Diamonds On The Inside: Imaging Nanodiamonds With Hyperpolarized MRI

Nontoxic nanodiamonds (NDs) have proven useful as a vector for therapeutic drug delivery to cancers and as optical bioprobes of subcellular processes. Despite their potential clinical relevance, an effective means of noninvasively imaging NDs in vivo is still lacking. Recent developments in hyperpolarized MRI leverage an over 10 000 times increase in the nuclear polarization of biomolecules, enabling new molecular imaging applications. This work explores hyperpolarization via intrinsic paramagnetic defects in nanodiamond. We present the results of MRI experiments that enable direct imaging of nanodiamond via hyperpolarized 13C MRI and indirect imaging of nanodiamonds via Overhauser-enhanced MRI. The construction of custom hardware for these experiments is detailed and the path to future in vivo experiments outlined. As nanodiamond has been established as a biocompatible platform for drug delivery, our results will motivate further research into hyperpolarized MRI for tracking nanoparticles in vivo

Measuring Infringement of Intellectual Property Rights

© Crown Copyright 2014. You may re-use this information (excluding logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov. uk/doc/open-government-licence/ Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concernedThe review is wide-ranging in scope and overall our findings evidence a lack of appreciation among those producing research for the high-level principles of measurement and assessment of scale. To date, the approaches adopted by industry seem more designed for internal consumption and are usually contingent on particular technologies and/or sector perspectives. Typically, there is a lack of transparency in the methodologies and data used to form the basis of claims, making much of this an unreliable basis for policy formulation. The research approaches we found are characterised by a number of features that can be summarised as a preference for reactive approaches that look to establish snapshots of an important issue at the time of investigation. Most studies are ad hoc in nature and on the whole we found a lack of sustained longitudinal approaches that would develop the appreciation of change. Typically the studies are designed to address specific hypotheses that might serve to support the position of the particular commissioning body. To help bring some structure to this area, we propose a framework for the assessment of the volume of infringement in each different area. The underlying aim is to draw out a common approach wherever possible in each area, rather than being drawn initially to the differences in each field. We advocate on-going survey tracking of the attitudes, perceptions and, where practical, behaviours of both perpetrators and claimants in IP infringement. Clearly, the nature of perpetrators, claimants and enforcement differs within each IPR but in our view the assessment for each IPR should include all of these elements. It is important to clarify that the key element of the survey structure is the adoption of a survey sampling methodology and smaller volumes of representative participation. Once selection is given the appropriate priority, a traditional offline survey will have a part to play, but as the opportunity arises, new technological methodologies, particularly for the voluntary monitoring of online behaviour, can add additional detail to the overall assessment of the scale of activity. This framework can be applied within each of the IP right sectors: copyright, trademarks,patents, and design rights. It may well be that the costs involved with this common approach could be mitigated by a syndicated approach to the survey elements. Indeed, a syndicated approach has a number of advantages in addition to cost. It could be designed to reduce any tendency either to hide inappropriate/illegal activity or alternatively exaggerate its volume to fit with the theme of the survey. It also has the scope to allow for monthly assessments of attitudes rather than being vulnerable to unmeasured seasonal impacts

Thermocline management of stratified tanks for heat storage

Stratified tanks are useful for maximising the thermal energy efficiency of non-continuous and semi-continuous processes. Liquid at two or more dissimilar temperatures is stored within the same tank to provide a buffer for variations in heating and cooling loads. Control of the thermocline between the hot and cold fluid regions is needed to minimise thermocline growth and maximise operation of the storage tank. An experimental programme using a scale model of an industrial stratified tank (aspect ratio 3.5) and Perspex tank (aspect ratio 8.2) is reported. The behaviour and growth of the hot-cold thermocline under various operating conditions is presented. A siphoning method to re-establish the thermocline without interrupting the use of the tank is tested. Siphoning of the thermocline region from either 20%, 50% or 80% of the tank height is an effective strategy for uninterrupted interface re-establishment. However, the rate and position of siphoning and the load balance of the exit streams are critical variables for minimising the time for effective re-establishment of the two temperature zones

Outdoor atmospheric microplastics within the Humber region (United Kingdom): Quantification and chemical characterisation of deposited particles present

Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) have been consistently captured within air samples on a global scale. Locations with high human activity are reported to have high MP levels. An urban sampling site in the Humber region (U.K.) has been sampled over a 13-month period, providing a seasonal variation profile of MP levels, size, shape, and polymer types that humans are exposed to. Mean MP levels, measured using passive fallout into a container, were 3055 ± 5072 MP m−2 day−1 (1164 median). An increase in levels with a decrease in MP size was observed, consisting of mainly film-shaped MPs (67%) that were polyethylene (31%) and nylon (28%) polymer types. No relationship between rainfall and MP fallout levels was observed. In parallel, MPs within five urban-ised locations relevant to human exposure were characterised over a 2-week period. An overall MP mean (and standard deviation) of 1500 ± 1279 was observed (1012 median), from which petroleum resin accounted for 32% of MP polymer type, with a higher prevalence within industrial and roadside zones. These comprised mainly fragment (52%) and film (42%) shapes, and the MPs levels increased with decreasing particle size. The results provide novel information on characterising polymer levels and types, and can inform cellular toxicity studies, investigating the consequences of human MP exposure

Outdoor Microplastic Analysis Using Inlet Filters from an NOx Regulatory Air Quality Monitoring Device

Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) are a ubiquitous environmental contaminant of emerging concern. Sampling methods provide information relating to surface area concentration and MP characteristics, without direct comparison with routinely measured standard air quality parameters. This study analysed 6 active air samples generated by a local authority as part of their routine air quality monitoring activities. Continuous sampling totalled 10 months, within the city centre of Kingston-upon-Hull. By using μFTIR analysis, levels of total particles detected using the NOx inlet filters ranged from 5139 ± 2843 particles m−2 day−1, comprising 1029 ± 594 MPs m−2 day−1. The controls displayed a mean level of 2.00 ± 3.49 MPs. The polymers nylon (32%) and polypropylene, PP (22%) were the most abundant. Small fragments of 47.42 ± 48.57 μm (length) and 21.75 ± 13.62 μm (width) were most common. An increase in MP levels during April 2020 coincided with an increase in PM10 levels. This study used robust procedures to measure MPs in the air by exploiting existing air quality monitoring equipment. Knowing the levels, types, and characteristics of MPs can inform toxicity studies to provide more environmentally relevant exposures, which is urgent now that MPs have been reported in human lung tissu

Use of the DMAIC Approach to Identify Root Cause of Circuit Breaker Failure

The DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Implement and Control) approach is a well-established approach used to improve industrial processes and products. The DMAIC approach is mostly used as part of quality assurance processes, but this paper will show that it can be applied to investigation of root cause analysis of equipment failure. Specifically, the piece of equipment under investigation is a circuit breaker used in a distribution system. A second contribution of this paper is to provide suggestions on approaches to overcome modeling challenges related to lack of data, both in terms of measurements and in terms of system parameters

ANÁLISIS TERMODINÁMICO DE LA CIUDAD DE LIMA / THERMODYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF THE CITY OF LIMA

The city of Lima is located in the Republic of Peru on the central coast of this country on the margins of the Pacific Ocean, it is recognized on the international scene as the former capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and is currently one of the largest cities of South America with an extension of 2,672 km2 and with a political subdivision of 43 districts within the department of Lima. That is why this article aims to develop a thermodynamic analysis of the city of Lima, due to its relevance as a financial and economic center for the Republic of Peru, it is also taken into consideration that it has increased its population density In recent years, added to this, the concentration of most of the industries in this area has generated greater development and high energy consumption, with an exergetic efficiency of 20.90% and a CO2 emission of 2.71 E+7 tons in the city of Lima, differentiating itself from the other cities that make up this Andean country.La ciudad de Lima se encuentra ubicado en la Republica del Perú en la costa central de este país a los márgenes del océano pacifico. Lima es reconocida en el escenario internacional como la ex capital del Virreinato del Perú, y actualmente es una de las ciudades más grandes de Sudamérica con una extensión de 2,672 km2 y con una subdivisión política de 43 distritos dentro del departamento de Lima. Es por ello que en el presente artículo se tiene por objetivo desarrollar un análisis termodinámico sobre la ciudad de Lima, debido a su relevancia como centro financiero y económico para la Republica del Perú, además se lleva en consideración que la misma ha incrementado su densidad poblacional en los últimos años, sumado a esto la concentración de la mayor parte de las industrias en esta zona ha generado un mayor desarrollo y un elevado consumo energético, con una eficiencia exergetica del 20.90% y una emisión de CO2 de 2,71 E+7 toneladas en la ciudad de Lima, diferenciándose de las demás ciudades que conforman este país andino

Type-1 fimbriate escherichia-coli stimulates a unique pattern of de-granulation by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli bearing mannose-sensitive (type 1) fimbriae promote a unique pattern of degranulation from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Significant quantities of the primary (1 degree) and tertiary (3 degree) granule markers, neutral protease-myeloperoxidase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, respectively, were released by PMN in a dose- and time-dependent manner when stimulated by these defined bacterial strains. Organisms bearing mannose-resistant (P) fimbriae promoted release of only the secondary (2 degree) granule marker, vitamin B12-binding protein. When this pattern of degranulation was compared to that produced by PMN in response to a variety of soluble and particulate stimuli, only the calcium ionophore A23187 similarly triggered 1 degree and 3 degree granule marker release. All the other stimuli tested--zymosan, serum-treated and unopsonized; n-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine; and phorbol myristate acetate--promoted release of only the 2 degree granule marker. These results demonstrate selectivity of PMN degranulation in response to a number of transmembrane signals. In addition, the capacity of E. coli to promote PMN degranulation is dependent on its phenotypic fimbrial expression, a surface characteristic which correlates significantly with its relative surface hydrophobicity as measured by binding to octyl Sepharose. Those bacteria demonstrating the greatest hydrophobicity were capable of triggering discharge of all three granule marker proteins. Thus, the mannose-sensitive fimbriae of uropathogenic E. coli may contribute significantly to their potential pathophysiologic role in renal scarring

High-resolution temporal profiling of transcripts during Arabidopsis leaf senescence reveals a distinct chronology of processes and regulation

Leaf senescence is an essential developmental process that impacts dramatically on crop yields and involves altered regulation of thousands of genes and many metabolic and signaling pathways, resulting in major changes in the leaf. The regulation of senescence is complex, and although senescence regulatory genes have been characterized, there is little information on how these function in the global control of the process. We used microarray analysis to obtain a highresolution time-course profile of gene expression during development of a single leaf over a 3-week period to senescence. A complex experimental design approach and a combination of methods were used to extract high-quality replicated data and to identify differentially expressed genes. The multiple time points enable the use of highly informative clustering to reveal distinct time points at which signaling and metabolic pathways change. Analysis of motif enrichment, as well as comparison of transcription factor (TF) families showing altered expression over the time course, identify clear groups of TFs active at different stages of leaf development and senescence. These data enable connection of metabolic processes, signaling pathways, and specific TF activity, which will underpin the development of network models to elucidate the process of senescence