Describing ‘generic’ graduate engineer skills

Being able to describe skills effectively is essential for teaching and enabling students to learn skills. A previous study [1], investigating the development of real industrial problem solving skills in a taught Masters course, found inadequate skill descriptions were a significant problem. On further investigation, it was determined that skills could only described at a high level, unless the task and associated context was known. Such high-level descriptions e.g. project management, do not communicate the skills graduates need for work

Media outlets and their moguls: why concentrated individual or family ownership is bad for editorial independence

This article investigates the levels of owner influence in 211 different print and broadcast outlets in 32 different European media markets. Drawing on the literature from industrial organisation, it sets out reasons why we should expect greater levels of influence where ownership of individual outlets is concentrated; where it is concentrated in the hands of individuals or families; and where ownership groups own multiple outlets in the same media market. Conversely, we should expect lower levels of influence where ownership is dispersed between transnational companies. The articles uses original data on the ownership structures of these outlets, and combines it with reliable expert judgments as to the level of owner influence in each of the outlets. These hypotheses are tested and confirmed in a multilevel regression model of owner influence. The findings are relevant for policy on ownership limits in the media, and for the debate over transnational versus local control of media

One-neutron removal reactions on light neutron-rich nuclei

A study of high energy (43--68 MeV/nucleon) one-neutron removal reactions on a range of neutron-rich psd-shell nuclei (Z = 5--9, A = 12--25) has been undertaken. The inclusive longitudinal and transverse momentum distributions for the core fragments, together with the cross sections have been measured for breakup on a carbon target. Momentum distributions for reactions on tantalum were also measured for a subset of nuclei. An extended version of the Glauber model incorporating second order noneikonal corrections to the JLM parametrisation of the optical potential has been used to describe the nuclear breakup, whilst the Coulomb dissociation is treated within first order perturbation theory. The projectile structure has been taken into account via shell model calculations employing the psd-interaction of Warburton and Brown. Both the longitudinal and transverse momentum distributions, together with the integrated cross sections were well reproduced by these calculations and spin-parity assignments are thus proposed for $^{15}$B, $^{17}$C, $^{19-21}$N, $^{21,23}$O, $^{23-25}$F. In addition to the large spectroscopic amplitudes for the $\nu2$s$_{1/2}$ intruder configuration in the N=9 isotones,$^{14}$B and $^{15}$C, significant $\nu2$s$_{1/2}^2$ admixtures appear to occur in the ground state of the neighbouring N=10 nuclei $^{15}$B and $^{16}$C. Similarly, crossing the N=14 subshell, the occupation of the $\nu2$s$_{1/2}$ orbital is observed for $^{23}$O, $^{24,25}$F. Analysis of the longitudinal and transverse momentum distributions reveals that both carry spectroscopic information, often of a complementary nature. The general utility of high energy nucleon removal reactions as a spectroscopic tool is also examined.Comment: 50 pages, 19 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Defective monocyte oxidative burst predicts infection in alcoholic hepatitis and is associated with reduced expression of NADPH oxidase

Objective In order to explain the increased susceptibility to serious infection in alcoholic hepatitis, we evaluated monocyte phagocytosis, aberrations of associated signalling pathways and their reversibility, and whether phagocytic defects could predict subsequent infection. Design Monocytes were identified from blood samples of 42 patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis using monoclonal antibody to CD14. Phagocytosis and monocyte oxidative burst (MOB) were measured ex vivo using flow cytometry, luminometry and bacterial killing assays. Defects were related to the subsequent development of infection. Intracellular signalling pathways were investigated using western blotting and PCR. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was evaluated for its therapeutic potential in reversing phagocytic defects. Paired longitudinal samples were used to evaluate the effect of in vivo prednisolone therapy. Results MOB, production of superoxide and bacterial killing in response to Escherichia coli were markedly impaired in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Pretreatment MOB predicted development of infection within two weeks with sensitivity and specificity that were superior to available clinical markers. Accordingly, defective MOB was associated with death at 28 and 90 days. Expression of the gp91phox subunit of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase was reduced in patients with alcoholic hepatitis demonstrating defective MOB. Monocytes were refractory to IFN-γ stimulation and showed high levels of a negative regulator of cytokine signalling, suppressor of cytokine signalling-1. MOB was unaffected by 7 days in vivo prednisolone therapy. Conclusions Monocyte oxidative burst and bacterial killing is impaired in alcoholic hepatitis while bacterial uptake by phagocytosis is preserved. Defective MOB is associated with reduced expression of NADPH oxidase in these patients and predicts the development of infection and death

The addition of a pH-sensitive gel improves microemulsion stability for the targeted removal of colonic ammonia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We prepared an oral W/O microemulsion for the removal of colonic ammonia (ME-RCA). The effect of this microemulsion was influenced by the digestion process in the gastrointestinal tract. In this paper, we aim to show that stability was improved by using a microemulsion-based gel for the removal of colonic ammonia (MBG-RCA).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>MBG-RCA was prepared by adding sodium alginate to the ME-RCA. MBG-RCA and ME-RCA were passed through a simulated gastrointestinal environment, and the amount of colonic ammonia present was then determined by titration with a standard solution of hydrochloric acid. The pH of the gastrointestinal fluid was measured using a pH test paper and the size and form of the microemulsions were examined under the microscope. 18 healthy rats were randomly divided into three groups, fasted for 24 hours and allowed to drink normally. Three-way pipes were placed at the gastroduodenal junction in Group I, and at the terminal ileum in Group II. After the intragastric administration of ME-RCA, the stomach contents in Group I, the effluent from the terminal ileum in Group II and discharge from the anus in Group III were collected. The pH values of the gastrointestinal juice were measured by the pH test paper and those of the colon were determined by a universal indicator. These animal experiments were also used to test the effect of MBG-RCA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>MBG-RCA showed a better removal rate of artificial colonic ammonia than ME-RCA (P < 0.05). The decrease in pH value of the artificial small intestinal fluid due to ME-RCA did not occur when MBG-RCA was used. In the simulated gastrointestinal process, MBG-RCA maintained greater stability and released the emulsion (ME-RCA) in the colonic fluid. In the gastrointestinal tract of normal SD rats, ME-RCA decreased in size and lost its stable form after entering the small intestine, while MBG-RCA remained stable and intact emulsion-drops were observed from the anus. Neither substance had any effect on the pH of the stomach or colon of normal rats (partly because normal rats were fasted for 24 hours and allowed to drink normally, which resulted in a low level of ammonia production in the colon). Unlike ME-RCA, MBG-RCA did not reduce the pH of the small intestine.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>MBG-RCA was more stable in the gastrointestinal tract and more effective at removing colonic ammonia when a higher concentration of ammonia was present. This made it possible to achieve the targeted removal of colonic ammonia and is a promising method to prevent hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in future studies.</p