Analysis of resonance multipoles from polarization observables in eta photoproduction

A combined analysis of new eta photoproduction data for total and differential cross sections, target asymmetry and photon asymmetry is presented. Using a few reasonable assumptions we perform the first model-independent analysis of the E0+, E2- and M2- eta photoproduction multipoles. Making use of the well-known A3/2 helicity amplitude of the D13(1520) state we extract its branching ratio to the eta-N channel, Gamma(eta,N)/Gamma = (0.08 +- 0.01)%. At higher energies, we show that the photon asymmetry is extremely sensitive to small multipoles that are excited by photons in the helicity 3/2 state. The new GRAAL photon asymmetry data at higher energy show a clear signal of the F15(1680) excitation which permits extracting an F15(1680)->eta,N branching ratio of (0.15 +0.35 -0.10)%.Comment: 14 pages of LATEX including 7 postscript figure

Effect of Chalcogens on Electronic and Photophysical Properties of Vinylene-Based Diketopyrrolopyrrole Copolymers

Three vinylene linked diketopyrrolopyrrole based donor-acceptor (D-A) copolymers have been synthesized with phenyl, thienyl, and selenyl units as donors. Optical and electronic properties were investigated with UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, near edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, organic field effect transistor (OFET) measurements, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Optical and electrochemical band gaps decrease in the order phenyl, thienyl, and selenyl. Only phenyl-based polymers are nonplanar, but the main contributor to the larger band gap is electronic, not structural effects. Thienyl and selenyl polymers exhibit ambipolar charge transport but with higher hole than electron mobility. Experimental and theoretical results predict the selenyl system to have the best transport properties, but OFET measurements prove the thienyl system to be superior with p-channel mobility as high as 0.1 cm2 V-1 s-1. (Chemical Equation Presented). © 2015 American Chemical Society

Supercritical direct extraction of neodymium using TTA and TBP

Extraction of a metal ion from its oxide using ligand assisted supercritical carbon dioxide (SC CO(2)) comprises namely ionisation of metal oxide, in-situ chelation of metal cation with the ligand to form metal chelate/adduct and subsequently its extraction. Understanding of the mass transfer of chelate/adduct is very important in deciding the overall performance of the in-situ supercritical fluid extraction (ISCFE) process. For the present study neodymium (Nd) is selected as a model metal ion for its extraction from oxide using a mixed ligand system containing thenoyl tri-fluoroacetone (TTA) and tri-butylphosphate (TBP). Extraction studies have been performed at 35 MPa and 60 degrees C for the prepared Nd-TTA-TBP adduct as well as for neodymium oxide (Nd(2)O(3)). The rate of dissolution starting from oxide and TTA-TBP adduct of Nd have been calculated and compared with the equilibrium values based on dissolution studies at the same conditions of temperature and pressure. During the extraction starting from oxide, the ligands TTA and TBP are also co-extracted with the adduct as these are highly soluble in SC CO(2). Mass transfer coefficient has also been estimated for the steady state during the dynamic extraction. It is observed that the rate of extraction and mass transfer coefficient increase with flow rate of SC CO(2)

Low-Level Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to Thrombin-Induced Platelet Microbicidal Protein 1 In Vitro Associated with qacA Gene Carriage Is Independent of Multidrug Efflux Pump Activity

Thrombin-induced platelet microbial protein 1 (tPMP-1), a cationic antimicrobial polypeptide released from thrombin-stimulated rabbit platelets, targets the Staphylococcus aureus cytoplasmic membrane to initiate its microbicidal effects. In vitro resistance to tPMP-1 correlates with survival advantages in vivo. In S. aureus, the plasmid-carried qacA gene encodes a multidrug transporter, conferring resistance to organic cations (e.g., ethidium [Et]) via proton motive force (PMF)-energized export. We previously showed that qacA also confers a tPMP-1-resistant (tPMP-1(r)) phenotype in vitro. The current study evaluated whether (i) transporters encoded by the qacB and qacC multidrug resistance genes also confer tPMP-1(r) and (ii) tPMP-1(r) mediated by qacA is dependent on efflux pump activity. In contrast to tPMP-1(r) qacA-bearing strains, the parental strain and its isogenic qacB- and qacC-containing strains were tPMP-1 susceptible (tPMP-1(s)). Efflux pump inhibition by cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone abrogated Et(r), but not tPMP-1(r), in the qacA-bearing strain. In synergy assays, exposure of the qacA-bearing strain to tPMP-1 did not affect the susceptibility of Et (ruling out Et-tPMP-1 cotransport). The following cytoplasmic membrane parameters did not differ significantly between the qacA-bearing and parental strains: contents of the major phospholipids; asymmetric distributions of the positively charged species, lysyl-phosphotidylglycerol; fatty acid composition; and relative surface charge. Of note, the qacA-bearing strain exhibited greater membrane fluidity than that of the parental, qacB-, or qacC-bearing strain. In conclusion, among these families of efflux pumps, only the multidrug transporter encoded by qacA conferred a tPMP-1(r) phenotype. These data suggest that qacA-encoded tPMP-1(r) results from the impact of a specific transporter upon membrane structure or function unrelated to PMF-dependent peptide efflux

The Situation of Safe Surgery and Anaesthesia in Tanzania : A Systematic Review

Background: Improvement in the surgical system requires intersectoral coordination. To achieve this, the development of National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anaesthesia Plans (NSOAPS) has been recommended. One of the first steps of NSOAP development is situational analysis. On the ground situational analyses can be resource intensive and often duplicative. In 2016, the Ministry of Health of Tanzania issued a directive for the creation of an NSOAP. This systematic review aimed to assess if a comprehensive situational analysis could be achieved with existing data. These data would be used for evidence-based priority setting for NSOAP development and streamline any additional data collection needed. Methods: A systematic literature review of scientific literature, grey literature, and policy documents was performed as per PRISMA. Extraction was performed for all articles relating to the five NSOAPS domains: infrastructure, service delivery, workforce, information management, and financing. Results: 1819 unique articles were generated. Full-text screening produced 135 eligible articles; 46 were relevant to surgical infrastructure, 53 to workforce, 81 to service delivery, 11 to finance, and 15 to information management. Rich qualitative and quantitative data were available for each domain. Conclusions: Despite little systematic data collection around SOA, a thorough literature review provides significant evidence which often have a broader scope, longer timeline and better coverage than can be achieved through snapshot-stratified samples of directed on the ground assessments. Evidence from the review was used during stakeholder discussion to directly inform the NSOAP priorities in Tanzania

Effect of Inter-Organizational Systems Use on Supply Chain Capabilities and Performance

Part 2: Big Data and Business IntelligenceInternational audienceInter-Organizational Systems (IOS), which are information systems that extend beyond organizational borders, have seen growing use in linking companies to their supply chain partners. This paper empirically explores the relationship between IOS use, Supply Chain Capabilities, and Supply Chain Performance. The research model proposes that IOS use directly enhances Supply Chain Performance, and indirectly enhances Supply Chain Performance through Supply Chain Capabilities. To test the model, a survey of 200 firms operating in Ghana that use IOS was conducted. Analysis of the model was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling techniques. The results of the study confirmed that IOS use positively impacted Supply Chain Capabilities and Supply Chain Performance. Supply Chain Capabilities also positively impacted Supply Chain Performance. Additionally, Supply Chain Capabilities was found to partially mediate the effect of IOS use on Supply Chain Performance. Implications of the study for research and practice are discussed