Phenomenological Social Science and Holistic Social Policy

The reliability of positivistic social science knowledge poses seminal problems for social policy. Needed is more sound phenomenological and qualitative research within the conspectus of the twin theoretical movements of ethnomethodology and the Frankfurt School, towards the goal of a more holistic social science knowledge base as well as a more holistic social policy

Boys Together; Contemporary Approaches to Moral Education; and Foundations of Moral Education

Three books reviews: Boys Together: English Public Schools, 1800 -1864, by John Chandos; Contemporary Approaches to Moral Education: An Annotated Bibliography and Guide to Research, by James S. Leming; and Foundations of Moral Education: An Annotated Bibliography, by James S. Leming

High-Q-factor Al [subscript 2]O[subscript 3] micro-trench cavities integrated with silicon nitride waveguides on silicon

We report on the design and performance of high-Q integrated optical micro-trench cavities on silicon. The microcavities are co-integrated with silicon nitride bus waveguides and fabricated using wafer-scale silicon-photonics-compatible processing steps. The amorphous aluminum oxide resonator material is deposited via sputtering in a single straightforward post-processing step. We examine the theoretical and experimental optical properties of the aluminum oxide micro-trench cavities for different bend radii, film thicknesses and near-infrared wavelengths and demonstrate experimental Q factors of > 10[superscript 6]. We propose that this high-Q micro-trench cavity design can be applied to incorporate a wide variety of novel microcavity materials, including rare-earth-doped films for microlasers, into wafer-scale silicon photonics platforms

Inverted Echo Sounder Telemetry System Report

From August 1989 until August 1990, a simple acoustic telemetry system was used for obtaining real-time data from 5 Inverted Echo Sounders (IESs) deployed in the SYNOP inlet array in the Gulf Stream east of Cape Hatteras. Every 24 hours, each IES calculated a representative travel time from a set of 48 measurements (τ), and telemetered that value to a listening station on Bermuda. From the received data, a daily time series of the depth of the 12oC isotherm (our proxy for main thermocline depth) over each IES was calculated. The position of the Gulf Stream North Wall through the IES array was calculated on a daily basis from the thermocline depth information at each IES site. The telemetry system is based on encoding data as a time delayed broadcast acoustic signal: the delay of the time of broadcast of the signal, with with respect to a reference time, is proportional to the data value. The changes in delay time, from one broadcast signal to the next, are recorded at a remote receiving station. The IESs were recovered in August 1990, with the exception of the one at site B2. The telemetered data from the IES at site B2 was, however received at Bermuda. The RMS agreement between thermocline depths, as calculated from the data on tape from the recovered IESs and as calculated from the received telemetry data, is 20 m. This compares favorably with the 19 m uncertainty in calibrating the τs as a measure of the thermocline depth. The RMS agreement between the position of the Gulf Stream path through the IESs as calculated from the tape data and the telemetry data is 5 km. This telemetry system is not IES specific. It could be used with other appropriately modified oceanographic instruments, such as current meters and pressure sensors

Preferential Myosin Heavy Chain Isoform B Expression May Contribute to the Faster Velocity of Contraction in Veins versus Arteries

Smooth muscle myosin heavy chains occur in 2 isoforms, SMA (slow) and SMB (fast). We hypothesized that the SMB isoform is predominant in the faster-contracting rat vena cava compared to thoracic aorta. We compared the time to half maximal contraction in response to a maximal concentration of endothelin-1 (ET-1; 100 nM), potassium chloride (KCl; 100 mM) and norepinephrine (NE; 10 µM). The time to half maximal contraction was shorter in the vena cava compared to aorta (aorta: ET-1 = 235.8 ± 13.8 s, KCl = 140.0 ± 33.3 s, NE = 19.8 ± 2.7 s; vena cava: ET-1 = 121.8 ± 15.6 s, KCl = 49.5 ± 6.7 s, NE = 9.0 ± 3.3 s). Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction supported the greater expression of SMB in the vena cava compared to aorta. SMB was expressed to a greater extent than SMA in the vessel wall of the vena cava. Western analysis determined that expression of SMB, relative to total smooth muscle myosin heavy chains, was 12.5 ± 4.9-fold higher in the vena cava compared to aorta, while SMA was 4.9 ± 1.2-fold higher in the aorta than vena cava. Thus, the SMB isoform is the predominant form expressed in rat veins, providing one possible mechanism for the faster response of veins to vasoconstrictors

Investigation into the changing colonisation of skin bacteria during isotretinoin treatment for acne vulgaris

Poster presentatio

Gulf Stream and wind‐induced current variability on the Georgia continental shelf, winter 1978

Low‐frequency longshore current fluctuations on the continental shelf off Georgia and their relationships with local atmospheric forcing and Gulf Stream displacement were examined for a 3‐month period from January to April 1978. (Acoustic travel time and bottom pressure measurements at a station on the continental slope were used to determine the depth of the main thermocline, as an indicator of Gulf Stream displacement.) On the middle shelf, current variability was dominated by local wind forcing at periods longer than 2 days, with very little Gulf Stream influence. Longshore wind stress was the main driving force at periods longer than 4 days, while cross‐shore wind contributed at shorter periods. In contrast, on the outer shelf, current fluctuations in the upper layer were highly coherent with Gulf Stream displacement at a 12‐day period, and marginally coherent with longshore wind at a 6‐day period. Linear regression analysis showed that Gulf Stream and local wind forcing accounted for most of the fluctuations in the upper layer over the shelf break for time scales greater than 5 days and at around 2 days. A low multiple coherence window at 2.8–5 days was probably due to Gulf Stream frontal eddies. In the lower layer over the shelf break the current fluctuations had a character intermediate between the upper layer currents (Gulf Stream dominated) and mid‐shelf currents (wind dominated)

The S. pombe translation initiation factor eIF4G is sumoylated and associates with the SUMO protease Ulp2

SUMO is a small post-translational modifier, that is attached to lysine residues in target proteins. It acts by altering proteinprotein interactions, protein localisation and protein activity. SUMO chains can also act as substrates for ubiquitination, resulting in proteasome-mediated degradation of the target protein. SUMO is removed from target proteins by one of a number of specific proteases. The processes of sumoylation and desumoylation have well documented roles in DNA metabolism and in the maintenance of chromatin structure. To further analyse the role of this modification, we have purified protein complexes containing the S. pombe SUMO protease, Ulp2. These complexes contain proteins required for ribosome biogenesis, RNA stability and protein synthesis. Here we have focussed on two translation initiation factors that we identified as co-purifying with Ulp2, eIF4G and eIF3h. We demonstrate that eIF4G, but not eIF3h, is sumoylated. This modification is increased under conditions that produce cytoplasmic stress granules. Consistent with this we observe partial co-localisation of eIF4G and SUMO in stressed cells. Using HeLa cells, we demonstrate that human eIF4GI is also sumoylated; in vitro studies indicate that human eIF4GI is modified on K1368 and K1588, that are located in the C-terminal eIF4A- and Mnk-binding sites respectively