Cloning and Expression of the PHA Synthase Gene From a Locally Isolated Chromobacterium sp. USM2

Chromobacterium sp. USM2, a locally isolated bacterium was found to synthesize poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), P(3HB-co-3HV) copolymer with high 3HV monomer composition. The PHA synthase gene was cloned and expressed in Cupriavidus necator PHB¯4 to investigate the possibilities of incorporating other monomer. The recombinant successfully incorporated 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) monomer when fed with crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) as the sole carbon source. Approximately 63 ± 2 wt% of P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymer with 4 mol% of 3HHx was synthesized from 5 g/L of oil after 48 h of cultivation. In addition, P(3HB-co-3HV-co-3HHx) terpolymer with 9 mol% 3HV and 4 mol% 3HHx could be synthesized with a mixture of CPKO and sodium valerate. The presence of 3HV and 3HHx monomers in the copolymer and terpolymer was further confirmed with +H-NMR analysis. This locally isolated PHA synthase has demonstrated its ability to synthesize P(3HB-co-3HHx) copolymer from a readily available and renewable carbon source; CPKO, without the addition of 3HHx precursors

The potential of covered profiled steel cladding as a building-integrated solar collector for the UK climate

Profiled steel cladding can be modified to act as an air heating solar collector by the addition of a transparent cover system. A mathematical model of the thermal performance of such an arrangement has been derived for the situation of a building-integrated solar collector facade, allowing for the condition of differing temperatures at front and rear faces of the collector. By introducing an equivalent ambient temperature, it is possible to quantify the performance of such a collector arrangement in terms of existing parameters as derived in the standard Hottel-Whillier-Bliss analysis. Using a purpose-built solar simulator, a set of standard performance characteristics for the proposed collector geometry is derived; these characteristics are used to confirm the validity of the derived model for use in this application area, i.e. as a building-integ rated system with the standard thickness of back insulation. Those conditions of front/rear temperature difference and rear insulation level for which the standard Hoftel-Whillier-Bliss analysis is no longer valid, are identified. The model has been encoded as a new subroutine within the thermal simulation program TRNSYS in order to investigate the energy performance of a typical profiled metal-clad building in the UK climate with and without the assistance of such a collector system. The effects of orientation of the solarcollector facade, together with collection area, steel-to-cover spacing and fan power requirements were determined. Assessment of capital maintenance, operating costs and energy savings permitted the cost-effectiveness of such a system to be evaluated. Guidance for future designers of such buildingintegrated systems is presented for UK conditions. It is concluded that the use of such a collector system can approach cost-effectiveness in electrically fuelled buildings, and that this is likely to be especially so if the building has a significant requirement for pre-heated fresh air. The system is shown to be not cost-effective at present for gas-fuelled installation in the UK, such as in the case of a retrofit to a typically profiled-clad sports centre, though factors other than that of payback alone may well influence such investment decisions in the future

Measuring the level of lean readiness of the Hong Kong's manufacturing industry

Increasingly competitive business environments have forced manufacturing organisations to continuously seek improvements in their production processes as an alternative to achieve operational excellence. Lean manufacturing principles and techniques based on the elimination waste have been widely used by manufacturing organisations around the world to drive such improvements. The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical study that evaluates the readiness level of the Hong Kong’s manufacturing industry to provide a foundation for the successful implementation and/or sustainment of lean practices. To conduct this study, the paper adapts an assessment framework developed by Al-Najem et al. [16]. Thus, the lean readiness assessment is based on six quality practices (i.e. planning & control; processes; human resources; customer relations; supplier relations; and top management & leadership) related to lean manufacturing. One research question and three hypotheses were formulated and tested using a combination of inferential statics (i.e. Levene’s test and t-test) and descriptive statistics. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire responded by 9 manufacturing organisations with operations in Hong Kong. The findings suggest that the Hong Kong’s manufacturing organisations surveyed do not currently have a well-developed foundation to implement or sustain lean manufacturing. In particular, these organisations present important opportunities to further develop some quality practices such as processes, planning & control, customer relations, supplier relations, human resources, and top management & leadership. The improvement of these quality practices will ensure, according to Al-Najem et al.’s [16] framework, a more effective implementation and sustainment of lean manufacturing in their operations

Near-infrared light increases ATP, extends lifespan and improves mobility in aged Drosophila melanogaster.

Ageing is an irreversible cellular decline partly driven by failing mitochondrial integrity. Mitochondria accumulate DNA mutations and reduce ATP production necessary for cellular metabolism. This is associated with inflammation. Near-infrared exposure increases retinal ATP in old mice via cytochrome c oxidase absorption and reduces inflammation. Here, we expose fruitflies daily to 670 nm radiation, revealing elevated ATP and reduced inflammation with age. Critically, there was a significant increase in average lifespan: 100-175% more flies survived into old age following 670 nm exposure and these had significantly improved mobility. This may be a simple route to extending lifespan and improving function in old age

Economic feasibility of bagasse charcoal in Haiti

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2005.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 13-15).The economics of implementing bagasse-based charcoal manufacturing in Haiti was investigated. From these main inputs, three different manufacturing economic scenarios were modeled using a simple, dynamic excel spreadsheet. The first model reflects single family implementation, which reasonable found that a family would be able to make back their start up costs within a month of production. The second model examined sugarcane bagasse charcoal production as an entrepreneurial endeavor for a small community. The third model is similar to the second model, but reflects large-scale factory production. The potential of the second and third models primarily depend on the cost of raw materials and transportation. These models are easily adjusted to reflect market rates and can be generalized to address similar start-up economies.by Lynn K. Kamimoto.S.B

Analysis of Development Performance Using a Development Index Based on Factor Analysis (Old Title- Constructing Multideminsional Indexes of Economic Structure and Development)

Development involves changes in social, economic and institutional structures. Quantifying development requires a large array of variables with different characteristics often highly correlated. A factor analysis approach using inferential decisions based on computed standard errors is proposed. The significant factors are used to construct sub-indexes of structural characteristics and a new development index (DI). The properties of DI are analysed and contrasted with more traditional measures, real per capita income (RIPC) and the Human Development Index (HDI). The methodology is applied to data on 45 variables for 97 countries for 1995-2004. DI is found to have stronger discriminating power.

Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) refers to a clinical spectrum of cutaneous, cardiac, and systemic abnormalities observed in newborn infants whose mothers have autoantibodies against Ro/SSA and La/SSB. The condition is rare and usually benign and self-limited but sometimes may be associated with serious sequelae. We review the pathophysiology, clinical features, and management of infants with this condition. Neonates with NLE should be managed at a tertiary care center. Multidisciplinary team involvement may also be indicated. In mothers with anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB antibodies and infants with congenital heart block, the risk of recurrence in subsequent offspring is 17–25%. Therefore, careful monitoring of subsequent pregnancies with serial ultrasonography and echocardiography is essential

System architecture of MMIC-based large aperture arrays for space application

The persistent trend to use millimeter-wave frequencies for satellite communications presents the challenge to design large-aperture phased arrays for space applications. These arrays, which comprise 100 to 10,000 elements, are now possible due to the advent of lightwave technology and the availability of monolithic microwave integrated circuits. In this paper, system aspects of optically controlled array design are studied. In particular, two architectures for a 40 GHz array are outlined, and the main system-related issues are examined: power budget, synchronization in frequency and phase, and stochastic effects

Application of Risk Informed Decision Making to Highly Reliable Three Dimensionally Woven Thermal Protection System for Mars Sample Return

The NASA Risk Informed Decision Making process is used to assess a trade space of three dimensionally woven thermal protection systems for application to the Mars Sample Return Earth Entry Vehicle. Candidate architectures are assessed based on mission assurance, technical development, cost, and schedule risk. Assessment methodology differed between the architectures, utilizing a four-point quantitative scale for mission assurance and technical development and highly tailored PERT techniques for cost and schedule. Risk results are presented, in addition to a review of RIDM effectiveness for this application