Biodesalination: an emerging technology for targeted removal of Na+and Cl−from seawater by cyanobacteria

Although desalination by membrane processes is a possible solution to the problem of freshwater supply, related cost and energy demands prohibit its use on a global scale. Hence, there is an emerging necessity for alternative, energy and cost-efficient methods for water desalination. Cyanobacteria are oxygen-producing, photosynthetic bacteria that actively grow in vast blooms both in fresh and seawater bodies. Moreover, cyanobacteria can grow with minimal nutrient requirements and under natural sunlight. Taking these observations together, a consortium of five British Universities was formed to test the principle of using cyanobacteria as ion exchangers, for the specific removal of Na+ and Cl− from seawater. This project consisted of the isolation and characterisation of candidate strains, with central focus on their potential to be osmotically and ionically adaptable. The selection panel resulted in the identification of two Euryhaline strains, one of freshwater (Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803) and one of marine origin (Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002) (Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen). Other work packages were as follows. Genetic manipulations potentially allowed for the expression of a light-driven, Cl−-selective pump in both strains, therefore, enhancing the bioaccumulation of specific ions within the cell (University of Glasgow). Characterisation of surface properties under different salinities (University of Sheffield), ensured that cell–liquid separation efficiency would be maximised post-treatment, as well as monitoring the secretion of mucopolysaccharides in the medium during cell growth. Work at Newcastle University is focused on the social acceptance of this scenario, together with an assessment of the potential risks through the generation and application of a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plan. Finally, researchers in Imperial College (London) designed the process, from biomass production to water treatment and generation of a model photobioreactor. This multimodal approach has produced promising first results, and further optimisation is expected to result in mass scaling of this process

Comment on "X-ray resonant scattering studies of orbital and charge ordering in Pr1-xCaxMnO3"

In a recent published paper [Phys. Rev. B 64, 195133 (2001)], Zimmermann et al. present a systematic x-ray scattering study of charge and orbital ordering phenomena in the Pr1-xCaxMnO3 series with x= 0.25, 0.4 and 0.5. They propose that for Ca concentrations x=0.4 and 0.5, the appearance of (0, k+1/2, 0) reflections are originated by the orbital ordering of the eg electrons in the a-b plane while the (0, 2k+1, 0) reflections are due to the charge ordering among the Mn3+ and Mn4+ ions. Moreover, for small Ca concentrations (x<0.3), the orbital ordering is only considered and it occurs at (0, k, 0) reflections. A rigorous analysis of all these resonance reflections will show the inadequacy of the charge-orbital model proposed to explain the experimental results. In addition, this charge-orbital model is highly inconsistent with the electronic balance. On the contrary, these reflections can be easily understood as arising from the anisotropy of charge distribution induced by the presence of local distortions, i.e. due to a structural phase transition.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures.To be published Phys. Rev.

Some Observations and Comments on Birdsfoot Trefoil

Farmer\u27s Bulletin No. 2191, TREFOIL PRODUCTION FOR PASTURE AND HAY, was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in July, 1967. This publication noted that acreages of trefoil in the U.S. increased from 770,000 in 1957 to over 2 million acres in 1967. This bulletin is an excellent guide to kinds of trefoils, to the different varieties available, and to general production practices in obtaining stands and in managing this legume. It is stated in the bulletin that birdsfoot trefoil is not recommended south of a line drawn from the Nebraska-Kansas border to the east coast, except at higher elevations. (The very northern tip of Kentucky is about 70 miles south of the Nebraska-Kansas line.

Uptake of hepatitis C specialist services and treatment following diagnosis by dried blood spot in Scotland

Background: Dried blood spot (DBS) testing for hepatitis C (HCV) was introduced to Scotland in 2009. This minimally invasive specimen provides an alternative to venipuncture and can overcome barriers to testing in people who inject drugs (PWID). Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine rates and predictors of: exposure to HCV, attendance at specialist clinics and anti-viral treatment initiation among the DBS tested population in Scotland. Study design: DBS testing records were deterministically linked to the Scottish HCV Clinical database prior to logistic regression analysis. Results: In the first two years of usage in Scotland, 1322 individuals were tested by DBS of which 476 were found to have an active HCV infection. Linkage analysis showed that 32% had attended a specialist clinic within 12 months of their specimen collection date and 18% had begun anti-viral therapy within 18 months of their specimen collection date. A significantly reduced likelihood of attendance at a specialist clinic was evident amongst younger individuals (&#60;35 years), those of unknown ethnic origin and those not reporting injecting drug use as a risk factor. Conclusion: We conclude that DBS testing in non-clinical settings has the potential to increase diagnosis and, with sufficient support, treatment of HCV infection among PWID

Bereavement through substance use: findings from an interview study with adults in England and Scotland

Background Deaths associated with alcohol and/or drugs belong to a category of ‘special’ deaths due to three characteristics: traumatic circumstances of the death, stigma directed to both the bereaved and the deceased, and resulting disenfranchised grief experienced by the bereaved. These factors can impede those who are bereaved in this way from both grieving and accessing support. In response to a lack of research in this area this paper reports on an interview study that has aimed to better understand the experiences and needs of this neglected group of bereaved people. Method Interviews with 106 adults (parents, children, spouses, siblings, nieces and friends) bereaved through substance use in Scotland and England. Results Five themes describe interviewee experiences: possibility of death, official processes, stigma, grief and support. These findings suggest what is dominant or unique in this group of bereaved people; namely, that living with substance use (including anticipatory grief), experiencing the subsequent death (often traumatic and stigmatised) and the responses of professionals and others (more likely negative than positive) can disenfranchise grief and negatively impact bereavement and seeking support. Conclusions This article describes a large and unique sample, the largest in the world to be recruited from this population. Our study raises awareness of a hitherto largely ignored and marginalised group of bereaved people, highlighting what might be particular to their bereavement experience and how this may differ from other bereavements, thereby providing an evidence base for improving the availability, level and quality of support. © 2016 Taylor & Franci

Polarization Dependence of Anomalous X-ray Scattering in Orbital Ordered Manganites

In order to determine types of the orbital ordering in manganites, we study theoretically the polarization dependence of the anomalous X-ray scattering which is caused by the anisotropy of the scattering factor. The general formulae of the scattering intensity in the experimental optical system is derived and the atomic scattering factor is calculated in the microscopic electronic model. By using the results, the X-ray scattering intensity in several types of the orbital ordering is numerically calculated as a function of azimuthal and analyzer angles.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure

Conserve Epitopes of Influenza Virus Induce Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses to Produce Specific Antibody Against M2e Protein

The existing vaccines against influenza are based onthe generation of neutralizing antibody primarilydirected against surface protein, haemagglutinin(HA) and neuraminidase (NA). However, antigenicdrift and occasional shift of these two membraneglycoproteins, HA and NA, make vaccine productioncumbersome and necessitate yearly revision ofthe vaccine seed strains by the World HealthOrganization. For these reasons, many investigatorshave often tried to look at the possibility of generatinga universal vaccine useful against more than oneinfluenza strain. The objective of research was toobtain an alternative antigen as vaccine candidatefor universal flu vaccination, instead of HA and NAcomponents. In this study, we use conserved epitopeM2e which is consist of three major componentsuch as N-terminal M2e2-24 (24 amino acids),transmembrane(59 amino acids) and C-terminal (19amino acids). We design two components of antigen,linier and branched structures. The antigens thenformulated with aluminium hydroxide gel comparedto FCA/IFA adjuvant. These vaccines were testedtheir immunogenicity, and the potency to mature thedendritic cells for stimulating either CD8+ T cell orantibody-mediated immune responses. The antibodytitre and the maturity of dendritic cell indicated bycytokines concentration such as; IFN-ã, IL2 and IL4were measured by ELISA test.The result of researchshowed that the conserved epitope of Me2 2-16 whenincorporated with P25 protein from canine distempervirus (linear structure) in alhydrogel adjuvant hasgreater potential to produce anti-M2e antibodiesthan in Freund adjuvant. Alhydrogel adjuvant hada stronger effect than Freund adjuvant. Alhydrogelalso stimulate the release of IL-2 and IL-4