The suppressor-of-forked locus of Drosophila melanogaster

Imperial Users onl

The development and application of an opto-electronic technique for analysis of body movements

The relative merits of the most commonly used techniques for analysis of human movement are briefly outlined. The performance characteristics of the ideal instrumentation for recording movement are listed. As a consequence of these considerations, an opto-electronic technique which makes use of polarised light is developed for measuring angular orientation of limb and body segments. This technique is used to study patterns of upper arm abduction during a simple lifting task, and to study the relationship between, arm and trunk movements during a task which requires reaching to various distances on a table surface. The merits of the opto-electronic technique are discussed in the light of the experience gained from the experimental applications, and recommendations are made for the future development of the instrumentation

Suspended particulate matter and turbidity

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) carries pollutants, shades light and so inhibits primary production, and embodies particulate organic matter forming part of the marine ecosystem. It is highly variable according to depth and physical processes in the area (i.e. tide and current regimes and wind). Traditional assessment methodologies are still used successfully, but various optical techniques are increasingly being used, for particle size as well as weight of SPM. This has increased understanding of the dynamics and processes associated with SPM in shelf seas, especially tidal stirring of sediments. Remote sensing measurements of ocean colour provide time series for studying variability of suspended material, phytoplankton pigments and coloured dissolved material. Trends in SPM concentrations and therefore turbidity for UK waters show no significant change over the last five years. Remote sensing measurements are still hampered by weather (especially cloud) and by a lack of understanding of optics in (turbid) coastal and shelf waters. For improved shoreline management plans there is a need for more quantitative information, especially on shoreline processes, wave interactions (inshore wave climate) and water flow along coasts. There is much interest for Integrated Coastal Zone Management

A novel additive for controlling glycosylation of monoclonal antibodies

The glycan structures for a monoclonal antibody (mAb) were significantly modified by the introduction of a cost-effective additive into the production bioreactor. It was found to inhibit the addition of N-acetylglucosamine and fucosylation to N-linked glycans, resulting in high mannose glycan forms. Through cell culture experiments, it was evaluated for effectiveness on three different mAb producing cell lines. The compound can increase high mannose glycans and afucosylation of mAbs produced from different cell lines without any impact to cell culture performance or productivity. It was concluded that the compound has the ability to control glycosylation precisely in a cost effective manner without any loss in titer or manipulation of any other product quality attributes

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum 5.8s rRNA gene and adjacent ITS1 and ITS2 regions

Fusarium oxysporum, Schlecht ex Fr. is a phytopathogenic fungus causing wilting or yellows disease on a variety of plant species throughout the world. It is categorized in formae speciales according to pathotypic variation and physiological character (Messiaen and Cassini, 1981 Fusarium:- Diseases, Biology and Taxonomy pp.427-445). The F. oxysporum forma specialis vasinfectum (Atk.) Snyder and Hansen is pathogenic on cotton (Gossypium spp.) on which it causes severe damage to susceptible races. We report here the DNA sequence of the 5.8S rRNA gene and flanking intergenic transcribed spacers of F. oxysporum forma specialis vasinfectum. DNA was isolated from mycelial cultures from three virulent isolates collected from single cotton plants from geographically distant sites in Bié, Cuanza Norte and Cuanza Bul regions of Angola (Ragazzi, 1992 J. Pl. Disease Protect. 99:499-504)

Can the base of the pyramid twin goals of profit and improved welfare be achieved?

Do companies that are involved in ventures at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) achieve both profit and an increase in the welfare of the poor as proposed by Prahalad and Hart (2002), or is there is a trade-off between profit and welfare as argued by critics of this proposition such as Karnani (2005). Research is lacking in the field, something that this investigation seeks to fill through qualitative research thereon. A central finding of this research was that the paradigms that the companies followed, impacted their views on welfare, profit and the trade-off. The findings reflect that companies have poor indicators of welfare and that there is very little evidence of companies measuring welfare. The findings in respect of a trade-off between profit and welfare is inconclusive, indicating that for some companies there is a trade-off but for others not. The trade-off may be explained by the view that capital should be patient and that the required profit will be achieved in the future. An alternative model of social entrepreneurship is suggested as a bridge between profit and welfare.Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)unrestricte

Microstructure of the juvenile sheep aortic valve hinge region and the trilamellar sliding hypothesis.

Background: The aortic valve mechanism performs extremely sophisticated functions which depend on the microstructure of its component parts. The hinge mechanism of the aortic leaflets plays a crucial part in the overall function. However, the detailed microstructure and its relation to function has not been adequately studied. Methods: The aortic roots of juvenile sheep were fixed under physiologic pressure. Sections through all three sinuses were then performed to illustrate the microstructure of the hinge mechanism in different regions of the aortic root. Results: The hinge region in the different sinuses showed unique microstructure with a trilamellar topology with a dominant core consisting of glycosaminoglycans. The exact arrangement of the trilamellar structures varies around the aortic sinuses, which could have functional implications. These features allow the hinge to perform its complex functions through what we have described as "the trilamellar sliding hypothesis". Conclusion: The microstructure of the hinge mechanism is unique and enables it to perform it sophisticated functions