Resolution of 2-bromo-arylacetic acid ester by Yarrowia lipolytica lipase in water/supercritical CO2 two-phase systems

A mutated lipase from Yarrowia lipolytica was used in aqueous phase/scCO2 two-phase systems to perform the enzymatic resolution of (R, S) 2-bromophenyl acetic octyl ester. A solution of phosphate salt (1000 mmol/L) was added to buffer the aqueous phase in contact with CO2 and resulting pH values around 6 were measured in a high pressure cell using a solvatochromic probe. Thus, an acceptable conversion rate and good enantioselectivity could be obtained but kinetics were shown to remain slower compared to an aqueous phase/decane two-phase system. Moreover, increasing pressure was shown to further slowdown the kinetics. This was hypothesized to be related to the mechanism of opening of the active site of the lipase which requires interfacial contact with a hydrophobic solvent phase. This condition is suspected not to be met in the case of scCO2 in contact with an aqueous phase because the amount of water dissolved in the supercritical phase diminishes its hydrophobicity

Post-stroke visual impairment: a systematic literature review of types and recovery of visual conditions

Aim: The aim of this literature review was to determine the reported incidence and prevalence of visual impairment due to stroke for all visual conditions including central vision loss, visual field loss, eye movement problems and visual perception problems. A further aim was to document the reported rate and extent of recovery of visual conditions post stroke. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted including all languages and translations obtained. The review covered adult participants (aged 18 years or over) diagnosed with a visual impairment as a direct cause of a stroke. Studies which included mixed populations were included if over 50% of the participants had a diagnosis of stroke. We searched scholarly online resources and hand searched journals and registers of published, unpublished and ongoing trials. Search terms included a variety of MESH terms and alternatives in relation to stroke and visual conditions. The quality of the evidence was assessed using key reporting guidelines, e.g. STROBE, CONSORT. Results: Sixty-one studies (n=25,672) were included in the review. Overall prevalence of visual impairment early after stroke was estimated at 65%, ranging from 19% to 92%. Visual field loss reports ranged from 5.5% to 57%, ocular motility problems from 22% to 54%, visual inattention from 14% to 82% and reduced central vision reported in up to 70%. Recovery of visual field loss varied between 0% and 72%, with ocular motility between 7% and 92% and visual inattention between 29% and 78%. Conclusion: The current literature provides a range of estimates for prevalence of visual impairment after stroke. Visual impairment post stroke is a common problem and has significant relevance to the assessment and care these patients receive. Prospective figures regarding incidence remain unknown

The role of attachment, affect and integrative complexity in couple discussions

The purpose of the present investigation was to explore the possible associations between marital affect and cognitive complexity of discourse within an attachment context. Attachment theorists (e.g., Bowlby, 1982) have proposed that bonds formed between infants and their parents are internalized as working models of self and others and continue to influence the infant in relationships even into adulthood. In particular, possible longitudinal influences of variations in early attachment experiences may be seen in the discussions of couples about relationship issues. It was hypothesized that childhood attachment relationships with parents would be associated with the level of cognitive complexity of the couples\u27 comments and with the kind of affect produced in couple discussions. The relationship between affect and the level of cognitive complexity in the discussions was also explored. Fifty-six wives and 52 husbands participating in a larger study of the transition to parenthood completed attachment scales (see Cowan & Cowan, 1994) and were videotaped trying to resolve a couple or parenting issue of their choice. The couple discussions were then coded for integrative complexity and kinds of affect expressed by the spouses. It was hypothesized that a more secure attachment to parents would be associated with less reciprocation of negative affect from the partner and a higher level of complexity in the discussions. As well, it was predicted that more complex speech should also be related to a lower level of negative affect reciprocation. Two findings of notable interest were obtained, such that attachment to the opposite-sex parent, particularly for wives, was related to the amount of overall negativity produced by the wives and by the couples. Also, the predicted relationship between negative affect reciprocation and integrative complexity was generally found, such that individuals and couples who were more complex in their thinking, reciprocated and expressed less negative affect. However, there was no evidence that attachment status was a predictor of integrative complexity in the couple discussions, contrary to the hypothesis. Implications of the present study are discussed in terms of gender roles within marriages and developing interventions for couples experiencing communication difficulties

A COST EFFECTIVE CPD PATHWAY TO BESPOKE POSTGRADUATE ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS FOR SPORTS PRACTITIONERS

To access higher level academic knowledge and qualifications relevant to vocational advancement, coaches and teachers of specific sports need affordable bespoke courses bridging between the courses of the coaching accreditation schemes and sport-specific postgraduate academic courses. The purpose of this project was to establish a model for delivery of on-line continuing professional development (CPD) to coaches and teachers thereby providing a pathway to higher qualifications with direct benefit to their coaching and teaching. The model includes bridging courses delivered on-line that enable participants to enter the diploma level of academic masters programmes with advanced prior learning (APL) status in lieu of the 60 credit points obtained at postgraduate certificate level. This reduces the cost of obtaining a Masters degree by one third

UK exceptional case driving application outcomes in post-stroke homonymous hemianopia: results from a clinical study.

PurposeWe report results in relation to returning to driving in the UK under the exceptional cases rule for visual field loss.MethodsThe Hemianopia Adaptation Study is a prospective clinical study recruiting adult stroke survivors with new onset homonymous hemianopia. The mobility assessment course (MAC) was used to measure navigational scanning. Car drivers were offered a 1-year post-stroke assessment to consider referral for driving assessment.ResultsOf 144 participants, 51 were eligible for driving assessment, with 13 (25.4%) accepting appointment for UK Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) referral. A statistically significant difference in gender and baseline Barthel (stroke severity) scores was found between those requesting referral and those declining (p = 0.046; p p = 0.006/p ConclusionsIt is possible for individuals with post-stroke homonymous hemianopia to return to driving, where exceptional cases criteria are met. There is evidence to support use of the MAC as a clinical measurement of adaptation.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONIndividuals with post-stroke homonymous hemianopia should be fully informed regarding driving regulations that can differ between countries and sometimes different states within a country, as well as provided with the support and opportunity to consider a return to driving if appropriate.Professionals providing care within the stroke multi-disciplinary team should be aware that it is possible for patients with homonymous hemianopia to return to driving, when exceptional cases criteria are met.The mobility assessment course (MAC) should be considered as a clinical measurement of adaptation in homonymous hemianopia.A cut-off score of ≤25% omissions on MAC could be employed to determine those likely to adapt to hemianopia long-term and potentially return to driving

On Simulation Reuse in Healthcare Applications

Simulation remains a promising technology in healthcare operations research and process optimisation. However, while there have been many research projects applying simulation in this context, the level of sustained uptake in healthcare practice has been lower. We conjecture that an important reason for this is the time, cost and complexity of developing simulation models. Therefore, being able to reuse models would be key to improving uptake of simulation in healthcare. Conventional practice is that simulation models are developed from scratch for every new problem. In this paper, we review current strategies for model reuse in the healthcare context, aiming to identify complementary techniques for model reuse available to healthcare modellers and managers. Specifically, we identify three different modes of model reuse—forming a triadic framework—each prioritising a different aspect: FAIR and open-science aspects of model reuse; reusable conceptual simulation domains through modelling languages and transformations; and black-box model(-component) reuse including distributed simulation. We show how these three perspectives complement and enhance each other. We believe that developing concrete mechanisms and tools for leveraging the relationships between the three different modes of model reuse will be key to increasing the uptake of simulation modelling in healthcare practice