Competition between the U.S. and West Africa in International Cotton Trade: A Focus on Import Demand in China

We estimate the demand for imported cotton in China and assess the competitiveness of cotton-exporting countries. Given the assertion that African cotton producers are ill affected by U.S. cotton subsidies, our focus is the price competition between the C4 countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali) and United States in China. Demand estimates are used to project how U.S. prices affect China’s imports by country. In comparing demand projections, results show that the relationship between the United States and the C4 has more to do with how U.S. prices can affect global prices rather than any substitute or competitive relationship in the Chinese market.Africa, China, cotton, demand, imports, United States, Demand and Price Analysis, International Relations/Trade, F17, Q11, Q17,

The Crystal Structures of Some Calabash-Curare Alkaloids and Other Organic Molecules by X-Ray Methods

The main parts of this thesis describe the determinations of the structures of derivatives of two alkaloids of the calabash-curare series, caracurine-II and macusine-A, by X-ray methods. Another two sections deal with the determination of the crystal structure of a derivative of a naturally-occurring sesquiterpenoid lactone , geigerin, and with that of a monohalogenobenzene derivative, 2-chloro-4-nitroaniline. A considerable amount of information regarding the major portion of the chemical structure of caracurine-II was available when the analysis of this structure was begun. Nothing was known of the crystal structure or of the absolute position of the atoms in the molecule. Examinations of crystals of the isomorphous dihalide derivatives, the dimethochloride and the dimethobromide, were made but owing to difficulty in ascertaining the locations of the halide ions the work on these was abandoned at an early stage. The elucidation of the structure of caracurine-II resulted from an analysis of the dimethiodide derivative. Similarly, the greater part of the chemical structure of macusine-A was known when the X-ray analysis of crystals of the iodide derivative of this alkaloid was undertaken. The iodide ion was easily located and the structure was very readily determined. In neither the analysis of caracurine-II dimethiodide nor that of macusine-A iodide was great accuracy of the molecular parameters attempted. Consequently, the results have considerable limitations imposed upon them and the finer details of the molecular dimensions are obscured. A structure and partial stereochemistry of geigerin had been proposed when crystals of bromogeigerin acetate were received from Professor Barton. The X-ray crystal analysis of this derivative of geigerin confirmed the proposed structure. Unfortunately the substitution of the bromine atom into geigerin acetate did not occur at the expected position but at a centre which was of stereochemical interest. The outcome of this was that the relative stereochemistry of the geigerin molecule at that site at which this substitution had taken place could not be inferred from the results of the analysis. The analysis was carried out to a fair degree of accuracy. Some interesting features which can be correlated with those observed in other molecules are evident in the structure. The work on this structure analysis was shared with Miss J. A. Hamilton who performed, as far as possible, alternate series of calculations. The crystal analysis of 2-chloro-4-nitroaniline was undertaken in order to determine the finer details of the molecule, the gross structure being entirely known. The results clearly establish that, in the solid state, the nitro group of the molecule is twisted out of the plane of the benzene ring by a small amount

On the Synthesis of Mixed-Metal and Mixed-Pnicogen 13-15 Ring Systems

Several pathways toward the synthesis of mixed-metal and mixed-pnicogen 13-15 ring systems have been explored. Equilibration reactions have proven successful toward the preparation of the latter compounds while most attempts to prepare mixed-metal compounds have resulted in unexpected and novel 13-15 species. These reactions and their products are discussed

Cycloaddition of vinyl aziridines with unsaturated substrates. A novel rearrangement of an unsaturated nitro compound.

Vinylaziridine undergoes reaction with electrophilic acetylenes and olefins to produce 7-membered azepine derivatives. With [beta]-nitro-styrene however, a novel rearrangement occurs, presumably via an ene reaction to form , the structure of which is definitively shown by x-ray diffraction.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24586/1/0000869.pd

Synthesis and characterization of aluminium-phosphorus adducts: X-ray crystal structures of Cl3Al·P(SiMe3)3·C7H8 and Br3Al·P(SiMe3)3·C7H8

The anempted dehalosilylatio reactions between AIX3 (X = C1. Br) and P(SiMe3)3 in toluene in 1:1 mole ratios afforded only the adducts C13Al-P(SiMe3)3 (I) and BrAl-P(SiMe)3 (II). respectively. Compounds I and II were characterized by 1H, 13C, 27Al. and 31P solution NMR spectroscopy, as well as partial elemental analysis In addition, the solid state structures of the toluene solvates of I and U weve determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Chanacterization revealed that the solid solvated adducts I and 1i are isostructural and their crystals are isomorphous. In each compound. the Al and the P atoms reside in tetrahedral environments, with each X3 P(SiMe3)3 (X = CL Br) molecule associated with one interstitial toluene molecule in the crystals. These adducts are noteworthy in that they possess exremely short, essentially equal Al-P bond lengths [For 1: AI-P = 2.392(4) A and for H: AI-P = 2.391(6) Ȧ], which are the shortest found to date in aluminum-phosphorus molecular species

Encouraging translation and assessing impact of the Centre for Research Excellence in Integrated Quality Improvement: Rationale and protocol for a research impact assessment

Introduction: There is growing recognition among health researchers and funders that the wider benefits of research such as economic, social and health impacts ought to be assessed and valued alongside academic outputs such as peer-reviewed papers. Research translation needs to increase and the pathways to impact ought to be more transparent. These processes are particularly pertinent to the Indigenous health sector given continued concerns that Indigenous communities are over-researched with little corresponding improvement in health outcomes. This paper describes the research protocol of a mixed methods study to apply FAIT (Framework to Assess the Impact from Translational health research) to the Centre for Research Excellence in Integrated Quality Improvement (CRE-IQI). FAIT will be applied to five selected CRE-IQI Flagship projects to encourage research translation and assess the wider impact of that research. Methods and analysis: Phase I will develop a modified programme logic model for each Flagship project including identifying process, output and impact metrics so progress can be monitored. A scoping review will inform potential benefits. In phase II, programme logic models will be updated to account for changes in the research pathways over time. Audit and feedback will be used to encourage research translation and collect evidence of achievement of any process, output and interim impacts. In phase III, three proven methodologies for measuring research impact—Payback, economic assessment and narratives—will be applied. Data on the application of FAIT will be collected and analysed to inform and improve FAIT’s performance

Reactions of phenylaluminium compounds with E (SiMe 3) 3 (E= P or AS): X-ray crystal structures of Ph 3 Al· E (SiMe 3) 3 (E= P or As) and Ph 2 (Cl) Al· P (SiMe 3) 3

The independent reactions of Ph3Al with E(SiMe3)3 (E = P or As) in 1:1 mole ratios afforded the adducts Ph3Al'E(SiMe3)3 [E = P (I) and As (II), respectively]. The attempted dehalosilylation reactions between PI12AICI and E(SiMe3)3 (E = P or As) in 1:1 mole ratios yielded only the adducts Ph2(Cl)Al.E(SiMe3)3 [E = P (III) and As (IV)]. The adduct Ph(Cl)2Al«P(SiMe3)3 (V) was isolated from the reaction of equimolar amounts of PhAlCl2 and P(SiMe3)3. Compounds I-V were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and partial elemental analysis. In addition, the solid-state structures of I-III were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Compound I crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2\ln (C2A5), while H crystallizes in the triclinic space group P UQ1), each with two discrete molecules per asymmetric unit. Crystals of compound III belong to the orthorhombic space group P2i2i2i(D24)- Compounds I-III are the first structurally-characterized compounds to contain phenyl-substituted Al centres bonded to heavier pnicogen atoms

SKA-low prototypes deployed in Australia : synoptic of the UAV-based experimental results

As the Square Kilometre Array progresses toward the construction phase, the first prototypes of the low-frequency instrument were deployed in Australia. To support such a crucial phase, a measurement campaign took place in the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory area to validate the electromagnetic models of the arrays by characterizing the embedded element patterns and the array beams. This article shows the significant campaign results in a comprehensive and readable way. Such a synoptic visualization allows for a direct evaluation of the complete dataset.peer-reviewe

Effectiveness of the cardiac-diabetes transcare program: protocol for a randomised controlled trial (Protocol)

Background This paper presents a protocol for a randomised controlled trial of the Cardiac-Diabetes Transcare program which is a transitional care, multi-modal self-management program for patients with acute coronary syndrome comorbid with type 2 diabetes. Prior research has indicated people hospitalised with dual cardiac and diabetes diagnoses are at an elevated risk of hospital readmissions, morbidity and mortality. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness (and cost-effectiveness) of a Cardiac-Diabetes Transcare intervention program on 6-month readmission rate in comparison to usual care. Methods/Design A two-armed, randomised controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment will be conducted to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of two modes of care, including a Usual Care Group and a Cardiac-Diabetes Transcare Intervention (in addition to usual care) Group. The primary outcome is 6-month readmission rate, although a range of secondary outcomes will be collected (including self-efficacy) at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 month reassessments. The intervention group will receive in-hospital education tailored for people recovering from an acute coronary syndrome-related hospital admission who have comorbid diabetes, and they will also receive home visits and telephone follow-up by a trained Research Nurse to reinforce and facilitate disease-management-related behaviour change. Both groups will receive usual care interventions offered or referred from participating hospital facilities. A sample size of 432 participants from participating hospitals in the Australian states of Queensland and Victoria will be recruited for 90% power based on the most conservative scenarios modelled for sample size estimates. Discussion The study outlined in this protocol will provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of a transitional care intervention targeted for people admitted to hospital with cardiac-related presentations commencing in the inpatient hospital setting and transition to the home environment. The purpose of theory-based intervention comprising face-to-face sessions and telephone follow up for patients with acute coronary syndrome and type 2 diabetes is to increase self-efficacy to enhance self-management behaviours and thus improve health outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions

Coibamide A Induces mTOR-Independent Autophagy and Cell Death in Human Glioblastoma Cells

Coibamide A is an N-methyl-stabilized depsipeptide that was isolated from a marine cyanobacterium as part of an International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups (ICBG) program based in Panama. Previous testing of coibamide A in the NCI in vitro 60 cancer cell line panel revealed a potent anti-proliferative response and "COMPARE-negative" profile indicative of a unique mechanism of action. We report that coibamide A is a more potent and efficacious cytotoxin than was previously appreciated, inducing concentration-and time-dependent cytotoxicity (EC₅₀<100 nM) in human U87-MG and SF-295 glioblastoma cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). This activity was lost upon linearization of the molecule, highlighting the importance of the cyclized structure for both anti-proliferative and cytotoxic responses. We show that coibamide A induces autophagosome accumulation in human glioblastoma cell types and MEFs via an mTOR-independent mechanism; no change was observed in the phosphorylation state of ULK1 (Ser-757), p70 S6K1 (Thr-389), S6 ribosomal protein (Ser-235/236) and 4EBP-1 (Thr-37/46). Coibamide A also induces morphologically and biochemically distinct forms of cell death according to cell type. SF-295 glioblastoma cells showed caspase-3 activation and evidence of apoptotic cell death in a pattern that was also seen in wild-type and autophagy-deficient (ATG5-null) MEFs. In contrast, cell death in U87-MG glioblastoma cells was characterized by extensive cytoplasmic vacuolization and lacked clear apoptotic features. Cell death was attenuated, but still triggered, in Apaf-1-null MEFs lacking a functional mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway. From the study of ATG5-null MEFs we conclude that a conventional autophagy response is not required for coibamide A-induced cell death, but likely occurs in dying cells in response to treatment. Coibamide A represents a natural product scaffold with potential for the study of mTOR-independent signaling and cell death mechanisms in apoptotic-resistant cancer cells