are so called due to the foul smell of their defensive skin secretions released from specialized skin glands following stress or predator attack. Here we report the application of a “shotgun” skin secretion cDNA library cloning technique which can rapidly expedite identification of secretion bioactive peptides. From a library constructed from the skin secretion of the Large Chinese Odorous frog, Rana (Odorrana) livida, we have identified four novel peptides whose primary structures were deduced initially from cloned precursors. Subsequently, mature peptides were located in and structurally characterized from reverse phase HPLC fractions of skin secretion. Named lividins 1–4, these were found to be structural homologs of known antimicrobial peptide families from Rana frogs. Rapid identification of novel peptides can thus be rapidly achieved using this non-invasive, non-destructive technology and the extensive similarities revealed between antimicrobial peptide precursor organization and nucleic acid sequences would lend support to the hypothesis that they have a common ancestral origin.

Analysis of UDP-galactose 4'-epimerase mutations associated with the intermediate form of type III galactosaemia

Type III galactosaemia is a hereditary disease caused by reduced activity in the Leloir pathway enzyme, UDP-galactose 4'-epimerase (GALE). Traditionally, the condition has been divided into two forms-a mild, or peripheral, form and a severe, or generalized, form. Recently it has become apparent that there are disease states which are intermediate between these two extremes. Three mutations associated with this intermediate form (S81R, T150M and P293L) were analysed for their kinetic and structural properties in vitro and their effects on galactose-sensitivity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells that were deleted for the yeast GALE homologue Gal10p. All three mutations result in impairment of the kinetic parameters (principally the turnover number, k(cat)) compared with the wild-type enzyme. However, the degree of impairment was mild compared with that seen with the mutation (V94M) associated with the generalized form of epimerase deficiency galactosaemia. None of the three mutations tested affected the ability of the protein to dimerize in solution or its susceptibility to limited proteolysis in vitro. Finally, in the yeast model, each of the mutated patient alleles was able to complement the galactose-sensitivity of gal10 Delta cells as fully as was the wild-type human allele. Furthermore, there was no difference from control in metabolite profile following galactose exposure for any of these strains. Thus we conclude that the subtle biochemical and metabolic abnormalities detected in patients expressing these GALE alleles likely reflect, at least in part, the reduced enzymatic activity of the encoded GALE proteins.

Immunocolloidal Targeting of the Endocytotic Siglec-7 Receptor Using Peripheral Attachment of Siglec-7 Antibodies to Poly(Lactide-co-Glycolide) Nanoparticles

Purpose: To prepare a nanoparticulate formulation expressing variable peripheral carboxyl density using non-endcapped and endcapped poly(lactide-co-glycolide), conjugated to antibodies recognising the siglec-7 receptor, which is expressed on most acute myeloid leukaemias. The aim is to exploit this receptor as a therapeutic target by constructing an internalising drug-loaded nanoparticle able to
translocate into cytoplasm by siglec receptor-mediated internalisation.

Materials and Methods: Antibodies to the siglec-7 (CD33-like) receptor were conjugated to dye-loaded nanoparticles using carbodiimide chemistry, giving 32.6 mg protein per mg of nanoparticles using 100% of the non-endcapped PLGA. Binding studies using cognate antigen were used to verify preservation of antibody function following conjugation.

Results: Mouse embryonic fibroblasts expressing recombinant siglec-7 receptor and exposed to NileRed-loaded nanoparticles conjugated to antibody accumulated intracellular fluorescence, which was not observed if either antibody or siglec-7 receptor was absent. Confocal microscopy revealed internalised perinuclear cytoplasmic staining, with an Acridine Orange-based analysis showing red staining in localised foci, indicating localisation within acidic endocytic compartments.

Conclusions: Results show antibody-NP constructs are internalised via siglec-7 receptor-mediated internalisation. If loaded with a therapeutic agent, antibody-NP constructs can cross into cytoplasmic
space and delivery drugs intracellularly to cells expressing CD33-like receptors, such as natural killer cells and monocytes.

The journey to concordance for patients with hypertension: a qualitative study in primary care

Objective: We aimed to explore, using qualitative methods, the perspectives of patients with hypertension on issues relating to concordance in prescribing.

Method: This study took place in NHS general practices in Northern Ireland. A purposeful sample of patients who had been prescribed anti-hypertensive medication for at least one year were invited to participate in focus groups or semi-structured interviews; data were analysed using constant comparison.

Main outcome measures: The perspectives of patients with hypertension on issues relating to concordance in prescribing.

Results: Twenty-five individuals participated in five focus groups; two participated in semi-structured interviews. Participants felt they could make valuable contributions to consultations regarding their management. They were prepared to negotiate with GPs regarding their medication, but most deferred to their doctor’s advice, perceiving doctors’ attitudes and time constraints as barriers to their greater involvement in concordant decision-making. They had concerns about taking anti-hypertensive drugs, were aware of lifestyle influences on hypertension and reported using personal strategies to facilitate adherence and reduce the need to take medication.

Conclusions: Participants indicated a willingness to be?involved in concordance in prescribing anti- hypertensive medication but needed health professionals to address their concerns and confusion about the nature of hypertension. These findings suggest that there is a need for doctors and other healthcare professionals with responsibility for prescribing to develop skills specifically to explore the beliefs and views underlying an individual’s medication use. Such skills may need to be developed through specific training programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

The Effect of Tacticity on the Conformational Properties of Poly(1-olefin sulfone)s

The effect of tacticity on the conformational properties of poly(olefin sulfone)s was studied. Tactic polymers, prepared from racemic thiirane monomers using chiral inititators were compared with atactic polymers prepared by free radical co-polymerisation of the 1-olefin with sulfur dioxide. Analysis of the XRD patterns showed that the tactic polymers formed more ordered structures in the bulk with longer layer spacings, consistent with a model in which their side chains meet at the tips in contrast with the atactic polymers whose side chains interdigitate. 13C MAS nmr experiments suggest that as tacticity increases so too does the proportion of C-S bonds in the gauche conformation, however the proportion of S-C bonds in the trans conformation falls, in contrast to a reported molecular mechanics study. Finally, DSC measurements on the polymers with longer side chains showed the presence of two endotherms on heating, illustrating definite liquid crystalline behaviour.

A generic tool for cost estimating in aircraft design

A methodology to estimate the cost implications of design decisions by integrating cost as a design parameter at an early design stage is presented. The model is developed on a hierarchical basis, the manufacturing cost of aircraft fuselage panels being analysed in this paper. The manufacturing cost modelling is original and relies on a genetic-causal method where the drivers of each element of cost are identified relative to the process capability. The cost model is then extended to life cycle costing by computing the Direct Operating Cost as a function of acquisition cost and fuel burn, and coupled with a semi-empirical numerical analysis using Engineering Sciences Data Unit reference data to model the structural integrity of the fuselage shell with regard to material failure and various modes of buckling. The main finding of the paper is that the traditional minimum weight condition is a dated and sub-optimal approach to airframe structural design.

La evolución de destinos turísticos litorales consolidados. Análisis comparado de Balneario Camnoriú (Brasil) y Benidorm (España)

El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en estudiar la evolución de los destinos turísticos litorales consolidados a partir del análisis comparado entre Balneario Camboriú y Benidorm. Se trata de dos destinos localizados en contextos territoriales y turísticos diferentes, en los que se contrastan de manera empírica los indicadores de evolución de los destinos y se vinculan las dinámicas evolutivas con el modelo territorial-turístico resultante en cada destino. El análisis realizado permite contrastar los postulados de los modelos evolutivos clásicos (Butler, 1980) e incorporar los nuevos planteamientos de la geografía económica evolutiva. La investigación delimita cronológicamente los periodos de desarrollo de ambos destinos para identificar los factores con mayor incidencia en la evolución de los mismos. Una evolución marcada, fundamentalmente, por la ubicación geográfica, la planificación y gestión urbanoturística a diferentes escalas, la dependencia de determinados mercados emisores y la influencia de factores macroeconómicos. Un conjunto de factores interrelacionados que dibujan trayectorias dispares para los destinos analizados.

Special issue on design and programming of signal processors for multimedia communication:Special issue on design and programming of signal processors for multimedia communication

The technical challenges in the design and programming of signal processors for multimedia communication are discussed. The development of terminal equipment to meet such demand presents a significant technical challenge, considering that it is highly desirable that the equipment be cost effective, power efficient, versatile, and extensible for future upgrades. The main challenges in the design and programming of signal processors for multimedia communication are, general-purpose signal processor design, application-specific signal processor design, operating systems and programming support and application programming. The size of FFT is programmable so that it can be used for various OFDM-based communication systems, such as digital audio broadcasting (DAB), digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T) and digital video broadcasting-handheld (DVB-H). The clustered architecture design and distributed ping-pong register files in the PAC DSP raise new challenges of code generation.

Dispersal mode and assessments of recovery on the shores of Gruinard, the 'anthrax island'

Formaldehyde run-off was an unintended impact of the anthrax decontamination procedure on the island of Gruinard. The death of intertidal organisms was observed where formaldehyde reached the shore during 1986. The extent to which shores on Gruinard have recovered was assessed with survey work in 2000. Recovery estimates were based on the hypothesis that the process of recolonization is partly dependent on species' dispersal capability. Underdevelopment of the assemblage of species lacking planktonic dispersal stages (direct developers) is therefore evidence that the process of recolonization is ongoing, rather than complete. A novel multivariate test showed that, when comparing quadrats from Gruinard and nearby mainland shores, assemblages of direct developing molluscs were significantly more distinct than assemblages of molluscs with planktonic dispersal stages. The average densities of species with direct development were generally lower on Gruinard than on mainland shores. While some species with direct development have similar densities on Gruinard and on the surrounding shores, the recovery of the overall assemblage was still incomplete after 14 years. In contrast, the harvested species, Littorina littorea, appeared to benefit from the absence of humans visiting Gruinard's shores. Populations of L. littorea on Gruinard contained significantly higher proportions of large individuals. Depending on the dispersal capabilities of different species, Gruinard is either still in recovery or acts as a reserve.

Physiological stress responses in the edible crab, Cancer pagurus, to the fishery practice of de-clawing

We examined physiological stress responses in the edible crab, Cancer pagurus, subjected to the commercial fishery practice of manual de-clawing. We measured haemolymph glucose and lactate, plus muscular glycogen and glycogen mobilisation, in three experiments where the crabs had one claw removed. In the first, crabs showed physiological stress responses when 'de-clawed' as compared to 'handled only over the short term of 1-10 min. In the second, de-clawing and the presence of a conspecific both increased the physiological stress responses over the longer term of 24 h. In the third, de-clawing was shown to be more stressful than 'induced autotomy' of claws. Further, the former practice caused larger wounds to the body and significantly higher mortality than the latter. Since the fishery practice is to remove both claws, the stress response observed and mortality data reported are conservative.

Genomotyping of Pseudomonas putida strains using P-putida KT2440-based high-density DNA microarrays: implications for transcriptomics studies

Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is the only fully sequenced P. putida strain. Thus, for transcriptomics and proteomics studies with other P. putida strains, the P. putida KT2440 genomic database serves as standard reference. The utility of KT2440 whole-genome, high-density oligonucleotide microarrays for transcriptomics studies of other Pseudomonas strains was investigated. To this end, microarray hybridizations were performed with genomic DNAs of subcultures of P. putida KT2440 (DSM6125), the type strain (DSM291(T)), plasmid pWW0-containing KT2440-derivative strain mt-2 (DSM3931), the solvent-tolerant P. putida S12, and several other Pseudomonas strains. Depending on the strain tested, 22 to 99% of all genetic elements were identified in the genomic DNAs. The efficacy of these microarrays to study cellular function was determined for all strains included in the study. The vast majority of DSM6125 genes encoding proteins of primary metabolism and genes involved in the catabolism of aromatic compounds were identified in the genomic DNA of strain S12: a prerequisite for reliable transcriptomics analyses. The genomotypic comparisons between Pseudomonas strains were used to construct highly discriminative phylogenetic relationships. DSM6125 and DSM3931 were indistinguishable and clustered together with strain S12 in a separate group, distinct from DSM291(T). Pseudomonas monteilii (DSM14164) clustered well with P. putida strains.