WFS and HOA: Simulations and evaluations of planar higher order ambisonic, wave field synthesis and surround hybrid algorithms for lateral spatial reproduction in theatre.

Wave Field Synthesis and Higher Order Ambisonics are both spatialisation techniques that could be applied to theatre sound design, but practicalities such as the number of loudspeakers and space required limit their use. Practical setups could consist of a planar array across the stage (for performer localisation) and surround speakers around the auditorium in different configurations (for ambience). This research simulates the use of extrapolated and truncated arrays, with HOA and WFS algorithms in order to create a panned frontal dominant system with potentially increased intelligibility due to source separation and spatial unmasking. Hybrid methods where WFS and ambisonics are used simultaneously will be evaluated to create a system for theatre that is both psychoacoustically sound, homogenous and practicable.N/

A directed evolution design of a GCG-specific DNA hemimethylase

DNA cytosine-5 methyltransferases (C5-MTases) are valuable models to study sequence-specific modification of DNA and are becoming increasingly important tools for biotechnology. Here we describe a structure-guided rational protein design combined with random mutagenesis and selection to change the specificity of the HhaI C5-MTase from GCGC to GCG. The specificity change was brought about by a five-residue deletion and introduction of two arginine residues within and nearby one of the target recognizing loops. DNA protection assays, bisulfite sequencing and enzyme kinetics showed that the best selected variant is comparable to wild-type M.HhaI in terms of sequence fidelity and methylation efficiency, and supersedes the parent enzyme in transalkylation of DNA using synthetic cofactor analogs. The designed C5-MTase can be used to produce hemimethylated CpG sites in DNA, which are valuable substrates for studies of mammalian maintenance MTases

Gaming times four: how does customer participation shape consumer brand identification during the new product creation process a conceptual model proposal

Consumer participation in the new product development is an old concept, but one that has only recently started to appear more among companies in the gaming industry. This paper proposes a conceptual model focused on understanding what effect consumer’s participation has on Consumer Brand Identification (CBI) through perceived brand attractiveness - conducting a mediating, and brand innovativeness - a moderating role. A research model is constructed together with the possible hypotheses and research design. Also, possible outcomes, future research opportunities and limitations are provided for those who are interested in researching the effect that the consumer’s participation has on CBI in different cultural setups.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Room acoustics and virtual reality: An implementation of auralisation and 360 degree image techniques to create virtual representations of spaces

There has been a huge increase in enthusiasm for virtual reality in recent years. Spatial audio is of significant importance when creating virtual reality content if the experience is to be perceptually congruent. This project aims to intersect the worlds of virtual acoustic auralisation and virtual reality, creating a novel method of demonstrating room acoustic environments with maximal audio visual impact in a user friendly fashion. An open source library of 3D impulse responses together with 360° image/video capture using a variety of techniques will be created in different spaces (and positions within). Various spaces will be measured and analysed including classrooms, music venues, buildings of historical interest and theatres. As well as impulse response (IR) measurements, 360° images will be recorded using photospheres, captured on android smart phones [1] and the Ricoh theta S [2]. Future applications for these impulse responses will be the development of a virtual mixing tool, where the user will be able to experience mixing live performances within an auralised virtual environment, a method of allowing audiences to view and hear auralisations of different seating positions within a space for ticketing and marketing purposes, and the possibility of a real time auralised virtual concert.N/

Modelling the performance of speaker arrays in domestic listening environments.

The evaluation of multi-speaker arrays is often completed in ideal anechoic conditions to better enable the observation of speaker interaction at a known listening position. Real-room testing of speaker arrays is often time-consuming and has practical limitations, which can have an impact on analysis and also the repeatability of testing. This research will investigate the performance of multiple simulated speaker arrays such as 5.1, WFS and Ambisonics in modelled domestic environments. This will be implemented using acoustic modelling software and measured speaker directivity which will allow for subjective analysis using binaural auralisations; where modelled living room impulse responses will be generated for each speaker type and position to give several ‘virtual loudspeaker arrays’. Objective evaluation of each system's spatial reproduction and localisation ability will also be considered using techniques such as velocity and energy vector analysis as examples.N/

Production of uranium hexafluoride by the catalysed fluorox process: pilot plant and supporting bench-scale studies.

The feasibility of producing UF 6 by the catalysed reaction of UF 4 with oxygen (the Fluorox process) was investigated in a 150 mm diameter fluidised bed reactor and in supporting bench-scale experiments. The rate of the Fluorox reaction in batch experiments was increased by an order of magnitude with 1 to 5 per cent catalyst (containing 3 to 4 per cent platinum on alumina). The maximum UF 6 production rate at 650 deg. C was 0.9 kg h -1. However the platinum catalyst was completely poisoned after production of only 1 and 20 kg UF 6 per kg of catalyst when using respectively French and British UF 4. Regeneration of the catalyst was demonstrated to be technically feasible by washing with water or ammonium oxalate solution or treating with hydrogen and hydrogen fluoride at 350-650 deg. C. However since the very fast rate of poisoning would necessitate higher catalyst concentrations and/or frequent regeneration the catalysed Fluorox process in unlikely to be economically competitive with the direct fluorination of UF sub 4

Direct observation of cytosine flipping and covalent catalysis in a DNA methyltransferase

Methylation of the five position of cytosine in DNA plays important roles in epigenetic regulation in diverse organisms including humans. The transfer of methyl groups from the cofactor S-adenosyl-l-methionine is carried out by methyltransferase enzymes. Using the paradigm bacterial methyltransferase M.HhaI we demonstrate, in a chemically unperturbed system, the first direct real-time analysis of the key mechanistic events—the flipping of the target cytosine base and its covalent activation; these changes were followed by monitoring the hyperchromicity in the DNA and the loss of the cytosine chromophore in the target nucleotide, respectively. Combined with studies of M.HhaI variants containing redesigned tryptophan fluorophores, we find that the target base flipping and the closure of the mobile catalytic loop occur simultaneously, and the rate of this concerted motion inversely correlates with the stability of the target base pair. Subsequently, the covalent activation of the target cytosine is closely followed by but is not coincident with the methyl group transfer from the bound cofactor. These findings provide new insights into the temporal mechanism of this physiologically important reaction and pave the way to in-depth studies of other base-flipping systems

Nucleotide flipping by restriction enzymes analyzed by 2-aminopurine steady-state fluorescence

Many DNA modification and repair enzymes require access to DNA bases and therefore flip nucleotides. Restriction endonucleases (REases) hydrolyze the phosphodiester backbone within or in the vicinity of the target recognition site and do not require base extrusion for the sequence readout and catalysis. Therefore, the observation of extrahelical nucleotides in a co-crystal of REase Ecl18kI with the cognate sequence, CCNGG, was unexpected. It turned out that Ecl18kI reads directly only the CCGG sequence and skips the unspecified N nucleotides, flipping them out from the helix. Sequence and structure conservation predict nucleotide flipping also for the complexes of PspGI and EcoRII with their target DNAs (/CCWGG), but data in solution are limited and indirect. Here, we demonstrate that Ecl18kI, the C-terminal domain of EcoRII (EcoRII-C) and PspGI enhance the fluorescence of 2-aminopurines (2-AP) placed at the centers of their recognition sequences. The fluorescence increase is largest for PspGI, intermediate for EcoRII-C and smallest for Ecl18kI, probably reflecting the differences in the hydrophobicity of the binding pockets within the protein. Omitting divalent metal cations and mutation of the binding pocket tryptophan to alanine strongly increase the 2-AP signal in the Ecl18kI–DNA complex. Together, our data provide the first direct evidence that Ecl18kI, EcoRII-C and PspGI flip nucleotides in solution