Solidification under zero gravity: A Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) experiment for an early space shuttle mission

The preliminary design of two series of simple experiments the objectives of which are to determine the effect of an absence of gravity on (1) the general morphology of the structure, (2) location of ullage space, and (3) magnitude of surface tension driven convection, during the solidification of several metallic and nonmetallic systems is described. Details of the investigative approach, experimental procedure, experimental hardware, data reduction and analysis, and anticipated results are given

Virtual integration platform for computational fluid dynamics

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools used in shipbuilding industry involve multiple disciplines, such as resistance, manoeuvring, and cavitation. Traditionally, the analysis was performed separately and sequentially in each discipline, which often resulted in conflict and inconsistency of hydrodynamic prediction. In an effort to solve such problems for future CFD computations, a Virtual Integration Platform (VIP) has been developed in the University of Strathclyde within two EU FP6 projects - VIRTUE and SAFEDOR1. The VIP provides a holistic collaborative environment for designers with features such as Project/Process Management, Distributed Tools Integration, Global Optimisation, Version Management, and Knowledge Management. These features enhance collaboration among customers, ship design companies, shipyards, and consultancies not least because they bring together the best expertise and resources around the world. The platform has been tested in seven European ship design companies including consultancies. Its main functionalities along with advances are presented in this paper with two industrial applications

Biological responses to a resumption in river flow in a freshwater-deprived, permanently open Southern African estuary

The Kariega Estuary is a freshwater-deprived system due to numerous impoundments in the catchment. This system has had little or no horizontal salinity gradient over the last 15 years, with hypersaline conditions sometimes predominating in the upper reaches. Following high rainfall events in the catchment during the spring of 2006, including a flood event (approximate 1:10 year) in August 2006, a series of riverine pulses entered the estuary and a horizontal salinity gradient was established. This study examined the influence of this freshwater pulse on four components of the biota within the estuary, namely the zooplankton, and larval, littoral and demersal fishes. The study demonstrated that in three of these components elevated densities were recorded following the riverine input, with only the littoral fishes retaining an almost constant density. In addition, changes in the relative contributions of the estuarine utilisation classes for all three fish groups examined indicated that freshwater input into these systems positively influences the abundances. This has significant implications for water managers as it demonstrates the importance of an Ecological Reserve (defined as ‘the water required to protect the aquatic ecosystems of the water resource’) for this system

The 190 kDa centrosome-associated protein of Drosophila melanogaster contains four zinc finger motifs and binds to specific sites on polytene chromosomes

Microinjection of a bacterially expressed, TRITC labelled fragment of the centrosome-associated protein CP190 of Drosophila melanogaster, into syncytial Drosophila embryos, shows it to associate with the centrosomes during mitosis, and to relocate to chromatin during interphase. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of salivary gland chromosomes of third instar Drosophila larvae, with antibodies specific to CP190, indicate that the protein is associated with a large number of loci on these interphase polytene chromosomes. The 190 kDa CP190 protein is encoded by a 4.1 kb transcript with a single, long open reading frame specifying a polypeptide of 1,096 amino acids, with a molecular mass of 120 kDa, and an isoelectric point of 4.5. The central region of the predicted amino acid sequence of the CP190 protein contains four CysX₂CysX₁₂HisX₄His zinc-finger motifs which are similar to those described for several well characterised DNA binding proteins. The data suggest that the function of CP190 involves cell cycle dependent associations with both the centrosome, and with specific chromosomal loci

The 190 kDa centrosome-associated protein of Drosophila melanogaster contains four zinc finger motifs and binds to specific sites on polytene chromosomes

Microinjection of a bacterially expressed, TRITC labelled fragment of the centrosome-associated protein CP190 of Drosophila melanogaster, into syncytial Drosophila embryos, shows it to associate with the centrosomes during mitosis, and to relocate to chromatin during interphase. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of salivary gland chromosomes of third instar Drosophila larvae, with antibodies specific to CP190, indicate that the protein is associated with a large number of loci on these interphase polytene chromosomes. The 190 kDa CP190 protein is encoded by a 4.1 kb transcript with a single, long open reading frame specifying a polypeptide of 1,096 amino acids, with a molecular mass of 120 kDa, and an isoelectric point of 4.5. The central region of the predicted amino acid sequence of the CP190 protein contains four CysX₂CysX₁₂HisX₄His zinc-finger motifs which are similar to those described for several well characterised DNA binding proteins. The data suggest that the function of CP190 involves cell cycle dependent associations with both the centrosome, and with specific chromosomal loci

Treatment Outcomes for DIP Clients in Liverpool (July 11 - June 12)

The main objective of the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) is to identify and engage with drug users in the criminal justice system in order to channel them into appropriate treatment services. In line with research evidence it is assumed that if this treatment is effective it will result in reduced drug use and therefore reduced offending. This report aims to investigate outcomes for DIP clients resident in Liverpool who were referred to treatment between 1st July 2011 and 31st December 2011 as part of their DIP care plan and who had a corresponding treatment journey recorded on the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) (including data from the Treatment Outcomes Profile) between 1st July 2011 and 30th June 2012

Biological responses to a resumption in river flow in a freshwaterdeprived, permanently open Southern African estuary

The Kariega Estuary is a freshwater-deprived system due to numerous impoundments in the catchment. This system has had little or no horizontal salinity gradient over the last 15 years, with hypersaline conditions sometimes predominating in the upper reaches. Following high rainfall events in the catchment during the spring of 2006, including a flood event (approximate 1:10 year) in August 2006, a series of riverine pulses entered the estuary and a horizontal salinity gradient was established. This study examined the influence of this freshwater pulse on four components of the biota within the estuary, namely the zooplankton, and larval, littoral and demersal fishes. The study demonstrated that in three of these components elevated densities were recorded following the riverine input, with only the littoral fishes retaining an almost constant density. In addition, changes in the relative contributions of the estuarine utilisation classes for all three fish groups examined indicated that freshwater input into these systems positively influences the abundances. This has significant implications for water managers as it demonstrates the importance of an Ecological Reserve (defined as ‘the water required to protect the aquatic ecosystems of the water resource’) for this system.Keywords: biotic response, freshwater pulse, river inflow, Kariega Estuar

Sources of Sex Information Used by Young British Women Who Have Sex with Women (WSW) and Women Who Have Sex Exclusively with Men (WSEM): Evidence from the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles

There is little consideration about the provision of information about sex to women who have sex with women (WSW). This study drew on data from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyle, a nationally representative survey of people in Great Britain. Logistic regression was undertaken to examine firstly the relationships between WSW and women who have sex exclusively with men (WSEM) and their main source of information about sex, and secondly between WSW/WSEM and unmet need for information about sex. Each source was included as the binary outcome indicating yes this was the main source, or no this was not the main source of information about sex. The results found that WSW had significantly lower odds of reporting lessons at schools as their main source of information, and significantly higher odds of reporting sources defined as ‘other’ (predominantly first girlfriend/boyfriend or sexual partner) as their main source of information. Reported levels of unmet need for information was also higher amongst young WSW compared with WSEM. This study provides new insights into the sex educational needs of young women and highlights the need for sex education in schools in Great Britain to include information on a full-range of sexual practices, including same-sex sexual relationships